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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mv

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1,600 (2008)

Internet users [time series]

33,000 (2007)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

33,200 (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

317,800 (2007)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2006)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

12.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

13% (31 December 2007)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

rufiyaa (MVR)

Current account balance [time series]

-$472 million (2007)

Debt - external [time series]

$482 million (2006 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' 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 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly. The trade deficit has expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing 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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

203.7 million kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

230 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$167 million f.o.b. (2006)

Exports - commodities [time series]

fish

Exports - partners [time series]

Thailand 28.3%, UK 17.6%, France 8.8%, Sri Lanka 8.6%, Algeria 8.2%, Japan 6.4%, Italy 4.1% (2007)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.049 billion (2007 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$1.588 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 16% industry: 7% services: 77% (2006 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$4,600 (2007 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

6.6% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$930 million f.o.b. (2006)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Canada 35.2%, Singapore 15%, UAE 10.2%, India 7.4%, Malaysia 7.1% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-0.9% (2004 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5% (2007 est.)

Labor force [time series]

101,300 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

5,490 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

1,499 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports [time series]

5,362 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.08 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$344.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$434.9 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NEGL% (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Coastline [time series]

644 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%) per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

3 15 N, 73 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 13.33% permanent crops: 30% other: 56.67% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India

Map references [time series]

Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

low level of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise

Natural resources [time series]

fish

Terrain [time series]

flat, with white sandy beaches

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0.03 cu km (1999)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Male geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

new constitution ratified 7 August 2008

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Hussain MANIKU chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194 FAX: [1] (212) 599-6195

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Mohamed NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed NASHEED (since 11 November 2008); Vice President (vacant) 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%; note - NASHEED is expected to assume office on 11 November 2008

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

26 July 1965 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; 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]; note - political parties were allowed to register in June 2005

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: various unregistered political parties

Suffrage [time series]

21 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 89,505 females age 16-49: 85,745 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 72,150 females age 16-49: 69,058 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 4,749 female: 4,084 (2008 est.)

Military - note [time series]

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)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Quick Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2007)

Military expenditures [time series]

5.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 23.5% (male 46,174/female 44,396) 15-64 years: 72.7% (male 172,279/female 108,152) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,510/female 7,414) (2008 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate [time series]

3.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

8% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups [time series]

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

fewer than 100 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 30.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.72 years male: 71.55 years female: 76.01 years (2008 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 25.1 years male: 26 years female: 23.7 years (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian

Net migration rate [time series]

NA (2008 est.)

Population [time series]

385,925 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

5.566% (2008 est.)

Religions [time series]

Sunni Muslim

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.59 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.41 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.97 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 1,000-10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2007)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

5 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 29 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 (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Male

Roadways [time series]

total: 88 km 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)