Key Stats
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Continent: | Asia |
| Capital: | Malé |
| Population: | 517,887 |
| % Urban: | 41.1 % |
| Population Under 15 Yrs: | 19.9 % |
| Official Language: | Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic) |
| Languages: | 2 |
| Literacy Rate: | 98 % |
| Life Expectancy: | 79.9 yrs (46/236) |
| HDI Ranking: | 90 / 189 |
| % Christian: | 0.2 % |
| % Evangelical: | 0.1 % |
| Largest Religion: | Muslim |
| % Largest Religion: | 99 % |
| People Groups: | 7 |
| Least Reached People Groups: | 7 |
| % Unevangelized: | 76 % |
| Persecution Ranking: | 15 / 50 |
Maldives
Tourists see the Maldives as an island paradise, but a darker reality hides below the surface. Powerful social and official forces limit freedom of expression and belief. The Maldives has one of the highest divorce rates in the world. Crime rates and gang activity both continue to rise. Child abuse and teenage drug abuse (among up to 70% of teens) indicate deep problems. Islam is the only recognized religion, and the government forbids open practice of all other religions. But beyond Islamic beliefs, many people follow occult practices called fanditha. Pray for the light of the gospel to shine among Maldivians. Pray against strongholds of pride, fear, and selfish pursuit of physical pleasures.
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Content taken or adapted from Operation World, 7th Edition (2010) and Pray for the World (2015). Both books are published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.