Maldives Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Maldives's tax revenue was 19.45% in 2021, ranked 84th globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1979–2021.
Overview
Maldives's tax revenue stood at 19.45% in 2021, a decline of +0.66% from 2020. Maldives ranked 84th globally.
Maldives’ tax revenue as a share of GDP has risen sharply from an all‑time trough of 2.50 in 1979 to a peak of 20.69 in 2017, before easing slightly to 19.45 in 2021, placing the nation 84th globally. This 17‑year ascent reflects the expansion of a tourism‑driven economy and successive fiscal reforms that broadened the tax base, while the modest post‑peak dip coincides with the COVID‑19 shock to visitor arrivals. Over the 40‑year series, Maldives’ tax‑to‑GDP ratio now aligns closely with peer economies such as Bosnia and Herzegovina (19.10) and Macao SAR, China (19.52), indicating a comparable level of fiscal capacity among small, service‑oriented states. The trajectory suggests that continued diversification beyond tourism and the implementation of digital tax measures could sustain or modestly increase the ratio, whereas a resurgence of external shocks would likely pull it lower.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19.45% | −0.66% | #84 |
| 2020 | 20.11% | +0.17% | #95 |
| 2019 | 19.94% | −0.20% | #95 |
| 2018 | 20.14% | −0.55% | #96 |
| 2017 | 20.69% | +0.72% | #103 |
| 2016 | 19.98% | +0.33% | #98 |
| 2015 | 19.65% | +0.33% | #98 |
| 2014 | 19.32% | +7.24% | #95 |
| 2011 | 12.08% | +3.23% | #31 |
| 2010 | 8.85% | −0.25% | #13 |
| 2009 | 9.10% | −2.48% | #15 |
| 2008 | 11.58% | −0.57% | #25 |
| 2007 | 12.15% | +0.39% | #23 |
| 2006 | 11.76% | +0.19% | #23 |
| 2005 | 11.57% | +1.08% | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's tax revenue was 19.45% in 2021. Ranked 84th globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from the previous year.
Maldives's tax revenue peaked at 20.69% in 2017.
The lowest tax revenue in Maldives was 2.50% in 1979.
Maldives ranks 84th globally in tax revenue as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tax revenue of Maldives in 2021 was 19.45%. This ranks 84th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_tax-revenue,
title = {Maldives Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}