Maldives Population 2026
The Maldives, an upper-middle-income country in South Asia, has a population of 527,799 as of 2025. This represents a modest 1-year growth rate of 0.34%, reflecting a slowdown from previous years. The nation ranks 171st globally in population size.
Population Trend (Maldives)
Population by Decade
Population milestones
How Maldives's population changed across key years (World Bank estimates).
Overview
The Maldives' population trends are shaped by its geography as an island nation and its economic development, which has lifted it to upper-middle-income status. With a 10-year average growth rate of 2.47%, the country experienced relatively rapid expansion over the past decade, but the recent 1-year growth rate of 0.34% indicates a significant deceleration, possibly due to lower fertility or net migration changes. In the South Asian regional context, the Maldives is one of the smallest nations by population, contrasting with larger neighbors like India and Bangladesh. Its high-income status relative to the region also influences demographic patterns, such as urbanization and labor migration. The latest population of 527,799 places the Maldives at #171 globally, underscoring its small scale amid a continent dense with populous countries.
Key Facts
- The population of the Maldives in 2025 is 527,799.
- The 1-year population growth rate for 2025 is 0.34%.
- Over the past 10 years, the Maldives has averaged a 2.47% annual growth rate.
- The country is classified as an upper-middle-income nation in South Asia.
- Globally, the Maldives ranks 171st in population among all countries.
- The 2025 population figure reflects a notable slowdown compared to the 10-year average growth.