2017 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, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM in August 2008. 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 GAYOOM regime. 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 in response to his ordering the arrest 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 established by the government to probe events leading up to NASHEED's resignation. Though the commission found no evidence of a coup, the report recommended strengthening the country's democratic institutions to avert similar events in the future, and to investigate alleged police misconduct during the crisis. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. Maldivian officials have played a prominent role in international climate change discussions (due to the islands' vulnerability to rising sea-level).

Area

298 sq km 298 sq km 0 sq km

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

1.8 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point

8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m

mean elevation

1.8 m

Environment - current issues

depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

23.3% arable land 10%; permanent crops 10%; permanent pasture 3.3% 3% 73.7% (2011 est.)

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 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

Population - distribution

about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago

Terrain

flat, with white sandy beaches

Age structure

21.4% (male 42,871/female 41,162) 20.21% (male 45,547/female 33,804) 48.1% (male 106,701/female 82,187) 5.85% (male 11,312/female 11,667) 4.45% (male 8,042/female 9,416) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

21.4% (male 42,871/female 41,162)

15-24 years

20.21% (male 45,547/female 33,804)

25-54 years

48.1% (male 106,701/female 82,187)

55-64 years

5.85% (male 11,312/female 11,667)

65 years and over

4.45% (male 8,042/female 9,416) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

16.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

17.8% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

34.7% (2009)

Death rate

4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

32.3 5.7 17.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.7

potential support ratio

17.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

38

youth dependency ratio

32.3

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.)

rural

2.1% of population

total

1.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.5% of population

Education expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Health expenditures

13.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

4.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

22 deaths/1,000 live births 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

24.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

22 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

75.8 years 73.5 years 78.3 years (2017 est.)

female

78.3 years (2017 est.)

male

73.5 years

total population

75.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.3% 99.8% 98.8% (2015 est.)

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)

Maternal mortality rate

68 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

28.2 years 28.1 years 28.3 years (2017 est.)

female

28.3 years (2017 est.)

male

28.1 years

total

28.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.9 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)

Nationality

Maldivian(s) Maldivian

adjective

Maldivian

noun

Maldivian(s)

Net migration rate

-12.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

8.6% (2016)

Physicians density

1.58 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

392,709 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago

Population growth rate

-0.06% (2017 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.)

rural

1.7% of population

total

2.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.37 male(s)/female 1.34 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 1.23 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.37 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.34 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.23 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.73 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

25.4% 29.1% 21.4% (2010 est.)

female

21.4% (2010 est.)

male

29.1%

total

25.4%

Urbanization

47.5% of total population (2017) 3.52% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.52% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

47.5% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu, Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi, Ariatholhu Uthuruburi, Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu, Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi, Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi, Kolhumadulu, Maale, Maaleatholhu, Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi, Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi, Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi, Mulakatholhu, Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi, Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi, Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi, Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of the Maldives yes unknown

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Maldives

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008 proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by its membership and the signature of the president of the republic; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on rights and freedoms and the terms of office of Parliament and of the president also requires a majority vote in a referendum; amended 2015 (2017)

amendments

proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by its membership and the signature of the president of the republic; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on rights and freedoms and the terms of office of Parliament and of the president also requires a majority vote in a referendum; amended 2015 (2017)

history

many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008

Country name

Republic of Maldives Maldives Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa Dhivehi Raajje archipelago apparently named after the main island (and capital) of Male; the word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male"; alternatively, the name may derive from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands"; Dhivehi Raajje in Maldivian means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people"

conventional long form

Republic of Maldives

conventional short form

Maldives

etymology

archipelago apparently named after the main island (and capital) of Male; the word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male"; alternatively, the name may derive from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands"; Dhivehi Raajje in Maldivian means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people"

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ali NASEER Mohamed (since 21 July 2017) 801 Second Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 599-6194 and 599-6195 [1] (212) 661-6405

chancery

801 Second Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Ali NASEER Mohamed (since 21 July 2017)

FAX

[1] (212) 661-6405

telephone

[1] (212) 599-6194 and 599-6195

Executive branch

President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Abdulla JIHAD (since 21 June 2016); the president is both chief of state and head of government; note - Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL was removed from office 22 July 2015 and Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor was removed from office 5 November 2015 President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Abdulla JIHAD (since 21 June 2016); note - Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL was removed from office 22 July 2015 and Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor was removed from office 5 November 2015 Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by Parliament 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 2013 (next election to be held in 2018) percent of vote in first round - Mohamed NASHEED (MDP) 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM (JP) 23.3%; Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president in second round - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom 51.4%, Mohamed NASHEED 48.6%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by Parliament

chief of state

President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Abdulla JIHAD (since 21 June 2016); the president is both chief of state and head of government; note - Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL was removed from office 22 July 2015 and Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor was removed from office 5 November 2015

election results

percent of vote in first round - Mohamed NASHEED (MDP) 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM (JP) 23.3%; Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president in second round - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom 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 2013 (next election to be held in 2018)

head of government

President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Abdulla JIHAD (since 21 June 2016); note - Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL was removed from office 22 July 2015 and Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor was removed from office 5 November 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

presidential 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

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 judges) 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 High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 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

unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (85 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) last held on 22 March 2014 (next to be held in 2019) percent of vote - MDP 40.8%, PPM 27.7%, JP 13.6%, MDA 4.0%, AP 2.7% other 0.3%, independent 10.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, AP 1, independent 5

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 - MDP 40.8%, PPM 27.7%, JP 13.6%, MDA 4.0%, AP 2.7% other 0.3%, independent 10.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, AP 1, independent 5

elections

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

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)

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

coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors

red, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Sheikh Imran ABDULLA] Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed Shiyam MOHAMED] Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Hassan LATHEEF] Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Abdulla YAMEEN] Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM]

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

$1.481 billion $1.7 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$1.7 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.481 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.5% of GDP (2016, est.)

Central bank discount rate

7% (31 December 2013) 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

$-831 million (2016 est.) $-326 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$693.7 million (2015 est.) $741.6 million (2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

38.4 (2009 est.) 37.4 (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Maldives has quickly become a middle-income country, driven by the rapid growth of its tourism and fisheries sectors, but the country still contends with a large and growing fiscal deficit. Economic growth slowed to 2.8% in 2015, mainly because of a decline in tourists from China and Russia. Despite lower growth, tourism-related tax receipts increased by 13% in 2015 because of higher tax rates. This increase in tax receipts led to higher usable foreign exchange reserves that helped partially fund increases in construction related imports. In 2015, Maldives’ Parliament passed a constitutional amendment legalizing foreign ownership of land; foreign land-buyers must reclaim at least 70% of the desired land from the ocean and invest at least $1 billion in a construction project approved by Parliament. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are 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 - 15.25 (2016) 15.25 (2015)

Exports

$239.7 million (2015 est.) $300.9 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish

Exports - partners

Thailand 33.8%, Sri Lanka 10%, US 8.7%, France 8.6%, Germany 8.6%, Ireland 4.9%, Italy 4.8%, UK 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

NA% NA% NA% NA% 108.2% 89.3% (2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

108.2%

government consumption

NA%

household consumption

NA%

imports of goods and services

89.3% (2014 est.)

investment in fixed capital

NA%

investment in inventories

NA%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3% 16% 81% (2015 est.)

agriculture

3%

industry

16%

services

81% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$18,300 (2016 est.) $17,900 (2015 est.) $17,700 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.9% (2016 est.) 3.3% (2015 est.) 7.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.238 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.483 billion (2016 est.) $6.161 billion (2015 est.) $5.9 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

0.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 12.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 16.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.2% 33.3% (FY09/10)

highest 10%

33.3% (FY09/10)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

$1.896 billion (2015 est.) $1.993 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Imports - partners

UAE 15.6%, Singapore 14.3%, China 13.4%, India 12.9%, Sri Lanka 6.3%, Malaysia 5.7%, Thailand 4.7% (2016)

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)

0.8% (2016 est.) 1.4% (2015 est.)

Labor force

195,100 (2014)

Labor force - by occupation

15% 15% 70% (2010 est.)

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.)

Public debt

81.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 72% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$565.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) $627.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.337 billion (31 December 2015) $1.298 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$324 million (31 December 2015) $256 million (31 December 2013)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.601 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$338.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) $623 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

43.8% of GDP (2016, est.)

Unemployment rate

11.6% (2013 est.) 11% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.2 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

325.5 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

104,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

350 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

11,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

10,760 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2016 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

232,210 59.1% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

59.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

232,210

Telephone system

telephone services have improved; inter-atoll 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 has reached over 200 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) (2016)

domestic

each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile-cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that has reached over 200 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

21,136 5 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

5 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

21,136

Telephones - mobile cellular

812,128 207 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

207 (July 2016 est.)

total

812,128

Airports

9 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

4 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

8Q (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2 4 (Singapore 4) 4 (Panama 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2010)

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

National air transport system

15 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

15 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

3

Ports and terminals

Male

major seaport(s)

Male

Roadways

88 km 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu island roads are mainly compacted coral (2013)

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

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 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

Trafficking in persons

Maldives is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and a source country for women and children subjected to labor and sex trafficking; primarily Bangladeshi and Indian migrants working both legally and illegally in the construction and service sectors face conditions of forced labor, including fraudulent recruitment, confiscation of identity and travel documents, nonpayment and withholding of wages, and debt bondage; a small number of women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and former Soviet states are trafficked to Maldives for sexual exploitation; Maldivian women may be subjected to sex trafficking domestically or in Sri Lanka; some Maldivian children are transported to the capital for domestic service, where they may also be victims of sexual abuse and forced labor Tier 2 Watch List – Maldives does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government adopted a national action plan for 2015-19 and is continuing to develop victim identification, protection, and referral procedures, but overall its anti-trafficking efforts did not increase; only five trafficking investigations were conducted, no new prosecutions were initiated for the second consecutive year, and no convictions were made, down from one in 2013; some officials warned businesses in advance of planned raids for suspected trafficking offenses; victim protection deteriorated when the state-run shelter for female victims barred access to victims shortly after opening in January 2014, in part because of bureaucratic disputes, which dissuaded victims from pursuing charges against perpetrators; the government did not prosecute or hold accountable any employers or government officials for withholding passports (2015)

current situation

Maldives is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and a source country for women and children subjected to labor and sex trafficking; primarily Bangladeshi and Indian migrants working both legally and illegally in the construction and service sectors face conditions of forced labor, including fraudulent recruitment, confiscation of identity and travel documents, nonpayment and withholding of wages, and debt bondage; a small number of women from Asia, Eastern Europe, and former Soviet states are trafficked to Maldives for sexual exploitation; Maldivian women may be subjected to sex trafficking domestically or in Sri Lanka; some Maldivian children are transported to the capital for domestic service, where they may also be victims of sexual abuse and forced labor

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Maldives does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government adopted a national action plan for 2015-19 and is continuing to develop victim identification, protection, and referral procedures, but overall its anti-trafficking efforts did not increase; only five trafficking investigations were conducted, no new prosecutions were initiated for the second consecutive year, and no convictions were made, down from one in 2013; some officials warned businesses in advance of planned raids for suspected trafficking offenses; victim protection deteriorated when the state-run shelter for female victims barred access to victims shortly after opening in January 2014, in part because of bureaucratic disputes, which dissuaded victims from pursuing charges against perpetrators; the government did not prosecute or hold accountable any employers or government officials for withholding passports (2015)