9 answers, 2 from the Maldives's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
98.2% of people aged 15 and over in the Maldives could read and write in 2019, the latest year available, according to World Bank data.
Enrolment is close to universal at primary level: the gross primary enrolment ratio was 99.7% in 2024, according to the World Bank. The gross ratio was 79.4% at secondary level in 2023 (World Bank) and 48.5% at tertiary level in 2022 (World Bank). Gross ratios compare all enrolled students with the population of the official age group, so they can include over-age or under-age students.
Government spending on education in the Maldives was 5.17% of GDP in 2023, according to World Bank data, which are based on UNESCO statistics.
The figure covers spending by all levels of government on education institutions and administration, including transfers to private bodies. It does not include private spending by households, such as fees. Because it is a share of GDP, it can fall in years of fast growth even if spending in rufiyaa rises. Nominal GDP was MVR 101,861 million in 2023, according to the Maldives Bureau of Statistics.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2017, net primary school enrolment in the Maldives was 95.4%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2005 has been lower. Of 134 countries with 2017 data, 53rd highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 79.4%. No year since 2010 has been higher. Across South Asia the middle value was 83.1%, and the Maldives placed 4th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 107th of 138.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in the Maldives was 48.5% in 2022. No year since 2007 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 22.9%. Worldwide: 70th of 119.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2019, is 98.2%. It was 98.4% in 2006. South Asia median: 74.9%; the Maldives is 1st highest of 5. Of 55 countries with 2019 data, 10th highest.
5.2% of GDP: that is government spending on education in the Maldives for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.1% of GDP (2011) to 5.8% of GDP (2020). Across South Asia the middle value was 4.0% of GDP, and the Maldives placed 2nd highest of 5. Worldwide: 25th of 112.
In 2017, the number of primary pupils per teacher in the Maldives was 10, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 26, and the Maldives placed 6th highest of 6. Worldwide: 121st of 130.
In 2024, the primary completion rate in the Maldives was 93.8%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 131.9% in 2005 and the low 89.1% in 2013. South Asia median: 94.3%; the Maldives is 4th highest of 5. Worldwide: 64th of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error