His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has highlighted the critical need for investing in youth health as a foundational prerequisite to sustain healthcare systems and support the nation's demographic transition towards an ageing population.
In his message on the occasion of World Population Day, the President noted that while the Government's focus remains on youth, it must concurrently prepare for the country's ageing population. He emphasised that establishing lifelong healthy habits, preventing chronic diseases, and delaying the onset of age-related illnesses among today's youth will help form the productive workforce and caregivers necessary to sustain the country's healthcare systems and support its elderly population.
He stated that investing in a structured Care Economy will ensure older persons receive quality healthcare and social support while reducing the unpaid care burden on families, particularly women. Strengthening care services, he added, will promote dignity, support workforce participation, and build a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Maldives.
The President observed that the bedrock of sustainable development depends not on population numbers alone, but on the nation's ability to empower its youth to realise their full potential. Noting that the country is undergoing significant demographic change, bringing both opportunities and responsibilities, he highlighted that the Maldives 2.0 digital transformation initiative is modernising public services, accelerating digital infrastructure development, and building a robust digital economy. With approximately 39 per cent of the population comprising youth, he reiterated that investing in quality education and meaningful employment opportunities remains one of the highest national priorities for his Administration.
In tandem with these human development goals, the President affirmed that these efforts must be backed by accurate and timely demographic data to ensure development policies respond effectively to every community's needs. He explained that Government administrative registers are being strengthened to provide accurate, real-time demographic information at the island level, improving evidence-based decision-making, reducing operational costs, and increasing state efficiency.
The President stated that, guided by a comprehensive roadmap and supported by upcoming legal reforms to ensure no person is left uncounted, the Maldives aims to conduct the 2030 Population and Housing Census using a hybrid approach combining administrative registers with traditional enumeration.