Maldives
Asia · Southern Asia
The world's most spectacular atolls; a tourism economy under rising sea-level threat.
At a Glance
📈Maldives's Human Development Index
0.762
High human development#86 of 191 countries worldwide, #21 of 43 in Asia.
Higher than 55% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Maldives
The Maldives is an Indian Ocean archipelago of low coral atolls with some of the clearest, most turquoise water and finest diving and snorkelling conditions in the world. The overwater bungalow experience here is the original and still among the most extraordinary, and the marine life, from manta rays to whale sharks, is exceptional. Those seeking cultural depth or budget travel will find it limited, but for a pure oceanic escape it remains world-class.
Quick Facts
Capital
Malé
Language
Maldivian
Currency
.ރ MVR
Area
298 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
22Mbps
GDP / Capita
$15K
PPP / Capita
$29K
Inflation
4.0%
Unemployment
4.5%
GNI / Capita
$13K
Tax Revenue
19.5%
FDI Inflows
11.4%
Education Spend
5.2%
Cost of Living
48.9
Price Level Index
39th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1995
0.588 → 0.762 (+0.174)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 28 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Maldives for real?
The matcher weighs your budget, timeline and dealbreakers against the same data on this page, then answers with the places that actually fit.
Find your match →💬Quick answers
What is Maldives's Human Development Index?
Maldives's Human Development Index is 0.762 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #86 of 191 countries.
How expensive is Maldives?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Maldives at 48.9 (New York = 100); that is #95 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Maldives?
Life expectancy at birth in Maldives is 81.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #37 of 195 countries.