A survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed 60% of the Maldivian population earn less than USD 325 per month.
The Household Income and Expenditure survey carried out by NBS revealed only 1% of the population earn an average income of USD 1,300 per month, while over 60% earn less than USD 325.
The survey also shows significant differences in income distribution between the capital Male’ City and atolls. In this regard, although the average income of the entire population remains at USD 360 per month, the average monthly income in Male’ City is USD 485, while the average income in the atolls is USD 240. While only 18% of the population in Male’ City earn less than the average income in the atolls, a staggering 60% of the population in the atolls earn less than the average income.
The NBS survey also shows the average income for a household per month is USD 1,865, while this figure rises to USD 2,500 when narrowed down to Male’ City. As per the survey, the main source of household income in the atolls as well as in the capital is wages. Although the income from rentals is also high in the capital, the income from rent of properties in islands is only 4%.
The survey further revealed the population above 15 years of age in the Maldives in 2019 was 317,482, of which 70% earn an income. An average of 2.6 people per household were shown to be earning an income in the Maldives.