Maldives/Society

Society in Maldives

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
526K(2023)
Population Growth
0.4%(2023)
Fertility Rate
1.57(2023)
Death Rate
2.3 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-2.4K(2024)

Public Health

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Life Expectancy
81.0 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
5.7 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
32 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
9.7%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

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Literacy Rate
97.9%(2021)
Primary Enrollment
95.4%(2017)
Secondary Enrollment
80.3%(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
50(2022)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
5.2%(2023)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
84.7%(2023)
Access to Electricity
100%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
99.6%(2022)
Urban Population
220.8K(2023)
Rural Population
305.2K(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Maldives

  • Maldives has an estimated population of 526K
    2023
    , with a modest annual growth rate of 0.4%
    2023
    , suggesting a mature demographic transition with stable, but limitated, population increase. A below-replacement fertility rate of 1.6 births per woman
    2023
    suggests gradual population aging and potential future workforce shortages. Net emigration of approximately 2K individuals annually (or 4.6 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, robust public health systems are evident in a strong life expectancy of 81.0 years
    2023
    , indicating effective healthcare delivery. Concurrently, maternal and child health indicators show solid progress, with child mortality (under 5 years) at 5.7 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality at 32 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    , indicating improving but still developing services. These outcomes are supported by a moderate commitment to health system development, with 9.7% of GDP directed to healthcare expenditure
    2022
    .
  • Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 98%
    2021
    , which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 95% primary enrollment
    2017
    and 80% secondary participation rates
    2023
    . This educational framework is supported by moderate public support, with 5.2% of GDP allocated to public educational expenditure
    2023
    , reflecting a balanced approach to funding.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (42% urban population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 100% electricity access
    2023
    and 85% internet penetration
    2023
    , supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

The combination of low fertility and net emigration poses significant long-term risks to workforce sustainability and economic vitality.

Public Health System

Sustained, high investment in healthcare underpins the country's excellent life expectancy and human development outcomes.

Human Capital Formation

Educational attainment is a direct driver of economic innovation and global competitiveness. Investment in education is key to unlocking human potential.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.