Country Guide

Malta Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)


Geographic coordinates:
35 50 N, 14 35 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:316 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 208
land:316 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC


Land boundaries:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
continental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:25 nm


Climate:
Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers


Terrain:
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point:Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)


    Natural resources:
limestone, salt, arable land


Land use:
arable land:28.12%
permanent crops:4.06%
other:67.81% (2011)


Irrigated land:
32 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
0.05 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
0.05 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
NA


Environment - current issues:
limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Maltese (singular and plural)
adjective:Maltese


Ethnic groups:
Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)


Languages:
Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)


Religions:
Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2011 est.)


Population:
412,655 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 176


Age structure:
0-14 years:15.1% (male 32,021/female 30,432)
15-24 years:12.6% (male 26,680/female 25,201)
25-54 years:40.4% (male 85,109/female 81,577)
55-64 years:14% (male 28,751/female 29,113)
65 years and over:17.2% (male 32,903/female 40,868) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:45.7 %
youth dependency ratio:20.9 %
elderly dependency ratio:24.8 %
potential support ratio:4 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:40.9 years
male:39.7 years
female:42.1 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.33% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 170


Birth rate:
10.24 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 189


Death rate:
8.96 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 69


Net migration rate:
1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 47


Urbanization:
urban population:94.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
VALLETTA (capital) 198,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.79 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
26.9


Maternal mortality rate:
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:3.59 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 207
male:4 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:80.11 yearscountry comparison to the world: 33
male:77.8 years
female:82.56 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.54 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 187


Health expenditures:
8.5% of GDP (2010)


Physicians density:
3.23 physicians/1,000 population (2011)


Hospital bed density:
4.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 160


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 159


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 141


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
28.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 32


Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 23

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:92.4%
male:91.2%
female:93.5% (2005 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:15 years
male:14 years
female:15 years (2011)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:14.2%country comparison to the world: 91
male:14%
female:14.5% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Malta
conventional short form:Malta
local long form:Repubblika ta' Malta
local short form:Malta


Government type:
republic


Capital:
name:Valletta
geographic coordinates:35 53 N, 14 30 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq


Independence:
21 September 1964 (from the UK)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)


Constitution:
many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law and civil law (based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes)


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA (since 4 April 2014)
head of government:Prime Minister Joseph MUSCAT (since 11 March 2013)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
elections:president appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives for a five-year term; appointment last held on 4 April 2014 (next to be held by April 2019); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
election results:Marie-Louise Coleiro PRECA appointed president; Joseph MUSCAT elected prime minister


Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives (normally 65 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation by the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) to serve five-year terms; note - the parliament elected in 2013 is composed of 69 seats; when the political party winning an absolute majority of first-count votes (or a plurality of first-count votes in an election where only two parties are represented in parliament) does not win an absolute majority of seats, the constitution provides for the winning party to be awarded additional number of seats in parliament to guarantee it an absolute majority; in the event that more than two parties are represented in parliament, with none acquiring the absolute majority of votes, the party winning the majority of seats prevails
elections:last held on 9 March 2013 (next to be held by March 2018)
election results:percent of vote by party - PL 54.8%, PN 43.3%, other 1.9%; seats by party - PL 39, PN 30
note:in 2009, provisions in the law were made for communities with elected representatives to be established within localities and for an elected chairperson to sit in on council meetings


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Court of Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 judges); Court of Criminal Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges)
judge selection and term of office:Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually upon the advice of the prime minister; judges of both courts serve until age 65
subordinate courts:Civil Court (divided into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (for the islands of Gozo and Comino}


Political parties and leaders:
Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD (Green Party) [Arnold CASSOLA]
Labor Party or PL [Joseph MUSCAT]
Nationalist Party or PN [Simon BUSUTTIL]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Alliance of Liberal Democrats Malta (Alleanza Liberali-Demokratika Malta) of ALDM (for divorce, abortion, gay marriage, women's rights)


International organization participation:
Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Marisa Maria Louise MICALLEF (since 22 August 2013)
chancery:2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 462-3611 through 3612
FAX:[1] (202) 387-5470
consulate(s):New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Gina ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY (since 18 April 2012)
embassy:Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000
mailing address:5800 Valetta Place, Dulles, VA 20189
telephone:[356] 2561 4000
FAX:[356] 2124 3229


Flag description:
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared directly on the white field


National symbol(s):
Maltese cross


National anthem:
name:'L-Innu Malti' (The Maltese Anthem)

lyrics/music:Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT
note:adopted 1945; the anthem is written in the form of a prayer

Economy

Economy - overview:
Malta - the smallest economy in the euro zone - produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's geographic position between Europe and North Africa makes it a target for irregular migration, which has strained Malta's political and economic resources. Malta's fertility rate is below the EU average, and population growth in recent years has largely been from immigration, putting increasing pressure on the pension system. Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism, and was hurt by the global economic downturn, but fared better than most other EU member states. Malta has low unemployment relative to other European countries, and growth has recovered since the 2009 recession. Malta's financial services industry has grown in recent years and it has avoided contagion from the European financial crisis, largely because its debt is mostly held domestically and its banks have low exposure to the sovereign debt of peripheral European countries. The EU reopened an excessive deficit procedure against Malta in June 2013, having found that its forecasted deficit for the year was likely to exceed 3% of GDP.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.22 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
$10.96 billion (2012 est.)
$10.89 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.541 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
0.6% (2012 est.)
1.6% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$29,200 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$28,800 (2011 est.)
$28,300 (2010 est.)
note:data are in 2012 US dollars


Gross national saving:
13.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
13.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
12.8% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:56.8%
government consumption:20.8%
investment in fixed capital:14.5%
investment in inventories:-0.5%
exports of goods and services:92%
imports of goods and services:-86.4%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:1.4%
industry:25.3%
services:73.3% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs


Industries:
tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services


Industrial production growth rate:
-6.9% (2013)
country comparison to the world: 192

Labor force:
190,400 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:1.4%
industry:22.2%
services:76.4% (2013)


Unemployment rate:
6.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
6.5% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
15.1% (2012)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
27.1 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 129
26 (2007)


Budget:
revenues:$4.843 billion
expenditures:$4.322 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
50.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

    Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
5.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8


Public debt:
75.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
70.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:Malta reports public debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year, according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty for general government gross debt; the data include the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); general government comprises the central government, state government, local government and social security funds


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
3.2% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2013)
country comparison to the world: 119
1.5% (31 December 2010)
note:this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
0.25% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
0.75% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$8.932 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$7.892 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the EMU; individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders


Stock of broad money:
$15.44 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$13.88 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$19.16 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$20.72 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$3.631 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$133.1 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$181.5 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$5.105 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
$5.893 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral fuels, oils and products; pharmaceutical products; printed books and newspapers; aircraft/spacecraft and parts; toys, games, and sports equipment


Exports - partners:
Germany 8.9%, Singapore 7.1%, Libya 6.2%, France 6.2%, United States 4.4% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$7.436 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$8.209 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
mineral fuels, oils and products; electrical machinery; aircraft/spacecraft and parts thereof; machinery and mechanical appliances; plastic and other semi-manufactured goods; vehicles and parts thereof


Imports - partners:
Italy 24.6%, Germany 5.6%, United Kingdom 5.4%, Russia 5.1%, France 5% (2013 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$377 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$481.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$51.08 billion (30 September 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$46.72 billion (31 December 2012)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.17 billion (31 June 2013)
country comparison to the world: 80
$16.4 billion (31 December 2012)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.442 billion (31 June 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$1.471 billion (31 December 2012)


Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.7752 (2012 est.)
0.755 (2010 est.)
0.7198 (2009 est.)
0.6827 (2008 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production:
2.221 billion kWh (2013)
country comparison to the world: 133


Electricity - consumption:
2.211 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
530,000 kW (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
97.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
2.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 166


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
19,520 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129


Refined petroleum products - exports:
14,410 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77


Refined petroleum products - imports:
36,480 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (July 5, 1905 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
2.682 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
229,700 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 125


Telephones - mobile cellular:
539,500 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 168


Telephone system:
general assessment:automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
domestic:combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
international:country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally plus an educational channel; several privately owned national television stations, two of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 1 station; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2011)


Internet country code:
.mt


Internet hosts:
14,754 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 125


Internet users:
240,600 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 137

Transportation

Airports
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 226


Airports - with paved runways
total:1
over 3,047 m:1 (2013)


Heliports
2 (2013)


Roadways
total:3,096 kmcountry comparison to the world: 164
paved:2,704 km
unpaved:392 km (2008)


Merchant marine
total:1,650country comparison to the world: 4
by type:bulk carrier 544, cargo 351, carrier 1, chemical tanker 324, container 117, liquefied gas 36, passenger 50, passenger/cargo 18, petroleum tanker 160, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 18
foreign-owned:1,437 (Angola 7, Azerbaijan 1, Belgium 7, Bermuda 15, Bulgaria 8, Canada 5, China 6, Croatia 6, Cyprus 32, Denmark 34, Egypt 1, Estonia 16, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 135, Greece 469, Hong Kong 4, India 3, Iran 48, Ireland 4, Israel 3, Italy 45, Japan 5, Kuwait 3, Latvia 8, Lebanon 6, Libya 5, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands 3, Norway 96, Oman 5, Poland 21, Portugal 3, Romania 7, Russia 45, Saudi Arabia 2, Singapore 4, Slovenia 4, South Korea 2, Spain 8, Sweden 1, Switzerland 20, Syria 4, Turkey 233, UAE 1, UK 21, Ukraine 29, US 34)
registered in other countries:2 (Panama 2) (2010)



    Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta
container port(s) (TEUs):Marsaxlokk (2,360,000)

Military

Military branches
Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes land, maritime, and air elements) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2013)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:95,499
females age 16-49:90,919 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:79,645
females age 16-49:75,684 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:2,554
female:2,385 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.61% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 122
0.61% of GDP (2011)
0.61% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):5,543 (Somalia) (2013)


    Illicit drugs
minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Maldives

Country Guide

Maldives Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

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 kmcountry comparison to the world: 210
land:298 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC


Land boundaries:
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:
arable land:10%
permanent crops:10%
other:80% (2011)


Irrigated land:
0 sq km NA (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
0.03 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
0.03 cu km (2011)

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

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:
393,595 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 177


Age structure:
0-14 years:21% (male 42,154/female 40,490)
15-24 years:23.4% (male 53,760/female 38,385)
25-54 years:46.5% (male 107,703/female 75,360)
55-64 years:4.8% (male 9,782/female 9,180)
65 years and over:4.2% (male 7,974/female 8,807) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:50 %
youth dependency ratio:42.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:7.4 %
potential support ratio:13.6 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:27.1 years
male:27.3 years
female:26.7 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-0.09% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 202


Birth rate:
15.59 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 127


Death rate:
3.84 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 211


Net migration rate:
-12.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 217


Urbanization:
urban population:41.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:3.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
MALE (capital) 132,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.4 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.43 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.29 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.94 male(s)/female
total population:1.34 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
23.9


Maternal mortality rate:
60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:24.59 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 73
male:27.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female:22.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:75.15 yearscountry comparison to the world: 99
male:72.86 years
female:77.55 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.76 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 164


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
34.7% (2009)


Health expenditures:
8.5% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2007)


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 (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 99.6% of population
total: 98.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 0.4% of population
total: 1.3% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 159


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 142


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
12.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 126


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
17.8% (2009)country comparison to the world: 38


Education expenditures:
6.8% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 26

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:98.4%
male:98.4%
female:98.4% (2006 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:13 years
male:13 years
female:13 years (2003)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:22.2%country comparison to the world: 51
male:15.5%
female:30.5% (2006)

Government

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 (2010)


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; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Mohamed JAMEEL Ahmed (since 17 November 2013); 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 Mohamed JAMEEL Ahmed (since 17 November 2013)
cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
elections:president elected by direct vote for a five-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 runoff held on 16 November (next election to be held in 2018)
election results:first round (9 November 2013); percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM 23.3%; runoff (postponed to 16 November 2013); percent of vote - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president 51.4%, Mohamed NASHEED 48.6%


    Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (85 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the Elections Commission in December 2013 increased the number of seats to 85 from 77
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%, independents 5.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, other 1, independents 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:
ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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) 599-6194
FAX:[1] (212) 599-6195


Diplomatic representation from the US:
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

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 reserves have hovered around $300 million, sufficient to finance about two to three months of imports. 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):
$3.073 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
$2.97 billion (2012 est.)
$2.945 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.27 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
0.9% (2012 est.)
6.5% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,100 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
$9,000 (2012 est.)
$9,000 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:3%
industry:17%
services:80% (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: 3

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:
28% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
14.5% (2010 est.)


Population below poverty line:
16% (2008)


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)
country comparison to the world: 79

Budget:
revenues:$638 million
expenditures:$917 million (2012 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
28.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-12.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
16.7% (2011 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
6.96% (31 December 2011 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
10.2% (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$547.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
$531.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.298 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$1.237 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
$1.601 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$555 million (31 December 2011 est.)


Current account balance:
-$600 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$437 million (2011 est.)


Exports:
$283 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$316 million (2011 est.)


Exports - commodities:
fish


Exports - partners:
France 18.9%, Thailand 15.8%, UK 11.4%, US 9.4%, Sri Lanka 8.6%, Italy 8.1%, Germany 6.4% (2012)


Imports:
$1.406 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
$1.314 billion (2011 est.)


Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods


Imports - partners:
Singapore 21.7%, UAE 20.9%, India 9.6%, Malaysia 7.6%, China 6%, Thailand 5.6%, Sri Lanka 4% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$356 million (30 November 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
$326 million (30 November 2011 est.)


Debt - external:
$890.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$684.2 million (2011 est.)


Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -
15.365 (2011)
14.602 (2011)
12.8 (2008)
12.8 (2007)

Energy

Electricity - production:
301.1 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Electricity - consumption:
280 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
62,080 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
6,875 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201


Refined petroleum products - imports:
6,088 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141


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: 152


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.071 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
23,140 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 183


Telephones - mobile cellular:
560,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 166


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)


Internet country code:
.mv


Internet hosts:
3,296 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 153


Internet users:
86,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 164

Transportation

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 kmcountry comparison to the world: 215
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)


    Merchant marine
total:18country comparison to the world: 97
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)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Male

Military

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

Disputes - international
none


    Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook