Maldives Population
South Asia · 171st most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
532,111
The population of Maldives is about 532,111 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 532 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.01% of the world's people.
Maldives is ranked 171st of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.35% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 590 thousand. That is 5.8 times its 1960 population of 91 thousand. With 1,784 people per square kilometre, it is one of the most densely populated places in the world. 43% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
532 thousand
Yearly change
+0.35%
World rank
171st
Share of world
0.01%
Density
1,784/km²
Land area
298 km²
Life expectancy
81.3 yrs
Births per woman
1.56
GDP per capita
$14,615
GDP
$7.7B
Population of Maldives, 1960–2050
Maldives population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 91,189 | — | 306 |
| 1970 | 123,219 | +3.06% | 413 |
| 1980 | 164,835 | +2.79% | 553 |
| 1990 | 224,762 | +3.23% | 754 |
| 2000 | 282,019 | +1.66% | 946 |
| 2010 | 360,792 | +3.59% | 1,211 |
| 2020 | 502,118 | +2.95% | 1,685 |
| 2024 | 527,799 | +0.34% | 1,771 |
| 2026proj. | 531,517 | +0.35% | 1,784 |
| 2030proj. | 539,667 | +0.39% | 1,811 |
| 2040proj. | 564,798 | +0.51% | 1,895 |
| 2050proj. | 589,962 | +0.34% | 1,980 |
Maldives vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 335 times as many people as Maldives. Bangladesh is 1.3 times less densely populated.
Maldives population: questions and answers
What is the population of Maldives in 2026?
About 531,517 (532 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Maldives's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.35% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Maldives?
About 1,784 people per km², with a land area of 298 km².
What will the population of Maldives be in 2050?
About 590 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Maldives?
Malé.
What is the life expectancy in Maldives?
81.3 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.