People and Society of Maldives

Nationality

Maldivian(s)

Ethnic Groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Population

521,457

Population in Major Urban Areas

MALE (capital) 132,000

There is no 911 equivalent for medical emergencies in Maldives; 119 is for the police only, and the Coast Guard responds to 191 calls for maritime emergencies. A patient would have to call an individual hospital for ambulance services. The quality of medical care in such instances may be uncertain, as most ambulances are ill-equipped. Maldives has limited medical facilities. There are two hospitals in Malé: the government-owned Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and the privately-owned Abduarahman Don Kaleyfan Hospital (ADK). IGMH does not accept insurance plans, though ADK accepts some. The hospitals perform limited general and orthopedic surgery, but Maldives has no trauma units and a small number of ICU beds. Persons needing treatments not offered in Maldives require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility, such as in Singapore. Five recompression chambers are available in Maldives. The largest and longest operating recompression chamber is on Bandos Island (15 minutes by speedboat from Malé). The others are located on Cinnamon Alidhoo Resort, Villingili Resort in Addu, Kuramathi Resort, and Kandholhudhoo Islands.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in the Maldives has risen dramatically over the past several decades, reflecting remarkable improvements in healthcare infrastructure, public health policy, and living standards across the island nation. As of the most recent available estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in the Maldives stands at approximately 80 to 81 years, placing the country well above the average for South Asian nations and comparable to many upper-middle-income countries worldwide. Historically, life expectancy in the Maldives was considerably lower. In the 1960s and 1970s, high infant and child mortality rates, limited access to medical facilities, and the geographic challenges of delivering healthcare across nearly 1,200 scattered coral islands kept life expectancy relatively modest. Sustained investment in health services, expanded immunization programs, improved maternal and child healthcare, and better access to clean water and sanitation have all contributed significantly to the country's longevity gains. Women in the Maldives tend to outlive men, as is common in most parts of the world, with female life expectancy slightly exceeding that of males. The gap, while modest, is consistent with global patterns tied to differences in occupational risks, health-seeking behavior, and biological factors. The Maldivian government has worked in partnership with international organizations to strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in the more remote atolls where access to hospitals and specialist care can be limited. The development of regional hospitals and the use of sea and air transport for medical referrals has helped extend quality care beyond Malé, the densely populated capital. Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, have emerged as growing concerns for adult health and longevity as the country undergoes an epidemiological transition away from infectious disease as the primary cause of death. Addressing these conditions through lifestyle education, early screening, and expanded clinical services remains a central public health priority. The relatively high prevalence of diabetes in particular poses a longer-term challenge to sustaining the gains in life expectancy achieved over recent decades. Overall, the Maldives stands as a notable example of health progress in a small island developing state, achieving life expectancy figures that reflect decades of focused investment in the well-being of its population.

Infant Mortality Rate

The Maldives has achieved a remarkable reduction in infant mortality over recent decades, transforming from one of the higher-risk nations in South Asia to a regional success story in child health outcomes. The infant mortality rate in the Maldives currently stands at approximately 6 to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places the country well below the South Asian regional average and reflects sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and maternal and child health programs. This progress is particularly striking given the country's unique geographic challenges. The Maldives consists of over 1,000 coral islands spread across nearly 90,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, making the consistent delivery of healthcare services to remote and sparsely populated atolls a logistical challenge. Despite this, the government has prioritized universal access to primary healthcare, including prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support, all of which directly influence infant survival rates. Decades ago, the infant mortality rate in the Maldives was significantly higher, exceeding 100 deaths per 1,000 live births in the 1970s and early 1980s. The dramatic decline since then reflects improvements in access to clean water and sanitation, expanded immunization coverage, better nutrition programs, and increased availability of trained healthcare workers across the atolls. Key contributors to the ongoing low infant mortality rate include high rates of immunization against preventable diseases, active programs to combat neonatal infections, and government-run health centers on inhabited islands. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have both worked in partnership with the Maldivian government on child health initiatives that have helped sustain these gains. While the current figures are impressive by developing-nation standards, health officials continue to monitor disparities between the capital Malé and outer atolls, where access to specialist neonatal care remains more limited. Continued investment in telemedicine, emergency transport systems, and community health worker training is considered essential to maintaining and further improving infant survival rates across all islands.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Classroom

Unique to Maldives, modern and traditional schools exist side by side. The traditional schools are staffed by community-paid teachers without formal training and provide basic numeracy and literacy skills in addition to religious instruction. The modern schools, run by both the government and private sector, provide primary and secondary education. Primary and secondary education is available throughout the country and primary education is compulsory. As the modern English-medium school system expands, the traditional system is gradually being upgraded. By early 2003, every inhabited island was equipped to provide primary school education up through grade seven. Secondary schools (grades 8 through 10) are available in atoll capitals and on the islands with larger populations. Five schools have higher secondary classes, two in Capital Male and in three atolls. Only around 5% of students go to high school, but literacy is high at 98%. Seven post-secondary technical training institutes provide opportunities for youth to gain skills that are in demand.

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

• Maldivian Dhivehi

Crime Information

Maldives has a low crime rate, but theft of valuables left unattended on beaches or in hotels does occur. Drug use is on the rise among young Maldivians and the penalty for drug use is severe. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Maldives, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Maldives, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not legal wherever you go. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify U.S. embassy in Colombo as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.