President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has underscored the importance of investing in the health and wellbeing of young people to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Maldives' healthcare system as the country prepares for an ageing population.

In a message marking World Population Day, the President said that while the Government remains focused on empowering youth, it must also make preparations to meet the needs of an ageing society. He said encouraging lifelong healthy habits, preventing chronic diseases and delaying age-related illnesses among today's youth would help build a productive workforce capable of supporting the country's healthcare system and caring for older generations.

The President also highlighted the importance of developing a structured care economy, saying it would ensure older persons receive quality healthcare and social support while easing the unpaid care burden on families, particularly women. Strengthening care services, he said, would promote dignity, support greater workforce participation and contribute to a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous Maldives.

President Dr Muizzu said sustainable development depends not only on population growth but on empowering young people to reach their full potential. He noted that the Maldives is undergoing significant demographic changes that present both opportunities and responsibilities.

He said the Maldives 2.0 digital transformation initiative is modernising public services, expanding digital infrastructure and strengthening the country's digital economy. With around 39 per cent of the population made up of young people, he reiterated that providing quality education and meaningful employment opportunities remains one of his Administration's highest priorities.

The President also stressed the importance of accurate and timely demographic data to support effective policymaking. He said the Government is strengthening administrative registers to provide real-time demographic information at island level, enabling evidence-based decision-making, reducing operational costs and improving the efficiency of state services.

Looking ahead, President Dr Muizzu said the Maldives aims to conduct the 2030 Population and Housing Census using a hybrid model that combines administrative registers with traditional enumeration. He added that the initiative will be guided by a comprehensive roadmap and supported by legal reforms to ensure no one is left uncounted.