$416.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$388.8 billion (2009 est.)
$395.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$219 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
-1.7% (2009 est.)
4.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$14,000 (2009 est.)
$14,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.1%
industry: 41.6%
services: 49.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
11.62 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 36%
services: 51% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
3.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
5.1% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 28.5% (2005 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.1 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 36
49.2 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Public debt:
52.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
53.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
0.6% (2009 est.)
note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled
Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2009)
NA% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.08% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
6.08% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$69.03 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 38
$57 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$337.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$280.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$314.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$265.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$256 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 25
$187.1 billion (31 December 2008)
$325.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah -
subsistence crops, coconuts, rice; rubber, timber; Sarawak - rubber,
timber; pepper
Industries:
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and
manufacturing, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical
technology, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, timber
processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak -
agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate:
8.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Electricity - production:
103.2 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - consumption:
99.25 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Electricity - exports:
2.268 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
693,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Oil - consumption:
536,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - exports:
511,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Oil - imports:
314,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Oil - proved reserves:
2.9 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - production:
57.3 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Natural gas - consumption:
26.27 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Natural gas - exports:
31.03 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.35 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Current account balance:
$34.83 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$34.08 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$192.8 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$157.5 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and
wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Singapore 13.9%, China 12.2%, US 10.9%, Japan 9.8%, Thailand 5.4%,
Hong Kong 5.2% (2009)
Imports:
$149.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$117.3 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron
and steel products, chemicals
Imports - partners:
China 13.9%, Japan 12.5%, US 11.2%, Singapore 11.1%, Thailand 6%,
Indonesia 5.3% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$104.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$96.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$62.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
$58.79 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$77.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$74.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$82.65 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$75.62 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 3.2182 (2010), 3.5246 (2009), 3.33
(2008), 3.46 (2007), 3.6683 (2006)
Communications ::Malaysia
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.312 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
Telephones - mobile cellular:
30.379 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system featuring good intercity service
on Peninsular Malaysia provided mainly by microwave radio relay and
an adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah
and Sarawak via Brunei; international service excellent
domestic: domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined
fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 135 per 100 persons
international: country code - 60; landing point for several major
international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to
Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat
(1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
state-owned television broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with
relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial
media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout
the country; satellite TV subscription service is available;
state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks as
well as regional and local stations; large number of private
commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio
services are available; about 400 radio stations overall (2008)
Internet country code:
.my
Internet hosts:
344,452 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 56
Internet users:
15.355 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 26
Transportation ::Malaysia
Airports:
118 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 51
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 38
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 80
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 73 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 3 km; gas 1,965 km; oil 31 km; refined products 114 km
(2009)
Railways:
total: 1,849 km
country comparison to the world: 75
standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 98,721 km
country comparison to the world: 44
paved: 80,280 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways)
unpaved: 18,441 km (2004)
Waterways:
7,200 km
country comparison to the world: 20
note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km
(2011)
Merchant marine:
total: 321
country comparison to the world: 30
by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 97, carrier 2, chemical tanker 45,
container 44, liquefied gas 35, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker
79, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 4
foreign-owned: 35 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 8, Japan 4, Nigeria 1,
Russia 2, Singapore 19)
registered in other countries: 79 (Bahamas 13, India 1, Indonesia 1,
Malta 1, Marshall Islands 11, Panama 12, Papua New Guinea 1,
Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore
27, Thailand 3, Tuvalu 1, US 2, unknown 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port
Klang), Tanjung Pelepas
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and
offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea as high
risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial
vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while
underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to
ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift;
increased naval patrols in 2009 resulted in significantly reduced
numbers of incidents
Military ::Malaysia
Military branches:
Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian
Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut
Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara
Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,692,438
females age 16-49: 6,494,413 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,612,642
females age 16-49: 5,501,129 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 267,646
female: 253,529 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.03% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Transnational Issues ::Malaysia
Disputes - international:
Malaysia is involved in a complex dispute with Brunei, China,
Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam over claims to part or all of the
Spratly Islands; while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly
Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by
some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord
among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and
Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly
Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to
Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and
maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ
awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh
Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not
rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge;
ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia
and Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary and
sovereignty of Unarang rock in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in
dispute; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim
southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with
Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant
claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; Brunei and
Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and
deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and
renounce any territorial claims along their land boundary; piracy
remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 15,174 (Indonesia); 21,544 (Burma)
(2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser
extent, a source and transit country for women and children
trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, and
men, women, and children for forced labor; Malaysia is mainly a
destination country for men, women, and children who migrate
willingly from South and Southeast Asia to work, some of whom are
subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by Malaysian
employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation,
and industrial sectors; to a lesser extent, some Malaysian women,
primarily of Chinese ethnicity, are trafficked abroad for commercial
sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Malaysia does not
fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, despite
some progress in enforcing the 2007 comprehensive anti-trafficking
law; it has yet to fully address labor trafficking in Malaysia;
there are credible allegations of involvement of Malaysian
immigration officials in trafficking and extorting Burmese refugees;
the government did not develop mechanisms to effectively screen
victims of trafficking in vulnerable groups and condones the
confiscation of passports of migrant workers by employers (2009)
Illicit drugs:
drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties;
heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand
remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for
domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Maldives (South Asia)
Introduction ::Maldives
Background:
The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under
British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after
independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands'
political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by
single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in
August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon
democratic reforms including a more representative political system
and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and
many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless,
political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a
constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new
constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The
first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate,
multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in
a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been
jailed several years earlier by the former regime. Challenges facing
the new president include strengthening democracy and combating
poverty and drug abuse. Maldives officials have been prominent
participants in international climate change talks due to the
islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise.
Geography ::Maldives
Location:
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest
of India
Geographic coordinates:
3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 298 sq km
country comparison to the world: 209
land: 298 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
644 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March);
rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain:
flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 13.33%
permanent crops: 30%
other: 56.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
0.03 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%)
per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)
Natural hazards:
tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level
rise
Environment - current issues:
depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global
warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands,
plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic
location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
People ::Maldives
Population:
395,650 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.3% (male 45,038/female 43,291)
15-64 years: 73.8% (male 180,874/female 111,703)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 7,711/female 7,717) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.9 years
male: 26.6 years
female: 24.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.178% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Birth rate:
14.5 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Death rate:
3.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Net migration rate:
-12.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
Urbanization:
urban population: 38% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.57 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female
total population: 1.4 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 28.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 77
male: 30.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.21 years
country comparison to the world: 100
male: 72 years
female: 76.54 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.83 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 100 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups:
South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Religions:
Sunni Muslim
Languages:
Dhivehi (official) (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic),
English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.8%
male: 93%
female: 94.7% (2006 Census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 13 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
8.1% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 11
Government ::Maldives
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives
local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Male
geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*;
Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa
Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale (Male)*, Meemu,
Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence:
26 July 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution:
new constitution ratified 7 August 2008
Legal system:
based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily
in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11 November
2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 11
November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED (since 11
November 2008); Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since
11 November 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: under the new constitution, the president elected by
direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to
be held in 2013)
election results: Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote
- NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members
elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis
in February 2009 passed legislation that increased the number of
seats to 77 from 50
elections: last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.4%, MDP 33.8 %, PA 9.1%,
DQP 2.6% Republican Party 1.2%, independents 16.9%; seats by party -
DRP 28, MDP 26, PA 7, DQP 2, Republican Party 1, independents 13
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president
with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court;
Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial
Service Commission
Political parties and leaders:
Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Shaykh Hussein RASHEED Ahmed];
Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge
Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [THASMEEN Ali]; Gaumii
Ithihaad (National Alliance) or GI [Mohamed WAHEED]; Islamic
Democratic Party or IDP; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mariya
DIDI]; Maldives National Congress or MNC; Maldives Social Democratic
Party or MSDP; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; People's
Party or PP; Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP; Republican
(Jumhooree) Party or JP [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP
[Ibrahim ISMAIL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: various unregistered political parties
International organization participation:
ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS
(observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC,
OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed
chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195
FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to
Sri Lanka, Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS, is accredited to Maldives
and makes periodic visits
Flag description:
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical
white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist
side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives
in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace
and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam
National anthem:
name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)
lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA
note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and
1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"
Economy ::Maldives
Economy - overview: