Moving to Maldives from Singapore

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Singapore to Maldives — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Singapore to Maldives, and you’d need to navigate life in Maldivian.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Singapore to Maldives, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
82 ↑ 6% vs 2015

people born in Singapore live in Maldives · UN DESA

Who's moving to Maldives?

Top countries of origin for Maldives's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Singapore to Maldives.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

SG
0.1
MV
0.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SG
1.9
MV
1.3

Singapore generally does better on safety, though Maldives leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SG
$6,551
MV
$2,288
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

SG
26.0
MV
21.6

Singapore generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Maldives leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SG
23.0
MV
29.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SG
9.8t
MV
3.6t

Singapore generally does better on environment, though Maldives leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SG
37.7
MV
17.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SG
83.1%
MV
15.7%

Singapore generally does better on infrastructure, though Maldives leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SG
3.5%
MV
4.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SG
$127,500
MV
$22,400

Singapore performs better than Maldives across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SG
86.3 yrs
MV
76.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SG
1.6
MV
25.7

Singapore generally does better on family life, though Maldives leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Singapore and Maldives. To live, work, or study long-term in Maldives, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Maldives's immigration authority.

Singapore passport

Singapore passport holder visiting Maldives

Visa on Arrival
Singapore passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Maldives.
Maldives passport

Maldives passport holder visiting Singapore

Visa Free
Maldives passport holders can enter Singapore without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Maldives?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Maldives has 17.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Maldives safe for expats?

Singapore generally does better on safety, though Maldives leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Maldives is 0.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.1 in Singapore.

How is healthcare in Maldives compared to Singapore?

Singapore generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Maldives leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 21.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Maldives, compared to 26.0 in Singapore. Maldives scores 61 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Singapore: 89).

What language do they speak in Maldives?

The official language in Maldives is Maldivian. In Singapore, the official languages are Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil.

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At a Glance

SG MV
Population 5,921,231 390,164
Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD) Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
Languages Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil Maldivian
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +65 +960
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999