2022 Edition

Background

A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. The islands became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' 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. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, NASHEED purportedly resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contends that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, YAMEEN weakened democratic institutions, curtailed civil liberties, jailed his political opponents, restricted the press, and exerted control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. In September 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH, a parliamentarian of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who had the support of a coalition of four parties that came together to defeat YAMEEN and restore democratic norms to Maldives. In April 2019, SOLIH's MDP won 65 of 87 seats in parliament.

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

highest point

8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation

2 m

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

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

23.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 10% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 10% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.3% (2018 est.)

forest

3% (2018 est.)

other

73.7% (2018 est.)

Location

Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

note

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

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 coral atolls, with white sandy beaches; sits atop the submarine volcanic Chagos-Laccadive Ridge

Age structure

0-14 years

22.13% (male 44,260/female 42,477)

15-24 years

17.24% (male 37,826/female 29,745)

25-54 years

48.91% (male 104,217/female 87,465)

55-64 years

6.91% (male 12,942/female 14,123)

65 years and over

4.81% (male 8,417/female 10,432) (2020 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.45 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

1.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

15.54 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Child marriage

men married by age 18

2.2% (2017 est.)

women married by age 15

0%

women married by age 18

2.2%

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.8% (2016/17)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

18.8% (2016/17)

Current health expenditure

8% of GDP (2019)

Death rate

4.15 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.2

potential support ratio

16.2 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

35.6

youth dependency ratio

29.5

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 100% of population

improved: total

total: 99.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 99% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1% of population

Education expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

homogeneous mixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African resulting from historical changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

Hospital bed density

4.3 beds/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate

female

22.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

male

28.76 deaths/1,000 live births

total

25.7 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

79.42 years (2022 est.)

male

74.57 years

total population

76.94 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.1% (2016)

male

97.3%

total population

97.7%

Major urban areas - population

177,000 MALE (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

53 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

female

30 years (2020 est.)

male

29.2 years

total

29.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.2 years (2016/17 est.)

note

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Nationality

adjective

Maldivian

noun

Maldivian(s)

Net migration rate

-12.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

8.6% (2016)

Physicians density

2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Population

390,164 (2022 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

-0.14% (2022 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (official)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 99.1% of population

improved: total

total: 99.5% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0.9% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

14 years (2019)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.2 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.11 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Tobacco use

female

6% (2020 est.)

male

44.4% (2020 est.)

total

25.2% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

42% of total population (2023)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

17.2% (2019 est.)

male

9.7%

total

13.9%

Administrative divisions

21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu (Addu City), Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Ari Atoll), Ariatholhu Uthuruburi (North Ari Atoll), Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu (Felidhu Atoll), Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Huvadhu Atoll), Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi (North Huvadhu Atoll), Kolhumadulu, Maale (Male), Maaleatholhu (Male Atoll), Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Maalhosmadulu), Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (North Maalhosmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Miladhunmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (North Miladhunmadulu), Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi (North Nilandhe Atoll), Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi (South Thiladhunmathi), Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi (North Thiladhunmathi)

Capital

etymology

derived from the Sanskrit word "mahaalay" meaning "big house"

geographic coordinates

4 10 N, 73 30 E

name

Male

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

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

history

many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008

Country name

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 Dhivehi means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people"

local long form

Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

local short form

Dhivehi Raajje

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US is in the process of opening an embassy in Maldives; as of March 2022, there is no US Ambassador to Maldives; until late 2021, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka was also accredited to the Maldives

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

801 Second Avenue, Suite 202E, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Maldives has no embassy in the US, but its Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Thilmeeza HUSSAIN  (since 8 July 2019), is accredited to the US and serves as ambassador

email address and website

info@maldivesmission.comhttp://www.maldivesmission.com/

FAX

[1] (212) 661-6405

telephone

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

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by Parliament

chief of state

President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018); the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

2018: Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH elected president (in the first round); Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 58.3%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 41.7%

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); election last held on 23 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023)

head of government

President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018)

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

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a 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 (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (87 seats - includes 2 seats added by the Elections Commission in late 2018; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote - MDP 44.7%, JP 10.8%, PPM 8.7%, PNC 6.4%, MDA 2.8%, other 5.6%, independent 21%; seats by party - MDP 65, JP 5, PPM 5, PNC 3, MDA 2, independent 7; composition - men 83, women 4, percent of women 4.6%

elections

last held on 6 April 2019 (next to be held in 2023)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA

name

"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)

note

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 Rayyithunge Party or DRP [Abdulla JABIR]Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed Shiyam MOHAMED]Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]Maldives Labor and Social Democratic Party or MLSDP [Ahmed SHIHAM]Maldives Third Way Democrats or MTD [Ahmed ADEEB]Maumoon/Maldives Reform Movement or MRM [Ahmed Faris MAUMOON]National Democratic Congress [Yousuf Maaniu]People's National Congress or PNC [Abdul Raheem ABDULLA]Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Abdulla YAMEEN]Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM] (2020)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

papayas, vegetables, roots/tubers nes, nuts, fruit, other meat, tomatoes, coconuts, bananas, maize

Budget

expenditures

1.643 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

1.19 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-10.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

CCC (2020)

Moody's rating

B3 (2020)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

-$1.033 billion (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$876 million (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 31 December 2015

$696.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Debt - external 31 December 2016

$848.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Economic 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. Infrastructure projects, largely funded by China, could add significantly to debt levels. Political turmoil and the declaration of a state of emergency in February 2018 led to the issuance of travel warnings by several countries whose citizens visit Maldives in significant numbers, but the overall impact on tourism revenue was unclear.   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

Currency

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2016

15.35 (2016 est.)

Exchange rates 2017

15.42 (2017 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$3.58 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports 2019

$3.72 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports - commodities

fish products, natural gas, scrap iron, jewelry, liquid pumps (2019)

Exports - partners

Thailand 24%, United States 13%, China 12%, France 11%, Germany 11%, Italy 5%, United Kingdom 5% (2019)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

93.6% (2016 est.)

government consumption

(2016 est.) NA

household consumption

(2016 est.) NA

imports of goods and services

89% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

(2016 est.) NA

investment in inventories

(2016 est.) NA

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3% (2015 est.)

industry

16% (2015 est.)

services

81% (2015 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.505 billion (2017 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2004

37.4 (2004 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2016

31.3 (2016 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

33.3% (FY09/10)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

Imports 2018

$4.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports 2019

$4.09 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, fruits, furniture, broadcasting equipment, lumber (2019)

Imports - partners

United Arab Emirates 24%, China 16%, Singapore 14%, India 11%, Malaysia 6%, Thailand 5% (2019)

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)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

0.8% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

2.3% (2017 est.)

Labor force

222,200 (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

7.7%

industry

22.8%

services

69.5% (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line

8.2% (2016 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

61.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

63.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$9.69 billion (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$10.37 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$7.05 billion (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2015

2.2% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

4.5% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

4.8% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$18,800 (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$19,500 (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$13,000 (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2015

$575.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$477.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2016

3.2% (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate 2017

2.9% (2017 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

17.2% (2019 est.)

male

9.7%

total

13.9%

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

2.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

total emissions

2.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal

consumption

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

production

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves

0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity

consumption

586.5 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports

0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports

0 kWh (2020 est.)

installed generating capacity

545,000 kW (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

21 million kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

fossil fuels

99.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind

0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2019

59.69 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

production

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil and lease condensate exports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

0 barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

15,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)

total petroleum production

0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

10,840 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (2020 est.)

total

63,685 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned TV stations and 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned radio stations (2019)

Internet country code

.mv

Internet users

percent of population

63% (2020 est.)

total

340,542 (2020 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line is at nearly 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscriptions stands at nearly 133 per 100 persons (2020)

general assessment

with its economy so heavily dependent on tourism, the Maldives has suffered heavy economic as well as health casualties during the pandemic; the country had a relatively short period of lock down and was willing to welcome visitors back as early as July 2020; but the effective shutdown of international air travel for most of the year resulted in the bottom falling out of the Maldives’ tourism industry, taking GDP down 32% in the process; the economy fared better in 2021, with a return to growth, yet it may still be a few years before the country’s key industries can return to the same level of prosperity that they previously enjoyed; the country’s high number of tourists and expatriate workers has inflated the penetration rate for mobile services, making it one of the highest in the world; that rate crashed in 2020 as demand for SIM cards (primarily prepaid) dried up; however, the number of contract subscribers increased as locals took advantage of competitive pricing offers from operators; everything now rests on a fast return to normality, with tourists helping to boost the nation’s coffers as well as buying up those prepaid SIM cards; with commercial 5G services already launched and fiber networks rapidly expanding around the country, the Maldives is primed to deliver world-class telecommunications services to its domestic and international customers (2021)

international

country code - 960; landing points for Dhiraagu Cable Network, NaSCOM, Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Networks and WARF submarine cables providing connections to 8 points in Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka; satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

14,508 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

133 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

717,708 (2020 est.)

Airports

total

9 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

4 (2021)

over 3,047 m

1

total

7

Airports - with unpaved runways

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2021)

total

2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

8Q

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 21, oil tanker 19, other 28 (2021)

total

68

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

7.75 million (2018)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,147,247 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

36

number of registered air carriers

3 (2020)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Male

Roadways

note

note: island roads are mainly compacted coral

paved

93 km (2018) - 60 km in Malée; 16 km on Addu Atolis; 17 km on Laamu

total

93 km (2018)

Military - note

the MNDF is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service and ensure security in the country's exclusive economic zone (2022)

Military and security forces

the Republic of Maldives has no distinct army, navy, or air force but a single security unit called the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) comprised of ground forces, an air element, a coastguard, a presidential security division, and a special protection group (2022)

note

note: the Maldives Police Service is responsible for internal security and reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 2,500 personnel (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

India has provided most of the equipment in the MNDF's inventory (2022)

Military expenditures

not available

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 (2022)

Disputes - international

none identified

Illicit drugs

NA

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

1.44 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

0.14 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

7.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Environment - current issues

rising sea levels threaten land; depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; inadequate sewage treatment; coral reef bleaching

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

23.3% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 10% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 10% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.3% (2018 est.)

forest

3% (2018 est.)

other

73.7% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

30 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

300,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

5.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

42% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

211,506 tons (2015 est.)