Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Maldives
Maldives: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Maldives, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Maldives recorded 4.5% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2025.
The figure is up 5.5% on the previous year and down 31.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Maldives peaked at 11.7% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 0.8%, in 1991.
That places Maldives 114th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Maldives, year by year
| Year | Value | 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% |
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
- 111 Uzbekistan 4.6% compare
- 112 China 4.6% compare
- 113 Hungary 4.5% compare
- 115 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.4% compare
- 116 Turkmenistan 4.3% compare
- 117 India 4.2% compare
More education data for Maldives
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 3,474 (2022)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 8,838 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4,920 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 33,002 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 44,013 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -3.52 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0834 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Maldives?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Maldives was 4.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Maldives?
- The highest recorded value was 11.7% in 2009.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Maldives?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8% in 1991.
- How does Maldives rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Maldives ranks 114th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 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 database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.