Maldives

Internet country code

.mv

Internet hosts

1,732 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151

Internet users

71,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 164

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

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 that exceeds 100 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) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

50,396 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Telephones - mobile cellular

450,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158

Television broadcast stations

1 (2006)

Agriculture - products

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Budget

revenues: $762 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $884 million (2008 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)

Current account balance

-$638 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 -$472 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$477 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $482 million (2006 est.)

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.

Electricity - consumption

190.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

205 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Exchange rates

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 12.8 (2008), 12.8 (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004)

Exports

$113 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $167 million (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish

Exports - partners

Thailand 34.4%, UK 13.8%, France 12.2%, Italy 9%, Sri Lanka 8.5% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.261 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.723 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $1.628 billion (2007 est.) $1.519 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 7% industry: 17% services: 76% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $4,500 (2007 est.) $4,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 7.2% (2007 est.) 18% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

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 27.2%, UAE 16.9%, Malaysia 9.7%, India 7.7%, Thailand 4.9%, Sri Lanka 4.6%, Germany 4.1% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

12.8% (October 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 5% (2007 est.)

Labor force

136,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 172

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Oil - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Oil - imports

5,406 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Population below poverty line

21% (2004)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.548 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $1.08 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$475.2 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 96 $344.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$487.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 108 $434.9 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

14.4% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

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

Climate

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

Coastline

644 km

Elevation extremes

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

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Geographic coordinates

3 15 N, 73 00 E

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

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

Location

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

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise

Natural resources

fish

Terrain

flat, with white sandy beaches

Total renewable water resources

0.03 cu km (1999)

Administrative divisions

19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 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

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

Constitution

new constitution ratified 7 August 2008

Country name

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

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Abdul Ghafoor MOHAMED chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195 FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405

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%

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

Government type

republic

Independence

26 July 1965 (from the UK)

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

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

Legal system

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

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

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

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

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.

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 - 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)

Military branches

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Rapid Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2009)

Military expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Military service age and obligation

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

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.)

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: 212

Education expenditures

8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 15

Ethnic groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

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.)

Languages

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

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.)

Literacy

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

Median age

total: 25.7 years male: 26.5 years female: 24.3 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian

Net migration rate

-12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Population

396,334 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Population growth rate

-0.168% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 217

Religions

Sunni Muslim

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

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.)

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Urbanization

urban population: 38% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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

Airports

5 (2009) 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 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)

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

Roadways

total: 88 km country comparison to the world: 213 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)