Budget watch

Stories of the last 120 days that are about the state budget. Figures are what the articles said, as they wrote them, with the sentence: they are never added up, compared or converted, and outlets can measure differently.

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The top priority project in 2027 is to relocate the commercial port to Thilafushi · Wednesday 11 November (today) Minister of Finance and Government Enterprises Hassan Zareer said the Thilafushi International Trade Port is the top priority of the state budget and national development plan as he presented the 2027 budget to Parliament. The project would expand the port from 5 hectares and a 101-metre keywall to 60 hectares with a 1.4 km keywall, and is scheduled to be completed and operationalised by 11 November. The project is the government’s top priority, and the port is scheduled to be completed and operationalised by 11 November. Maldives Financial Review · published 31 October Source (opens Maldives Financial Review in a new tab)
Proposals open for "Aaruveri Matching Grant" under TRANSFO Project · Monday 30 November (in 19 days) The Aaruveri Matching Grant scheme, part of the World Bank-funded TRANSFORM project, was launched on Monday with a total budget of MVR 278 million to support the Maldives' fisheries and agricultural sectors, with applications open for five of its seven categories. Selected projects will receive 40 percent of total expenditure as a non-reimbursable grant, and proposals must be submitted via the project portal before 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30. Interested parties are urged to submit their proposals along with the required documentation via the portal before 12:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30. Raajje (English) · published 2 November Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)

Figures the news gave

as written, newest first

USD 17.78 million (2027 State Budget) Allocation for socially isolated individuals The allocation for children and family assistance stands at USD 28.77 million, while USD 17.78 million has been set aside for socially isolated individuals. Miadhu · 7 November
USD 28.77 million (2027 State Budget) Allocation for children and family assistance The allocation for children and family assistance stands at USD 28.77 million, while USD 17.78 million has been set aside for socially isolated individuals. Miadhu · 7 November
USD 135.54 million (2027 State Budget) Allocation for services and support for senior citizens The proposed budget provides USD 135.54 million for services and support for senior citizens. Miadhu · 7 November
More than 80 per cent Share of social protection spending directed to basic pension payments for citizens aged 65 and above More than 80 per cent of social protection spending is directed towards basic pension payments for citizens aged 65 and above, particularly following the harmonisation of civil service salaries. Miadhu · 7 November
8.8 per cent (current fiscal year) Increase in social protection allocation compared with current fiscal year The Government has proposed allocating more than USD 259.40 million to social protection programmes in the 2027 State Budget, an increase of 8.8 per cent compared with the current fiscal year. Miadhu · 7 November
more than USD 259.40 million (2027 State Budget) Proposed social protection allocation in 2027 State Budget The Government has proposed allocating more than USD 259.40 million to social protection programmes in the 2027 State Budget, an increase of 8.8 per cent compared with the current fiscal year. Miadhu · 7 November
MVR 1.98 billion (2027 proposed budget) State-owned enterprise support in the proposed 2027 budget The Government has earmarked MVR 1.98 billion in loans and capital contributions for State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the proposed 2027 budget, reducing support as it seeks to curb their reliance on State funding. MM TV (English) · 7 November
MVR 848.3 million (2026 (this year)) Estimated higher education expenditure The budget stood at MVR 721 million in 2025 and rose to an estimated MVR 848.3 million this year. MM TV (English) · 7 November
MVR 721 million (2025) Higher education budget The budget stood at MVR 721 million in 2025 and rose to an estimated MVR 848.3 million this year. MM TV (English) · 7 November
MVR 1.3 billion (2027) Secondary and higher secondary education allocation Of the total allocation, MVR 1.48 billion has been earmarked for pre-school and primary education, while MVR 1.3 billion has been allocated for secondary and higher secondary education. MM TV (English) · 7 November

In the news

Saruvash warns 2027 budget puts national debt on an unsustainable path Sun English · published 10 November Source (opens Sun English in a new tab)
Proposed budget for 2027 is one that will lead to increased spending, a higher deficit, and rising debt: Saruvash Raajje (English) · published 10 November Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
70 Percent of Proposed Budget for 2027 is Recurrent Expenditure: Nasheed Raajje (English) · published 10 November Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027 provides for completion of ongoing development... MM TV (English) · published 10 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
MP Nizar backs Budget 2027, calls for targeted subsidy reforms MM TV (English) · published 10 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027 offers path to economic recovery: MP Mufeed MM TV (English) · published 10 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Ghafoor claims 30% of state funds are being lost to corruption despite record state budgets Sun English · published 9 November Source (opens Sun English in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Economic and industrial development spending... MM TV (English) · published 8 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: MVR 815 million allocated as judiciary block grant MM TV (English) · published 8 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Bulk medicine purchases to cut Aasandha costs by 14.6% MM TV (English) · published 8 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: MVR 634 million for education under PSIP,... MM TV (English) · published 8 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: MVR 2.7 billion earmarked for council block grants The Government's proposed 2027 budget earmarks MVR 2.7 billion for council block grants, an 8 per cent rise over this year's MVR 2.5 billion, within a MVR 59.7 billion budget submitted to Parliament. The article lists proposed allocations for city and island councils and notes ministry concerns that 31 councils had not properly maintained their financial accounts by the end of 2025. MM TV (English) · published 7 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Government proposes expanded support for single... The Government has proposed higher allocations for single-parent and disability assistance in the 2027 State budget, with single-parent assistance at MVR 212.6 million and MVR 700 million for people with disabilities. Funding for assistance to individuals is proposed at MVR 1.09 billion, described as a 261 per cent increase over the MVR 302.2 million allocated in 2026. MM TV (English) · published 7 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
India and Saudi Arabia forecast to lead bilateral grant support... The proposed 2027 State budget projects India and Saudi Arabia as the Maldives' largest bilateral grant providers, with MVR 26.8 million and MVR 23.1 million respectively. Total bilateral grants are expected to fall to MVR 55.4 million in 2027 from an estimated MVR 365.6 million in 2026, while multilateral assistance rises to MVR 235.8 million, bringing total projected grant receipts to MVR 334.9 million. MM TV (English) · published 7 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Higher education budget increases by 12.3% The 2027 budget allocates MVR 953.1 million for higher education, a 12.3 per cent increase over the estimated 2026 expenditure, within a total education budget of MVR 6.14 billion. Higher education funding has risen steadily from MVR 721 million in 2025 to an estimated MVR 848.3 million in 2026. MM TV (English) · published 7 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Government scales back SOE support to MVR 1.98 billion The government's proposed 2027 budget earmarks MVR 1.98 billion in loans and capital contributions for state-owned enterprises, down from MVR 2.27 billion projected for 2026 and MVR 6.21 billion in 2025. The reductions accompany efforts to strengthen SOE management, lower operating costs and cut the SOE workforce by 33 per cent. MM TV (English) · published 7 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Govt spends MVR 219.7M on travel-related expenses so far this year The Maldives government has spent MVR 219.7 million on official travel-related expenses so far this year, which is 80 percent of the MVR 273.6 million allocated in the MVR 64 billion budget, according to Finance Ministry data as of October 29. Spending in the corresponding period last year was MVR 226.7 million, and the publication of expense reports for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's official overseas trips has been suspended. Sun English · published 6 November Source (opens Sun English in a new tab)
Proposed 2027 budget boosts social protection spending to over USD 259 million The proposed 2027 state budget allocates over USD 259.40 million for social protection services, an 8.8 per cent increase from the outgoing fiscal year, with the largest share going to senior citizen care and pensions. Capital spending under the Public Sector Investment Programme will fund safe homes for women, elderly facilities and domestic violence shelters. PSM News · published 6 November Source (opens PSM News in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Government allocates over MVR 4 billion for social... The proposed 2027 State Budget allocates more than MVR 4 billion for social security services, an 8.8 per cent increase over the previous year, covering pensions, sick and disability assistance, elderly, children and family support. The Ministry of Finance projects further increases in pension and social assistance spending, and PSIP capital expenditure in the area includes Amaan Hiyaa, old-age homes and special shelters for domestic violence victims. MM TV (English) · published 6 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Budget 2027: MVR 496.2 million allocated for religious affairs The proposed 2027 State Budget allocates MVR 496.2 million for religious programmes, up from MVR 470.4 million in 2026 and MVR 339.4 million in 2025. The government is also running religious education initiatives, including the Young Khatib Training Programme, and advancing projects to establish National Centre for the Holy Qur'an branches across inhabited islands. MM TV (English) · published 6 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Giraavaru Falhu reclamation resumes for a third time MACL announced that land reclamation at Giraavaru Falhu for Male' housing has resumed after a five-month hiatus, with 115 hectares, or 68.8 percent of the planned 167.15 hectares, completed. The disclosure comes amid revelations of a MVR 650.7 million government loan to MACL to cover reclamation costs, listed in the 2026 budget estimates but not in the original approved budget. Adhadhu (English) · published 5 November Source (opens Adhadhu (English) in a new tab)
Parliament Committee sets 19 November deadline for State Budget... Parliament's Budget Review Committee has unanimously agreed to complete its examination of the proposed MVR 59.7 billion State Budget for 2027 by 19 November. The budget, submitted by the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, represents a MVR 4.5 billion reduction from the MVR 64.2 billion approved for 2026. MM TV (English) · published 5 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Rising fuel costs push subsidy spending 49.2 per cent above annual... Government subsidy spending reached MVR 4.31 billion by 29 October, 49.2 per cent above the MVR 2.89 billion annual budget allocation, driven by higher international oil prices. Aasandha and council grants also rose compared with the previous year. MM TV (English) · published 5 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
MVR 650 million loan issued to MACL for Giraavaru lagoon reclamation A treasury loan of MVR 650.7 million was issued from the state budget this year to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) to cover reclamation costs of Giraavaru lagoon, where plots are allocated under the Binveriyaa housing scheme. Reclamation of Giraavaru Falhu, resumed by MACL in January, remains incomplete, with satellite imagery showing no work since it stalled in April. Adhadhu (English) · published 4 November Source (opens Adhadhu (English) in a new tab)
Government Targets Cheaper Domestic Flights With New Subsidies The Maldivian government has earmarked transport subsidies in the projected 2027 state budget to reduce domestic airfares, including MVR 111 million for the North Connectivity Project. Remaining funds will expand the Raajje Transport Link ferry and bus network to uncovered atolls while maintaining subsidised fares on existing routes. Corporate Maldives · published 4 November Source (opens Corporate Maldives in a new tab)
Economic independence essential to protecting Maldives from foreign influence, says President President Dr Mohamed Muizzu used the official Victory Day ceremony at Republic Square in Malé on Tuesday evening to argue that economic independence is as vital to Maldivian sovereignty as territorial defence, saying his government had reduced debt dependence, ended irresponsible borrowing and money printing, and strengthened foreign investor confidence. He spoke as the proposed 2027 budget of MVR 59.7 billion was before Parliament, and also cited the 2024 withdrawal of Indian military personnel and an ongoing maritime boundary dispute with Mauritius. The Standard · published 4 November Source (opens The Standard in a new tab)
Budget 2027: Sovereign Development Fund inflows projected at MVR... The proposed 2027 State budget projects annual inflows to the Sovereign Development Fund of MVR 2.3 billion, up from MVR 2.2 billion expected in 2026, with further increases in 2028 and 2029. The budget also forecasts debt repayments falling sharply from MVR 11.7 billion in 2026 to MVR 4.4 billion next year, while domestic and external debt rise to 83.4 per cent and 33.5 per cent of GDP respectively. MM TV (English) · published 4 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Minister Saeed outlines measures to curb price hikes and ease... Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed, responding to a no-confidence motion in Parliament, outlined measures to curb price hikes, including expanding the essential goods list from 26 to 80 items and widening STO-price retail access across islands. He said the Maldives Bureau of Statistics had published an Essential Commodities Price Index and pointed to the proposed budget as showing eased food price inflation this year. MM TV (English) · published 4 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Government disburses MVR 2 billion in block grants to councils The government had disbursed MVR 2 billion in block grants to councils as of 22 October, 17 per cent more than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises' Weekly Fiscal Developments report. This year's budget earmarks a record MVR 2.4 billion for council grants, with the proposed 2027 budget raising that to MVR 2.5 billion. MM TV (English) · published 4 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
MPs Saleem, Fazad reappointed to lead 2027 Budget Review Committee MPs Ahmed Saleem and Ali Fazad were unanimously appointed Chair and Vice Chair of the parliamentary Budget Review Committee reviewing the proposed MVR 59.7 billion 2027 State Budget. The proposed budget is MVR 4.5 billion lower than the approved 2026 budget, with total expenditure projected at MVR 52.6 billion. MM TV (English) · published 4 November Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)