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South Asia :: Maldives

- ## Introduction :: MALDIVES

- Background:
  A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, the president and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. President NASHEED faced a number of challenges including strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests following his sacking of a top judge, NASHEED resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. In mid-2012, a Commission of National Inquiry was set by the government to probe events leading up to NASHEED's resignation. Though the commission found no evidence of a coup, the report recommended the need to strengthen the country's democratic institutions to avert similar events in the future, and to further investigate alleged police misconduct during the crisis. Maldivian officials have played a prominent role in international climate change discussions (due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise) on the UN Human Rights Council and in other international forums, as well as in encouraging regional cooperation, especially between India and Pakistan.

- ## Geography :: MALDIVES

- Location:
  Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
  Geographic coordinates:
  3 15 N, 73 00 E
  Map references:
  Asia
  Area:
  total: 298 sq km
  land: 298 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Area - comparative:
  about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  644 km
  Maritime claims:
  measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
  Terrain:
  flat, with white sandy beaches
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m
  Natural resources:
  fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 23.3%
  arable land 10%; permanent crops 10%; permanent pasture 3.3%
  forest: 3%
  other: 73.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km NA (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  0.03 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.01 cu km/yr (95%/5%/0%)
  per capita: 18.44 cu m/yr (2008)
  Natural hazards:
  tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
  Environment - current issues:
  depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  smallest Asian country; archipelago of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

- ## People and Society :: MALDIVES

- Nationality:
  noun: Maldivian(s)
  adjective: Maldivian
  Ethnic groups:
  South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
  Languages:
  Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
  Religions:
  Sunni Muslim (official)
  Population:
  393,253 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 21.05% (male 42,230/female 40,555)
  15-24 years: 22.41% (male 51,141/female 36,970)
  25-54 years: 47.08% (male 107,436/female 77,713)
  55-64 years: 5.14% (male 10,243/female 9,968)
  65 years and over: 4.32% (male 7,994/female 9,003) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 47.4%
  youth dependency ratio: 40.5%
  elderly dependency ratio: 6.9%
  potential support ratio: 14.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 27.4 years
  male: 27.5 years
  female: 27.3 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  -0.08% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 205
  Birth rate:
  15.75 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Death rate:
  3.89 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Net migration rate:
  -12.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 216
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 45.5% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 4.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  MALE (capital) 156,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.38 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.38 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 23.7 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 26.11 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 21.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 75.37 years
  male: 73.06 years
  female: 77.8 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Total fertility rate:
  1.74 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  34.7% (2009)
  Health expenditures:
  10.8% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Physicians density:
  1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  4.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 99.5% of population
  rural: 97.9% of population
  total: 98.6% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0.5% of population
  rural: 2.1% of population
  total: 1.4% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 97.5% of population
  rural: 98.3% of population
  total: 97.9% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 2.5% of population
  rural: 1.7% of population
  total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.01% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  fewer than 100 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  fewer than 100 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  7% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  17.8% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Education expenditures:
  6.2% of GDP (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 26
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 99.3%
  male: 99.8%
  female: 98.8% (2015 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 22.2%
  male: 15.5%
  female: 30.5% (2006 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48

- ## Government :: MALDIVES

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
  conventional short form: Maldives
  local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
  local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Male
  geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E
  time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  7 provinces and 1 municipality*; Dhekunu (South), Maale*, Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South), Mathi Uthuru (Upper North), Medhu (Central), Medhu Dhekunu (South Central), Medhu Uthuru (North Central), Uthuru (North)
  Independence:
  26 July 1965 (from the UK)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
  Constitution:
  many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008; amended 2015 (2015)
  Legal system:
  Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor (since 22 July 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor (since 22 July 2015)
  cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); the election held on 7 September 2013 was annulled by the Supreme Court; rerun of first round held on 9 November 2013 and a runoff held on 16 November (next election to be held in 2018)
  election results: first round (9 November 2013); percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED (MDP) 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM (JP) 23.3%; runoff (16 November 2013); percent of vote - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president 51.4%, Mohamed NASHEED 48.6%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (85 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 22 March 2014 (next to be held in 2019)
  election results: percent of vote - PPM 40%, MDP 28.2%, JP 18.8%, MDA 5.9%, other 1.2%, independent 5.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, other 1, independent 5
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 judges)
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a separate 10-member body of selected high government officials and the public - and upon confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
  subordinate courts: High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)
  Political parties and leaders:
  note: political parties with an asterisk were dissolved on 7 February 2014 by the Elections Commission under the Political Parties Act, which requires a minimum membership; the status of these parties is unresolved, as the Supreme Court later ruled the dissolution invalid
  Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Sheikh Imran ABDULLA]
  Dhivehi Qaumee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]*
  Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP
  Gaumee Itthihaad Party (National Unity Party) or GIP [Mohamed WAHEED]
  Islamic Democratic Party or IDP*
  Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed SIYAM]
  Maldives National Congress or MNC [Ali AMJAD]*
  Maldives Reform Movement or MRM [Mohamed MUNAWWAR]
  Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Reeko Moosa MANIKU]
  Maldivian Labor Party or MLP [Ahmed MOOSA]*
  Maldivian Social Democratic Party or MSDP [Reeko Ibrahim MANIKU]*
  Meedhu Dhaaira
  People's Alliance or PA [Moosa ZAMEERI]*
  People's Party or PP [Ahmed RIYAZ]*
  Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP
  Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]
  Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM]
  Social Liberal Party or SLP [Mazian RASHEED]*
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  other: various unregistered political parties
  International organization participation:
  ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed SAREER (since 11 January 2013)
  chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017
  telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195
  FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits
  Flag description:
  red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam
  National symbol(s):
  coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)
  lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA
  note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

- ## Economy :: MALDIVES

- Economy - overview:
  Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for nearly 30% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is the second leading sector, but the fish catch has dropped sharply in recent years. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor.
  Lower than expected tourist arrivals and fish exports, combined with high government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries contributed to a balance of payments crisis, which was temporarily eased with a $79.3 million IMF Stand-By agreement. However, after the first two disbursements, the IMF withheld subsequent disbursements due to concerns over Maldives' growing budget deficit, and the government has been seeking other sources of budgetary support ever since. A new Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tourism introduced in January 2011, on general goods and services in October 2011, and a new Business Profit Tax introduced in July 2011 have provided a boost to revenue. In recent years, gross foreign exchange reserves have hovered around $300 million, sufficient to finance about two to three months of imports.
  In August 2014 the Maldives’ Parliament passed a bill to create special economic zones, a step aimed at attracting investment and diversifying the economy away from tourism and fishing. The Maldives’ also took some steps to reduce the fiscal deficit in 2015, such as imposing a green tax on tourist establishments and raising import duties, but the deficit will grow because of increasing public expenditures.
  Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are other near-term challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $4.92 billion (2014 est.)
  $4.685 billion (2013 est.)
  $4.476 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 177
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.854 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  5% (2014 est.)
  4.7% (2013 est.)
  1.3% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $14,400 (2014 est.)
  $13,700 (2013 est.)
  $13,100 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Gross national saving:
  11.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  13.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  9.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 4%
  industry: 23%
  services: 73% (2012 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
  Industries:
  tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
  Industrial production growth rate:
  14% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Labor force:
  159,700 (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 15%
  industry: 15%
  services: 70% (2010 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  11% (2012 est.)
  12% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Population below poverty line:
  16% (2008 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 1.2%
  highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  37.4 (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Budget:
  revenues: $762 million
  expenditures: $876 million (2013 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  31.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -4.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.5% (2014 est.)
  10.9% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Central bank discount rate:
  7% (31 December 2012)
  6.96% (31 December 2011)
  country comparison to the world: 46
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  10.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
  10.2% (31 December 2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Stock of narrow money:
  $623 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  $547.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Stock of broad money:
  $1.538 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  $1.298 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $1.601 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $555 million (31 December 2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Current account balance:
  -$232.4 million (2013 est.)
  $310 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Exports:
  $166 million (2013 est.)
  $161 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Exports - commodities:
  fish
  Exports - partners:
  Thailand 18.8%, France 16%, US 10.9%, Japan 7.5%, Germany 7.2%, UK 6.1%, Italy 5.5%, Sri Lanka 4.7% (2014)
  Imports:
  $1.728 billion (2013 est.)
  $1.55 billion (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Imports - commodities:
  petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods
  Imports - partners:
  Singapore 18%, UAE 18%, India 9%, Malaysia 8.3%, China 6.7%, Sri Lanka 5.7%, Thailand 5.5% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $368.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  $356 million (30 November 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Debt - external:
  $793.6 million (2013 est.)
  $890.8 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Exchange rates:
  rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -
  15.41 (2013)
  15.37 (2012)

- ## Energy :: MALDIVES

- Electricity - production:
  265.2 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Electricity - consumption:
  246.6 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  77,080 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  99.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 44
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  7,610 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  6,940 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.123 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166

- ## Communications :: MALDIVES

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 21,500
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 665,800
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 169 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: telephone services have improved; inter-atoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service
  domestic: each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile-cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that has reached 135 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 3 privately owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; 5 privately owned radio stations (2012)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2009)
  Television broadcast stations:
  2 (2009)
  Internet country code:
  .mv
  Internet users:
  total: 18,600
  percent of population: 4.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201

- ## Transportation :: MALDIVES

- Airports:
  9 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 7
  over 3,047 m: 1
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 88 km
  paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu
  note: island roads are mainly compacted coral (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 216
  Merchant marine:
  total: 18
  by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2
  foreign-owned: 4 (Singapore 4)
  registered in other countries: 4 (Panama 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Male

- ## Military :: MALDIVES

- Military branches:
  Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 156,319
  females age 16-49: 98,815 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 135,374
  females age 16-49: 85,181 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 4,167
  female: 3,595 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2008)

- ## Transnational Issues :: MALDIVES

- Disputes - international:
  none

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