The Maldives Monetary Authority reported that all major economic sectors expanded in the third quarter, though growth patterns diverged across industries.
In its latest quarterly business survey, the central bank said business activity increased in most areas compared with the previous quarter. Tourism was the exception: transaction volumes declined despite sustained demand, underscoring the sector’s sensitivity to seasonal dynamics.
The survey, conducted between late September and mid‑October, drew responses from 70 percent of the 160 leading companies across tourism, construction, transport, and wholesale trade. Employment rose collectively across these industries, though the pace of job growth slowed in every sector except tourism, where hiring continued to advance.
Expectations for the final quarter remain broadly positive. Tourism operators anticipate a surge in revenue and bookings with the onset of the peak season. Construction and transport firms also project continued expansion, while wholesale and retail trades report slowing momentum in business volume indicators.
Most businesses expect their financial positions to improve in the coming quarter. The construction industry, however, forecasts a deceleration in its financial recovery. Since 2013, the quarterly survey has provided policymakers with a critical gauge of short‑term economic shifts and commercial sentiment across the country's economy.