Real
Fiscal
Financial
External
Tourist arrivals
In March 2025, total tourist arrivals stood at 203,468, registering an increase of 4.8% compared with the same period of last year. During the month, the highest number of tourist arrivals were recorded from Russia, followed by United Kingdom and Italy.
Inflation
The rate of inflation (annual percentage change in the national CPI) accelerated to 5.3% in March 2025, from 5.1% in February 2025. The largest contribution to the annual rate of inflation during the month came from Restaurants, cafés and the like (1.79 percentage points); Tobacco (1.78 percentage points); and Fruit (0.63 percentage points).
Fish exports
The volume of fish exports increased by 96.2% in March 2025 compared with the same period of last year. This was mainly driven by the increase in the export of Fresh, chilled or frozen Skipjack tuna by 129.7% (3,342.8 metric tonnes).
Real GDP growth
Real GDP is projected to grow by 6.4% in 2025, followed by an estimated growth of 5.1% in 2024.
Total revenue and grants
Total government revenue and grants is estimated to be increased by MVR5.6 billion (16.5%) in 2025 when compared to 2024, mostly driven by Tax revenue (an increase of MVR3.5 billion).
Total expenditure
Total government expenditure is estimated to be increased by MVR1.4 billion (3.0%) in 2025 when compared to 2024, driven by capital expenditure (an increase of MVR0.9 billion) and current expenditure (an increase of MVR0.5 billion).
Overall fiscal balance in percent of GDP
The fiscal deficit is estimated to be narrowed to 7.8% of GDP in 2025, from 12.5% in 2024.
Broad money
The annual broad money (M2) growth rate accelerated to 7.7% at the end of March 2025 from 4.9% in February 2025. During the month, the annual growth in broad money was primarily driven by the increase in quasi money.
Credit to private sector
Annual growth of credit to private sector by commercial banks accelerated to 7.7% at the end of March 2025 from 7.0% in February 2025. During the month, the largest contribution to the annual growth was from credit allocated for personal loans, real estate sector and commerce sector.
Overnight deposit facility (average)
During April 2025, the average Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) placements stood at MVR5.97 billion, reflecting 11.51% decline in annual terms.
Official reserve assets
Official reserve assets stood at USD 856.3 million at the end of April 2025, reflecting 8.3% increase from USD 791.0 million at the end of March 2025. Similarly, official reserve assets increased by 37.7% in annual terms during the review period.
Exports
Total exports (f.o.b.) in March 2025 increased by 3.3% compared to the same period last year. This stemmed primarily from the rise in fish exports, despite re-exports observing a decline during the period.
Imports
Total imports (c.i.f.) in March 2025 increased by 0.2% compared to the same period last year. This stemmed primarily from the decline in imports of petroleum products and wood, metal, cement and aggregates.
Export of goods and service
Export of goods and services for 2024 increased by 10.9% compared to 2023. Similarly, it is estimated to increase by 6.2% in 2025.
Balance on goods in percent of GDP
The balance on goods in percent of GDP is estimated to be -43.7% in 2024 and -40.2% in 2025.
Import of goods in percent of GDP
Import of goods in percent of GDP is estimated to be 49.1% in 2024 and 45.0% in 2025.
Current account balance in percent of GDP
The current account deficit is expected to narrow to 17.8% of GDP in 2024, after recording 21.3% of GDP in 2023. Similarly, it is projected to narrow to 12.5% of GDP in 2025.
Exchange rate
At the end of April 2025, the exchange rate of Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) per US Dollar (USD) was 15.42.