Introduction

Background: |  |

`
Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. 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 riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon 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. Challenges facing President NASHEED include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Maldives officials have played a prominent role in the international climate change discussion (due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise) and on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`3 15 N, 73 00 E`
Map references: |  |
`Asia`
Area: |  |
`total: 298 sq km country comparison to the world: 208 land: 298 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`644 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)`
Terrain: |  |
`flat, with white sandy beaches`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`fish`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`NA`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`0.03 cu km (1999)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise`
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`
Geography - note: |  |
`1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean`

People

Population: |  |
`394,999 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 21.5% (male 43,332/female 41,642) 15-64 years: 74.4% (male 177,365/female 116,552) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 7,888/female 8,220) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 26.2 years male: 26.8 years female: 25.2 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`-0.151% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 209`
Birth rate: |  |
`14.83 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 136`
Death rate: |  |
`3.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 209`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-12.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 214`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 40% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`MALE (capital) 120,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.57 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.4 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 27.45 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 75 male: 29.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 74.45 years country comparison to the world: 100 male: 72.22 years female: 76.8 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.81 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 152`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 86% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 14% of population total: 9% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 96% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 4% of population total: 2% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs`
Religions: |  |
`Sunni Muslim`
Languages: |  |
`Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 93% female: 94.7% (2006 Census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 12 years male: 13 years female: 12 years (2006)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`11.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 5`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje`
Government type: |  |
`republic`
Capital: |  |
`name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale (Male)*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu`
Independence: |  |
`26 July 1965 (from the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day, 26 July (1965)`
Constitution: |  |
`new constitution ratified 7 August 2008`
Legal system: |  |
`Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: under the new constitution, the president elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that increased the number of seats to 77 from 50
elections: last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.4%, MDP 33.8 %, PA 9.1%, DQP 2.6% Republican Party 1.2%, independents 16.9%; seats by party as of 23 February 2011 - DRP 27, MDP 33, PA 7, DQP 1, Republican Party 2, independents 7
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Shaykh Hussein RASHEED Ahmed]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [THASMEEN Ali]; Gaumii Ithihaad (National Alliance) or GI [Mohamed WAHEED]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mariya Ahmed DIDI]; Maldives National Congress or MNC; Maldives Social Democratic Party or MSDP; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; People's Party or PP; Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP; Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL]
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`other: various unregistered political parties`
International organization participation: |  |
`ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195 FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS, is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits`
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`
National anthem: |  |
`name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute) lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. 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. Most staple foods must be imported. In the last decade, real GDP growth averaged around 6% per year except for 2005, when GDP declined following the Indian Ocean tsunami, and in 2009, when GDP shrank by 3% as tourist arrivals declined and capital flows plunged in the wake of the global financial crisis. Falling 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 eased with a December 2009, $79.3 million dollar IMF standby agreement. However, after the first two disbursements, the IMF withheld subsequent disbursements due to concerns over Maldives' growing budget deficit. Maldives has had chronic budget deficits in recent years and the government's plans to cut expenditures have not progressed well. A new Goods and Services Tax on Tourism (GST) was introduced in January 2011 and a new Business Profit Tax is to be introduced during the year. These taxes are expected to increase government revenue by about 25%. The government has privatized the main airport and is partially privatizing the energy sector. Tourism will remain the engine of the economy. The Government of the Maldives has aggressively promoted building new island resorts. Due to increasing tourist arrivals, the government expects GDP growth around 4.0% in 2011. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment opportunities are major 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.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$2.734 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $2.532 billion (2009 est.) $2.658 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$1.87 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 -4.8% (2009 est.) 12.8% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$6,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $6,400 (2009 est.) $6,900 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 5.6% industry: 16.9% services: 77.5% (2009 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`110,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 182`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 11% industry: 23% services: 65% (2006 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`14.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 14.4% (2006 est.)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`16% (2008)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $476 million expenditures: $758 million (2010 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 7.3% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`13% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 13% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`13% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 13% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$588 million (31 October 2009) country comparison to the world: 156 $581 million (31 December 2008)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$1.239 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 157 $1.064 billion (31 December 2008)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$1.548 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$NA`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`-0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 155`
Electricity - production: |  |
`542 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`542 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2009 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2009 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`6,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188`
Oil - imports: |  |
`5,490 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-463 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $-419 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$163 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $331 million (2008 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`fish`
Exports - partners: |  |
`France 17.01%, Thailand 15.16%, Italy 13.49%, UK 13.13%, Sri Lanka 12.38% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$967 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $1.388 billion (2008 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Singapore 24.62%, UAE 15.7%, India 11.02%, Malaysia 8.98%, Sri Lanka 5.4%, Thailand 5.36% (2009)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$943 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $933 million (2009 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2010) 12.8 (2008) 12.8 (2007) 12.8 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`49,913 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`461,149 (2009) country comparison to the world: 160`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: telephone services have improved; interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service
domestic: each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile-cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`state-owned radio and television monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; there are 5 privately-owned radio broadcast stations operating (2009)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.mv`
Internet hosts: |  |
`2,164 (2010) country comparison to the world: 153`
Internet users: |  |
`86,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 179`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 88 km country comparison to the world: 214 paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 24 country comparison to the world: 94 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 20, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2 registered in other countries: 4 (Panama 3, Tuvalu 1) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Male`

Military

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 military service; no conscription (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 156,319 females age 16-49: 98,815 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 135,374 females age 16-49: 85,181 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 4,167 female: 3,595 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 12`
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)`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Refugees and internally displaced persons: |  |
`IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011