Maldives flag

Maldives

Republic of the Maldives

Capital

Malé

Region

Asia

Population

515,132

Area (km²)

300

💡Quick Summary

The Maldives, a tropical island nation in South Asia, spans just 300 km² across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, with a population of about 515,132 and its bustling capital in Malé. Renowned for its stunning coral reefs and luxury resorts, it relies heavily on tourism and fishing, though recent GDP figures are unavailable. This low-lying archipelago faces significant challenges from climate change and rising sea levels, making it a global symbol of environmental vulnerability.

Key Insights

Minimal Forest Cover on Tiny Landmass

The Maldives has a very low percentage of forest area (2.752%), reflecting its small land area (300 sq km) and the intense development pressure on habitable islands, particularly for tourism and housing. This scarcity underscores the nation's vulnerability to environmental changes and land loss.

Concentrated Urbanization Despite Archipelagic Geography

Only 41.5% of the population is classified as urban, which is relatively low compared to many small, dense island nations. However, given that the country is composed of over 1,000 islands, this figure implies extreme population concentration in the capital region (Malé) and a few other key hubs.

100% Access to Electricity

A significant achievement for an island nation spread across many atolls, Maldives reports complete access to electricity for its population. This highlights successful infrastructure development and universal service provision, essential for supporting the high quality of life indicated by other metrics.

Below Replacement Level Fertility

The fertility rate of 1.58 is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating that the native population is not naturally sustaining itself. This trend, common in developed economies, suggests potential future challenges related to an aging population and labor force dependency.

Economic Indicators
Latest economic data from World Bank

GDP (Current US$)

$6.62B

Year: 2023

GDP Per Capita

$12,587.61

GDP Growth (%)

4.94%

Inflation (%)

2.93%

Unemployment (%)

4.24%

Debt to GDP (%)

N/A%

Source: World Bank • Last updated: 12/24/2025

Historical Trends & Data Visualizations

GDP Growth Rate
Annual percentage change in GDP over time
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023-40.00%-20.00%0.00%20.00%40.00%
  • GDP Growth (%)
Population Growth
Total population over time
20142015201620172018201920202021202220230150,000300,000450,000600,000
  • Population
Life Expectancy
Average life expectancy at birth (years)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220230.0years25.0years50.0years75.0years100.0years
  • Life Expectancy (years)
Renewable Energy Consumption
Percentage of total energy from renewable sources
2014201520162017201820192020202120220.0%0.4%0.8%1.2%1.6%
  • Renewable Energy (%)
GDP Per Capita
Economic output per person (current US$)
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023$0$3,500$7,000$10,500$14,000
  • GDP Per Capita ($)

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