Maldives
Leading cause: Heart Disease · 60% plant-based · 79.9 yr life expectancy · UHC 71/100
What People Eat
Cardiovascular and dietary profile drawn from WHO Global Health Estimates. Plant-based score reflects the share of whole plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts) in the typical national diet.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Heart Disease · 165 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Heart disease (165/100k) leads, with a fish-and-rice diet now overlaid by very high sugar and processed-food intake, driving rising obesity and diabetes. Tourism wealth funds relatively strong coverage (UHC ~71).
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- Cut sugary drinks and processed snacks behind rising diabetes and obesity.
- Build on the protective fish base by raising vegetable and fruit intake.
Explore the evidence: Heart Disease
WHO Global Health Estimates · 2022 · age-standardized country data
→ 165 CVD deaths per 100k · 60% plant-based diet