Maldives: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Maldives — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Maldives has a population of 515,696 spread across 298 km², giving it an average density of 1730.5 people per km². This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Maldives is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 51% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 78.9% of Maldives's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Maldives has 2.23 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Maldives, 85% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 142 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Source: World Bank Open Data