2008 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2008 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Background
The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse.
Geography
Area
total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Coastline
644 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Environment - current issues
depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)
Geographic coordinates
3 15 N, 73 00 E
Geography - note
1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Irrigated land
NA
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005)
Location
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Map references
Asia
Maritime claims
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
low level of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
Natural resources
fish
Terrain
flat, with white sandy beaches
Total renewable water resources
0.03 cu km (1999)
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 23.5% (male 46,174/female 44,396) 15-64 years: 72.7% (male 172,279/female 108,152) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,510/female 7,414) (2008 est.)
Birth rate
14.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate
3.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Education expenditures
8% of GDP (2006)
Ethnic groups
South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
fewer than 100 (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 30.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Languages
Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 73.72 years male: 71.55 years female: 76.01 years (2008 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census)
Median age
total: 25.1 years male: 26 years female: 23.7 years (2008 est.)
Nationality
noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Net migration rate
NA (2008 est.)
Population
385,925 (July 2008 est.)
Population growth rate
5.566% (2008 est.)
Religions
Sunni Muslim
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.59 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.41 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.97 children born/woman (2008 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Capital
name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
new constitution ratified 7 August 2008
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Hussain MANIKU chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194
Executive branch
chief of state: President Mohamed NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75%; note - NASHEED is expected to assume office on 11 November 2008
FAX
[1] (212) 599-6195
Flag description
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
Government type
republic
Independence
26 July 1965 (from UK)
International organization participation
ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission
Legal system
based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch
unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50
National holiday
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Political parties and leaders
Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; note - political parties were allowed to register in June 2005
Political pressure groups and leaders
other: various unregistered political parties
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Budget
revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)
Central bank discount rate
12.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
13% (31 December 2007)
Currency (code)
rufiyaa (MVR)
Currency code
MVR
Current account balance
-$472 million (2007)
Debt - external
$482 million (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient
$66.83 million (2005)
Economy - overview
Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly. The trade deficit has expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.
Electricity - consumption
203.7 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production
230 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Exchange rates
rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003)
Exports
$167 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities
fish
Exports - partners
Thailand 28.3%, UK 17.6%, France 8.8%, Sri Lanka 8.6%, Algeria 8.2%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.1% (2007)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 16% industry: 7% services: 77% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$4,600 (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
6.6% (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.049 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.588 billion (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
$930 million f.o.b. (2006)
Imports - commodities
petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods
Imports - partners
Canada 35.2%, Singapore 15%, UAE 10.2%, India 7.4%, Malaysia 7.1% (2007)
Industrial production growth rate
-0.9% (2004 est.)
Industries
tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5% (2007 est.)
Labor force
101,300 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$NA
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Oil - consumption
5,490 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports
1,499 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports
5,362 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - production
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line
21% (2004)
Stock of domestic credit
$1.08 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of money
$344.1 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money
$434.9 million (31 December 2007)
Unemployment rate
NEGL% (2003 est.)
Communications
Internet country code
.mv
Internet hosts
1,600 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
1 (2000)
Internet users
33,000 (2007)
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios
35,000 (1999)
Telephone system
general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership approaching 90 per 100 persons domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use
33,200 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular
317,800 (2007)
Television broadcast stations
1 (2006)
Televisions
10,000 (1999)
Transportation
Airports
5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)
Merchant marine
total: 29 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals
Male
Roadways
total: 88 km paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)
Military and Security
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)
Quick Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2007)
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 72,150 females age 16-49: 69,058 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 4,749 female: 4,084 (2008 est.)
Military - note
the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008)
Military expenditures
5.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
IDPs
1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007) This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008