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Child protection
Gender & GBV
Disability
Health
Substance abuse
Poverty & housing
Social protection
Education
Population & demographics
Maldivian population growth, 1911–2022
Maldivian citizens only. Census 2022 also counted 132,493 foreign residents.
400K
300K
200K
100K
0
72,237
103,220
270,101
382,639
1911
1931
1967
1985
2000
2014
2022
Source: Maldives Bureau of Statistics, Population and Housing Census 1911–2022
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Where Maldivians live, Census 2022
Population distribution by locality type
382,639
Maldivian citizens
Atolls – 46.0%
Malé City – 23.5%
Hulhumalé – 14.3%
Resorts – 10.0%
Industrial – 3.0%
Vilimalé – 2.5%
Source: Census 2022 Results Summary, Maldives Bureau of Statistics
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Total fertility rate, 1990–2022
Children per woman, national census and DHS series. Replacement level (2.1) shown as dashed line.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2.1
6.4
2.2
2.5
2.1
1.7
1985–90
2006
2014
2016–17
2022
Source: MBS Census 2022 fertility analysis; DHS 2016–17; MBS Population Projection 2022–2062
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Life expectancy at birth, 1977–2022
Years
85
75
65
55
45
40
47.0
1977
62.5
72.2
76.6
81.1
2022
1990
2000
2010
Source: World Bank WDI; UN DESA; WHO Global Health Observatory
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Marriages and divorces, 2010–2016
Annual registered marriages and divorces
Marriages
Divorces
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Source: Statistical Yearbook of Maldives 2023
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Divorce-to-marriage ratio, 2010–2016
Divorces as percentage of marriages registered in the same year
65%
60%
55%
50%
45%
40%
45.6%
50.1%
52.8%
59.3%
61.1%
58.3%
62.3%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Source: Statistical Yearbook of Maldives 2023
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Population aged 65+, projected to 2050
From 20,553 (Census 2022) to 74,516 (2050) on the official MBS projection
80K
40K
0
Ageing (7%+) from 2026
Aged (14%+) from 2045
Super-aged (21%+) 2052
20,553
24,216
31,782
39,869
48,432
58,486
74,516
2022
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
Source: MBS, Leave No One Behind (2024); MBS Population Projection 2022–2062 (2025)
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Population pyramid, Census 2022
Resident Maldivians by five-year age band and sex
Male
Female
18,000
9,000
0
9,000
18,000
80+
75–79
70–74
65–69
60–64
55–59
50–54
45–49
40–44
35–39
30–34
25–29
20–24
15–19
10–14
5–9
0–4
Source: Population and Housing Census 2022, Maldives Bureau of Statistics
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Health indicators among the elderly
Prevalence among Maldivians aged 65+
Hypertension (HIES 2019)
46%
Some disability (HIES 2019)
45%
Disability, WG-SS (Census 2022)
36%
Diabetes (HIES 2019)
28%
Source: National Ageing Policy draft 2024 citing HIES 2019; Census 2022
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Prison population profile
47–80%+
Drug offenders
share of inmates
21.6
Mean age at
first arrest (years)
8.2
Average years
of education
64.7%
Poor or working
class background
47.1%
Divorced at time
of incarceration
Source: ICSVE and Transparency Maldives prison study;
Harding and Morgan 2004; US State Department 2013
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Child protection
Domestic violence cases reported to FPA, 2013–2022
Annual cases. 2018 to 2020 not reported.
19
2013
149
2014
438
2015
642
2016
539
2017
···
696
2021
660
2022
Source: UN Women and UNFPA 2018 (2013–2017); Family Protection Authority (2021–2022)
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Children's living arrangements, Census 2022
Each square represents 1% of children aged 0–17
Both parents (74%)
One parent (22%)
Neither parent, relatives and others (4%)
Source: Census 2022 Children's Equity Report, Maldives Bureau of Statistics
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Children in alternative care by type, March 2023
187 children total. Only 18 registered foster carers nationwide.
Institutional care – 91% (171 children)
Foster care – 9% (16 children)
Source: Rogers & Ali 2023
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Child protection cases per social worker
61
child protection
social workers
128,208
children in
Maldives
~160
cases per worker
vs 25–30 recommended
Source: Rogers & Ali 2023; Rogers, Ali & Naeem 2025
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Ministry case intake, 2023-2024
Cases received by the Ministry of Social and Family Development
2,936
cases received in 2023
1,278 (43.5%) violence against children
2,855
cases received in 2024
Violence against children by type, 2023
Negligence
22%
Sexual abuse
21%
Physical abuse
19%
Witnessing domestic violence
16%
Emotional abuse
11%
Type shares are percentages of the 1,278 violence-against-children cases in 2023. The five types shown do not sum to 100%.
Source: Ministry of Social and Family Development, annual case data 2023 and 2024
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Gender, GBV & women's empowerment
GBV justice pathway: measured attrition points
Each step is a separately measured figure, not one cohort of cases followed through
Reported to FPA
660 domestic violence cases (2022)
Forwarded for prosecution by police
14% of violence against women cases lodged at police
Submitted for prosecution
3% of reported DV/GBV cases, Q3 2020
Convicted: 10 of 60 (16.7%)
prosecutions, 2016–2019
GEAP 2022–2026 target: 30% of reported DV/GBV cases submitted for prosecution by 2026
Source: GEAP 2022–2026; UNFPA/McCabe 2023; FPA
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
FGM/C prevalence by age group
Percentage of women aged 15–49 who have undergone FGM/C
15–19
1%
20–24
3%
25–29
5%
30–34
8%
35–39
15%
40–44
28%
45–49
38%
Overall
13%
Source: Maldives DHS 2016–17
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Labour force participation rate by gender, HIES 2019
Male
77.1%
Female
45.6%
31.5 pp gap
Source: HIES 2019 (IsDB 2022)
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Women's political representation
Percentage of seats held by women, by level of government
Parliament
3.2%
(3 of 93 seats, April 2024)
Local councils
39.5%
(388 women, GEAP 2022–2026 baseline; 33% quota)
33% quota
Source: People's Majlis records; GEAP 2022–2026 baseline
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
DV case reporters by gender
Women account for 82% of domestic violence reports
82% Women
18%
Men
Source: UN Women and UNFPA 2018
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Higher education: enrolment and dropouts by sex
Women are the majority of students enrolled and, since 2022, of dropouts too
64%
female
of higher education
students enrolled, 2022
88%
male
of higher education
dropouts, 2019
62%
female
of higher education
dropouts, 2022
Source: MoHE data via ADB GESI diagnostic; UNICEF Situation Analysis 2025
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Women's labour force participation by atoll, Census 2022
Median of island rates, Maldivians only. Bars: women. Marker: men.
25%
50%
75%
Alifu Alifu
59.2
78.6
Faafu
56.1
70.7
Vaavu
55.9
80.4
Alifu Dhaalu
55.0
80.3
Noonu
54.9
74.5
Meemu
54.5
79.0
Thaa
53.0
77.9
Baa
52.3
73.8
Dhaalu
51.2
78.6
Kaafu
49.7
76.4
Haa Dhaalu
48.0
72.8
Shaviyani
46.8
73.8
Haa Alifu
46.7
72.4
Raa
45.9
73.5
Laamu
45.6
75.3
Gaafu Alifu
44.1
72.3
Gaafu Dhaalu
41.3
67.3
Lhaviyani
41.1
75.4
Gnaviyani
40.8
68.4
Seenu
38.7
67.1
Women, median island rate (%)
Men, median island rate (%)
Source: Census 2022 island tables (labour-force dataset)
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Disability
Disability registry coverage gap, July 2025
Census-identified persons with disabilities vs. National Disability Registry
24,401
Census 2022
13,656
NDR Dec 2024
44% gap
14,566
NDR Jul 2025
40% gap
Census (WG-SS)
NDR registered
Unregistered gap
Source: Census 2022 (WG-SS); NSPA NDR Dec 2024; OHCHR CRPD Committee 2025
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Disability allowance tiers, 2023
Monthly MVR, since June 2023
MVR 3,000
up to MVR 6,000
Base allowance
Tiered by support need
Range: MVR 3,000 to 6,000 per month (flat MVR 2,000 before June 2023)
Source: NSPA; Disability Allowance restructuring, June 2023; HRCM 2023
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Employment by disability status and sex, Census 2022
Employment-to-population ratio
Women with disability
26%
Men with disability
39%
Women without disability
47%
Men without disability
78%
Women
Men
With disability (lighter)
Source: MBS, Disability in the Maldives (Census 2022)
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
National Disability Registry against Census 2022
Persons on the registry, launched January 2023, as a share of the census count
Census 2022
24,401
Registry, Aug 2023
11,048
45% of census
Registry, Dec 2024
13,656
56% of census
Registry, Jul 2025
14,566
60% of census
Registry counts as of 10 August 2023, December 2024 and July 2025. Census count uses the Washington Group short set.
Source: Census 2022 (WG-SS); MBS Disability analysis 2023;
UNPRPD Situation Analysis 2024; OHCHR CRPD Committee 2025
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Employment and education by disability status, Census 2022
Persons with and without disability, percentages
With disability
Without disability
Employment-to-
population ratio
31%
63%
All persons
26%
47%
Women
39%
78%
Men
Literacy and
school completion
89%
99%
Dhivehi literacy
41%
86%
English literacy
76%
98%
Lower-secondary completion
Source: MBS 2023, Disability in the Maldives (Census 2022)
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Health systems & mental health
Youth mental health indicators
Percentage of school-age adolescents, GSHS 2009
Made a suicide plan
22.2%
Seriously considered suicide
19.9%
Felt lonely most of the time
15.8%
Worry prevented sleep
14.8%
18.8% of 15–29 year olds depressed, WHO STEPS 2021 (33.5% of young women, 9.6% of young men)Source: WHO GSHS Maldives 2009; WHO STEPS 2021 via UNICEF SitAn 2025
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Parents worried about children's mental health, by region
89% want more information on adolescent mental health
Overall
80%
Central
73%
North
69%
Greater Male'
62%
South
61%
Source: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey 2023
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Psychiatry waitlist reduction through decentralisation
IGMH waitlist, pre-pandemic to August 2023
3,300+
patients waiting
pre-pandemic
90%
reduction
~330
patients waiting
August 2023
Telepsychiatry reach
55,000
people across 56 islands
Source: Decentralisation and Autonomisation Report, President's Office
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Infant mortality rate, 1990–2023
Deaths per 1,000 live births, World Bank WDI series
10
20
30
40
50
1990
2000
2006
2010
2012
2015
2020
2023
49.8
5.27
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Disease burden: NCDs vs communicable diseases
Percentage of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)
78%
NCDs
NCDs (incl. injuries) 78%
Communicable/maternal/child 22%
Source: WHO / Global Burden of Disease
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Child and maternal nutrition indicators
Prevalence among children under 5 and women of reproductive age
Iron deficiency (children)
57%
Vitamin A deficiency (moderate)
50.1%
Anaemia (children)
26%
Iodine deficiency (children)
19%
Underweight (<5)
17.3%
Zinc deficiency (children)
16%
Overweight (<5)
5.9%
Vitamin A (severe)
5.1%
Source: DHS 2009; National Micronutrient Survey 2007
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Aasandha universal health insurance: key figures
MVR 1.9B
Budget allocation
(2024)
56%
Pharmaceutical costs
share of spending
49%
Out-of-pocket
health spending
75x
Drug prices vs
int'l benchmarks
Source: NSPA; World Bank Aasandha assessment; national budget 2024
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Substance abuse
Drug of first initiation, RAS 2003
What substance people used first
Brown sugar / opioids
43%
Cannabinoids
34%
Alcohol
12%
Other
11%
Source: UNODC Rapid Situation Assessment 2003
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Drug use situational analysis: key indicators, 2021
Peer influence
72.2%
Began before age 18
57.8%
Relapsed
42.7%
Family also using
41.4%
Completed treatment
41.4%
Never sought treatment
34.2%
Injecting use
21.6%
Voluntary treatment
8.9%
Source: National Situational Analysis of Drug Users 2021
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Poverty, housing & economic vulnerability
Poverty rate by atoll
Percentage below national poverty line, 2019/20
National 5.4%
Raa
18.9%
Gaafu Dhaalu
15.6%
Thaa
14.4%
Alif Alif
14.2%
Haa Dhaalu
12.9%
Haa Alif
12.5%
Addu
5.7%
Shaviyani
5.6%
National
5.4%
Alif Dhaalu
3.1%
Baa
1.7%
Male'
0.9%
Source: HIES 2019; World Bank Poverty and Inequality in Maldives 2022
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Poverty rate by household head characteristics
National 5.4%
Below-primary education
12.6%
Household >10 members
12.0%
Disability
9.6%
Female-headed
6.0%
Self-employed
5.5%
Wage-earning
2.4%
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality in Maldives 2022
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
COVID-19 socioeconomic impact, 2020
-33.6%
real GDP contraction
2020
39.8%
of men, 32.7% of women
faced an income shock
Dec 2020 to Feb 2021
2x
women more likely
to stop working
15%
of relief loans
went to women
Source: World Bank 2022; UNDP rapid assessment; HRCM CEDAW submission 2021
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Housing cost burden in the Maldives
74%
of Male' households rent
(5.3% in the atolls)
2019/20
37%
of renters' spending in
Male' goes on rent
(19% in the atolls)
12x
average annual income:
Male' housing prices
2017
Source: World Bank 2022; HDC and MNU Housing Market Study 2017
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Unemployment rate, 2019–2023
Overall and youth (15–24)
Overall
Youth (15–24)
0%
4%
8%
12%
16%
20%
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
5.4%
4.2%
16.1%
15.0%
Census 2022, median across atoll islands (Maldivians): unemployment 5.0%; youth 15–24 13.5%; NEET 15–24 25.8%
Source: ILO modelled estimates; World Bank WDI; Census 2022 island tables
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Social protection
Social protection programmes: beneficiaries
Old-Age Basic Pension
18,139
(monthly average, 2020)
Disability Allowance
~11,371
(mid-2023)
Single Parent Allowance
Count not published
(about MVR 60 million a year)
Foster Parent Allowance
18 registered foster carers
(16 children, 2023)
Source: HelpAge and UNFPA 2022; NSPA 2023; Rogers & Ali 2023
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Social protection expenditure by component, 2009
Total MVR 782 million (3.5% of GDP)
Social assistance 52%
Social insurance 47%
Social assistance: MVR 389M (52%)
Social insurance: MVR 346M (47%)
Labour market: MVR 7M (1%)
Source: ADB Social Protection Index 2012
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Old-Age Basic Pension: beneficiaries and cost, 2009-2020
Average monthly beneficiaries (bars) and annual cost in MVR (below each year)
13,421
2009
MVR 310.9M
14,717
2010
MVR 339.2M
15,035
2011
MVR 360M
16,198
2014
MVR 471M
17,496
2019
MVR 904M
18,139
2020
MVR 1.03B
Monthly benefit floor: MVR 2,000 (2009), MVR 2,300 (2012), MVR 5,000 (2014). Years without a reported figure are omitted.
Source: HelpAge International and UNFPA 2022; Maldives Pension Administration Office
Visualization by Public Policy Lab @policylabmv
Education & employment