The Labour Force report by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) shows that 53 percent of the working population in Male' work in government offices. 

The 'Labour Force Survey 2024-2025' published by the MBS on International Labour Day shows that the over-15 (working age) population of Male' is at 188,062. 

Labour force participation, cited as one of the key labour market indicators, stood at 76.8 percent, with a huge gender gap.

While a total of 141,039 individuals are employed, this includes 102,818 men and 38,221 women. Unemployed individuals amount to 3,280, of which 3,150 are Maldivian. 

Unemployment rate is recorded at 2.3 percent, with the rate of 3.7 percent when only Maldivians are considered. 

78.4 percent of jobs are tertiary level, including 19 percent wholesale and retail businesses, 14.5 percent government employment, and 10.1 percent transport. 

The next highest are secondary level jobs, of which 12.6 percent is in construction. 

53.3 percent of Maldivians in the Male' labour force are employed at State institutions, including ministries, independent institutions, judicial sector, police, MNDF, parliament and SOEs. 

As per the report, approximately 44,015 Maldivians are employed at State entities. 

88.6 percent of foreigners in the Male' labour force are in private employment. 

There were 3,389 unemployed individuals, with men accounting for a slightly higher share at 53 percent. These figures cover those actively seeking and available for work. 

The potential labour force stood at 6,269 people who were not actively seeking employment but were available to work, with women making up 60.3 percent of this group. 

The potential labour supply was twice the size of unemployed population. Time-related underemployment, referring to those wanting to work more hours, affected 2,398 individuals. 

Altogether, the unemployed, underemployed and potential labour force totalled 11,956 people, indicating a significant unmet need for employment in Male'. 

About one-third of working-age Maldivians (42,399 individuals) were outside the labour force, with the share significantly higher among women. 

Of this group, 6,269 individuals (14.3 percent) were classified as the potential labour force, meaning they were available for work but not actively seeking it. The remaining 37,465 people fell into the "others outside the labour force" category, which includes students, homemakers, the elderly, and those unable or unwilling to work. 

Women made up the majority of this group, accounting for 27,236 individuals (72.7 percent). Half of the women cited household or family responsibilities, followed by study or training. Among men, studying or training was the most common reason, while only a small proportion reported household responsibilities. 

This reflects the gendered distribution of care roles in the Maldivian society.