2010 Edition

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. Maldives officials have been prominent participants in international climate change talks due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise.

Area

land

298 sq km

total

298 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

highest point

unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 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)

per capita

9 cu m/yr (1987)

total

0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%)

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%

other

56.67% (2005)

permanent crops

30%

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

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

tsunamis; low elevation 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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291) 15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

14.5 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

3.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

8.1% of GDP (2008)

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

female

25.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

30.97 deaths/1,000 live births

total

28.47 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Dhivehi (official) (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.54 years (2010 est.)

male

72 years

total population

74.21 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

94.7% (2006 Census)

male

93%

total population

93.8%

Median age

female

24.7 years (2010 est.)

male

26.6 years

total

25.9 years

Nationality

adjective

Maldivian

noun

Maldivian(s)

Net migration rate

-12.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

395,650 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.178% (2010 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

12 years (2006)

male

13 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.57 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female

total population

1.4 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.83 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

38% of total population (2008)

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

geographic coordinates

4 10 N, 73 30 E

name

Male

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, Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS, is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed

FAX

[1] (212) 661-6405

telephone

[1] (212) 599-6195

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%

elections

under the new constitution, the president elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

head of government

President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008)

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 lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam

Government type

republic

Independence

26 July 1965 (from the UK)

International organization participation

ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, 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 People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that increased the number of seats to 77 from 50

election results

percent of vote - DRP 36.4%, MDP 33.8 %, PA 9.1%, DQP 2.6% Republican Party 1.2%, independents 16.9%; seats by party - DRP 28, MDP 26, PA 7, DQP 2, Republican Party 1, independents 13

elections

last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

name

"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Political parties and leaders

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Shaykh Hussein RASHEED Ahmed]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [THASMEEN Ali]; Gaumii Ithihaad (National Alliance) or GI [Mohamed WAHEED]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mariya DIDI]; Maldives National Congress or MNC; Maldives Social Democratic Party or MSDP; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; People's Party or PP; Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP; Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other

various unregistered political parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Central bank discount rate

13% (31 December 2009) 13% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13% (31 December 2009 est.) 13% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$370 million (2009 est.) -$638 million (2008 est.)

Debt - external

$589 million (2009 est.) $477 million (2008 est.)

Economy - overview

Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of 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. The Maldivian Government implemented economic reforms, beginning in 1989 that initially lifted import quotas, opened some exports to the private sector, and liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade, and registered 18% in 2006, due to a rebound in tourism and reconstruction following the tsunami of December 2004. GDP slowed in 2007-08, then contracted in 2009 due to the global recession. Falling tourist arrivals and fish exports, combined with high government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries contributed to a balance of payments crisis, which was eased with a December 2009, $79.3 million dollar IMF standby agreement. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment opportunities are 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

542 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

542 million kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2009), 12.8 (2008), 12.8 (2007), 12.8 (2006)

Exports

$88 million (2009 est.) $125 million (2008 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish

Exports - partners

France 17.01%, Thailand 15.16%, Italy 13.49%, UK 13.13%, Sri Lanka 12.38% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

5.6%

industry

16.9%

services

77.5% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,500 (2010 est.) $4,300 (2009 est.) $4,600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2010 est.) -3.1% (2009 est.) 6.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.433 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.767 billion (2010 est.) $1.708 billion (2009 est.) $1.763 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$782 million (2008 est.) $1.221 billion (2008 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Imports - partners

Singapore 24.62%, UAE 15.7%, India 11.02%, Malaysia 8.98%, Sri Lanka 5.4%, Thailand 5.36% (2009)

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)

7.3% (2009 est.) 12.3% (2008 est.)

Labor force

144,000 (2009)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

11%

industry

23%

services

65% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

5,490 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

16% (2008)

Stock of broad money

$1.065 billion (31 December 2009) $946.1 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.548 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$460 million (31 October 2009) $475.2 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate

14.4% (2006 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned radio and television monopoly until recently; by mid-2008 there were 5 radio broadcast stations operating; first private cable TV channel now operational with an additional 4 private TV channels in the regulatory pipeline (2008)

Internet country code

.mv

Internet hosts

2,164 (2010)

Internet users

86,400 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile-cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that exceeds 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

telephone services have improved; 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) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

49,913 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

461,149 (2009)

Airports

5 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 20, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2

registered in other countries

4 (Panama 3, Tuvalu 1) (2010)

total

24

Ports and terminals

Male

Roadways

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)

total

88 km

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 158,307 females age 16-49: 97,166 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 137,181 females age 16-49: 83,837 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

3,765 (2010 est.)

male

4,369

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 branches

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)

Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)

Military expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-28 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007) page last updated on January 24, 2011 ======================================================================