Mayotte in crisis: French occupation linked to soaring inflation, unemployment, crime rates

The Baku Initiative Group has released an infographic detailing the significant socio-economic impacts of French occupation on Mayotte Island. 

The report provides a stark comparison between conditions in 1974 and the present year, Caliber.Az reports citing the Group's social media accounts.

According to the infographic, inflation on Mayotte Island has surged from 2-3 per cent in 1974 to a troubling 8-10 per cent in 2024. The unemployment rate has similarly escalated, climbing from 5-7 per cent to a staggering 35 per cent over the same period.

The infographic also reveals a dramatic rise in poverty and crime rates. The poverty rate has more than doubled, increasing from 45 per cent in 1974 to 77 per cent in 2024. Concurrently, the crime rate has surged from 5-10 per cent to between 40-55 per cent, reflecting growing social instability on the island.

The Baku Initiative Group's report underscores the severe consequences of prolonged French occupation on Mayotte, highlighting critical issues that have intensified over the decades.