South Asia :: Maldives page last updated on September 10, 2009
Introduction ::Maldives Background: The 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 the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Geography ::Maldives 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: 216 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 Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 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: low level 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 ::Maldives Population: 396,334 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291) 15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2009 est.) Median age: total: 25.7 years male: 26.5 years female: 24.3 years (2009 est.) Population growth rate: -0.168% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 Birth rate: 14.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Death rate: 3.65 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 Net migration rate: -12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 Urbanization: urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.44 male(s)/female (2009 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 77 male: 32.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.97 years country comparison to the world: 94 male: 71.78 years female: 76.28 years (2009 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs Religions: Sunni Muslim Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (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: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006) Education expenditures: 8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 15 Government ::Maldives 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: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 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 appointed by the president elections: under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013) election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75% 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 incresed the number of seats to 77 from 50 elections: last held 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.8%, MDP 32.9 %, PA 9.2%, DQP 2.6% AP 1.3%, independents 17.1%; seats by party - DRP 28, MDP 25, PA 7, DQP 2, AP 1, independents 13; note - one seat unfilled 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 [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Ibrahim ISMAIL] Political pressure groups and leaders: other: various unregistered political parties International organization participation: ADB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Ahmed KHALEEL chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194 FAX: [1] (212) 599-6195 Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Robert O. BLAKE, Jr., is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag Economy ::Maldives Economy - overview: Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, 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. 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. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 4.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly, with GDP growth registering 18% in 2006. Growth slowed in 2007-08, but remained above 5% per year. The trade deficit expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries have created a large budget deficit and inflation has
picked up sharply, reaching nearly 13% in October 2008 due to high oil and food prices. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment are the 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): $1.716 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $1.624 billion (2007 est.) $1.515 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.259 billion (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 7.2% (2007 est.) 18% (2006 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $4,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2006 est.) Labor force: 136,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 172 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995) Unemployment rate: 14.4% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Population below poverty line: 21% (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget: revenues: $762 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $884 million (2008 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.8% (October 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 5% (2007 est.) Central bank discount rate: 13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 12.5% (31 December 2007) Commercial bank prime lending rate: 13% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 13% (31 December 2007) Stock of money: $475.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 142 $344.1 million (31 December 2007) Stock of quasi money: $487.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 141 $434.9 million (31 December 2007) Stock of domestic credit: $1.548 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 130 $1.08 billion (31 December 2007) 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: 141 Electricity - production: 270 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 Electricity - consumption:
203.7 million kWh (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2008 est.) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 Oil - consumption: 5,490 bbl/day (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Oil - exports: 1,499 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 119 Oil - imports: 5,362 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 154 Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 Current account balance: -$638 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 -$472 million (2007 est.) Exports:
$113 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $167 million (2006 est.) Exports - commodities: fish Exports - partners: Thailand 32.2%, UK 12.9%, France 11.4%, Italy 8.5%, Algeria 8.4%, Sri Lanka 8% (2008) Imports: $1.276 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $930 million (2006 est.) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods Imports - partners: Singapore 26.4%, UAE 16.4%, India 10.3%, Malaysia 10%, Thailand 4.7%, Sri Lanka 4.5% (2008) Debt - external: $477 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $482 million (2006 est.) Exchange rates: rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2008), 12.8 (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004) Communications ::Maldives Telephones - main lines in use: 33,200 (2007) country comparison to the world: 177 Telephones - mobile cellular: 317,800 (2007) country comparison to the world: 160 Telephone system: general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership approaching 90 per 100 persons domestic: interatoll 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) (2007) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) Television broadcast stations: 1 (2006)
Internet country code: .mv Internet hosts: 1,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 145 Internet users: 33,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 176 Transportation ::Maldives Airports: 5 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180 Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2008) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2008) 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: 29 country comparison to the world: 86 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 23, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2 foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2008) Ports and terminals: Male Military ::Maldives Military branches: Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Rapid Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2009) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008) Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 138,746 females age 16-49: 82,247 (2009 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: male: 4,576 female: 3,942 (2009 est.) Military expenditures: 5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 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 ::Maldives Disputes - international: none Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)