2015 Edition

Background

A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. 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 political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, the president and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and 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. President NASHEED faced a number of challenges including strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests following his sacking of a top judge, NASHEED resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. In mid-2012, a Commission of National Inquiry was set by the government to probe events leading up to NASHEED's resignation. Though the commission found no evidence of a coup, the report recommended the need to strengthen the country's democratic institutions to avert similar events in the future, and to further investigate alleged police misconduct during the crisis. Maldivian 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 UN Human Rights Council and in other international forums, as well as in encouraging regional cooperation, especially between India and Pakistan.

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

18.44 cu m/yr (2008)

total

0.01 cu km/yr (95%/5%/0%)

Geographic coordinates

3 15 N, 73 00 E

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 in Indian Ocean

Irrigated land

0 sq km NA (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 10%; permanent crops 10%; permanent pasture 3.3%

agricultural land

23.3%

forest

3%

other

73.7% (2011 est.)

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 (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

21.05% (male 42,230/female 40,555)

15-24 years

22.41% (male 51,141/female 36,970)

25-54 years

47.08% (male 107,436/female 77,713)

55-64 years

5.14% (male 10,243/female 9,968)

65 years and over

4.32% (male 7,994/female 9,003) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

15.75 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

17.8% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

34.7% (2009)

Death rate

3.89 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.9%

potential support ratio

14.4% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

47.4%

youth dependency ratio

40.5%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 97.9% of population

total: 98.6% of population

urban: 0.5% of population

rural: 2.1% of population

total: 1.4% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Health expenditures

10.8% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.01% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 100 (2013 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

female

21.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

26.11 deaths/1,000 live births

total

23.7 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

77.8 years (2015 est.)

male

73.06 years

total population

75.37 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.3%

Major urban areas - population

MALE (capital) 156,000 (2014)

Median age

female

27.3 years (2015 est.)

male

27.5 years

total

27.4 years

Nationality

adjective

Maldivian

noun

Maldivian(s)

Net migration rate

-12.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7% (2014)

Physicians density

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

393,253 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.08% (2015 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (official)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.5% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 97.9% of population

urban: 2.5% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.38 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.38 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.26 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.74 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

30.5% (2006 est.)

male

15.5%

total

22.2%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

45.5% of total population (2015)

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

geographic coordinates

4 10 N, 73 30 E

name

Male

time difference

UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008; amended 2015 (2015)

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

chancery

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Ahmed SAREER (since 11 January 2013)

FAX

[1] (212) 661-6405

telephone

[1] (212) 599-6195

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor (since 22 July 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

first round (9 November 2013); percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED (MDP) 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM (JP) 23.3%; runoff (16 November 2013); percent of vote - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president 51.4%, Mohamed NASHEED 48.6%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); the election held on 7 September 2013 was annulled by the Supreme Court; rerun of first round held on 9 November 2013 and a runoff held on 16 November (next election to be held in 2018)

head of government

President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor (since 22 July 2015)

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; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a separate 10-member body of selected high government officials and the public - and upon 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)

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (85 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote - PPM 40%, MDP 28.2%, JP 18.8%, MDA 5.9%, other 1.2%, independent 5.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, other 1, independent 5

elections

last held on 22 March 2014 (next to be held in 2019)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA

name

"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)

note

lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

National symbol(s)

coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Sheikh Imran ABDULLA]

Dhivehi Qaumee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]*

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP

Gaumee Itthihaad Party (National Unity Party) or GIP [Mohamed WAHEED]

Islamic Democratic Party or IDP*

Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed SIYAM]

Maldives National Congress or MNC [Ali AMJAD]*

Maldives Reform Movement or MRM [Mohamed MUNAWWAR]

Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Reeko Moosa MANIKU]

Maldivian Labor Party or MLP [Ahmed MOOSA]*

Maldivian Social Democratic Party or MSDP [Reeko Ibrahim MANIKU]*

Meedhu Dhaaira

People's Alliance or PA [Moosa ZAMEERI]*

People's Party or PP [Ahmed RIYAZ]*

Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP

Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]

Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM]

Social Liberal Party or SLP [Mazian RASHEED]*

note

political parties with an asterisk were dissolved on 7 February 2014 by the Elections Commission under the Political Parties Act, which requires a minimum membership; the status of these parties is unresolved, as the Supreme Court later ruled the dissolution invalid

Political pressure groups and leaders

other

various unregistered political parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Budget

expenditures

$876 million (2013 est.)

revenues

$762 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7% (31 December 2012)

6.96% (31 December 2011)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.5% (31 December 2012 est.)

10.2% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$232.4 million (2013 est.)

$310 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$793.6 million (2013 est.)

$890.8 million (2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.4 (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for nearly 30% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. 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.

Lower than expected 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 temporarily eased with a $79.3 million IMF Stand-By agreement. However, after the first two disbursements, the IMF withheld subsequent disbursements due to concerns over Maldives' growing budget deficit, and the government has been seeking other sources of budgetary support ever since. A new Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tourism introduced in January 2011, on general goods and services in October 2011, and a new Business Profit Tax introduced in July 2011 have provided a boost to revenue. In recent years, gross foreign exchange reserves have hovered around $300 million, sufficient to finance about two to three months of imports.

In August 2014 the Maldives’ Parliament passed a bill to create special economic zones, a step aimed at attracting investment and diversifying the economy away from tourism and fishing. The Maldives’ also took some steps to reduce the fiscal deficit in 2015, such as imposing a green tax on tourist establishments and raising import duties, but the deficit will grow because of increasing public expenditures.

Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are other near-term 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.

Exchange rates

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -

15.41 (2013)

15.37 (2012)

Exports

$166 million (2013 est.)

$161 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish

Exports - partners

Thailand 18.8%, France 16%, US 10.9%, Japan 7.5%, Germany 7.2%, UK 6.1%, Italy 5.5%, Sri Lanka 4.7% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

4%

industry

23%

services

73% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,400 (2014 est.)

$13,700 (2013 est.)

$13,100 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2014 est.)

4.7% (2013 est.)

1.3% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.854 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.92 billion (2014 est.)

$4.685 billion (2013 est.)

$4.476 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

11.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

13.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

9.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

33.3% (FY09/10)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

$1.728 billion (2013 est.)

$1.55 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Imports - partners

Singapore 18%, UAE 18%, India 9%, Malaysia 8.3%, China 6.7%, Sri Lanka 5.7%, Thailand 5.5% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

14% (2012 est.)

Industries

tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2014 est.)

10.9% (2012 est.)

Labor force

159,700 (2012)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

15%

industry

15%

services

70% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$555 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

16% (2008 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$368.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)

$356 million (30 November 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.538 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

$1.298 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.601 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$623 million (31 December 2013 est.)

$547.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2012 est.)

12% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.123 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

246.6 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

77,080 kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

265.2 million kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

7,610 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,940 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 3 privately owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; 5 privately owned radio stations (2012)

Internet country code

.mv

Internet users

percent of population

4.7% (2014 est.)

total

18,600

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (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 has reached 135 per 100 persons

general assessment

telephone services have improved; inter-atoll 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) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

5 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

21,500

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

169 (2014 est.)

total

665,800

Television broadcast stations

2 (2009)

Airports

9 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

4 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

2

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned

4 (Singapore 4)

registered in other countries

4 (Panama 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2010)

total

18

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Male

Roadways

note

island roads are mainly compacted coral (2013)

paved roads

88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu

total

88 km

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

98,815 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

156,319

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

85,181 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

135,374

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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)

Military service age and 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 (2012)

Disputes - international

none