Statistical information Maldives 1996

Maldives in the World

Maldives - Introduction 1996

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Background: The Maldives were long a sultanate first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968 three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

Maldives - Geography 1996

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

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

Area
Total: 300 km²
Land: 300 km²
Comparative: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 644 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India
Territorial sea: 12 nm

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

Terrain: Flat
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m

Elevation

Natural resources: Fish

Land use

Land use
Arable land: 10%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 3%
Forests and woodland: 3%
Other: 84%

Irrigated land: NA

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards

Geography

Maldives - People 1996

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Population:

270,758 (July 1996 est.)
261,310 (July 1995 est.)

Growth rate:

3.52% (1996 est.)
3.58% (1995 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Maldivian(s)
Adjective: Maldivian

Ethnic groups: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African

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

Religions: Sunni Muslim

Demographic profile

Age structure

Age structure
0-14 years:

47% (male 65,559; female 62,399) (July 1996 est.)
47% (male 63,042; female 60,038) (July 1995 est.)

15-64 years:

50% (male 69,071; female 65,659) (July 1996 est.)
50% (male 67,020; female 63,526) (July 1995 est.)

65 years and over:

3% (male 4,336; female 3,734) (July 1996 est.)
3% (male 4,147; female 3,537) (July 1995 est.)

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate:

3.52% (1996 est.)
3.58% (1995 est.)

Birth rate:

41.88 births/1000 population (1996 est.)
42.8 births/1000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate:

6.64 deaths/1000 population (1996 est.)
7 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1996 est.)
0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1995 est.)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies
Current issues Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
International agreements: party to_Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified_Law of the Sea
International agreements note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female
All ages:

1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.) Infant Mortality Rate:47 deaths/1000 live births (1996 est.)
50 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 66.17 (1996 est.); 65.49 years (195 est.)
Male: 64.6 years (1996 est.); 63.99 years (1995 est.)
Female: 67.82 years (1996 est.); 67.07 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
6.17 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over that can read and write (1985)
Total population: 93.2%
Male: 93.3%
Female: 93%

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment

Maldives - Government 1996

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Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
Conventional short form: Maldives

Government type: Republic

Capital: Male

Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls; Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu

Dependent areas

Independence: 26 July 1965 (from U.K.)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Constitution: 4 June 1968

Legal system: Based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held 1998); results_President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM was reelected with 92.76% of the vote
Cabinet: Ministry of Atolls was appointed by the president; note_need not be members of Majilis

Legislative branch: Unicameral; members elected for five-year terms or appointed by the president Citizens' Council (Majlis):Elections last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999; results_percent of vote NA; seats_(48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president) independents 40

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation

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

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage

Maldives - Economy 1996

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Economy overview: During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1994, tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounted for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is a second leading growth sector. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. The Maldivian Government initiated 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. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor 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 1994, industry which consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted for about 15% of GDP.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate:

6.6% (1994 est.)
5.4% (1993 est.)

Real gdp per capita:

purchasing power parity_ $1,560 (1994 est.)
$1,500 (1993 est.)

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture products: Fishing, coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes

Industries:

Fishing and fish processing
Tourism
Shipping
Boat building
Some coconut processing
Garments
Woven mats
Coir (rope)
Handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: Growth rate 6.3% (1994 est.), 24% (1990; accounts for 15.3% of GDP

Labor force: 66,000 (est.)
By occupation: Fishing industry 25%

Labor force