Unemployment rate in Maldives
Maldives: Unemployment rate was 4.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4.5%
Change on year
up 5.5%
World rank
113th
of 186 countries
All-time high
11.7%
in 2009
All-time low
0.8%
in 1991
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment rate in Maldives, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate in Maldives is 4.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 5.5% on the previous year and down 31.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Maldives peaked at 11.7% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 0.8%, in 1991.
Maldives ranks 113th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment rate in Maldives, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0.8% | — |
| 1992 | 0.8% | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 0.8% | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| 1996 | 1.0% | +29.0% |
| 1997 | 1.2% | +22.7% |
| 1998 | 1.5% | +19.1% |
| 1999 | 1.7% | +15.9% |
| 2000 | 2.0% | +14.1% |
| 2001 | 3.0% | +54.2% |
| 2002 | 4.1% | +34.8% |
| 2003 | 5.1% | +25.2% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | +20.0% |
| 2005 | 7.3% | +18.9% |
| 2006 | 8.3% | +14.1% |
| 2007 | 9.4% | +12.9% |
| 2008 | 10.4% | +10.0% |
| 2009 | 11.7% | +12.9% |
| 2010 | 10.9% | -7.0% |
| 2011 | 10.0% | -7.7% |
| 2012 | 9.1% | -9.1% |
| 2013 | 8.3% | -9.2% |
| 2014 | 7.5% | -10.1% |
| 2015 | 6.6% | -11.4% |
| 2016 | 5.8% | -12.7% |
| 2017 | 5.4% | -6.8% |
| 2018 | 5.0% | -7.7% |
| 2019 | 4.6% | -8.1% |
| 2020 | 5.4% | +18.8% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | -7.5% |
| 2022 | 4.3% | -14.2% |
| 2023 | 4.0% | -6.6% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | +6.4% |
| 2025 | 4.5% | +5.5% |
Maldives compared with similar countries
- Maldives's 4.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.6%, 80% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Maldives's 4.5% is above the median for South Asia, which is 4.1%, 1.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.0% | 0.8% | 1.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 6.8% | 2.0% | 11.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.3% | 4.6% | 10.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.6% | 4.0% | 5.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Maldives
- 110 Uzbekistan 4.6% compare
- 111 China 4.6% compare
- 112 Hungary 4.5% compare
- 114 Democratic Republic of Congo 4.4% compare
- 115 Turkmenistan 4.3% compare
- 116 India 4.2% compare
More work & labour data for Maldives
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.3002 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4913 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1384 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.545 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 310.55 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 265.89 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 257.6 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 217.32 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 474.92 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate in Maldives?
- Unemployment rate in Maldives was 4.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Maldives?
- The highest recorded value was 11.7% in 2009.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Maldives?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8% in 1991.
- How does Maldives rank for unemployment rate?
- Maldives ranks 113th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Maldives?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Maldives data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.