Maldives Population Pyramid (2026)
The Maldives has a population of 531,517 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 167th-largest population in the world and 0.01% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 18.4% of the population and people aged 65 and over 5.3%, with 159.8 males for every 100 females.
Maldives Demographics
The Maldives has 531,517 people in 2026, up 331.4% from 123,218 in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 3,916 (UN projection for 2026).
Under-15 share 18.4% — the 71st-lowest of 194 countries.
65+ share 5.3% — the 72nd-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Millennials — 38.3% (203,702)
All generations in the Maldives →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how the Maldives' population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
The Maldives has 159.8 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 122,283 (23.0% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:326,900
- Percentage:61.5%
Female Statistics
- Population:204,617
- Percentage:38.5%
- Ratio Format:1:0.626
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of the Maldives indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 5,224 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,036 | 11.7 | 1.60 | estimate |
| 2022 | 5,973 | 11.4 | 1.58 | estimate |
| 2023 | 5,795 | 11.0 | 1.58 | estimate |
| 2024 | 5,588 | 10.6 | 1.56 | projection |
| 2025 | 5,403 | 10.2 | 1.55 | projection |
| 2026 | 5,224 | 9.8 | 1.53 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (5,224 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
The Maldives' median age is 33.4 years
Half the population is younger than 33.4 years, half is older — indicating a young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 27,951 | 5.3% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 32,310 | 6.1% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 37,676 | 7.1% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 36,744 | 6.9% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 29,666 | 5.6% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 43,022 | 8.1% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 66,394 | 12.5% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 68,684 | 12.9% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 58,045 | 10.9% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 38,683 | 7.3% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 27,459 | 5.2% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 20,909 | 3.9% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 15,852 | 3.0% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 12,372 | 2.3% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 6,925 | 1.3% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 4,049 | 0.8% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 2,904 | 0.5% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 1,343 | 0.3% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 441 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 84 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 9 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 4 (low birth and death rates): fertility is below the replacement level of 2.1 (1.53 children per woman), and births still exceed deaths (9.8 vs 2.5 per 1,000). Read more about Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Maldives Total Fertility Rate: 1.53 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.60 | 11.7 | |
| 2022 | 1.58 | 11.4 | ↓0.02 |
| 2023 | 1.58 | 11.0 | 0.00 |
| 2024 | 1.56 | 10.6 | ↓0.02 |
| 2025 | 1.55 | 10.2 | ↓0.01 |
| 2026 | 1.53 | 9.8 | ↓0.02 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.52
The Maldives' total fertility rate is 1.53 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. The Maldives ranks 136 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −75.2% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, the Maldives' population has increased by 613.9%.
The median age has increased from 17.4 in 1950 to 33.4 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding the Maldives' Demographics
The Maldives has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 18.4% of the population and people aged 65 and over 5.3%.
The largest five-year age band is 35–39, at 12.9% of the population, compared with 5.3% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: the Maldives' Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The working-age share is still rising, from 73.2% in 2016 to 76.3% in 2026 (dependency ratio 31.1).
Fertility Transition Stage
The Maldives is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.53 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
The Maldives' median age changed by +6.4 years from 2016 to 2026, faster than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 531,517 |
| Male Population | 326,900(61.5%) |
| Female Population | 204,617(38.5%) |
| Median Age | 33.4 years |
| Sex Ratio | 159.8 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 97,937(18.4%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 405,453(76.3%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 28,127(5.3%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 31.1 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 24.2 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 6.9 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in the Maldives
How long the average person in the Maldives is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
The Maldives is projected to grow to 589,962 people by 2050 (+11.0% from 2026).
The median age rises from 33.4 in 2026 to 49.4 by 2050.
Maldives' Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 33.8%, growing from 0.1 million in 1970 to 0.2 million by 1980.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 123K to 165K
- • Growth rate of 33.8% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 16.2 to 15.8 years (−0.4y)
- • 65+ share changed by +0.4 points; under-15 share by +0.3 points
How Does the Maldives Compare to Its Neighbors?
The Maldives has a younger population than Sri Lanka. The Maldives has an older population than India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Maldives
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives (Current) | 531,517 | 33.4 | 18.4% | 5.3% | constrictive |
| India | 1,476,625,577 | 29.2 | 23.8% | 7.6% | stationary |
| Pakistan | 259,299,792 | 20.8 | 35.8% | 4.4% | expansive |
| Bangladesh | 177,818,045 | 26.3 | 27.3% | 6.8% | stationary |
| Sri Lanka | 23,348,314 | 33.6 | 21.4% | 12.8% | stationary |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Maldives
How does the Maldives rank globally by population?
The Maldives ranks 167th in the world by population with 531,517 people as of 2026.
What does the Maldives' age structure reveal about its development?
The Maldives' age structure — 18.4% under 15, 76.3% working-age (15–64) and 5.3% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 33.4 years.
What is the dependency ratio in the Maldives?
The Maldives has 31.1 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is the Maldives experiencing a demographic dividend?
The Maldives is in its demographic-dividend window. The working-age share is still rising, from 73.2% in 2016 to 76.3% in 2026 (dependency ratio 31.1). The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in the Maldives' population?
The Maldives has more males than females, with 159.8 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Maldives Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/maldives
View UN World Population Prospects Data →