Demographics of the Maldives
Encyclopedia
This article is about the demographic
features of the population
of the Maldives
, including population density
, ethnicity
, education level, health of the populous, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
in Union territory of Lakshadweep
, India
. They share the same culture and speak the Dhivehi language
. They are principally an Indo-Aryan people, closely related to the Sinhalese
having traces of Arab, Malay
, South Indian
and African
genes in the population.
In the past there was also a small population known as the Giraavaru people
. This group have now been almost completely absorbed into the larger Maldivian society but were once native to the island of Giraavaru (Kaafu Atoll)
.
in the mid-12th century. Sunni Islam is now the only accepted religion, though there are small numbers of others, particularly Buddhists workers from Sri Lanka and Hindus from India. Also 300 Christians.
, a language closely related to Sinhala and written in a specialized Arabic script (Tāna), is the official language and is spoken by virtually the whole population. English is also spoken as a second language by many.
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
features of the population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
, including population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
, ethnicity
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
, education level, health of the populous, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Demography
The Maldives had one of the highest birth rates in the world. The result is that many islands have become overpopulated and are completely covered by homesteads. Hence the country is becoming less self-sufficient by the day.CIA World Factbook demographic statistics
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.Population
301,475 (July 2000 est.) - 369,031 (July 2007 est.) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mv.html#PeopleAge structure
- 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291)
- 15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703)
- 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2010 est.)
Birth rate
38.96 births/1,000 population (2000 est.) - 34.2 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) - 14.55 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)Death rate
8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.) - 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) - 3.65 deaths/1,000 population (2010 est.)Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female
- total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate
65.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.) - 53.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) - 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 62.2 years (2000 est.) - 64.76 years (2007 est.)
- male: 61.05 years (2000 est.) - 63.41 years (2007 est.)
- female: 63.4 years (2000 est.) - 66.19 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.83 children born/woman (2010 est.) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mv.html#PeopleEthnic groups
The largest ethnic group are Dhivehis, native to the historic region of the Maldive Islands comprising today's Republic of Maldives and the island of MinicoyMinicoy
Minicoy, locally known as Maliku is a census town in the Indian union territory of Lakshadweep and was formerly a part of Maldive Islands.-Etymology:...
in Union territory of Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep , formerly known as the Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands, is a group of islands in the Laccadive Sea, 200 to 440 km off the coast of the South West Indian state of Kerala...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They share the same culture and speak the Dhivehi language
Dhivehi language
Maldivian is an Indo-Aryan language predominantly spoken by about 350,000 people in the Maldives where it is the national language. It is also the first language of nearly 10,000 people in the island of Minicoy in the Union territory of Lakshadweep, India where the Mahl dialect of the Maldivian...
. They are principally an Indo-Aryan people, closely related to the Sinhalese
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
having traces of Arab, Malay
Malay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
, South Indian
South Indian culture
South Indian culture refers to the culture of the South Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. South Indian culture though with its visible differences forms an important part of the Indian culture. The South Indian Culture is essentially the celebration of the eternal...
and African
African people
African people refers to natives, inhabitants, or citizen of Africa and to people of African descent.-Etymology:Many etymological hypotheses that have been postulated for the ancient name "Africa":...
genes in the population.
In the past there was also a small population known as the Giraavaru people
Giraavaru people
The Giraavaru people are the indigenous people of Giraavaru Island, part of the Maldives. Of Dravidian origin, and the earliest island community of the Maldives, their presence predates Buddhism and the arrival of a Northern kingly dynasty in the archipelago.Their ancestors were ancient Tamil...
. This group have now been almost completely absorbed into the larger Maldivian society but were once native to the island of Giraavaru (Kaafu Atoll)
Giraavaru (Kaafu Atoll)
Giraavaru is an island of Malé Atoll nowadays hosting a turist resort. It is located on the southwestern fringe of the lagoon of North Malé Atoll...
.
Religions
Originally the Maldivians were Buddhists who converted to Sunni IslamSunni Islam
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam. Sunni Muslims are referred to in Arabic as ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah wa āl-Ǧamāʿah or ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah for short; in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis or Sunnites....
in the mid-12th century. Sunni Islam is now the only accepted religion, though there are small numbers of others, particularly Buddhists workers from Sri Lanka and Hindus from India. Also 300 Christians.
Languages
Dhivehi or MaldivianDhivehi language
Maldivian is an Indo-Aryan language predominantly spoken by about 350,000 people in the Maldives where it is the national language. It is also the first language of nearly 10,000 people in the island of Minicoy in the Union territory of Lakshadweep, India where the Mahl dialect of the Maldivian...
, a language closely related to Sinhala and written in a specialized Arabic script (Tāna), is the official language and is spoken by virtually the whole population. English is also spoken as a second language by many.
Literacy
- definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- total population: 96.3%
- male: 96.2%
- female: 96.4% (2000 census)