The government of Maldives has said that statistics from this year show the population of Male’ City is 530,000 and at this rate, the population will be at 650,000 by 2028.

The statement was made on the five-year Strategic Action Plan (SAP) inaugurated last night at Dharubaaruge by the President, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Highlighting that providing affordable housing is a priority pledge by the government that needs to be resolved immediately. The SAP state that it is also the root of a number of social and economic issues. And so, if a household is considered to have four people, an extra 30, 000 houses are needed.

Challenges in housing noted in the plan include the overcrowding in the capital, high cost of housing along with the high number of people that require adequate housing.

SAP further states that government policies would be coming into fruition targeting more construction and assisting in finding housing.

The five-year SAP is divided to five main parts; Blue Economy, Caring Government, Proud Family, Island Living and Good Governance.