weighted score 4.4 · nine dimensions
Country Risk Profile
Maldives
Sourcing risk, regulatory exposure and audit intelligence for Maldives-origin supply chains.
Forced & child labour
4
Migrant worker exploitation documented in construction and tourism. Recruitment fee debt bondage and passport retention reported. Tuna fisheries are relatively clean.
Worker rights & FOA
5
Freedom of association limited in practice. Migrant workers have restricted organising rights. Domestic labour protections exist but enforcement is inconsistent.
OHS & audit transparency
4
Construction sector OHS standards are weak, particularly for migrant workers. Tourism sector better regulated. Audit access is possible but infrastructure is limited.
Food & product safety
3
MSC-certified pole-and-line tuna fishery demonstrates strong food safety standards for primary export. Limited processed food manufacturing.
Environmental & regulatory
3
Sustainable fisheries management. Coral reef protection frameworks in place. Low EUDR exposure. Environmental governance relatively strong for the region.
Governance & anti-corruption
7
TI CPI 39 — below the 40 threshold. Tourism resort allocation process opaque. Political instability and patronage concerns. Debt sustainability risk.
Tariff & preferential access
5
EU GSP+ provides moderate preferential access. Terms are favourable but not as comprehensive as EBA for LDCs.
Non-tariff barriers
4
Limited non-tariff barriers for tuna exports. EU IUU compliance maintained. Small export base reduces complexity of trade barriers.
Supply chain traceability
5
MSC certification provides good traceability for tuna. Other sectors have weaker traceability infrastructure. Small economy aids visibility.
Labour & Governance
Labour & Governance
- Migrant labour
- The Maldives relies heavily on migrant workers, particularly from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, in construction and tourism sectors. Documented concerns around recruitment fees, passport retention, and wage theft for migrant workers.
- Governance
- TI CPI 2025: 39 — below the 40 threshold indicating significant corruption concerns. Tourism sector dominance creates opportunities for patronage and opaque land allocation for resort development.
- Fisheries
- Tuna fisheries are the primary non-tourism export. The Maldives pole-and-line tuna fishery is MSC-certified and considered a model for sustainable fishing. EU IUU compliance is maintained.
Trade Access & Regulatory
Trade Access & Regulatory
- GSP+ status
- The Maldives benefits from EU GSP+ preferential tariff access, providing enhanced duty reductions for compliant exports. Tariff score of 5 reflects moderate preferential terms.
- Export base
- Exports are dominated by processed tuna and limited garment manufacturing. The economy is overwhelmingly dependent on tourism (~40% of GDP) rather than goods exports.
- Debt sustainability
- Government debt at 127% of GDP with a $500M Sukuk bond repayment due in 2026. Fiscal stress may affect regulatory capacity and public service delivery.