Maldives

republicIndependence 26 July 1965 (from UK)

Maldives as the 1990 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 69 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalMale

Area300 km2

Populationas each edition published it

217,945 people July 1990 · 388,858 in 2025

Population growth% a year

Not in this edition 3.64% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 17.3 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

Not in this edition 63.86 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

6.6 children per woman 1990 · 1.7 in 2025

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

76 deaths per 1,000 live births 1990 · 23.7 in 2025

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

Not in this edition $620 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition 4.7% in 1993

Geography

13 fields

Land useshare of 300 km2

arable land 10%permanent crops 0%forest and woodland 3%other 84%meadows and pastures 3% in all

Total area

300km2

land area: 300 km2Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

644km

land boundaries: noneTerritorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive fishing zone

about 100 nm (defined by geographic coordinates);

Extended economic zone

37-310 nm (segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India);

Climate

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

Terrain

flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters

Environment

1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls

Note

archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

People

14 fields

Population

217,945

(July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990)

Per 1,000 population(1990)

Birth

46Death

9Net migration

Labor force

66,000

(est.); 80% engaged in fishing industry

Literacy

36%

Nationality

noun--Maldivian(s); adjective--Maldivian

Ethnic divisions

admixtures of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, and black

Language

Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic); English spoken by most government officials

Government

Republic

17 fields

Administrative divisions

19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu

Legal system

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

Judicial branch

High Court Chief of State and Head of Government--President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since since 11 November 1978)

Political parties and leaders

no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries

Suffrage

universal at age 21 President--last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1994);
results--President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reelected;
Citizens' Council--last held on 7 December 1984 (next to be held 7 December 1989);
results--percent of vote NA;
seats--(48 total, 40 elected)

ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation

Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York;
US--the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there;
US Consular Agency, Mahduedurage, Violet Magu, Henveru, Male;
telephone 2581

Flag

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

Economy

The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping.

16 fields

GDP, purchasing power parity

$136million

per capita $670; real growth rate 9.2% (1988)

Inflation, consumer prices

14%

(1988 est.)

External debt

$70million

(December 1988)

Exports $47.0 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.)commodities, where a share is given

fish

57%clothing

39%

; partners--Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka

Imports $90.0 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.)

intermediate and capital goods

47%consumer goods

42%petroleum products

11%

; partners--Japan, Western Europe, Thailand

Budget

Revenues

$51 millionExpenditures

$50 million

expenditures, including capital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.)

Overview

The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 80% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue.

During the 1980s tourism has become one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 14% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-86, and GDP estimates for 1988 show a further growth of 9% on the strength of a record fish catch and an improved tourist season.

Unemployment rate

NA%

Industrial production

growth rate 3.9% (1988 est.)

Electricity

5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1989)

Industries

fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts

Agriculture

accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing);
fishing more important than farming;
limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes;
most staple foods must be imported

Aid

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million;
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $84 million;
OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million