Maldives

Broadcast media

state-owned radio and television monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; there are 5 privately-owned radio broadcast stations operating (2009)

Internet country code

.mv

Internet hosts

2,164 (2010) country comparison to the world: 153

Internet users

86,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163

Telephone system

general assessment: telephone services have improved; interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service domestic: 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 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

48,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 165

Telephones - mobile cellular

494,400 (2010) country comparison to the world: 164

Agriculture - products

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Budget

revenues: $476 million expenditures: $758 million (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

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

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.)

Current account balance

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

Debt - external

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

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.

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.)

Electricity - production

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

Exchange rates

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

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)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.87 billion (2010 est.)

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 - composition by sector

agriculture: 5.6% industry: 16.9% services: 77.5% (2009 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 - real growth rate

8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 -4.8% (2009 est.) 12.8% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

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)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

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 - production

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

Natural gas - proved reserves

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

Oil - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Oil - imports

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Oil - proved reserves

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

Population below poverty line

16% (2008)

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.)

Stock of narrow money

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

Taxes and other revenues

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

Unemployment rate

14.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 14.4% (2006 est.)

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 Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 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

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)

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 Patricia A. BUTENIS, is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits

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

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 theWorld 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%

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

Government type

republic

Independence

26 July 1965 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

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

Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters

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 October 2011 - MDP 35, DRP 17, PPM 15, JP 2, PA 2, Meedhu DHAAIRA 1, independents 5

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"

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

National symbol(s)

crescent moon

Political parties and leaders

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Shaykh Hussein RASHEED Ahmed]; Dhivehi Qaumee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Ahmed THASMEEN Ali]; Gaumee Itthihaad (National Alliance) or GI [Mohamed WAHEED]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Ibrahim DIDI]; Maldives National Congress or MNC; Maldives Social Democratic Party or MSDP; Meedhu Dhaaira; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; People's Party or PP; Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP; Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Mazian RASHEED]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: various unregistered political parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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 2003, 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 international climate change discussions (due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise) on the United Nations Human Rights Council, and in encouraging regional cooperation, especially between India and Pakistan.

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 - 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): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)

Military expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Military service age and obligation

18-28 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

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.)

Birth rate

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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

Death rate

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

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)

Education expenditures

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

Ethnic groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

HIV/AIDS - deaths

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

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Health expenditures

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

Hospital bed density

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

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.)

Languages

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

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.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 93% female: 94.7% (2006 Census)

Major cities - population

MALE (capital) 120,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

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

Median age

total: 26.2 years male: 26.8 years female: 25.2 years (2011 est.)

Nationality

noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian

Net migration rate

-12.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Physicians density

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

Population

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

Population growth rate

-0.151% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Religions

Sunni Muslim (official)

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)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 13 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: 1.57 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.4 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

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

Urbanization

urban population: 40% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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)

Airports

5 (2010) 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 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

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

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)