Demographics of the Maldives

Structure of the population ==Vital statistics==

UN estimates Registered births and deaths Source: Demographic and Health Surveys Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and CBR (Crude Birth Rate): Total fertility rate The total fertility rate differs greatly from as low as 2.05 children per woman in Malé to a maximum of 3.88 children in Faafu. Life expectancy at birth in the Maldives Source: UN World Population Prospects ==Ethnic groups==

The Dhivehin are the largest and effectively the only ethnic group of the Maldives. They are indigenous to the historic region of the Maldive Islands, encompassing the present-day Republic of Maldives and the island of Minicoy in India’s Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The Dhivehin share a common culture and speak the Dhivehi language. They are primarily an Indo-Aryan people, closely related to the Sinhalese, with genetic influences reflecting historical contact with the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Austronesia, and Africa. In the past there was also a small Tamil population known as the Giraavaru people. This group have now been almost completely absorbed into the larger Maldivian society but were once native to the island of Giraavaru (Kaafu Atoll). This island was evacuated in 1968 due to heavy erosion of the island. Filipinos in the Maldives numbered 3,000 in 2018. ==Languages==

Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language closely related to the Sinhala language of Sri Lanka, and written in a specialized Arabic script (Thaana), is the official language and is spoken by virtually the whole population. English is also spoken as a second language by many. ==Religion==

Sunni Islam is the state religion. Historically, the Maldives were converted to Islam from Buddhism in the 12th century. Under the 2008 constitution Islam is the official religion of the entire population, as adherence to it is required for citizenship. ==References==