Govt workforce to reach 55,466 as salary expenditure rises to MVR 14.4 billion

The number of government employees in the Maldives is projected to reach 55,466 by the end of 2026, while expenditure on salaries and allowances is expected to increase by approximately MVR 500 million next year, according to the proposed 2027 national budget.

Figures in the budget submitted by the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises to Parliament show that the government workforce is expected to increase by 1,587 employees compared with 2025.

The increase in staffing is projected to bring total expenditure on salaries and allowances to MVR 13.9 billion in 2026.

According to the budget estimates, expenditure on government employees' salaries and allowances is expected to rise to MVR 14.4 billion in 2027.

This represents an increase of MVR 493 million, or approximately 3%, compared with the estimated expenditure for 2026.

The budget documents also show that the number of government employees has increased by 10,075 over the past five years.

During the same period, expenditure on salaries and allowances has risen by approximately MVR 6 billion.

According to the government, the increase in expenditure over the five-year period was driven by changes to employee salaries and allowances, alongside the expansion of the government workforce.

The budget also addresses the government's pay harmonisation programme, which aims to establish a more equitable salary structure across the public sector.

The government expects the completion of the programme to help stabilise expenditure on employee salaries in the years following 2027.

The projections indicate that salaries and allowances will remain a major component of recurrent government expenditure, with the wage bill continuing to increase in 2027 despite expectations of greater stability in subsequent years.