The National Bureau of Statistics has begun conducting a survey on Maldivians living abroad.
The bureau stated that the survey is for Maldivians who have lived abroad for one year or more or intend to do so. Individuals who meet the criteria are required to complete an online form while parents with children under 18 years are instructed to complete a form for each child living abroad.
The form contains 19 questions as well as requests for personal information such as age, gender, marital status, the reason for living abroad, educational level, and employment status. The bureau stated the information is collected under the Maldives Statistics Act and that individual information will be kept confidential and be used only for statistical purposes.
The survey aims to determine the number of Maldivians living abroad and why citizens choose to leave the country.