Demographics of the Maldives
This article is about the demographic features of the population of the Maldives, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Demography
The Maldives had one of the highest birth rates in the world. The result is that many islands have become overpopulated and are completely covered by homesteads. Hence the country is becoming less self-sufficient by the day.
Vital statistics
UN estimates[1]
Period | Live births per year | Deaths per year | Natural change per year | CBR1 | CDR1 | NC1 | TFR1 | IMR1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1950-1955 | 3 000 | 2 000 | 1 000 | 43.2 | 27.7 | 15.5 | 6.03 | 233.4 |
1955-1960 | 4 000 | 2 000 | 2 000 | 53.0 | 28.2 | 24.8 | 6.81 | 221.6 |
1960-1965 | 5 000 | 3 000 | 3 000 | 55.0 | 27.2 | 27.9 | 7.12 | 205.5 |
1965-1970 | 6 000 | 3 000 | 3 000 | 52.2 | 23.4 | 28.8 | 7.22 | 175.5 |
1970-1975 | 6 000 | 2 000 | 4 000 | 47.4 | 19.3 | 28.1 | 7.17 | 146.5 |
1975-1980 | 6 000 | 2 000 | 4 000 | 44.1 | 15.7 | 28.3 | 6.86 | 121.5 |
1980-1985 | 8 000 | 2 000 | 6 000 | 47.8 | 12.7 | 35.1 | 7.26 | 97.2 |
1985-1990 | 9 000 | 2 000 | 7 000 | 45.4 | 10.5 | 34.8 | 6.81 | 77.1 |
1990-1995 | 8 000 | 2 000 | 6 000 | 35.6 | 8.0 | 27.6 | 5.25 | 62.5 |
1995-2000 | 7 000 | 1 000 | 5 000 | 25.1 | 5.5 | 19.6 | 3.52 | 41.7 |
2000-2005 | 6 000 | 1 000 | 4 000 | 19.7 | 4.1 | 15.6 | 2.49 | 26.5 |
2005-2010 | 5 000 | 1 000 | 4 000 | 17.2 | 3.7 | 13.5 | 1.90 | 9.8 |
1 CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births |
Registered births and deaths[2]
Average population (x 1000) | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975 | 136 | 5 002 | 1 386 | 3 616 | 36.8 | 10.2 | 26.6 |
1976 | 140 | 5 232 | 1 565 | 3 667 | 37.4 | 11.2 | 26.2 |
1977 | 144 | 6 131 | 1 652 | 4 479 | 42.7 | 11.5 | 31.2 |
1978 | 148 | 5 667 | 1 971 | 3 696 | 38.4 | 13.4 | 25.0 |
1979 | 152 | 6 308 | 2 044 | 4 264 | 41.5 | 13.5 | 28.1 |
1980 | 157 | 6 822 | 1 787 | 5 035 | 43.6 | 11.4 | 32.1 |
1981 | 162 | 7 010 | 1 963 | 5 047 | 43.3 | 12.1 | 31.2 |
1982 | 168 | 7 402 | 2 129 | 5 273 | 44.1 | 12.7 | 31.4 |
1983 | 174 | 7 236 | 1 748 | 5 488 | 41.6 | 10.1 | 31.6 |
1984 | 180 | 8 255 | 1 640 | 6 615 | 45.8 | 9.1 | 36.7 |
1985 | 187 | 8 968 | 1 607 | 7 361 | 48.0 | 8.6 | 39.4 |
1986 | 193 | 8 615 | 1 511 | 7 104 | 44.6 | 7.8 | 36.8 |
1987 | 200 | 8 364 | 1 525 | 6 839 | 41.8 | 7.6 | 34.2 |
1988 | 207 | 8 297 | 1 526 | 6 771 | 40.2 | 7.4 | 32.8 |
1989 | 213 | 8 726 | 1 476 | 7 250 | 41.0 | 6.9 | 34.0 |
1990 | 219 | 8 639 | 1 355 | 7 284 | 39.4 | 6.2 | 33.2 |
1991 | 226 | 8 390 | 1 366 | 7 024 | 37.2 | 6.1 | 31.1 |
1992 | 232 | 8 139 | 1 330 | 6 809 | 35.1 | 5.7 | 29.4 |
1993 | 238 | 7 780 | 1 319 | 6 461 | 32.7 | 5.6 | 27.2 |
1994 | 243 | 7 382 | 1 240 | 6 142 | 30.3 | 5.1 | 25.2 |
1995 | 249 | 6 849 | 1 151 | 5 698 | 27.5 | 4.6 | 22.9 |
1996 | 254 | 6 772 | 1 213 | 5 559 | 26.7 | 4.8 | 21.9 |
1997 | 259 | 6 184 | 1 175 | 5 009 | 23.9 | 4.5 | 19.3 |
1998 | 264 | 5 687 | 1 121 | 4 566 | 21.6 | 4.2 | 17.3 |
1999 | 269 | 5 225 | 1 037 | 4 188 | 19.5 | 3.9 | 15.6 |
2000 | 273 | 5 399 | 1 032 | 4 367 | 19.8 | 3.8 | 16.0 |
2001 | 278 | 4 897 | 1 081 | 3 816 | 17.6 | 3.9 | 13.7 |
2002 | 282 | 5 003 | 1 113 | 3 890 | 17.7 | 3.9 | 13.8 |
2003 | 287 | 5 157 | 1 030 | 4 127 | 18.0 | 3.6 | 14.4 |
2004 | 291 | 5 220 | 1 015 | 4 205 | 17.9 | 3.5 | 14.5 |
2005 | 295 | 5 543 | 1 027 | 4 516 | 18.8 | 3.5 | 15.3 |
2006 | 299 | 5 829 | 1 083 | 4 746 | 19.5 | 3.6 | 15.9 |
2007 | 304 | 6 569 | 1 118 | 5 451 | 21.6 | 3.7 | 18.0 |
2008 | 308 | 6 946 | 1 061 | 5 885 | 22.6 | 3.4 | 19.1 |
2009 | 312 | 7 423 | 1 163 | 6 260 | 23.6 | 3.7 | 19.9 |
2010 | 316 | 7 115 | 1 105 | 6 010 | 22.3 | 3.5 | 18.8 |
2011 | 7 180 | 1 137 | 6 043 | 22.1 | 3.5 | 18.6 | |
2012 | 7 431 | 1 135 | 6 296 | 22.5 | 3.4 | 19.0 | |
2013 | 7 153 | 1 120 | 6 033 | 21.3 | 3.3 | 18.0 | |
2014 | 7 245 | 1 143 | 6 102 | 18.0 | 2.8 | 15.2 | |
2015 | 6 896 | 1 130 | 5 766 | 19.8 | 3.3 | 16.5 | |
2016 | 6 756 | 1 226 | 5 530 | 14.3 | 2.6 | 11.7 |
Structure of the population[3]
Structure of the population (21.03.2006) (Census) :
Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 151 459 | 147 509 | 298 968 | 100 |
0-4 | 13 362 | 12 809 | 26 171 | 8,75 |
5-9 | 15 352 | 14 515 | 29 867 | 9,99 |
10-14 | 19 111 | 17 888 | 36 999 | 12,38 |
15-19 | 20 155 | 19 749 | 39 904 | 13,35 |
20-24 | 16 933 | 17 876 | 34 809 | 11,64 |
25-29 | 11 915 | 12 666 | 24 581 | 8,22 |
30-34 | 10 022 | 10 613 | 20 635 | 6,90 |
35-39 | 8 780 | 9 394 | 18 174 | 6,08 |
40-44 | 7 828 | 8 043 | 15 871 | 5,31 |
45-49 | 6 872 | 6 697 | 13 569 | 4,54 |
50-54 | 4 147 | 3 789 | 7 936 | 2,65 |
55-59 | 3 046 | 2 813 | 5 859 | 1,96 |
60-64 | 2 852 | 2 714 | 5 566 | 1,86 |
65-69 | 3 014 | 2 664 | 5 678 | 1,90 |
70-74 | 2 333 | 1 853 | 4 186 | 1,40 |
75-79 | 1 444 | 933 | 2 377 | 0,80 |
80-84 | 617 | 447 | 1 064 | 0,36 |
85-89 | 241 | 155 | 396 | 0,13 |
90-94 | 89 | 70 | 159 | 0,05 |
95+ | 52 | 32 | 84 | 0,03 |
unknown | 3 294 | 1 789 | 5 083 | 1,70 |
Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-14 | 47 825 | 45 212 | 93 037 | 31,12 |
15-64 | 92 550 | 94 354 | 186 904 | 62,52 |
65+ | 7 790 | 6 154 | 13 944 | 4,66 |
Structure of the population (01.07.2013) (Estimates) :
Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 169 800 | 166 424 | 336 224 | 100 |
0-4 | 16 714 | 16 429 | 33 143 | 9,86 |
5-9 | 13 826 | 13 318 | 27 144 | 8,07 |
10-14 | 14 498 | 13 671 | 28 169 | 8,38 |
15-19 | 18 153 | 16 795 | 34 948 | 10,39 |
20-24 | 20 743 | 19 640 | 40 383 | 12,01 |
25-29 | 19 091 | 19 401 | 38 492 | 11,45 |
30-34 | 14 054 | 14 828 | 28 882 | 8,59 |
35-39 | 10 761 | 11 263 | 22 024 | 6,55 |
40-44 | 9 409 | 9 935 | 19 344 | 5,75 |
45-49 | 8 270 | 8 587 | 16 857 | 5,01 |
50-54 | 7 421 | 7 340 | 14 761 | 4,39 |
55-59 | 5 105 | 4 799 | 9 904 | 2,95 |
60-64 | 3 118 | 2 884 | 6 002 | 1,79 |
65-69 | 2 542 | 2 495 | 5 037 | 1,50 |
70-74 | 2 430 | 2 338 | 4 768 | 1,42 |
75-79 | 1 971 | 1 648 | 3 619 | 1,08 |
80+ | 1 693 | 1 054 | 2 747 | 0,82 |
Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-14 | 45 038 | 43 418 | 88 456 | 26,31 |
15-64 | 116 126 | 115 471 | 231 597 | 68,88 |
65+ | 8 636 | 7 535 | 16 171 | 4,81 |
Fertility Rate (The Demographic Health Survey)[4]
Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and CBR (Crude Birth Rate):
Year | CBR (Total) | TFR (Total) | CBR (Urban) | TFR (Urban) | CBR (Rural) | TFR (Rural) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | 24,7 | 2,5 (2,2) | 22,9 | 2,1 (1,9) | 25,5 | 2,8 (2,4) |
Geographical differences
The total fertility rate differs greatly from as low as 2.05 children per woman in Malé to a maximum of 3.88 children in Faafu.
Code Name | Official Name | Population (2014 census) |
TFR (2014 census) [5] |
---|---|---|---|
Faafu | Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi | 4,119 | 3.88 |
Alif Dhaal | Ari Atholhu Dhekunuburi | 8,145 | 3.30 |
Gaafu Dhaalu | Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi | 11,587 | 3.13 |
Thaa | Kolhumadulu | 8,901 | 2.97 |
Alif Alif | Ari Atholhu Uthuruburi | 5,905 | 2.94 |
Raa | Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi | 14,862 | 2.93 |
Haa Alif | Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi | 12,939 | 2.91 |
Haa Dhaalu | Thiladhunmathi Dhekunuburi | 18,515 | 2.91 |
Noonu | Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi | 10,483 | 2.83 |
Gaafu Alif | Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi | 8,334 | 2.80 |
Gnaviyani | Fuvahmulah | 7,984 | 2.76 |
Meemu | Mulak Atholhu | 4,705 | 2.75 |
Kaafu | Malé Atholhu | 12,166 | 2.70 |
Laamu | Haddhunmathi | 11,795 | 2.67 |
Shaviyani | Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi | 12,091 | 2.66 |
Dhaalu | Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi | 5,305 | 2.62 |
Lhaviyani | Faadhippolhu | 7,905 | 2.59 |
Addu City | - | - | 2.49 |
Baa | Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi | 8,878 | 2.45 |
Vaavu | Felidhu Atholhu | 1,601 | 2.34 |
Malé | - | 133,412 | 2.05 |
Maldives | Republic of Maldives | 341,356 | 2.46 |
Life expectancy at birth
Period | Life expectancy in
Years |
Period | Life expectancy in
Years |
---|---|---|---|
1950–1955 | 34.5 | 1985–1990 | 59.3 |
1955–1960 | 36.1 | 1990–1995 | 63.5 |
1960–1965 | 39.0 | 1995–2000 | 67.6 |
1965–1970 | 42.4 | 2000–2005 | 72.2 |
1970–1975 | 46.2 | 2005–2010 | 75.6 |
1975–1980 | 50.7 | 2010–2015 | 76.3 |
1980–1985 | 55.5 |
Source: UN World Population Prospects[6]
Ethnic groups
The largest ethnic group are Dhivehis, native to the historic region of the Maldive Islands comprising today's Republic of Maldives and the island of Minicoy in Union territory of Lakshadweep, India. They share the same culture and speak the Dhivehi language. They are principally an Indo-Aryan people, closely related to the Sinhalese and having traces of Middle Eastern, South Asian, Austronesian and African genes in the population.
In the past there was also a small Tamil population known as the Giraavaru people. This group have now been almost completely absorbed into the larger Maldivian society but were once native to the island of Giraavaru (Kaafu Atoll). This island was evacuated in 1968 due to heavy erosion of the island.
Languages
Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language having some similarities with Elu, the ancient Sinhalese language and written in a specialized Arabic script (Tāna), is the official language and is spoken by virtually the whole population. English is also spoken as a second language by many.
Religion
Sunni Islam is the state religion. Historically, the Maldives were converted to Islam from Buddhism in the 12th century. Under the 1997 constitution, freedom of religion is limited, Islam being the only religion accepted in public. Consequently, the vast majority of population professes adherence to Islam, reported as 98.4% as of 2010.[7]
CIA World Factbook demographic statistics
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.
Population
301,475 (July 2000 est.) - 369,031 (July 2007 est.)[8]
Age structure
- 0–14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291)
- 15–64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 171,703)
- 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2010 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female
- total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Nationality
- noun: Maldivian(s)
- adjective: Maldivian
Literacy
- definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- total population: 96.3%
- male: 96.2%
- female: 96.4% (2000 census)
Education
The average Maldivian citizen has 4.7 years of education[9]
References
- ↑ World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision Archived 6 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Department of National Planning, Republic of Maldives - Offline". www.planning.gov.mv. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ↑ "The DHS Program - Quality information to plan, monitor and improve population, health, and nutrition programs". www.dhsprogram.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ↑ Maldives Population Projections 2014-2054
- ↑ "World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations". Retrieved 2017-07-15.
- ↑ Maldives Archived 22 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine.. globalreligiousfutures.org
- ↑ "The World Factbook". Cia.gov. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ↑ Neil Merret (30 November 2010). "Average Maldivian citizen has 4.7 years of education, finds UN Human Development Report". Minivan News. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- H.C.P. Bell, The Maldive Islands, An account of the physical features, History, Inhabitants, Productions and Trade. Colombo 1883, ISBN 81-206-1222-1
- Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999, ISBN 84-7254-801-5