Babies born to women in their early 30s rise amid Maldives’ fertility decline

Babies born to women in their early 30s has risen in the Maldives, as the country grapples with a drastic drop in fertility rate.

The quarterly vital statistics report for 2025, compiled by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the Maldives Bureau of Statics, shows that 5,625 live births and 1,399 deaths occurred in the Maldives last year.

Of the 5,625 children born last year, 2,835 were male and 2,789 were female.

The highest number of live births took place in the last quarter of the year, with 1,444 children born between October through December.

The statistics show a rise in children born to women in their early 30s, with 1,796 children born to women aged 30-34. This follows 1,561 children born to women aged 25-29.

Live births by age of mother:

• 15-19 age group: 65 children
• 20-24 age group: 774 children
• 25-29 age group: 1,561 children
• 30-34 age group: 1,796 children
• 35-39 age group: 1,146 children
• 40-44 age group: 274 children
• 45-49 age group: 11 children

The statistics show 193 women gave birth overseas, while 3,927 children were born in Male’, and 1,698 in the atolls. This includes children born to foreign nationals who reside in the Maldives.

The Maldives has seen a rise in the average age of women who give birth in recent years.

The fertility rate in the Maldives has dropped drastically to approximately 1.7 children per woman, falling well below the replacement level of 2.1.

This represents a massive shift from the late 1990s, when the average was over six children per woman. Experts suggest the shift is driven by rapid urbanization, higher living costs, and changing social aspirations.