National Pulse
The country at a glance · as of Q2 2026
Financial health
Key indicators
Dollar (real rate)
21.30 MVR / USD · black market
▲ +38% vs peg · BML buying 19.50+ · peg 15.42 — the rufiyaa has become a losing hold, dollars a store of value
Public debt
118% of GDP
▲ +4 pts · ≈ MVR 137 bn
Usable reserves
$0.8bn ≈ 1.2 mo cover
▼ −12%
Inflation
3.1% year-on-year
▼ −0.4 pts
Reported crime
1,240 cases / quarter
▼ −6%
Youth unemployment
15.3% ages 15–24
▲ +0.8 pts
Skills mismatch
48% of workers
▲ +3 pts · In roles below their training
Skilled-worker scarcity
63% skilled roles expat-filled
▲ +2 pts · Health, tech & trades acute
Failing O-Level maths
57% of candidates
▲ +2 pts · Only 43% pass — the numeracy gap
At grade level — NALO
41% Gr.4 numeracy
▼ −3 pts · National Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Most debated
Homes for Every Family — Reclaimed Land Programme243Open & Transparent Procurement237Bodu Badhal167Malé City Land Use Plan111Education Reframe Urgency4Urgent attention
Dollar shortage hitting importersEconomy · critical
Waste crisis — Thilafushi at capacityEnvironment · high
Teacher shortage across outer atollsEducation · high
Dengue outbreak — southern atollsHealth · medium
Public participation
Petitions in circulation
3
Total engagements
2,321
Votes cast
2,227
Sector budgets
MVR mn · budgeted / spentFisheries & Agriculture742 / 1,200 · 62%
Recurrent: 61%
Health3,120 / 4,800 · 65%
Recurrent: 78%
Education2,680 / 4,200 · 64%
Recurrent: 82%
Housing & Infrastructure1,490 / 3,600 · 41%
Recurrent: 24%
Transport1,180 / 2,900 · 41%
Recurrent: 31%
Environment & Climate430 / 900 · 48%
Recurrent: 40%
Grants received
512 MVR mnWorld Bank · Governance180
Asian Development Bank · Infrastructure145
European Union · Climate92
UNDP · Democracy55
India EXIM · Connectivity40
Manifesto alignment
Pledges on track
Split head of state & government40%
Referendum by 2027
Open procurement portal65%
Live nationwide
Living wage for civil service20%
MVR 8,000 floor
50 island harbours28%
50 harbours built
Universal mental-health cover15%
All atolls
Note: We start by digitising the reports that Sectors already produce, then work our way to real-time data within two years.
Illustrative figures — a public snapshot; official sources may vary.