News Desk
The Maldives has released an updated picture of its nursing workforce to mark International Nurses Day, outlining the scale, distribution and composition of the 3,907 nurses serving across the country.
According to figures shared by the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare, nursing remains one of the most female‑dominated professions in the Maldives. Women account for 92 percent of the workforce, with 3,593 female nurses compared to 314 men. Officials say the numbers reflect global patterns but also highlight how central women are to the country’s healthcare system.
The data shows a near‑even geographic split. A total of 1,989 nurses, or 51 percent, are based in the Greater Malé region, while 1,918 nurses, or 49 percent, work across the atolls in regional hospitals and island health centres. Health officials say the distribution mirrors population patterns and ongoing efforts to maintain essential services outside the capital.
The Ministry also reported that 64 percent of nurses are Maldivian, while 36 percent are expatriates. More than 1,400 foreign nurses continue to play a key role in service delivery, even as the government works to strengthen local capacity.
Public institutions remain the dominant employer. Eighty‑four percent of nurses — 3,291 individuals — work in the state sector, while 616 nurses are employed by private providers.
In a message posted on X, the Ministry described nurses as “silent heroes” whose work underpins the country’s health system. Officials said the government will continue to invest in training, staffing and service expansion to meet the needs of a growing population and a changing health landscape.
