The Maldives is an island nation shaped by centuries of sea routes, trade and migration, which left a patchwork of communities across atolls and resort islands. Understanding who lives there helps make sense of local languages, settlement patterns and cultural influences from South Asia to the wider Indian Ocean.
There are 11 Maldives Ethnic Groups, ranging from Bangladeshi expatriates to Western expatriates. For each group, you’ll find below data organized as Estimated population (people),Primary location(s),Language(s); this layout makes it easy to compare size, where people live and what languages they speak — you’ll find below.
Which ethnic group has the largest population in the Maldives?
The majority of residents are Maldivian citizens of Dhivehi-speaking heritage, and they form the largest single group by population; official statistics and censuses focus on native Maldivians, while expatriate communities add seasonal and long-term variation to totals.
How do expatriate groups like Bangladeshi and Western expatriates affect demographics and services?
Expatriates contribute to the workforce (construction, tourism, professional services) and alter local demand for housing, schooling and language services; numbers shift with economic cycles, so the table below shows estimated populations and primary locations to reflect those dynamics.
Maldives Ethnic Groups
| Name | Estimated population (people) | Primary location(s) | Language(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhivehi | 410,000 | Nationwide; concentrated in Malé and regional atolls | Dhivehi (Divehi) |
| Giraavaru | 50 | Originally Giraavaru (near Malé); many now in Malé | Dhivehi (Giraavaru dialect) |
| Mahl | 3,000 | Minicoy (historical); communities in northern atolls and Malé | Mahl (Maliku Dhivehi) |
| Indian expatriates | 40,000 | Malé, Hulhumalé, resorts, construction sites | Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English |
| Bangladeshi expatriates | 60,000 | Resorts, construction sites, Malé outskirts | Bengali, some Dhivehi, English |
| Sri Lankan expatriates | 8,000 | Malé, resorts, medical and professional posts | Sinhala, Tamil, English |
| Nepali expatriates | 6,000 | Construction sites, Malé, resort islands | Nepali, some English |
| Filipino expatriates | 5,000 | Resorts, hospitality, healthcare in Malé and islands | Filipino (Tagalog), English |
| Chinese expatriates | 3,000 | Infrastructure projects, resorts, business hubs | Mandarin, Cantonese, some English |
| Pakistani expatriates | 3,000 | Malé, construction sites, small businesses | Urdu, Punjabi, English |
| Western expatriates | 2,000 | Resorts, tourism management, Malé | English and various European languages |
Images and Descriptions
Dhivehi
The Dhivehi are the indigenous Maldivian people of Indo-Aryan origin who speak Dhivehi. They form the majority population, maintain strong island-based traditions, Sunni Muslim identity, and dominate political, cultural, and social life across the Maldives today.
Giraavaru
Giraavaru are a small, historically distinct island community once living on Giraavaru Island. Noted for unique customs and dialect, they were relocated mid-20th century and largely assimilated into broader Dhivehi society while preserving some traditions.
Mahl
The Mahl are people of Minicoy (Maliku) cultural-linguistic heritage who speak a Maldivian dialect. Though Minicoy is now in India, Mahl communities live in northern Maldivian islands and Malé, keeping close cultural and linguistic ties across the boundary.
Indian expatriates
Indian expatriates are a large, diverse workforce and professional community from India. They work across construction, healthcare and hospitality, bring South Asian cultural practices, languages, and cuisine, and form long-term resident networks in urban and resort areas.
Bangladeshi expatriates
Bangladeshi workers form a major segment of the Maldives’ labor force, especially in construction and services. They maintain Bengali language and cultural practices while integrating into island workplaces and informal communities across atolls.
Sri Lankan expatriates
Sri Lankan residents include professionals, service workers, and traders. Cultural and linguistic ties are strong due to geographic proximity; many work in healthcare, education, and tourism, contributing Sinhalese and Tamil influences to local life.
Nepali expatriates
Nepali migrant workers are primarily employed in construction and manual labor across the Maldives. They live in worker communities and bring Nepali cultural practices and festivals, while often learning some Dhivehi or English for daily life.
Filipino expatriates
Filipino workers are an established presence in hospitality, caregiving, and healthcare. English fluency, service-sector skills, and community organizations help Filipinos integrate into resort life and urban neighborhoods in Malé and regional islands.
Chinese expatriates
Chinese residents include construction specialists, businesspeople, and resort staff tied to major infrastructure and tourism investments. They often form small communities, contribute Chinese cuisine and business ties, and vary between short- and long-term stays.
Pakistani expatriates
Pakistanis in the Maldives work in construction, trade, and services. They bring South Asian Islamic cultural practices, Urdu and regional languages, and operate small businesses or work on long-term projects across the islands.
Western expatriates
Western residents (Europeans, North Americans, Australians) are concentrated in tourism management, diving, and creative industries. They influence hospitality standards, international cuisine, and leisure culture while typically living in resort staff housing or Malé neighborhoods.
