Maldives

Maldives

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: 209 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: 0.003cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%)
per capita:9cu 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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective:Maldivian

Ethnic groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Languages

Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)

Religions

Sunni Muslim (official)

Population

394,999 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176

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: 208

Birth rate

14.83 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Death rate

3.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

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.)

Maternal mortality rate

37 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 107

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: 150

Health expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 124

Physicians density

1.595 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 77

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2005)
country comparison to the world: 86

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)

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: 161

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

25.7% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 25

Education expenditures

11.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 5

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)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 22.2%
country comparison to the world: 42 male:15.5%
female:30.5% (2006)

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

7 provinces and 1 municipality*

Dhekunu (South), Maale*, Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South), Mathi Uthuru (Upper North), Medhu (Central), Medhu Dhekunu (South Central), Medhu Uthuru (North Central), Uthuru (North)

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 the World 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 symbol(s)

crescent moon

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: 131 $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: 181

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 11%
industry:23%
services:65% (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

14.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145 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.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-15.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164 7.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12 16% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.38% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 13% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$588 million (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 158 $581 million (31 December 2009)

Stock of broad money

$1.239 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159 $1.064 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.548 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138 $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: 151

Electricity – production

542 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity – consumption

542 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202

Oil – consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Oil – imports

6,088 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Current account balance

-$463 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109 -$419 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$163 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183 $331 million (2008 est.)

Exports – commodities

fish

Exports – partners

Thailand 17.9%, Sri Lanka 16.9%, France 14.2%, UK 12.1%, Italy 9.2%, Tanzania 4.9% (2010)

Imports

$967 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172 $1.388 billion (2008 est.)

Imports – commodities

petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Imports – partners

Singapore 24.7%, UAE 17.2%, India 8.6%, Malaysia 8.1%, Sri Lanka 5.7%, Thailand 5.7%, China 5.6% (2010)

Debt – external

$943 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153 $933 million (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -
12.8 (2010)
12.8 (2008)
12.8 (2007)
12.8 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

5 (2010)
country comparison to the world:183

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)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: The Maldives is primarily a destination country for migrant workers from Bangladesh and, to a lesser extent, India, some of whom are subjected to forced labor primarily in the construction and service sectors

some women and girls also are subjected to sex trafficking

some underage Maldivian children are transported to Male from other islands for forced domestic service, and a small number were reportedly sexually abused
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the government has not demonstrated increased efforts to address human trafficking and lacks systematic procedures for identifying victims of trafficking among vulnerable populations, and it did not investigate or prosecute trafficking-related offenses or take concrete actions to protect trafficking victims and prevent trafficking

counter-trafficking efforts are impeded by the lack of understanding of the issue, a legal structure, and a legal definition of trafficking (2011)