Poll Finds Maldivians Most Positive Towards Saudi Arabia and China

Maldivians view Saudi Arabia and China most favourably, while expressing the least positive views towards the United States, according to the latest opinion poll by the Baani Centre for International Policy.

The Maldives-based think tank asked adults to rate a shortlist of countries on a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 indicated a very positive view and 0 the opposite. Saudi Arabia and China topped the rankings with average scores of 6.9 out of 10. India followed with 6.2.

Russia and Australia received scores of 5.2 and 4.9, respectively. The United Kingdom scored 4.3, Ukraine 3.9, and the United States ranked lowest at 3.5 out of 10.

The findings reveal a notable generational divide. Respondents aged 55 and above gave the United States a score of 2.5, while those aged 18 to 24 rated it 5 out of 10. Younger Maldivians also expressed more favourable views towards Western countries and Russia compared to older respondents.

Saudi Arabia and China received consistent ratings across age groups, while India scored higher among older respondents than younger ones.

Regional differences also emerged. Respondents across the country viewed Saudi Arabia and China positively. However, participants from urban areas expressed more favourable opinions of Western countries compared to those from rural islands.

According to Baani, they conducted a telephone survey between 23 November and 1 December 2025, with 391 random interviews. The sample size meets the threshold for a statistically significant poll in the Maldives, with 95 per cent confidence and a margin of error of plus or minus 5 per cent. Results were weighted to ensure a representative sample of voters.