How many Maldives islands have disappeared?

The Maldives, a breathtaking archipelago of nearly 1,200 coral islands, is often cited as the "poster child" for climate change. Given that 80% of its land sits less than one meter above sea level, the question of how many islands have already been lost is a major concern for travelers and environmentalists alike.

The Short Answer: Have Any Maldives Islands Disappeared?

Surprisingly, none of the major islands of the Maldives have completely disappeared due to sea-level rise yet. While scientific models in the 1980s predicted that the nation could be submerged within 30 years, the reality in 2026 is far more nuanced.

While individual sandbars and tiny, uninhabited islets (often called finolhu) frequently shift, shrink, or vanish due to seasonal monsoon currents and erosion, the total number of established islands remains largely intact. In fact, some research suggests the total landmass of the Maldives has actually increased over the last few decades due to land reclamation projects.

Why Haven’t the Islands Vanished?

It seems counterintuitive: if sea levels are rising at roughly 3–4 millimeters per year, why are the islands still there? Scientists point to three main reasons:

1. Natural Resilience (Island Migration)

Coral atolls are dynamic, living structures. Waves and currents often move sediment from one side of an island to another. Instead of simply "sinking," many islands are shifting or growing in height as waves deposit sand and broken coral onto the shore, a process that helps them keep pace with rising waters.

2. Massive Land Reclamation

The Maldivian government has been proactive in "creating" land. Projects like Hulhumalé, an artificial island built by pumping sand from the sea floor, provide high-ground refuge for thousands. These engineering feats have actually added more square mileage to the country than has been lost to the sea.

3. Coastal Protection

The Maldives invests heavily in sea walls (like the one surrounding the capital, Malé) and "soft" engineering, such as coral reef restoration, to buffer against storm surges and erosion.

The Real Threat: Not Sinking, but Uninhabitable

While the islands haven't "disappeared" from the map, they are facing a crisis of habitability. An island doesn't need to be underwater to be lost; it becomes "lost" to residents when:

• Freshwater is contaminated: Rising seas seep into underground freshwater lenses, making it impossible to grow crops or drink local water.

• Infrastructure is damaged: Increased flooding makes homes and schools in 90% of the islands prone to annual damage.

• Coral Bleaching: As ocean temperatures rise, the reefs that protect the islands die, leaving the land vulnerable to the full force of the ocean.

Statistics at a Glance (2026)

The Verdict

The Maldives is not currently a modern-day Atlantis. The islands are still there, and many are even expanding. However, the battle against climate change is moving from "preventing disappearance" to "maintaining livability." For now, the islands remain a vibrant, resilient nation fighting to stay above the waves.