Unemployment rate in Maldives
Maldives: Unemployment rate was 4.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
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.
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
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 63.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 76.4% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 53.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 40.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 66.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 79.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 43.2% (2025)
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.