Marriage, divorce, and family

What is the single parent allowance in the Maldives?

The Maldives’ single parent allowance pays MVR 3,000 per eligible child per month – raised from MVR 1,000 in January 2026 – with a cap of MVR 12,000 for five or more children.

Who it reaches

In 2025, 2,948 parents received the allowance, covering 5,010 children. It is administered by the National Social Protection Agency and is the primary targeted cash transfer for divorced parents with children. Conditionality provisions require children to attend school and maintain vaccinations.

The barrier is often the paperwork

For applicants with interrupted education, limited literacy, or those who have just left controlling relationships where a partner managed all documentation, assembling the application can itself function as a barrier. Island councils typically assist, though the extent of that help varies by island.

The wider support floor

The allowance sits alongside the basic pension, Aasandha health insurance, a disability allowance of MVR 3,000 to 6,000 based on need, the Food Subsidy Programme for households in extreme low income, and Zakat assistance for medical, housing, and education costs.

Key facts

  • The single parent allowance pays MVR 3,000 per child per month, up from MVR 1,000 before January 2026, capped at MVR 12,000.
  • In 2025, 2,948 parents received the allowance, covering 5,010 children.
  • Documentation requirements can function as a barrier for the applicants who need the allowance most.

Sources

  • The Cycle of Vulnerability for Women and Children Within Family Life (2026) – Public Policy Lab research under the UNICEF Child and Family Well-Being Project

Related

Last checked . If a figure here is out of date, tell us.