Maldives Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Maldives's poverty rate was 0.00% in 2019, ranked 7th globally. This represents a 100.0% decrease from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 2002–2019.
Overview
Maldives's poverty rate stood at 0.00% in 2019, a decline of +0.10pp from 2016. Maldives ranked 7th globally.
The Maldives’ poverty rate fell from an all‑time peak of 18.80 % in 2002 to a recorded trough of 0.00 % in 2019, placing the nation seventh globally among the World Bank’s listed economies for that year. This dramatic decline, achieved over a 17‑year span, reflects the combined impact of rapid tourism‑driven growth, extensive social safety‑net expansions and targeted micro‑finance programmes that lifted households above the international poverty line. While the Maldives shares a 0.00 % rate with peers such as Moldova and Slovenia, its achievement is notable given its small, dispersed island geography and vulnerability to climate change, which historically constrained economic diversification. The 0.00 % figure, however, rests on a limited four‑year coverage window and may mask sub‑national disparities, especially in outer atolls where informal employment remains prevalent. Continued investment in resilient infrastructure and inclusive labor markets will be crucial to sustain the zero‑poverty trajectory and prevent a reversal should external shocks intensify.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0.00% | −0.10pp | #7 |
| 2016 | 0.10% | −13.00pp | #12 |
| 2009 | 13.10% | −5.70pp | #65 |
| 2002 | 18.80% | – | #43 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's poverty rate was 0.00% in 2019. Ranked 7th globally. This represents a 100.0% decrease from the previous year.
Maldives's poverty rate peaked at 18.80% in 2002.
The lowest poverty rate in Maldives was 0.00% in 2019.
Maldives ranks 7th globally in poverty rate as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Maldives in 2019 was 0.00%. This ranks 7th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_poverty-rate,
title = {Maldives Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}