2011 Edition

Background

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 2003, 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 President NASHEED include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Maldives officials have played a prominent role in international climate change discussions (due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise) on the United Nations Human Rights Council, and in encouraging regional cooperation, especially between India and Pakistan.

Area

298 sq km 298 sq km 0 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

Indian Ocean 0 m unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution none of the selected 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)

0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) 9 cu m/yr (1987)

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

13.33% 30% 56.67% (2005)

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 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

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

21.5% (male 43,332/female 41,642) 74.4% (male 177,365/female 116,552) 4.1% (male 7,888/female 8,220) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

21.5% (male 43,332/female 41,642)

15-64 years

74.4% (male 177,365/female 116,552)

65 years and over

4.1% (male 7,888/female 8,220) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

14.83 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

25.7% (2001)

Death rate

3.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 86% of population total: 91% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 14% of population total: 9% of population (2008)

rural

14% of population

total

9% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

11.2% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

27.45 deaths/1,000 live births 29.93 deaths/1,000 live births 24.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

24.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

27.45 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

74.45 years 72.22 years 76.8 years (2011 est.)

female

76.8 years (2011 est.)

total population

74.45 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93.8% 93% 94.7% (2006 Census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

94.7% (2006 Census)

male

93%

total population

93.8%

Major cities - population

MALE (capital) 120,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

37 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

26.2 years 26.8 years 25.2 years (2011 est.)

female

25.2 years (2011 est.)

male

26.8 years

total

26.2 years

Nationality

Maldivian(s) Maldivian

adjective

Maldivian

noun

Maldivian(s)

Net migration rate

-12.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

1.595 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

394,999 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.151% (2011 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (official)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 96% of population total: 98% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 4% of population total: 2% of population (2008)

rural

4% of population

total

2% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 13 years 12 years (2006)

female

12 years (2006)

male

13 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.57 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.4 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.57 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.98 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.4 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

22.2% 15.5% 30.5% (2006)

female

30.5% (2006)

total

22.2%

Urbanization

40% of total population (2010) 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

40% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces and 1 municipality*; Dhekunu (South), Maale*, Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South), Mathi Uthuru (Upper North), Medhu (Central), Medhu Dhekunu (South Central), Medhu Uthuru (North Central), Uthuru (North)

Capital

Male 4 10 N, 73 30 E UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Republic of Maldives Maldives Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa Dhivehi Raajje

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

Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 599-6195 [1] (212) 661-6405

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

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 President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008) Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president 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) Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president

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 - Mohamed 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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters

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 last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) 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 as of October 2011 - MDP 35, DRP 17, PPM 15, JP 2, PA 2, Meedhu DHAAIRA 1, independents 5

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 as of October 2011 - MDP 35, DRP 17, PPM 15, JP 2, PA 2, Meedhu DHAAIRA 1, independents 5

elections

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

National anthem

"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute) Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

lyrics/music

Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA

name

"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

National symbol(s)

crescent moon

Political parties and leaders

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Shaykh Hussein RASHEED Ahmed]; Dhivehi Qaumee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Ahmed THASMEEN Ali]; Gaumee Itthihaad (National Alliance) or GI [Mohamed WAHEED]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Ibrahim DIDI]; Maldives National Congress or MNC; Maldives Social Democratic Party or MSDP; Meedhu Dhaaira; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; People's Party or PP; Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP; Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Mazian RASHEED]

Political pressure groups and leaders

various unregistered political parties

other

various unregistered political parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Budget

$476 million $758 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$758 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$476 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-15.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.75% (31 December 2010 est.) 16% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.38% (31 December 2010 est.) 13% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$463 million (2010 est.) -$419 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$943 million (2010 est.) $933 million (2009 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, but the fish catch has dropped sharply in recent years. 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. In the last decade, real GDP growth averaged around 6% per year except for 2005, when GDP declined following the Indian Ocean tsunami, and in 2009, when GDP shrank by 3% as tourist arrivals declined and capital flows plunged in the wake of the global financial crisis. 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. However, after the first two disbursements, the IMF withheld subsequent disbursements due to concerns over Maldives' growing budget deficit. Maldives has had chronic budget deficits in recent years and the government's plans to cut expenditures have not progressed well. A new Goods and Services Tax on Tourism (GST) was introduced in January 2011 and a new Business Profit Tax is to be introduced during the year. These taxes are expected to increase government revenue by about 25%. The government has privatized the main airport and is partially privatizing the energy sector. Tourism will remain the engine of the economy. The Government of the Maldives has aggressively promoted building new island resorts. Due to increasing tourist arrivals, the government expects GDP growth around 4.0% in 2011. 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 (2010) 12.8 (2008) 12.8 (2007) 12.8 (2006)

Exports

$163 million (2009 est.) $331 million (2008 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish

Exports - partners

Thailand 17.9%, Sri Lanka 16.9%, France 14.2%, UK 12.1%, Italy 9.2%, Tanzania 4.9% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

5.6% 16.9% 77.5% (2009 est.)

agriculture

5.6%

industry

16.9%

services

77.5% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,900 (2010 est.) $6,400 (2009 est.) $6,900 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8% (2010 est.) -4.8% (2009 est.) 12.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.87 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.734 billion (2010 est.) $2.532 billion (2009 est.) $2.658 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$967 million (2009 est.) $1.388 billion (2008 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Singapore 24.7%, UAE 17.2%, India 8.6%, Malaysia 8.1%, Sri Lanka 5.7%, Thailand 5.7%, China 5.6% (2010)

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)

6% (2010 est.) 7.3% (2009 est.)

Labor force

110,000 (2010)

Labor force - by occupation

11% 23% 65% (2006 est.)

agriculture

11%

industry

23%

services

65% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

6,088 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

16% (2008)

Stock of broad money

$1.239 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.064 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

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

Stock of narrow money

$588 million (31 December 2010) $581 million (31 December 2009)

Taxes and other revenues

25.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

14.5% (2010 est.) 14.4% (2006 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned radio and television monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; there are 5 privately-owned radio broadcast stations operating (2009)

Internet country code

.mv

Internet hosts

2,164 (2010)

Internet users

86,400 (2009)

Telephone system

telephone services have improved; interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service 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 country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)

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

48,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

494,400 (2010)

Airports

5 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2010)

total

2

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 20, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2 4 (Panama 3, Tuvalu 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

4 (Panama 3, Tuvalu 1) (2010)

total

24

Ports and terminals

Male

Roadways

88 km 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)

total

88 km

Manpower available for military service

156,319 98,815 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

98,815 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

156,319

Manpower fit for military service

135,374 85,181 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

85,181 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

135,374

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

4,167 3,595 (2010 est.)

female

3,595 (2010 est.)

male

4,167

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)

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

1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)

IDPs

1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

The Maldives is primarily a destination country for migrant workers from Bangladesh and, to a lesser extent, India, some of whom are subjected to forced labor primarily in the construction and service sectors; some women and girls also are subjected to sex trafficking; some underage Maldivian children are transported to Male from other islands for forced domestic service, and a small number were reportedly sexually abused Tier 2 Watch List - the government has not demonstrated increased efforts to address human trafficking and lacks systematic procedures for identifying victims of trafficking among vulnerable populations, and it did not investigate or prosecute trafficking-related offenses or take concrete actions to protect trafficking victims and prevent trafficking; counter-trafficking efforts are impeded by the lack of understanding of the issue, a legal structure, and a legal definition of trafficking (2011)

current situation

The Maldives is primarily a destination country for migrant workers from Bangladesh and, to a lesser extent, India, some of whom are subjected to forced labor primarily in the construction and service sectors; some women and girls also are subjected to sex trafficking; some underage Maldivian children are transported to Male from other islands for forced domestic service, and a small number were reportedly sexually abused

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the government has not demonstrated increased efforts to address human trafficking and lacks systematic procedures for identifying victims of trafficking among vulnerable populations, and it did not investigate or prosecute trafficking-related offenses or take concrete actions to protect trafficking victims and prevent trafficking; counter-trafficking efforts are impeded by the lack of understanding of the issue, a legal structure, and a legal definition of trafficking (2011)