Government revenue collection in October 2025 reached MVR 2.04 billion, marking a 16.7 percent increase compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). The improvement was largely driven by stronger performance in the tourism sector, increased green tax rates, and higher airport-related fees.
Of the total revenue, USD-denominated collections amounted to USD 85.96 million. Goods and Services Tax (GST) remained the largest contributor, accounting for 60.4 percent of total revenue. Green Tax followed with 8.5 percent, while Income Tax, Airport Development Fee, and Departure Tax contributed 7.2 percent, 6.8 percent, and 6.7 percent respectively.
Tourism-related taxes continued to play a critical role in boosting state income. MIRA attributed the increase in revenue to higher collections of Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), Green Tax, and airport taxes, supported by a 12.6 percent rise in tourist arrivals in September 2025 compared to the same period last year. The higher Green Tax rate implemented in January 2025 and the revised airport taxes and fees effective from December 2024 also contributed to the overall growth.
MIRA’s report also highlighted that October’s revenue exceeded projections by 1.2 percent, driven mainly by higher-than-expected collections from TGST, General Sector GST, and Work Permit Fees. Unprojected revenue sources such as land acquisition and conversion fees, corporate social responsibility fees, and lease period extension fees added further gains.
In addition, 21 percent of the month’s total revenue came from payments collected past their original deadlines, while 7.1 percent was secured through targeted initiatives to recover outstanding dues.
Overall, tax revenues made up 82.8 percent of October’s total collection, while non-tax revenues accounted for the remaining share. The continued strength of GST and tourism-related taxes underscores the sector’s importance to government finances, with fiscal performance for the month signalling sustained momentum as the high season progresses.
