Discover Fascinating Maldives Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Maldives.

Maldives

Background

The Maldives is an amazing archipelago with a rich history! ๐ŸŒŠ It has been a sultanate since the 12th century, which means it was ruled by sultans. In 1887, the islands became a British protectorate, which is like being under the care of another country. Then, in 1965, just three years after gaining independence, the Maldives turned into a republic. How cool is that? ๐ŸŽ‰

Year Maldives became a Sultanate

1150

Year Maldives became a British protectorate

1887

Year Maldives gained independence

1965

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒŠ The Maldives is known for its diverse exports! In 2022, the country proudly exported several key commodities including aircraft โœˆ๏ธ, fish ๐ŸŸ, natural gas ๐Ÿ’จ, scrap iron ๐Ÿญ, and refined petroleum โ›ฝ. These goods play an essential role in boosting the economy and showcasing the natural resources of this beautiful island nation! ๐ŸŒด

Key Export Commodities

aircraft, fish, natural gas, scrap iron, refined petroleum

Exports - partners

The Maldives has a vibrant export market, with its main partners highlighted below! ๐Ÿ“Š

  • India leads the way, making up 71% of all exports! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Next up is Thailand, contributing 12%. ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
  • Germany comes in third with a 3% share. ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • Oman and the UK each account for 2%. ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

Check out how much each partner contributes to the Maldives' exports! ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Percentage of Exports to India

71%

Percentage of Exports to Thailand

12%

Percentage of Exports to Germany

3%

Percentage of Exports to Oman

2%

Percentage of Exports to the UK

2%

Export Partners of the Maldives (2022)

Capital

The capital of the Maldives is Male! ๐ŸŒ† It's a bustling city that's full of vibrant culture and beautiful sights. Male is not just the political hub of the Maldives, but also a center of commerce and education. Isn't it cool to explore a city that's surrounded by the sparkling blue ocean? ๐ŸŒŠโœจ

Imports - commodities

โœจ Maldives imports a variety of important commodities that help keep the country buzzing! Hereโ€™s a fun look at some of the top imports in 2022:

  • Refined Petroleum: ๐Ÿ’ง This fuel keeps everything running smoothly in the Maldives, from transportation to power generation.
  • Ships: ๐Ÿšข Boats are essential for the Maldives, an island nation, making it easier to travel between islands and support trade.
  • Aircraft: โœˆ๏ธ Important for tourism and connectivity, aircraft are a key aspect of the Maldives' economy.
  • Plastic Products: ๐Ÿฅค From containers to everyday items, plastic products play a significant role in daily life.
  • Broadcasting Equipment: ๐Ÿ“บ This helps the Maldives stay connected with the world through media.

These imports are crucial for everyday life in the Maldives and for maintaining its vibrant economy! ๐ŸŒŸ

Top Import Commodities in 2022

Refined Petroleum, Ships, Aircraft, Plastic Products, Broadcasting Equipment

Climate

The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate that is always hot and humid! ๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ’ง This beautiful paradise experiences two main seasons: the northeast monsoon from November to March and the southwest monsoon from June to August. ๐ŸŒง๏ธ Which season sounds more exciting to you?

Executive branch

๐ŸŒŸ Let's talk about the Executive Branch of the Maldives! Did you know that the President is both the chief of state and the head of government? ๐Ÿค” Since 17 November 2023, the Maldives has been led by President Mohamed MUIZZU. With such an important role, he gets to make big decisions for the country! ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ป

Current President

Mohamed MUIZZU

Date of Assumption

17 November 2023

Legislative branch

The Maldives has a unicameral legislative system known as the People's Assembly! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ This assembly is made up of 93 seats, making it the heart of the country's legislative process. Each member plays a crucial role in shaping the laws that govern the Maldives. Let's dive into some fun facts about this important branch of government!

Total Seats in People's Assembly

93 seats

Natural resources

๐ŸŒŠ The Maldives is famous for its abundant fish resources! ๐ŸŸ The stunning seas that surround these beautiful islands are not only home to vibrant marine life but also play a vital role in the countryโ€™s economy and diet. Fishing is a big part of the Maldivian culture, and local communities rely on these underwater treasures for sustenance and livelihood. Letโ€™s dive into the details of this valuable resource! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Economic overview

๐ŸŒด The Maldives is an upper middle-income economy located in the beautiful Indian Ocean. Its major industries, including tourism, fishing, and shipping, shine brightly in the vibrant island economy. However, challenges lie ahead: high public debt and systemic corruption cast shadows on this paradise. ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ˜ž The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard, crippling these key industries and leading to ongoing deflation. ๐Ÿ“‰ It's sad to see that poverty has tripled since the pandemic began, affecting many lives across the islands.

Income Level

Upper Middle-Income

Industries

Tourism, Fishing, Shipping

Effect of COVID-19 on Poverty

Poverty has tripled since the pandemic began

Government type

The Maldives is known for its presidential republic government! ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿคฉ This means that the President is not only the head of state but also the head of government. In this system, the President has significant power to lead the country and make important decisions. The citizens have the opportunity to elect their President, making it a representative democracy! ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธโœจ

Ethnic groups

The Maldives is a fascinating country with a rich tapestry of ethnic groups! ๐ŸŒ Their population is a homogeneous mix of several groups, including Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African. This vibrant blend has evolved over time due to the historical shifts in marine trade routes. ๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธโœจ This unique mixture showcases the diverse influences that have shaped Maldivian culture and heritage over the years.

Ethnic Groups in Maldives

Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, African

Dominant Ethnic Composition

Homogeneous mixture

Religions

In the beautiful Maldives, the predominant faith practiced is Sunni Islam, which is also the official religion of the country. This means that almost everyone in the Maldives embraces Islam! ๐ŸŒ™โœจ It's a key part of daily life, culture, and traditions in this stunning island nation.

Official Religion

Sunni Islam

Languages

In the beautiful Maldives, there are two primary languages spoken! ๐ŸŒŠ The official language is Dhivehi, which has a special connection with Sinhala and uses a unique script that comes from Arabic. ๐ŸŒ Additionally, English is widely spoken, especially by most government officials. This makes it easier for tourists and locals to communicate! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธโœจ

Official Language

Dhivehi

Language Spoken by Government Officials

English

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ The Maldives imports goods from several important partners! Here's how the imports break down by country based on the percentage of total imports in 2022:

  • India: 16% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • China: 16% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • UAE: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • Oman: 9% ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ
  • Malaysia: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ

As you can see, India and China are the biggest sources of imports for Maldives, with each contributing 16% of the total imports! ๐Ÿ“Š

Largest Import Partner

India and China (16%)

Second Largest Import Partner

UAE (10%)

Maldives Import Partners (2022)

Population

โœจ The Maldives has a total population of 388,858 people! ๐ŸŒด This beautiful island nation is home to a diverse and vibrant community, making it a fascinating place to explore and learn about. ๐ŸŒŠ

Total Population

388,858

Area

๐ŸŒ The Maldives is a stunning island nation, but do you know how big it is? The total area of the Maldives is 298 square kilometers! That's really small when you think about it! ๐ŸŒŠโœจ

Interestingly enough, all of this area is landโ€”there's no water area at all! It's all about the beautiful islands and the clear blue sea. ๐Ÿ๏ธ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Total Area

298 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Land Area

298 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) of the beautiful Maldives shows how the economy has been growing over the years! Let's take a look at the estimates:

  • 2023: $11.651 billion
  • 2022: $11.206 billion
  • 2021: $9.838 billion

As we can see, the economy is on the rise! ๐Ÿš€๐Ÿ’ฐ

GDP in 2023

11.651 billion USD

GDP in 2022

11.206 billion USD

GDP in 2021

9.838 billion USD

Real GDP Growth in the Maldives (PPP)

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒด The Maldives is a picturesque island nation known for its stunning beaches and vibrant marine life! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's take a look at how its economy is doing, especially in terms of Real GDP per capita, which tells us how much money, on average, each person in the country has to spend.

Here's the estimated Real GDP per capita for the Maldives over the past few years:

  • 2021: $18,900
  • 2022: $21,400
  • 2023: $22,400

Isn't it exciting to see that the GDP per capita has been steadily increasing? This growth means that people in the Maldives are getting wealthier! ๐ŸŽ‰

GDP Growth from 2021 to 2023

29.0%

Increase in GDP from 2021 to 2023

3400 USD

Real GDP per Capita in the Maldives (2021-2023)

Imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Maldives Imports ๐Ÿ“ฆ

Maldives has been seeing some interesting changes in its imports over the years! Let's take a look at the import figures for the last three years:

  • In 2020, the imports were $2.449 billion.
  • In 2021, they grew to $3.484 billion.
  • By 2022, the imports increased even more to $4.904 billion!

This shows a steady rise in imports which could indicate a growing economy and more demand for goods from abroad. ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Total Import Growth (2020-2022)

100.02%

Imports of Maldives Over Three Years

Exports

๐ŸŒ The Maldives has seen some exciting growth in exports over the past few years! Here's a snapshot of how their export numbers have changed: ๐Ÿค‘

  • 2020: $1.787 billion
  • 2021: $3.985 billion
  • 2022: $5.096 billion

This upward trend shows that the Maldives is steadily increasing its export value. ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ’น

Total export value in 2022

$5.096 billion

Total export value in 2021

$3.985 billion

Total export value in 2020

$1.787 billion

Maldives Exports Over Years

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒด The Maldives, a stunning island paradise, is experiencing a slight decline in its population growth rate. ๐Ÿ“‰ For 2024, the estimated growth rate is -0.2%. This means that more people are leaving the Islands than coming in, which is an interesting trend to watch for such a tropical destination! ๐ŸŒŠ

Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024

-0.2%