Country Profile: Maldives

The Maldives, an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, comprises approximately 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. With a population of around 388,858 in 2024, the nation's economy is primarily driven by tourism, fishing, and shipping, although it faces challenges such as high public debt and systemic corruption. The Maldives operates as a presidential republic, with a recent shift in leadership following the 2023 elections, reflecting a commitment to democratic governance.

Geography

The Maldives is situated in Southern Asia, south-southwest of India, comprising a flat terrain of coral atolls and stunning white sandy beaches. This tropical paradise features a mean elevation of only 2 meters, making it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. The nation's strategic location along major sea lanes in the Indian Ocean has significant maritime relevance.

298 sq km total area, about 1.7 times the size of Washington, D.C.
644 km of coastline.
1,190 coral islands with 200 inhabited islands.
The highest point reaches only 5 meters on Villingi Island.

People and Society

The population of the Maldives is estimated at 388,858 in 2024, with a nearly equal distribution between men and women. The Maldives boasts a diverse cultural heritage from historical maritime trade, encapsulated within a homogeneous society primarily composed of Seychellois, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African ethnicities. Dhivehi is the official language, with English widely spoken among government officials.

42% of the population lived in urban areas as of 2023.
98.2% literacy rate (2019).
77.4 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024).
15.1 births per 1,000 population (2024).

Economy

The Maldives' economy is classified as an upper middle-income island economy, heavily reliant on tourism, fishing, and shipping industries. The nation has experienced economic disruptions due to COVID-19, leading to increased public debt and rising poverty levels. The GDP growth rate is forecasted to recover at 5.1% in 2024, indicating a gradual economic rebound.

$12.325 billion GDP (PPP) estimated for 2024.
4.7% unemployment rate (2024).
73.8% of GDP comes from the services sector (2024).
51.4% of household consumption (2023).

Government

The Maldives is a presidential republic, where the President serves as both the head of state and government. The current president, Mohamed Muizz, took office in November 2023 following a competitive election. The political system has undergone significant reforms since the legalization of political parties in 2005, contributing to a more representative democracy.

93 seats in the unicameral legislature, People's Majlis.
Elections held every 5 years.
Independence from the UK was achieved on July 26, 1965.
The latest constitution was ratified on August 7, 2008.

Military and Security

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) encompasses various branches, including coast guard and marine corps, focusing predominantly on maritime security and disaster relief. The current strength is approximately 3,000-4,000 active personnel, with an emphasis on collaboration with the Indian Armed Forces for defense and security operations.

18-25 years for voluntary military service; no conscription.
MNDF responsible for national territorial integrity and internal security.
3-4,000 active military personnel (2025).

Energy

The Maldives has achieved 100% electrification for its population as of 2022. Electricity generation primarily relies on fossil fuels, significantly impacting the country's carbon emissions. However, there is a small but growing contribution from renewable sources such as solar energy.

432,000 kW installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
821.397 million kWh electricity consumption (2023).
93.2% of installed capacity from fossil fuels (2023).
50.886 million Btu energy consumption per capita (2023).

Environment

The Maldives faces pressing environmental issues, including rising sea levels, freshwater depletion, and coral reef bleaching. The government is a party to numerous international environmental agreements, highlighting its commitment to addressing these challenges amidst the global climate crisis.

30 million cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2020).
Major environmental concerns include inadequate sewage treatment and coral reef bleaching.
Urban population growth of 2.34% annually (2020-2025 est.).

Transportation

Transportation in the Maldives is crucial for connecting its numerous islands, with the main airport situated in the capital, Malé. The country utilizes a combination of civil aviation and maritime transport to facilitate travel and trade.

20 airports expected by 2025.
82 vessels in the merchant marine as of 2023.
1 main port located in Malé.

Communications

The telecommunications sector in the Maldives has expanded significantly in recent years, with a high percentage of the population utilizing mobile and internet services. The country has improved its broadband infrastructure and connectivity, facilitating better communication across the islands.

85% of the population are internet users (2023).
745,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
98,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	388,858	Estimated for 2024
Area	298 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$12.325 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	50.886 million Btu	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	15.1 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	4.7%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	77.4 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	98.2%	Estimated for 2019
Total Fertility Rate	1.7 children/woman	Estimated for 2024
Military Personnel Strength	3,000-4,000	Estimated for 2025