The Maldives has published its first Quarterly Vital Statistics Bulletin, offering timely data on births and deaths to support policymaking and strengthen the civil registration system.

The bulletin, covering the first quarter of 2025, was jointly prepared by the Ministry of Health and the Maldives Bureau of Statistics, and launched at a ceremony presided over by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.

According to the Health Ministry, the purpose of the bulletin is to provide accurate and up-to-date information on births, deaths, and maternal mortality on a quarterly basis, a departure from previous years where such data often became available months or even a year later. Officials said the quarterly system will improve transparency, increase public confidence, and allow the information to be used across health, education, social, and economic policies.

The data shows that 1,435 babies were delivered between January and March this year, with 1,427 born alive. During the same period, 374 deaths were recorded, 63 per cent of which were men. Most of the deaths occurred among the aging population.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Nazim stressed that the availability of reliable, digitised statistics is vital for designing evidence-based policies. He noted that making the data accessible on time is not only crucial for the health sector but also for planning broader development strategies.

Future editions of the bulletin are expected to expand further, with comparisons across quarters and the inclusion of primary causes of death. Officials said the initiative is also aimed at tracking the country’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.