The Maldivian economy is largely dominated by two major industries – Fisheries and Tourism – which together contribute almost 50% of the total output of the economy. Supported by these two industries, the country’s economy has grown at an impressive rate for the past two decades. Annual GDP growth has averaged at 7.9% for the past 15 years and inflation has been maintained at modest levels. The Maldivian economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world today and has the highest real GDP per capita in South Asia – almost 20% above the average of all developing countries.

The steady accumulation of knowledge and technique in sustainable development and conservation of the natural assets which form the basis of the economy has been Maldives’ distinctive economic strength. Maldives is in a great position to further capitalize on its inherent and acquired strengths - the high standard of the ecological and marine environment and the existing expertise in sustainable methods of resource management - to further expand and upgrade the traditional dominant sectors tourism and fisheries, with new potential growth sectors.

The median age of the Maldivian population is 21 years and almost 34% of the people are between the ages of 18 – 35, providing opportunity for greater productivity, higher earning power and greater innovation in coming years and further improving the country’s future economic prospects.