Your population figure for Manila is even older from year 2000. According to Encyclopædia Britannica the total population of Maldives has grown from 289,000 in 2004 to 305,000 in 2007. Some sources say even 369,000 by 2007 estimate. Is it likely that the Malé's population would have decreased in the same time period by more than 9%?

Also your source says "any major city in the world". Perhaps Malé with a population of less than 100,000 is not considered a major city.