World · permanent entity record · MV
Maldives
Thirty-second orientation
Maldives at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Maldivian(s); adjective: Maldivian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Dhivehi (official, closely related to Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Maldives through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Maldives became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 529,676World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 388,858 (2024 est.) male: 197,739 female: 191,119CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-11 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $7.7 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $14,615
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 81.3 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 42.5%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 85.2%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Malé
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 298 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 529,676
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- rufiyaa (MVR)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Dhivehi (official, closely related to Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Maldivian(s); adjective: Maldivian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Asia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South Asia.”
- Coastline
- 644 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Sunni Muslim (official)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- red, green, white
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- coconut palm, yellowfin tuna
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island · 16 ft (5 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Indian Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887 and a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. After political demonstrations in the capital Male in 2003, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005. In 2008, a constituent assembly -- termed the "Special Majlis" -- finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held later that year. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist whom the regime had jailed several years earlier. In 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to a top judge's arrest, NASHEED resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded that there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contended that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. In 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to parliamentarian Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH. YAMEEN was arrested and jailed in 2022 on corruption charges. Maldives' fourth democratic election was held in September 2023. The winner, Male City Mayor Dr. Mohamed MUIZZU, campaigned on a platform of Maldivian sovereignty, vowing to remove Indian military personnel from the country. MUIZZU represents a joint Progressive Pary of Maldives and People's National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 298 sq km land: 298 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- about 1.7 times the size of Washington, D.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- flat coral atolls, with white sandy beaches; sits atop the submarine volcanic Chagos-Laccadive Ridge
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 19.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 13.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.4% (2023 est.) forest: 12.5% (2023 est.) other: 67.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- smallest Asian country; archipelago of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); strategic location along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society36 fields
- Population
- total: 388,858 (2024 est.) male: 197,739 female: 191,119
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- homogeneous mixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African resulting from historical changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Dhivehi (official, closely related to Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 44,321/female 42,626) 15-64 years: 71.5% (male 143,021/female 135,044) 65 years and over: 6.1% (2024 est.) (male 10,397/female 13,449)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 39.8 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 31.3 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.6 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 11.7 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 32.4 years (2025 est.) male: 31.3 years female: 32.4 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 14.77 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 4.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -12.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 42% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 177,000 MALE (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 23.2 years (2016/17 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 32 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 23.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 27.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.3 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 77.4 years (2024 est.) male: 75.1 years female: 79.9 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 10% of GDP (2021) 18.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 2.24 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 5 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 1.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 28% (2025 est.) male: 41.5% (2025 est.) female: 9.2% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 14.8% (2017 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 68.4% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 0% (2017) women married by age 18: 2.2% (2017) men married by age 18: 2.2% (2017)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 5.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.6% national budget (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 98.2% (2019 est.) male: 98.2% (2019 est.) female: 98.3% (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 13 years (2022 est.) male: 11 years (2022 est.) female: 15 years (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- rising sea levels; depletion of freshwater aquifers; inadequate sewage treatment; coral reef bleaching
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 19.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 13.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.4% (2023 est.) forest: 12.5% (2023 est.) other: 67.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 42% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 1.908 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.908 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 12.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 211,500 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20.9% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 5.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 300,000 cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 268,194 cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 30 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government22 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje etymology: the origin of the name is obscure but may derive from the Sanskrit word maladvipa, meaning "garland of islands;" the local name, Dhivehi Raajje, means "land of the Dhivehi people" in the local language
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Malé geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name may come from the Sanskrit word mala, or "garland"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu (Addu City), Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Ari Atoll), Ariatholhu Uthuruburi (North Ari Atoll), Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu (Felidhu Atoll), Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Huvadhu Atoll), Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi (North Huvadhu Atoll), Kolhumadulu, Maale (Male), Maaleatholhu (Male Atoll), Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Maalhosmadulu), Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (North Maalhosmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Miladhunmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (North Miladhunmadulu), Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi (North Nilandhe Atoll), Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi (South Thiladhunmathi), Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi (North Thiladhunmathi)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- Islamic (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008 amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by its membership and the signature of the president of the republic; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on rights and freedoms and the terms of office of Parliament and of the president also requires a majority vote in a referendum
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023) head of government: President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by People's Majlis election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 9 September 2023, with runoff on 30 September 2023 election results: 2023: Mohamed MUIZZU elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed MUIZZU (PNC) 46.1%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 39.1%, Ilyas LABEEB (DEMS) 7.1%, other 7.7%; percent of vote in the second round - Mohamed MUIZZU 54%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH 46% expected date of next election: 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: People's Majlis (Majlis) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 93 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 4/21/2024 parties elected and seats per party: People's National Congress (PNC) (66); Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) (12); Independents (11); Other (4) percentage of women in chamber: 3.2% expected date of next election: April 2029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission -- a 10-member body of selected senior government officials and the public -- and on confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party or DRP Maldives Development Alliance or MDA Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP Maldives Third Way Democrats or MTD People's National Congress or PNC People's National Front Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed (since 15 June 2023) chancery: 1100 H Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 516-5458 email address and website: WashingtonInfo@foreign.gov.mv The Embassy (mdvmission.gov.mv)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Chunnong SAEGER (since January 2026) embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka; note - as of early November 2023, the US has no consular or diplomatic offices in Maldives; the US Mission to Maldives operates from US Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500 FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345 email address and website: Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Maldives
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: red with a large green rectangle in the center and a vertical white crescent moon centered on the rectangle meaning: red stands for those who have sacrificed their lives to defend the country, green for peace and prosperity, and the white crescent is a symbol of Islam
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute) lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA history: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; the anthem has seven verses, but only the first two are commonly used
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- upper middle-income Indian Ocean island economy; major tourism, fishing, and shipping industries; high public debt; systemic corruption; crippled by COVID-19; ongoing deflation; poverty has tripled since pandemic began
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $12.325 billion (2024 est.) $11.723 billion (2023 est.) $11.194 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 5.1% (2024 est.) 4.7% (2023 est.) 13.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $23,400 (2024 est.) $22,300 (2023 est.) $21,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $6.975 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 1.4% (2024 est.) 2.9% (2023 est.) 2.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 3% (2024 est.) industry: 9% (2024 est.) services: 73.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 51.4% (2023 est.) government consumption: 17.1% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 35% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -2% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 74.4% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -75.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- fruits, vegetables, nuts, other meats, papayas, bananas, tomatoes, maize, pulses, chillies/peppers (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- -2.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 270,300 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7% (2024 est.) 4.3% (2023 est.) 4.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 16.1% (2024 est.) male: 20% (2024 est.) female: 9.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 5.4% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 29.3 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 3.8% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 23.3% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $1.407 billion (2021 est.) expenditures: $1.939 billion (2021 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 19.5% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$1.257 billion (2024 est.) -$1.4 billion (2023 est.) -$1.042 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $5.413 billion (2024 est.) $4.88 billion (2023 est.) $5.096 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Thailand 32%, India 21%, Singapore 9%, UK 7%, Germany 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- fish, aircraft, refined petroleum, scrap iron, natural gas (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $5.344 billion (2024 est.) $4.984 billion (2023 est.) $4.939 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- India 15%, UAE 15%, Oman 14%, China 12%, Singapore 8% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- refined petroleum, plastic products, aircraft, granite, ships (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $673.886 million (2024 est.) $590.523 million (2023 est.) $832.094 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $3.113 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 15.389 (2024 est.) 15.387 (2023 est.) 15.387 (2022 est.) 15.373 (2021 est.) 15.381 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy6 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 432,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 821.397 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 25.867 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 93.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 6.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 50.886 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 13,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 745,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- formerly a state-owned radio and TV monopoly; now 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned TV stations; 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned radio stations (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 85% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 98,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- 8Q
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 82 (2023) by type: general cargo 30, oil tanker 20, other 32
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Male
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- Military and security forces
- Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Corps, Fire and Rescue Service Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology (MOHST): Maldives Police Service (2025) note: in addition to the MNDF, the Maldives Ministry of Defense controls the Aviation Security Command, which provides security for the civil aviation industry, and the National Counter Terrorism Center
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 3-4,000 active Defense Forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the Defense Force has a limited inventory consisting of mostly secondhand or donated equipment from suppliers such as Germany, India, Japan, Türkiye, and the UK (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18-25 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription (2025) note: in 2025, the Maldives began allowing Maldivians 16-28 (under 18 with parental consent) who lacked access to further education after completing their secondary education or employment could join the Maldives National Service Program and be recruited to the Army or Police
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) is responsible for defending and safeguarding the Maldives' territorial integrity, economic exclusion zone, and people; it is also responsible for disaster relief, and if requested, assisting the Maldives Police Service in maintaining internal security and law and order; maritime security is its largest focus; the Indian Armed Forces have long been the MNDF's most important partner (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
- Terrorist group(s)
- Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- IDPs: 54 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Trafficking in persons
- tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Maldives remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/maldives/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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