The major religion in the Maldives is Sunni Islam.
Islam is deeply embedded in the national identity and legal framework of the Maldives. Sunni Islam is constitutionally recognized as the state religion, playing a pivotal role in the nation's culture, governance, and daily life.
Prevalence of Islam in the Maldives
The adherence to Islam in the Maldives is exceptionally high, especially among its citizens, due to specific national requirements.
- For Maldivian Citizens: Sunni Islam accounts for 100% of the citizen population. This statistic arises from a constitutional provision that mandates adherence to the state religion as a prerequisite for Maldivian citizenship.
- Including Foreign Residents: When considering the entire population, which encompasses expatriate workers and foreign residents, the Muslim population stands at approximately 98.69%. The slight variation from 100% reflects the religious diversity present within the non-citizen community.
Impact on Religious Demographics and Census
Due to the unique legal framework linking citizenship to religious adherence, traditional religious censuses, which typically measure the distribution of various faiths, are not conducted among citizens in the Maldives. This practice reinforces the country's religious homogeneity and national identity.
The demographic breakdown highlighting this prevalence is as follows:
| Population Group | Percentage of Muslims |
|---|---|
| Maldivian Citizens | 100% |
| Total Population | 98.69% |
This significant religious homogeneity underscores the central and integral role that Sunni Islam holds within Maldivian society.
