Universal Pensions in Mauritius: Lessons for the Rest of Us

United Nations DESA Discussion Paper No. 32

27 Pages Posted: 26 May 2003

See all articles by Larry Willmore

Larry Willmore

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

Date Written: April 2003

Abstract

That the Government of Mauritius provides nearly every resident over the age of 60 with a non-contributory, basic pension is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. The scheme dates from 1950 and became universal in 1958, following abolition of a means test. Remarkably, introduction of a compulsory, contributory scheme for workers in the private sector appears to have strengthened the non-contributory regime without affecting its universality. This paper examines the past and future of non-contributory, universal pensions in Mauritius, and draws lessons that might be useful for other countries, especially those in the developing world.

Keywords: public pensions, social security, means test, targeting, demographic ageing, Mauritius

JEL Classification: H55

Suggested Citation

Willmore, Larry, Universal Pensions in Mauritius: Lessons for the Rest of Us (April 2003). United Nations DESA Discussion Paper No. 32, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=398280 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.398280

Larry Willmore (Contact Author)

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis ( email )

Schlossplatz 1
Laxenburg, A-2361
Austria
+43 2236 807 374 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://larrywillmore.net

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
490
Abstract Views
6,574
Rank
106,118
PlumX Metrics