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Maldives
Maldives
Population
527.8K
Rank #171Source: World Bank
Capital
Male
Source: REST Countries
Region
Asia
South Asia
Source: REST Countries
GDP (Nominal)
$7.06B
Rank #155Source: World Bank
Land Area
300 km²
Rank #200Source: REST Countries
Life Expectancy
81.041 yrs
Source: World Bank
Historical Trends
Population Trend (5-Year)
Source: World Bank
GDP Trend (5-Year, Nominal USD)
Source: World Bank
Geography
Area: 300 km²
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation: mean elevation: 2 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m
Natural Hazards: tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
Environmental Issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; inadequate sewage treatment; coral reef bleaching
Land Use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2011 est.) forest: 3% (2011 est.) other: 73.7% (2011 est.)
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 astride and along major sea lanes...
Natural Resources
fish
People & Society
Fertility Rate
1.57
Population
527.8K
Economy
GDP per Capita
$13,379.351
GDP per Capita PPP
26,182.783
(2024)
(2024)
GNI per Capita
11,640
(2024)
(2024)
Gini Index
29.3
(2019)
(2019)
Unemployment
4.278%
(2024)
(2024)
Inflation
1.4%
(2024)
(2024)
Public Debt
57.298%
(2011)
(2011)
Energy
Electricity Access
100%
(2023)
(2023)
Renewable Energy
1.2%
(2022)
(2022)
CO₂ Emissions
1.882 Mt
(2024)
(2024)
Energy Intensity
2.79 MJ/$
(2022)
(2022)
Renewable Electricity
5.821%
(2021)
(2021)
Environment
Forest Coverage
2.752% of land
(2023)
(2023)
Communications
Internet Users
84.685%
(2023)
(2023)
Mobile Penetration
141.601%
(2023)
(2023)
Broadband Subscribers
18.728%
(2023)
(2023)
Transportation
Air Transport Freight
29.459 M ton-km
(2023)
(2023)
Container Port Traffic
107,728.2 TEU
(2019)
(2019)
Airports
33,484
Rail Lines
N/A
Roads Total
N/A
Military
Military Forces
the Republic of Maldives has no distinct army, navy, or air force but a single security unit called the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) comprised of ground forces, an air element, a...
Personnel Strength
the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has approximately 2,500 personnel
Equipment & Inventories
India has provided most of the equipment in the MNDF's inventory (2020)
Service Age & Obligation
18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party
Education
Pre-Primary Enrollment
76.061%
(2020)
(2020)
Primary Enrollment
99.715%
(2024)
(2024)
Secondary Enrollment
79.357%
(2023)
(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
48.497%
(2022)
(2022)
Education Spending
5.167% of GDP
(2023)
(2023)
Adult Literacy Rate
98.21%
(2019)
(2019)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
10.163:1
(2017)
(2017)
Health
Physicians per 1,000
2.235
(2019)
(2019)
Safe Water Access
99.758%
(2024)
(2024)
Safe Drinking Water
Not Available
Under-5 Mortality
5.7 per 1,000
(2023)
(2023)
Maternal Mortality (World Bank)
18.39 per 100,000
(2021)
(2021)
Hospital Beds per 1,000
74.509
(2021)
(2021)
UHC Coverage Index
71
(2023)
(2023)
Measles Immunization
99%
(2024)
(2024)
Social Indicators
Extreme Poverty Rate
Not Available
Food Insecurity
Not Available
Youth NEET Rate
13.874%
(2019)
(2019)
Governance
Women in Government
3.226%
(2024)
(2024)
Voice & Accountability
-0.14
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Political Stability
0.53
(Above Average)
(2023)
(Above Average)
(2023)
Government Effectiveness
-0.13
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Regulatory Quality
-0.67
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Rule of Law
-0.08
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Control of Corruption
-0.40
(Below Average)
(2023)
(Below Average)
(2023)
Government
Government Type
presidential republic
Legal System
Islamic (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018); the president is both chief of state and head of government head...
Legislative Branch
description: unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (87 seats - includes 2 seats added by the Elections Commission in late 2018; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple...
Judicial Branch
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4-6 justices; note - 3 justices as of late 2019) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president...
National Symbols
Flag Description
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their...
National Symbols
coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white
National Anthem
name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute) lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung...
Safety
Homicide Rate
0.615 per 100,000
(2019)
(2019)
Travel Information
Language(s): Maldivian
Currency: MVR (.ރ)
Timezone(s): UTC+05:00
Landlocked: No
Independent: Yes
Driving Side: Left
Calling Code: +960
Car Sign: MV
Week Starts: Sunday
Photos
A view of the Male waterfront. The capital city's harbor is enclosed by an artificial coral stone breakwater.
A view of the Male waterfront. The capital city's harbor is enclosed by an artificial coral stone breakwater. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Mulee-Aage Palace in Male was built in 1906 by Sultan Shamsuddeen III as a home for his son. In 1936, the sultan was banished and the building became the new government's property. In 1986, the building was named the president's official residence. Today there is a new official residence and Mulee-Aage serves as the president's office. It is noted for its exquisite white carvings.
Mulee-Aage Palace in Male was built in 1906 by Sultan Shamsuddeen III as a home for his son. In 1936, the sultan was banished and the building became the new government's property. In 1986, the building was named the president's official residence. Today there is a new official residence and Mulee-Aage serves as the president's office. It is noted for its exquisite white carvings. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
Area comparison map
Area comparison map • CIA World Factbook • 2020
CIA World Factbook • 2020
Male bike park with minaret in the background.
Male bike park with minaret in the background. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
The Royal Graveyard in Male is near the Grand Friday Mosque and contains the tombs of the country's heroes and members of royalty.
The Royal Graveyard in Male is near the Grand Friday Mosque and contains the tombs of the country's heroes and members of royalty. • CIA World Factbook • 2020
19 photos available
View All Photos→Data sources: World Bank, UN Data • Updated daily •Learn about our data