While fluctuations of prices on world markets impact heavily on the Maldivian economy, the country’s economic openness and ability to adjust quickly to world market developments have transformed the Maldivian economy as one of the most dynamic economies in the  South Asia region with the highest real growth in the region. 

Apart from trade with our nearest neighbours, trade between Maldives and Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia has been increasing rapidly year by year. 

A comparison of some selected  economic indicators for the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) - which comprise of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - shows comparable economic progress achieved by the Maldives. Though the Maldives is the smallest in the SAARC, the country’s literacy rate is 92%, the highest of the SAARC member countries. Life expectancy is the second highest at 64 years. Ownership of telephone and televisions are the highest at 20.8 persons per telephone and 48 persons per television set respectively. GDP growth is the second highest at 6.6% and the per capita income is the highest at US $ 726.8. (Source: Statistical. Year book 1995, also refer Asia Week 28th  July 1995, p.57 & 58)