Maldives Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Maldives's unemployment rate was 4.51% in 2025, ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 5.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Maldives's unemployment rate stood at 4.51% in 2025, a rise of +0.24pp from 2024. Maldives ranked 73rd globally.
Maldives’ unemployment rate has risen from a historic low of 0.79 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 11.70 % during the global financial crisis in 2009, before settling at 4.51 % in 2025, placing the nation 73rd in the world ranking. The post‑crisis decline reflects a gradual rebalancing of the tourism‑driven economy, yet the current level remains slightly above the rate recorded by Hungary (4.52 %) and Turkmenistan (4.27 %) in the same year, underscoring the Maldives’ modestly higher labour market slack. Over the 35‑year span, the unemployment trajectory has been shaped by external shocks, structural adjustments, and policy efforts to diversify employment beyond the hospitality sector. Continued investment in vocational training and renewable‑energy projects could further lower the rate, while any resurgence of global travel disruptions would risk reversing the modest downward trend observed since the 2009 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.51% | +0.24pp | #73 |
| 2024 | 4.28% | +0.26pp | #77 |
| 2023 | 4.02% | −0.28pp | #75 |
| 2022 | 4.30% | −0.71pp | #74 |
| 2021 | 5.02% | −0.40pp | #71 |
| 2020 | 5.42% | +0.86pp | #76 |
| 2019 | 4.56% | −0.40pp | #80 |
| 2018 | 4.96% | −0.42pp | #86 |
| 2017 | 5.38% | −0.39pp | #90 |
| 2016 | 5.77% | −0.84pp | #91 |
| 2015 | 6.61% | −0.85pp | #97 |
| 2014 | 7.46% | −0.83pp | #110 |
| 2013 | 8.30% | −0.84pp | #119 |
| 2012 | 9.13% | −0.91pp | #127 |
| 2011 | 10.04% | −0.83pp | #136 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's unemployment rate was 4.51% in 2025. Ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 5.5% increase from the previous year.
Maldives's unemployment rate peaked at 11.70% in 2009.
The lowest unemployment rate in Maldives was 0.79% in 1991.
Maldives ranks 73rd globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Maldives in 2025 was 4.51%. This ranks 73rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_unemployment-rate,
title = {Maldives Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}