Maldives

The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, classified by the United Nations as part of Southern Asia. This profile sets out the verified classification facts, then explains where to find current figures and how to interpret them responsibly. Every statistic carries its source and reference year; where data changes frequently, you will find the exact tool to verify it yourself.

UN and ISO classification

The Maldives is a UN member state with these official identifiers:

• UN M49 code: 462
• ISO alpha-2: MV
• ISO alpha-3: MDV
• UN region: Asia
• UN subregion: Southern Asia
• UN member state: Yes
• World Bank capital field: Male

The identifiers come from the United Nations Statistics Division’s Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use (M49) and the World Bank country API. The M49 classification is a statistical framework, not a political statement about sovereignty or territorial extent. Regional groupings such as Southern Asia exist for statistical convenience and do not imply any political alignment. The UN M49 overview is maintained at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/ and lists codes, regions, and subregions as statistical groupings.

Geography and capital

The Maldives lies in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India and Sri Lanka. Its land area is small and dispersed across roughly 1,200 islands grouped into 26 atolls. The capital is Male, which is also the most populous city. The World Bank capital field returns “Male” (sometimes written Malé).

How to verify current population, languages, currency, government, and economy

Volatile figures change frequently. Instead of a frozen number, this section gives you the source to check and the reference year to note.

Population and development indicators

Use the United Nations and the World Bank. The World Bank country API at https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country returns country codes, names, and regional classifications. For population and demographic estimates, consult the World Bank’s country profile pages or the UN Population Division. Always note the reference year, because estimates are revised after each census or major survey.

Languages and culture

The national language is Dhivehi (also spelled Divehi). English is widely used in government, tourism, and business. For a full language inventory and status assessments, consult Ethnologue and UNESCO. For education indicators, the named source is the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Currency

The Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) is the official currency. Exchange rates fluctuate. Use the Maldives Monetary Authority (the central bank) or the IMF’s International Financial Statistics for a dated rate. Do not rely on a travel blog or a currency converter that lacks a reference date.

Government and economy

For official economic indicators, use the World Bank country API. The Maldives is classified by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income nation; the reference year varies, so check the current edition. The political system is a presidential republic. For electoral data and administrative structure, use official government sources. The capital is Male.

Travel and entry rules

Visa and entry requirements change without notice. Consult your own government’s travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre before making plans. Do not rely on a country profile for visa decisions.

Source literacy and comparisons

Every classification and statistic on this page is only as reliable as its source and reference year. Before you compare the Maldives with another territory, ask three questions:

• What is the reference year? A population estimate from 2018 and a GDP figure from 2022 cannot be compared directly without adjusting for the time gap.
• Which organisation produced the number? The UN, World Bank, and national statistical office may use different methods, so mixing sources can produce misleading contrasts.
• Is the grouping statistical or political? The UN M49 subregion “Southern Asia” is a statistical convenience. It does not signal a diplomatic alignment or a claim about sovereignty.

When you need a side-by-side comparison, pull both territories’ data from the same API call or the same edition of a statistical yearbook. The World Bank API lets you request multiple country codes in one query, which keeps definitions and reference years consistent.

What this profile does not do

This profile does not offer medical advice, safety guarantees, or legal opinions. It does not freeze volatile figures such as exchange rates, population counts, or visa rules. It does not interpret statistical classifications as political endorsements. Use the named sources, note the reference date, and treat every number as a snapshot that may already have been updated.