Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Maldives
Maldives: Number of people living in urban and rural areas was 225,145 people in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Maldives, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of people living in urban and rural areas in Maldives is 225,145 people, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.6% on the previous year and up 36.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people living in urban and rural areas in Maldives peaked at 225,145 people in 2025 and was at its lowest, 7,998 people, in 1950.
That places Maldives 180th out of 236 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 8,987 people | 7,998 people | 10,086 people | 10 |
| 1960s | 11,893 people | 10,364 people | 13,901 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 24,272 people | 14,676 people | 35,224 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 47,350 people | 37,619 people | 56,279 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 65,589 people | 58,106 people | 74,904 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 101,526 people | 77,848 people | 126,674 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 162,687 people | 132,644 people | 195,333 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 215,583 people | 202,848 people | 225,145 people | 6 |
Countries ranked near Maldives
- 177 Comoros 299,652 people compare
- 178 French Guiana 271,684 people compare
- 179 Solomon Islands 262,574 people compare
- 181 Guyana 221,464 people compare
- 182 New Caledonia 201,334 people compare
- 183 Belize 175,776 people compare
More population data for Maldives
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Population density 1,583 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 21,159 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.3% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.56 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.56 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.56 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.57 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.56 children per women (2023)
- Birth rate by women's age group 5.42 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people living in urban and rural areas in Maldives?
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Maldives was 225,145 people in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of people living in urban and rural areas recorded in Maldives?
- The highest recorded value was 225,145 people in 2025.
- What is the lowest number of people living in urban and rural areas recorded in Maldives?
- The lowest recorded value was 7,998 people in 1950.
- How does Maldives rank for number of people living in urban and rural areas?
- Maldives ranks 180th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is number of people living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Maldives?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Maldives data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of people living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.