Inflation
Three decades ago, when I first came to Mauritius, the economy was relatively modest. Food prices were sometimes even cheaper than in Thailand. Two decades ago, prices began to rise, but most things were still fairly affordable. A decade ago, Mauritius was still cheaper than Hong Kong, though already far more expensive than Thailand. These days, with global instability and the ongoing Middle East conflict, prices here are almost on par with Hong Kong — and sometimes even higher.
One of the reasons I decided to have Ginger spayed is because I’m not sure I have the financial capacity to care for more than one cat. I’m sad that one of Ginger’s babies didn’t make it, but I also feel a small sense of relief knowing I won’t need to support four cats. With the current economy, rising inflation, and my struggling business, even taking care of three cats isn’t easy. They’re still small now, so it’s manageable, but I’m hoping my business improves soon. I want to be able to support them properly. I’m also unsure what will happen when Cross and Robyne reach four or five months old — Ginger might push them away. I love Cross deeply, so I hope she lets him stay, and that my finances will allow me to keep them all.
I’ve been eating less and stopped using the A/C at night to reduce expenses. Last year, my electricity bill was around Rs1,000. This year, it’s closer to Rs2,000. That alone shows how severe inflation has become. Thankfully, the water bill is either zero or Rs55. Gas prices, however, have also jumped — from Rs190 per cylinder to Rs250. I mainly use gas for showering. Open-flame cooking isn’t ideal for health, and while firewood is healthier in some ways, it’s not good for the environment. So for now, finding ways to cut costs has become a priority.
Fun Facts About Inflation
- Inflation isn’t always caused by local issues — global events like wars, shipping disruptions, and oil price spikes can raise prices even in small island nations.
- Food inflation tends to hit island countries harder because most goods must be imported.
- Electricity prices often rise faster than general inflation because fuel costs directly affect power generation.
- Even small increases in gas or electricity can compound over time, doubling household expenses within a few years.