Maldives: economy

What is the inflation rate in the Maldives?

Consumer prices in the Maldives were 0.76% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS). Prices fell 1.15% from July. In July the annual rate was 2.31%.

Over the year to August, transport prices rose 8.06% and food and beverages including fish 5.69%, while tobacco and areca nuts fell 26.17%. In August alone, the largest falls were for tobacco (25.45%), electricity (3.21%) and air passenger transport (2.80%). The index uses November 2022 as its base. MBS plans to publish the September 2026 figures on 26 October 2026.

Official sources: Maldives Bureau of Statistics: Consumer Price Index, August 2026 (PDF)

What is the Maldives' GDP growth rate?

The Maldives' real GDP grew 6.3% in 2025, to MVR 107,103 million at 2019 prices, according to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS). Growth was 3.4% in 2024 and 5.3% in 2023. Nominal GDP was MVR 119,352 million in 2025, up 10.1%.

In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP was MVR 25,146 million, 0.03% higher than a year earlier and 12.3% lower than in the first quarter, according to the quarterly national accounts. MBS says financial services and construction contributed most to growth in that quarter. MBS reports changes against both the preceding quarter and the same quarter a year earlier.

Official sources: Maldives Bureau of Statistics: GDP Annual 2025 (PDF) · Maldives Bureau of Statistics: Quarterly National Accounts, 2026 Q2 (PDF)

What is the Maldives' GDP per capita?

The Maldives' GDP per person was US$13,321 in 2025, 8.4% higher than in 2024, according to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS). MBS says per capita GDP grew an average of 8.0% a year over the past four years.

The World Bank puts 2025 GDP per capita at US$14,615 at current prices. The two sources give different figures; MBS is the national source. GDP per person measures output divided by the resident population, which includes a large foreign workforce, so it is not a measure of household income.

Official sources: Maldives Bureau of Statistics: GDP Annual 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$), Maldives

What percentage of the Maldives' economy is tourism?

Tourism made up 20.3% of the Maldives' GDP in 2025, the largest share of any sector, according to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS). Wholesale and retail trade was second at 8.1% and public administration third at 7.5%. Real value added in tourism was MVR 24,365 million, up 8.3%.

MBS says the increase came from more tourist bed-nights, which rose 7.9%. The Maldives received 2,246,516 tourist arrivals in 2025, according to MBS tourism statistics. China was the largest market (329,110 arrivals, 14.6%), followed by Russia (12.4%) and the United Kingdom (9.0%). Average stay was 7.0 days.

Official sources: Maldives Bureau of Statistics: GDP Annual 2025 (PDF) · Maldives Bureau of Statistics: World Tourism Day 2026: tourism statistics 2025 (PDF)

What are the Maldives' exports and imports?

The Maldives exported MVR 643.9 million of goods and imported MVR 34,240.9 million in January to June 2026, adding up the monthly figures in Maldives in Figures from the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS). In the same months of 2025, exports were MVR 1,223.7 million and imports MVR 26,499.4 million.

Fish products are the main export: MVR 570.8 million of the 2026 total. Imports of fuel and lubricants were MVR 9,671.9 million in January to June 2026, against MVR 5,114.7 million a year earlier. The figures cover goods only; tourism earnings are services and are not included.

Official sources: Maldives Bureau of Statistics: Maldives in Figures, June 2026 (PDF)

How fast is the Maldives' economy growing?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 6.3%. Since 2005 it has ranged from -32.9% (2020) to 37.5% (2021). It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 5.6%. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 26th highest.

What is the Maldives' GDP per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $14,615. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was $3,598, and the Maldives placed 1st highest of 6. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 66th highest.

How does the Maldives' income per person compare after prices?

$28,555 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in the Maldives for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 1st highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is $14,406 in international dollars. Worldwide: 69th of 179.

What share of the Maldives' economy is exports?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 78.2% of GDP. Its high point since 2014 was 2014, at 91.3% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at 48.2% of GDP. South Asia median: 20.9% of GDP; the Maldives is 1st highest of 6. Of 162 countries with 2024 data, 14th highest.

What is the Maldives' current account balance?

The IMF puts the current account balance in the Maldives at -6.2% of GDP in 2025, a deficit. Since 2005 it has ranged from -35.7% of GDP (2020) to -3.2% of GDP (2014). Across South Asia the middle value was -0.0% of GDP, and the Maldives placed 5th highest of 5. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 110th highest.

How much foreign investment does the Maldives receive?

According to the IMF, net inflows of foreign direct investment in the Maldives was 11.1% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 16.8% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 4.1% of GDP. It is 1st highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 0.7% of GDP. Worldwide: 12th of 179.

How high are loan rates in the Maldives?

11.6%: that is the average bank lending rate in the Maldives for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 11.7% in 2023 and the low 10.2% in 2017. World rank, highest first: 26th of 73.