The total population in Maldives was estimated at 0.5 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Maldives Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The total population of the Maldives was estimated at 404,000 people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by 252,000 people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by 42,000 people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata. DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates (http://esa.un.org/wpp/) and remaining unadjusted. REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743. FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available. Maldives data available from WorldPop here.

The Maldives: Population density, people per square km: The latest value from 2021 is 1738 people per square km, an increase from 1715 people per square km in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 456 people per square km, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for the Maldives from 1961 to 2021 is 832 people per square km. The minimum value, 313 people per square km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 1738 people per square km was recorded in 2021.

Monthly and long-term Maldives Population data: historical series and analyst forecasts curated by FocusEconomics.

Historical dataset showing total population for Maldives by year from 1950 to 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Maldives (SPPOPGROWMDV) from 1961 to 2024 about Maldives, population, and rate.

Population, female (% of total population) in Maldives was reported at 38.08 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Maldives - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population for Maldives (POPTTLMVA173NUPN) from 1950 to 2010 about Maldives and population.

Complete population data for Maldives showing how many people live in Maldives from 1960 to 2024

Historical dataset showing Maldives population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

Maldives MV: Population: Female: Ages 0-4: % of Female Population data was reported at 9.986 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.135 % for 2016. Maldives MV: Population: Female: Ages 0-4: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 18.381 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.598 % in 1986 and a record low of 9.547 % in 2007. Maldives MV: Population: Female: Ages 0-4: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Maldives – Table MV.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 0 to 4 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Abstract

The 2016-17 Maldives Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) is the second Demographic and Health Survey conducted in the Maldives.

The primary objective of the 2016-17 MDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of key demographic and health indicators. The MDHS provides a comprehensive overview of population, maternal, and child health issues in the Maldives. More specifically, the 2016-17 MDHS: - Collected data at the national level that allowed calculation of key demographic indicators, particularly fertility and under-5 mortality rates - Explored the direct and indirect factors that determine levels and patterns of fertility and child mortality - Measured levels of contraceptive knowledge and practice - Collected data on key aspects of family health, including immunisation coverage among children, prevalence and treatment of diarrhoea and other diseases among children under age 5, and maternity care indicators such as antenatal visits and assistance at delivery - Obtained data on child feeding practices, including breastfeeding - Collected anthropometric measures to assess the nutritional status of children under age 5, women age 15-49, and men age 15-49 - Conducted haemoglobin testing on children age 6-59 months and women age 15-49 to provide information on the prevalence of anaemia in these groups - Collected data on knowledge and attitudes of women and men about sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS and assessed the coverage of past HIV testing - Collected data on the prevalence of disabilities among all household members - Collected data on early childhood education, support for children’s learning, and the level of inadequate care for young children - Assessed the level of knowledge and self-reported prevalence of certain non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, thalassemia, and tuberculosis - Collected data on knowledge and prevalence of female circumcision among women age 15-49 and their daughters age 0-14 - Obtained data on women’s experience of emotional, physical, and sexual violence.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 0-5
• Woman age 15-49
• Man age 15-49

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), children age 0-5 years, women age 15-49 years and men age 15-49 years resident in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sampling frame used for the 2016-17 MDHS is the 2014 Maldives Population and Housing Census, provided by the National Bureau of Statistics in Maldives. The census frame is a complete list of all 997 census blocks (CB) created for the 2014 census. A CB is a geographic area containing an average of 58 households. The sampling frame contains information about the CB location and estimated number of residential households. Each CB has accompanying cartographic materials. These materials delineate geographic locations, boundaries, main access, and landmarks in or outside the CB that help identify the CB.

The 2016-17 MDHS sample is designed to yield representative information for most indicators for the country as a whole, for residence, and for each of Maldives's six regions. Also, the MDHS sample is designed to yield representative information for some selected indicators for each of the atolls of the country.

The sample for the 2016-17 MDHS was a stratified sample selected in two stages from the sampling frame. Stratification was achieved by separating each region into atolls; in total, 21 sampling strata were created, within each of which samples were selected independently. In the first stage, 266 CBs were selected with probability proportional to size according to the sample allocated to each stratum. The CB size is the number of residential households residing in the CB based on the 2014 census. Because of the large variation in the size of atolls, a proportional allocation of the sample points to the atolls is not adequate since the small atolls will receive too few sample points. The allocation adopted is a somewhat adjusted equal size allocation at atoll level except Malé which consists of 38% of the total residential population of the Maldives. This allocation will guarantee a better precision at atoll level and comparability across atolls.

Implicit stratification and proportional allocation were achieved at each of the lower administrative levels by sorting the sampling frame within each sampling stratum before sample selection, according to administrative units in different levels, and by using a probability proportional to size selection at the first stage of sampling.

After the selection of CBs and immediately before interviewing, a household listing operation was carried out. The household listing operation was implemented by the teams of fieldworkers who, upon entering a sampled CB, would disperse to record on their tablet computers all occupied Maldivian residential households found in the CB with the address and the name of the head of the household. The resulting list of households served as the sampling frame for the selection of households in the second stage.

In the second stage of selection, a fixed number of 25 households was selected in every CB (cluster) (except for Felidhu Atoll (V) where about 42 households on average were selected in all the six clusters of the atoll), by an equal probability systematic sampling based on the household listing. Selection of households was done on the supervisor's tablet in the field. A total of 6,750 households was sampled, 1,075 households in Malé region and 5,675 households in other areas. The survey interviewers were required to interview only the pre-selected households. No replacements and no changes of the preselected households were allowed in order to prevent bias.

For further details on sample design, see Appendix A of the final report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Four questionnaires were used for the 2016-17 MDHS: the Household Questionnaire, Woman’s Questionnaire, Man’s Questionnaire, and Biomarker Questionnaire. All questionnaires were based on the DHS Program’s standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-7) questionnaires that were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to the Maldives. Input was solicited from various stakeholders representing relevant department and divisions within MOH, other government agencies, universities, non-governmental organisations and international agencies. All questionnaires were translated from English to Dhivehi and back-translated into English.

Cleaning operations

All electronic data files for the 2016-17 MDHS were transferred via IFSS to the MoH central office in Malé, where they were stored on a password-protected computer. The data processing operation included secondary editing, which required resolution of computer-identified inconsistencies and coding of openended questions. Data editing was accomplished using CSPro software. During the duration of fieldwork, tables were generated to check various data quality parameters and specific feedback was given to the teams to improve performance. Secondary editing and data processing were initiated in March 2016 and completed in April 2018.

Response rate

A total of 6,697 households were selected for the sample, of which 6,608 were occupied. Of the occupied households, 6,050 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 92%. In the interviewed households, 9,170 women age 15-49 were identified for individual interviews; these interviews were completed with 7,699 women, yielding a response rate of 84%. In addition, 6,335 men age 15-49 were identified, of whom 4,342 were interviewed for a response rate of 69%.

All response rates are considerably lower in Malé region than in other atolls; for example, the response rate of women to individual interviews was only 68% in Malé, compared with 87% in other atolls. Overall, the response rate at the household level (92%) is slightly higher than it was for the 2009 MDHS (90%).

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: nonsampling errors and sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2016-17 Maldives Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) to minimise this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2016-17 MDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and expected size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability among all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.

Sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any

Graph and download economic data for Employment to Population Ratio for Maldives (SLEMPTOTLSPZSMDV) from 1991 to 2024 about Maldives, employment-population ratio, population, and employment.

The Maldives: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2024 is 4.64 percent, an increase from 4.35 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 10.43 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for the Maldives from 1960 to 2024 is 3.29 percent. The minimum value, 2.11 percent, was reached in 1968 while the maximum of 4.68 percent was recorded in 2006.

Time series data for the statistic Population ages 15-19, male (% of male population) and country Maldives. Indicator Definition:Male population between the ages 15 to 19 as a percentage of the total male population.The indicator "Population ages 15-19, male (% of male population)" stands at 5.29 as of 12/31/2024, the highest value since 12/31/2021. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 5.08 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is 5.08.The 3 year change in percent is 2.21.The 5 year change in percent is -12.58.The 10 year change in percent is -35.16.The Serie's long term average value is 10.01. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 47.12 percent lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2022, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +5.98%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2007, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is -62.46%.

Historical dataset showing Maldives population density by year from 1961 to 2022.

The 2009 MDHS was designed to provide data to monitor the population and health situation in Maldives. Specifically, the MDHS collected information on fertility levels and preferences, marriage, sexual activity, knowledge and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutrition status of women and young children, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, and awareness and behaviour regarding AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. At the household level, the survey collected information on domains of physical disability among those age 5 and older, developmental disability among young children, support for early learning, children at work, the impact of the tsunami of 2004, health expenditures, and care and support for physical activity of adults age 65 and older. At the individual level, the survey assessed additional features of blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.

Maldives MV: Population: Female: Ages 15-19: % of Female Population data was reported at 7.374 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.733 % for 2016. Maldives MV: Population: Female: Ages 15-19: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 10.649 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.460 % in 2003 and a record low of 7.374 % in 2017. Maldives MV: Population: Female: Ages 15-19: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Maldives – Table MV.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 15 to 19 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for Maldives including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.