Quick facts
Maldives population overview
The Maldives is the 50th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 531,410 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 5 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 5,208 births (9.8 per 1,000 people) and 1,329 deaths (2.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 2,072 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 91,189 in 1960 to 529,676 in 2025 — a change of +480.9%, or +2.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 33.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 81.7 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 19% of residents are under 15 and 5% are 65 or older (2025); 42.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Male. The Maldives covers 300 km², giving a population density of about 1,776 people per km². GDP was $7.74B in 2025 — about $14,615 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Maldives population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 532,893 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 531,410 |
| World rank | #174 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #50 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.006% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 5,208 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,329 |
| Net migration per year est. | -2,072 |
| Birth rate | 9.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 2.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 159.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 33.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 81.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 42.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 300 km² |
| Population density | 1,776 per km² |
| Capital | Male |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $7.74B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $14,615 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Maldives population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 532,893 | – | – |
| 2025 | 529,676 | +1,877 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 527,799 | +1,805 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 525,994 | +1,888 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 524,106 | +7,952 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 516,154 | +14,036 | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 502,118 | +73,964 | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 428,154 | +67,362 | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 360,792 | +54,363 | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 306,429 | +24,410 | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 282,019 | +25,370 | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 256,649 | +31,887 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 224,762 | +34,593 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 190,169 | +25,334 | +2.9% |
| 1980 | 164,835 | +21,677 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 143,158 | +19,939 | +3% |
| 1970 | 123,219 | +19,117 | +3.4% |
| 1965 | 104,102 | +12,913 | +2.7% |
| 1960 | 91,189 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Maldives
Population over time
- From 91,189 in 1960 to 532,893 today — up 484.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 81.3 years (2024), up 43 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.6 births vs 2.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 8.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 19% of the population is under 15 and 5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 1.88 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 2.19 Mt in 2014 — down 14.2% since.
- Per person: 3.57 t in 2024, vs 0.08 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 921.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 306.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 1.2% of final energy in 2022 (-3.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 2.8% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 42.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 11.4% in 1960 (+31.1 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 15.7% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 57 m³ in 2022, down 82.2% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $7.74B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 87.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $14,615 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 85.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 148.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Maldives in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Maldives in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Maldives has an estimated population of 532,893. The United Nations estimated 531,410 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Maldives growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 5 more people every day. Each year there are about 5,208 births and 1,329 deaths, with net migration of -2,072.
What is the population density of the Maldives?
About 1,776 people per square kilometre: 532,893 people living on 300 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Maldives?
The median age is 33.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81.7 years. 19% of the population is under 15 and 5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Maldives rank by population?
The Maldives is the 174th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 50th in Asia, with 0.006% of the global population.
How has the population of the Maldives changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 91,189; by 2025 it had grown to 529,676 (+480.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Malta
Brunei
Western SaharaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.