Laws in Maldives
How the Maldives is classified on 26 of the 48 laws this site maps, grouped by subject. Each links to the full answer and its source.
Body & Life
- Abortion
- Illegal (with exceptions) Abortion is prohibited except to save the pregnant person's life.
- Suicide Laws
- Criminal offense
- FGM Laws
- No specific ban There is no specific legal ban on FGM.
Money & Games
- Gambling Age
- Gambling prohibited Gambling is prohibited at any age.
Daily Life
- Driving Age
- 18+ Minimum age to drive a car: 18.
Animals & Environment
- Fur Farming
- Legal No ban on fur farming.
- Cosmetic Animal Testing
- No ban No ban on testing cosmetics on animals.
- Plastic Bag Bans
- Banned Lightweight plastic bags are banned nationwide.
Civic & Family
- Voting Age
- 18 The voting age is 18.
- Compulsory Voting
- Voluntary Voting is voluntary.
Relationships & Sexuality
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Not recognized Same-sex unions have no legal recognition.
- Same-Sex Activity
- Illegal Same-sex sexual activity is a criminal offence.
- Age of Consent
- 18+ The age of consent is 18.
- Sex Work
- Illegal Prostitution is illegal under Islamic sharia law in the Maldives.
- Pornography
- Illegal Producing and distributing obscene material is a Class 1 misdemeanor offense.
- Marriage Age
- 18+ Minimum marriage age: 18.
Speech & Belief
- Apostasy Laws
- Death penalty possible A new regulation revived the death penalty for apostasy, applicable to persons aged seven and older.
- Holocaust Denial
- No specific law No specific law against Holocaust denial.
- Conversion Therapy
- No ban No legal ban on conversion therapy.
Justice & Weapons
- Death Penalty
- Not used in practice Retained in law, but not used for at least ten years.
- Gun Laws
- Highly restrictive / banned Civilians cannot obtain handguns.
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
Substances
- Cannabis
- Illegal Cannabis is illegal for all purposes.
- Drinking Age
- 18–20 Minimum age to buy alcohol: 18.
- Smoking Age
- 19+ The Maldives prohibits tobacco sales to those born on or after 1 January 2007, setting the minimum age at 19.
- E-Cigarettes
- Sales banned E-cigarette sales are prohibited.
Nearby countries
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.