Saudi Arabia and India are set to remain the Maldives’ largest bilateral donors next year, according to the 2027 state budget the government has submitted to Parliament.
Under the budget estimates, the Maldives expects to receive a total of MVR 334.9 million in grant aid in 2027. Of that amount, MVR 235.8 million is expected from multilateral organisations and MVR 38.5 million from United Nations agencies. The remaining MVR 55.4 million is expected to come directly from foreign governments.
Among individual countries, India is projected to contribute the largest share at MVR 26.8 million, with Saudi Arabia close behind at MVR 23.1 million.
The two countries have also been the leading bilateral donors this year. The budget estimates that bilateral grants will total MVR 365.6 million by the end of 2026. Saudi Arabia accounts for MVR 255.4 million of that, and India for MVR 105.7 million.
Bilateral grants are projected to be lower next year than in 2026. Total grant inflows will instead be driven largely by multilateral partners.
Saudi Arabia and India have long been among the Maldives’ closest development partners. Their support has spanned infrastructure, health, education and community projects across the country.
