ESCAP Supports Maldives in Strengthening Long‑Term Development Planning and Productivity‑Led Growth

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, recently convened a four‑day technical workshop to strengthen the Maldives’ long‑term development planning and support its transition toward more productivity‑driven economic growth.

The workshop took place at a time when the Maldivian economy continues to demonstrate resilience. According to the Monetary Authority of Maldives (MMA), GDP reached USD 6.9 billion in 2025, growing by 5.4 percent compared to the previous year, driven largely by tourism and supported by growth in trade, transport and communications, construction, and fisheries. Tourism remained the backbone of the economy, contributing USD 1.5 billion, a 5.7 percent increase, as visitor arrivals exceeded 2.2 million, while fisheries contributed over USD 220 million.

These strong economic fundamentals have positioned the Maldives as one of the highest‑income countries in South Asia. However, the growth model remains vulnerable due to heavy reliance on tourism, rising public debt, and exposure to external shocks. Growth has been driven largely by capital investment and labour accumulation, with more limited gains in productivity, underscoring the importance of long‑term planning, economic diversification, and a shift toward more efficient, productivity‑led growth to sustain progress.

This is where the National Development Plan (NDP) plays a central role. The Maldives is currently developing a 20‑year National Development Plan, which will guide national priorities through to 2045. The NDP is designed to bring together economic transformation, social development, climate resilience, and good governance into a single long‑term framework, ensuring that development decisions today support sustainable outcomes for future generations. A strong results framework is essential to translate this vision into clear actions, measurable progress, and accountability.

Opening the workshop, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Hao Zhang emphasized that the next phase of the Maldives’ development must focus not only on maintaining growth, but on improving productivity and using resources more efficiently to ensure inclusive and resilient outcomes. He highlighted the importance of strategic choices, evidence‑based policymaking, and strong national leadership.

During the workshop, government officials, planners, statisticians, and technical experts worked together to translate the NDP’s long‑term vision into a practical, results‑focused framework. Using ESCAP’s Economic Productivity and Competitiveness (EPiC) approach, participants identified priority areas and developed indicators to better track progress toward productivity‑driven growth.

The Resident Coordinator commended the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Department of National Planning, reaffirming the UN’s role as a partner, supporting national efforts with global knowledge, regional experience, and analytical tools.

As the Maldives and the United Nations mark 60 years of partnership, the workshop reflects a shared commitment to strengthening national planning systems and supporting a future that is inclusive, resilient, and built on sustainable, productivity‑driven growth.