MALÉ, Maldives – “What worries me about the future is that everything is becoming less and less affordable,” said Aishath Shaima Shihab, 20, from the Maldives. “Rent is rising and the cost of food and hygiene products are also increasing. Right now, I can barely support myself, so having a family is out of the question.”

The Maldives is made up of more than 180 inhabited islands and has witnessed rapid demographic changes over the past 40 years. Urbanization, population growth, ageing and migration have influenced consumption patterns, job markets and income distribution. 

They are also complicating access to health, education and housing – issues that  a new UNFPA study has shown are all crucial for today’s young people when deciding whether to enter a relationship and have children. Economic and housing constraints were the most commonly cited obstacles to forming partnerships, with financial security the top requirement for both partnering and parenting.

 “Right now, I can barely support myself, so having a family is out of the question” – Aishath 

“Even if I wanted to settle down, the current situation in the Maldives forces me to postpone such plans,” Masha, a waitress, told UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. 

With a steadily declining birth rate, the Maldives is transitioning from a predominantly young country to a middle-aged one. The total fertility rate dropped from 2.8 in 2020 to 1.7 in 2022 – marking a significant shift in demographic trends. For many young people, rising living costs and dwindling housing availability means they must decide which of their life goals they can afford to prioritize. 

“In the past, children were raised with the support of the extended family,” said Asha Hussein, the founder of a local organization supporting couples, families and women struggling with fertility. “Today, many must raise their children in small, confined spaces, often in the Greater Malé area, away from that support.”

As younger generations move to the capital in search of better opportunities, population numbers on the Maldives’ smaller islands are shrinking. Each year, up to 6,000 people arrive in Malé, yet over 70 per cent of its inhabited islands have fewer than 1,000 residents – akin to six islands becoming depopulated every year.

“Even living here on my home island, finding a job is still difficult,” said Nashath, a recent high-school graduate. “Employers often prioritize candidates with experience or relevant certifications, even for entry-level jobs,” agreed Arzaan. “This forces many people to start their careers in unrelated fields just to gain experience.”

The number of women pursuing higher education in the Maldives has grown significantly, and outweighs the number of men. Although this affords young women better options economically and socially, many graduates are still only offered caregiving or informal work, while social security benefits such as pensions are chiefly available to those in formal employment.

“Today, school leavers aim to pursue higher education and secure high-paying jobs,” said  Raifa, 18, who recently graduated from high school. “Achieving this lifestyle is unlikely on [this] island.”

The latest data for the Maldives show that 48 per cent of women are employed, but represent just 3 per cent of employees in the country’s dominant tourism sector. The industry’s structure does not support daily commuting between resorts and family homes, so employees can spend days, weeks and sometimes months away from home. 

“A one-island, one-resort model has been central to Maldivian tourism since its inception, but there are no childcare or family living arrangements within staff housing on site,” explained Ayesha Noorain Janah, who heads the local youth- and women-focussed charity the Kandoofa Foundation. 

“This means when young women enter the sector and start families, they often have to quit after giving birth.” 

Already some 40 per cent of young women in the Maldives are not currently engaged in employment, education or training (NEET); for young girls, such mobility restrictions only present additional barriers to meeting their life goals.

“Creating a family-friendly workplace is essential,” said Shadiya Ibrahim, UNFPA’s Head of Office in the Maldives. To accommodate ambitious and educated young people who want to both a career in the country's dominant industry and to raise families, resorts could be encouraged to ensure “job opportunities are accessible near home islands, with convenient ways to return on days off,” she explained.

 “When young women enter the tourism sector and start families, they often have to quit after giving birth.” – Ms. Ibrahim

Systems could also be created to enable better work-life balance. “In future resort developments, integrated accommodation, childcare facilities, and more flexible duty rotation policies could be implemented,” added Ms. Ibrahim. 

As in other Small Island Developing States and Asian countries, there is a need for innovative social and economic policies to support sustainable development across all generations. UNFPA is spearheading efforts to provide comprehensive reproductive health services and equip young Maldivians with essential life skills, preparing them for the workforce, adulthood and to make the choices they want to get there.

“Just as youth are the future of a nation, it is vital to remove the challenges they face in their lives,” said Ms. Ibrahim.

By advocating for the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes and matters that affect them, UNFPA aims to create societies that are more supportive and conducive to their development.