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Last update: January, 21 2021

Maldives

flag of the Maldives
Government
NameRepublic of Maldives
Government typepresidential republic
CapitalMalé (67,742 (2018))
CurrencyMaldivian rufiyaa (MVR)
Organization
Member StateSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

Commonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)540.542 (178th)
Density of population1,102.5 P/km2 (11th)
NationalityMaldivian
Official languages
Dhivehi
Ethnic groups
homogeneous mixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African resulting from historical changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes
Religions
Sunni Muslim (official)
Life expectancy (2020)
Male74 years
Female78.9 years
Total population76.4 years (96th)
Homicides
Total (2013)0.7 per 100,000 people (152nd)
Geography
Land area298 km2
water area0 km2
total area298 km2  (210th)
Mean elevation2 m
Lowest point
Indian Ocean0 m
Highest point
8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island5 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land23.3%
Arable land10%
Permanent crops10%
Permanent pasture3.3%
Forest3%
Other73.7%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)40.7%
Rate of urbanization2.93% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)222,200  (168th)
Labor force by occupation (2017)
Agriculture7.7%
Industry22.8%
Services 69.5%
Unemployment rate (2017)2.9% (35th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$8.608 billion (162nd)
Per capita$23,154 (69th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$5.749 billion
Per capita$15,463
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture3%
Industry16%
Services81%
Exports (2016)$256.2 million (187th)
Exports partners (2017)
Thailand42.8%
Sri Lanka8.7%
Bangladesh6.4%
France6.2%
US6.1%
Germany5%
Ireland4.6%
Imports (2017)$2.125 billion (165th)
Imports partners (2017)
UAE17.1%
India13.5%
Singapore13.3%
China10.8%
Sri Lanka6.7%
Malaysia6%
Thailand4.5%

Maldives on the world map

Maldives on the world map

Maldives top 10 largest cities (2018)

  1. Malé (67,742)
  2. Addu City (33,876)
  3. Fuvahmulah (13,037)
  4. Kulhudhuffushi (10,210)
  5. Thinadhoo (7,487)
  6. Naifaru (5,542)
  7. Hinnavaru (4,901)
  8. Dhuvaafaru (4,760)
  9. Dhidhdhoo (4,246)
  10. Gan (3,860)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Maldives (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 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)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes, fish

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

fish

Imports – commodities:

petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Time zone and current time in Maldives

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Maldives

Sources: