Seychelles flagEconomy Guide · Seychelles

Economy Guide in Seychelles

Economic overview, job market trends, income levels, and financial landscape for expats

Economic Overview

GDP

$1.59B

Total economic output of the country

HDI

0.79

High human development

Quality of Life

61/100

Good quality of life — above global average

Purchasing Power

16/100

Very weak purchasing power — limited buying capacity

Comparison data legendCompare:
Country
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

0510
Moderate

Moderate costs (CPI: 65.2). Groceries (75.8) and restaurants (69.7) are somewhat expensive, while rent (26.0) is relatively low compared to NYC.

Housing Market

0510
Excellent

The property price to income ratio is 4.8, indicating a very affordable housing market. The rent index is 26.0, suggesting relatively low rental costs.

Average Income Levels

0510
Very Poor

A purchasing power index of 37.3 indicates low buying power compared to NYC, suggesting that average incomes may not stretch far.

Tax System

0510
Good

The personal income tax for non-citizens is progressive (15-30%), with potential for no tax on foreign-sourced income for qualifying expats. VAT is 15%. An annual immovable property tax of 0.50% applies to non-Seychellois owners.

Business Environment

0510
Moderate

Seychelles is developing its startup ecosystem, particularly in fintech and AI, supported by initiatives like the Innovation HUB. While regulatory frameworks are evolving, challenges in funding and infrastructure persist.

Social Security

0510
Good

Seychelles offers a universal healthcare system, primarily government-funded, with a quality index of 75/100. A comprehensive pension system is in place, alongside various statutory benefits, though specialized medical care often requires overseas travel.

Banking & Financial Safety

0510
Poor

Seychelles currently lacks a formal deposit insurance scheme. However, a depositor preference scheme provides protection up to SCR 10,000 (approx. USD 720) per depositor in case of liquidation. The banking sector is stable and subject to Central Bank oversight, with ongoing reforms to align with international standards like Basel III and FATF.

Deposit Protection: up to $720 USD (see sources)