55 islands with populations under 500; new solutions needed

Housing Minister Ali Haidhar has highlighted that 55 islands in the Maldives have populations of fewer than 500 people.

Speaking to state media, Haidhar said solutions need to be sought to bring about development to such islands. He stated that a population consolidation program should be implemented to provide sustainable housing across the Maldives, and suggested that urban centers could be a solution to the challenges these small populations face.

Minister Haidhar said while 55 of the 186 islands in the Maldives have small populations of less than 500 people, these islands still need the availability of numerous basic services. These services incur significant costs to the state each year, Haidhar explained.

Haidhar said the development that the people want can be brought to the islands by implementing development projects targeting a few islands and improving the quality of services provided. Then, the whole society will benefit from it, he said.

“People have to be populated in these islands to provide good services,” Haidhar said.

The government’s vision for addressing these challenges includes the development of two major hubs: the Northern Integrated Development Zone and the Southern Integrated Development Zone, serving a combined population of 55,000. They should be developed to provide the same level of services as the capital city, he said.

The government has already introduced a bill to establish urban centres across the Maldives and seven areas have been designated to be developed as urban centers. They are, R. Ungoofaaru, B. Eydhafushi, Lh. Naifaru, ADh. Mahimadhoo, F. Nilandhoo, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, and L. Fonadhoo.