The Maldives, which is composed of 1,200 islands, depends heavily on trade. Foreign trade represented 118% of the GDP in 2020 (World Bank, 2022). The state budget relies primarily on revenues from import duties. Therefore, tariffs are relatively high (the average applied tariff rate is 18.4%). However, as part of its trade policy, the government has removed quotas for the majority of products, and customs procedures have been simplified (obtaining an import licence is almost automatic). Total Imports of Goods and Services represented 34.2% of GDP in 2020, while Exports of Goods and Services represented 5.3% of GDP (WTO and World Bank, 2021).
Fish products account for almost the entirety of Maldivian exports (84.7% in 2020), while imports are led by hydrocarbons (5.8%), electrical and broadcasting equipment (2.9%), and aeroplanes (1.9%) (Comtrade, 2020). Thailand is the major destination for exports (30.1% in 2020), followed by France and Germany at 10.7% each, India (8%) and Italy (4.3%). For what concerns imports, China (19.7%), India (14.2%), the United Arab Emirates (13.5%) and Singapore (11.7%) are the major countries of origin in 2020 (OEC, 2022). The State Trading Organisation (STO) remains the country's largest importer, but the government is seeking to include more private partners.
The country possesses few raw materials and, as such, relies heavily on imported oil and finished products. As a result, the Maldives imports much more than it exports, which creates a structural trade deficit. According to WTO, in 2020, the Maldives exported USD 214 million worth of goods and services and imported USD 1.38 billion, resulting in a global negative trade balance of USD 1.16 billion (WTO, World Bank, 2022). Maldives recorded a trade deficit of 259.50 million USD in December of 2021 (Maldives Monetary Authority, 2022).
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 2,360 | 2,960 | 2,888 | 1,839 | 2,574 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 318 | 339 | 361 | 286 | 285 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 1,279 | 1,328 | 1,326 | 707 | 1,109 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 2,964 | 3,237 | 3,373 | 1,513 | 3,665 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 8 | 13 | -0 | -41 | 35 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 7 | 10 | 7 | -51 | 89 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -1,908 | -2,425 | -2,392 | -1,451 | -2,107 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 152 | 154 | 148 | 118 | 143 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 79 | 84 | 78 | 68 | 68 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 72 | 70 | 69 | 49 | 75 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2021 |
---|---|
Thailand | 46.4% |
Germany | 11.4% |
United Kingdom | 6.8% |
France | 4.1% |
India | 3.9% |
See More Countries | 27.4% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2021 |
---|---|
Oman | 13.1% |
United Arab Emirates | 13.0% |
China | 12.6% |
India | 12.4% |
Singapore | 10.2% |
See More Countries | 38.8% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows
3.2 bn USD of services exported in 2017 | |
---|---|
87.05% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 87.05% |
OtherOther | 87.05% |
9.20% | |
Air transportAir transport | 8.66% |
PassengerPassenger | 4.56% |
OtherOther | 3.50% |
FreightFreight | 0.61% |
Sea transportSea transport | 0.54% |
OtherOther | 0.54% |
3.19% | |
Telecommunications servicesTelecommunications services | 3.14% |
Postal and courier servicesPostal and courier services | 0.05% |
0.30% | |
Construction in the compiling...Construction in the compiling economy | 0.30% |
0.26% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
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Latest Update: February 2023