Maldives Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Maldives's services employment was 71.77% in 2025, ranked 130th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Maldives's services employment stood at 71.77% in 2025, a rise of +0.33% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 72.15% by 2026. Maldives ranked 130th globally.
Maldives’ services sector now accounts for 71.77 % of total employment, placing the country 130th globally in 2025 and marking a 35‑year rise from the all‑time trough of 45.53 % in 1991. The upward trajectory accelerated after the mid‑2000s, culminating in a peak of 72.01 % in 2016, after which the share has hovered just below that high. This level is comparable to peers such as Argentina at 71.81 % and Korea at 71.51 %, suggesting that Maldives has joined a cohort of economies where services dominate labour markets. The sustained expansion reflects the archipelago’s shift toward tourism, finance and related services, while the modest dip from the 2016 peak may signal saturation in traditional tourism‑driven jobs. Continued diversification into digital and offshore services could lift the services‑employment share further, whereas a slowdown in tourism or external shocks would likely temper the upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 72.88% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 72.52% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 72.15% | - | - |
| 2025 | 71.77% | +0.33% | #130 |
| 2024 | 71.44% | +0.41% | #130 |
| 2023 | 71.03% | +0.37% | #130 |
| 2022 | 70.66% | +0.35% | #132 |
| 2021 | 70.31% | +0.22% | #134 |
| 2020 | 70.09% | +0.05% | #132 |
| 2019 | 70.03% | −0.76% | #130 |
| 2018 | 70.80% | −0.68% | #138 |
| 2017 | 71.48% | −0.53% | #144 |
| 2016 | 72.01% | +0.24% | #145 |
| 2015 | 71.76% | +0.14% | #146 |
| 2014 | 71.62% | +0.36% | #146 |
| 2013 | 71.26% | +0.47% | #146 |
| 2012 | 70.79% | +0.41% | #145 |
| 2011 | 70.38% | +0.36% | #144 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's services employment was 71.77% in 2025. Ranked 130th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Maldives's services employment peaked at 72.01% in 2016.
The lowest services employment in Maldives was 45.53% in 1991.
Maldives ranks 130th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Maldives's services employment is projected to reach 72.15% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Maldives in 2025 was 71.77%. This ranks 130th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_services-employment,
title = {Maldives Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}