The Maldives: An Island Nation In Numbers

THE MALDIVES AN ISLAND NATION IN NUMBERS Geography Islands Inhabited Uninhabited A NATION OF 1,190 ISLANDS JUST 192 ARE INHABITED The population of the Maldives is 308,000. Much of the population is scattered across the 90,000 square kilometers that make up the country, making it one of the most disparate populations in the world. Most of the islands have a population of 500 or less, with just 5 having over 3,000 residents. TTTTT MTTT 31% LIVE ON MALÉ, AN ISLAND OF 2 KM SQ. MALÉ IS THE 5TH HIGHEST DENSITY ISLAND IN THE WORLD The average household in Malé houses 10 people. With over 100,000 people squeezing onto an island of just 2 km the government is reclaiming land from the sea to build a new island, Hulhumale, which in time will house up to 150,000 people The Economy Of The Maldives INCOME FROM TOURISM $379,000,000 ANNUALLY 0% 100% 27.7% GDP From Tourism EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR Agriculture Manufacturing Fishing Retail Hotels Transport Others Apart from tourism another major driver of the economy is the fishing industry. With laws prohibiting the use of nets the Maldives is one of the largest sources of sustainable tuna in the world, with over 50% of catch exported. All fishing is done with traditional pole and line, and the canneries and processing plants are also major employers. Tourism Statistics TOURIST ARRIVALS BY COUNTRY THE TOP TEN 180000 150000 120000 90000 60000 30000 YEAR ON YEAR CHANGE 210000 180000 150000 O 120000 90000 60000 30000 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year United Kingdom Italy Germany| China Of the 930,000 tourists that arrived in 2011 an astonishing 199,000 came from China, which has seen as much as 100% annual growth in visitors in the last 4 years. The economic instability in Europe is highlighted by the fact arrivals from the UK and Italy, traditionally the largest sources of tourist to the Maldives, have fallen whilst visits from Germany has grown. Resorts + Private Islands 101 PRIVATE ISLAND RESORTS 22,120 BEDS - AVERAGE 78.5% OCCUPANCY AVERAGE NIGHTLY RATES 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 $ US Per Night Figures exclude The Rania Experience, a luxury private island that is hired exclusively to one client. To book at Christmas costs $17,500 per night for one privileged couple and up to 12 of their friends - although each extra guest is charged at $950 per person, with a minimum stay 3 nights Visitors To The Maldives WHY CHOOSE THE MALDIVES? The Beaches The Diving The Sun Peaceful Unique Repuation FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES Snorkelling Spa Treatments Diving Water Sports Island Cruises 10 20 30 40 64% COME TO MALDIVES FOR HOLIDAYS 20% FOR THEIR HONEYMOON, 10% TO DIVE 90% DON'T TAKE THEIR CHILDREN JUST 10% OF GROUPS ARE FAMILIES 20% OF VISITORS RETURN 2-5 TIMES 7% HAVE VISITED 6+ TIMES Climate Change + The Maldives LOW LYING ISLANDS, RISING WATERS 1.5 0.5 With an average height of just 1.5m above sea level, the Maldives is the worlds lowest country. It is predicted by the UN that due to climate change sea levels will rise 80cm by 2100, a level that would put the Maldivian population at significant risk of innundation. The Maldivian government has been active in campaigning against climate change and is exploring the possibility of relocating the entire nation to a neighbouring country should the Maldives become uninhabitable Sources With thanks to the World Bank, the UNDP, Republic of Maldives Ministry of Tourism, Arts And Culture, Republic of Maldives Department of National Planning, New Scientist magazine Meters China United Kingdom Highest Point Germany Italy Average Adult Male Russia Average Height France Predicted Sea Level Rises Japan Switzerland India Korea