American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · RM

Flag of Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

Thirty-second orientation

Marshall Islands at a glance

Capital
Majuro
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
36,282
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
181 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural); adjective: Marshallese
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government
mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Marshall Islands through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    Marshall Islands became a member of the United Nations.

    United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population36,282World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 82,011 (2024 est.) male: 41,581 female: 40,430CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-05

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product
$308.0 million
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person
$8,489
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth
67.1 years
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population
79.1%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity
97.2%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet
65.9%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital
Majuro
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
181 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
36,282
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
US dollar (USD)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural); adjective: Marshallese
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government
mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
UN membership
1991-09-17
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
Oceania
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Australia and Oceania.”
Coastline
370.4 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions
Protestant 79.3% (United Church of Christ 47.9%, Assembly of God 14.1%, Full Gospel 5%, Bukot Nan Jesus 3%, Salvation Army 2.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 2.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, New Beginning Church 1.4%, other Protestant 1.6%), Roman Catholic 9.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other 3.3%, none 1.1% (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
blue, orange, white
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
a 24-rayed star
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll · 46 ft (14 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership
Not a member
BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
Background
Humans arrived in the Marshall Islands in the first millennium B.C. and gradually created permanent settlements on the various atolls. The early inhabitants were skilled navigators who frequently traveled between atolls using stick charts to map the islands. Society became organized under two paramount chiefs, one each for the Ratak (Sunrise) Chain and the Ralik (Sunset) Chain. Spain formally claimed the islands in 1592. Germany established a supply station on Jaluit Atoll and bought the islands from Spain in 1884, although paramount chiefs continued to rule. Japan seized the Marshall Islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations Mandate to administer the islands in 1920. The US captured the islands in heavy fighting during World War II, and the islands came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in 1947. Between 1946 and 1958, the US resettled populations from Bikini and Enewetak Atolls and conducted 67 nuclear tests; people from Ailinginae, Rongelap, and Utrik Atolls were also evacuated because of nuclear fallout, and Bikini and Rongelap remain largely uninhabited. In 1979, the Marshall Islands drafted a constitution separate from the rest of the TTPI and declared independence under President Amata KABUA, a paramount chief. In 2000, Kessai NOTE became the first commoner elected president. In 2016, Hilda HEINE was the first woman elected president.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
Location
Oceania, consists of 29 atolls and five isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; the atolls and islands are situated in two, almost-parallel island chains - the Ratak (Sunrise) group and the Ralik (Sunset) group; the total number of islands and islets is about 1,225; 22 of the atolls and four of the islands are uninhabited
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
9 00 N, 168 00 E
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
Oceania
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area
total : 181 sq km land: 181 sq km water: 0 sq km note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km (4,507 sq mi) of lagoon and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
about the size of Washington, D.C.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
370.4 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
low coral limestone and sand islands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 38.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 36.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 53.9% (2023 est.) other: 7.2% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
most people live in urban clusters on many of the country's islands; more than two thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural hazards
infrequent typhoons
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
Kwajalein atoll surrounds the world's largest lagoon; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society32 fields
Population
total: 82,011 (2024 est.) male: 41,581 female: 40,430
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Marshallese 95.6%, Filipino 1.1%, other 3.3% (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Languages
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999) major-language sample(s): Bok eo an Lalin kin Melele ko Rejimwe ej jikin ebōk melele ko raurōk. (Marshallese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Religions
Protestant 79.3% (United Church of Christ 47.9%, Assembly of God 14.1%, Full Gospel 5%, Bukot Nan Jesus 3%, Salvation Army 2.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 2.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, New Beginning Church 1.4%, other Protestant 1.6%), Roman Catholic 9.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other 3.3%, none 1.1% (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 30% (male 12,538/female 12,072) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 26,750/female 25,944) 65 years and over: 5.7% (2024 est.) (male 2,293/female 2,414)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 55.6 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 46.7 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.9 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 11.2 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 25.9 years (2025 est.) male: 25.4 years female: 25.6 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
1.22% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
20.81 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
4.37 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
-4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
most people live in urban clusters on many of the country's islands; more than two thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
155 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 20.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.1 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.) male: 73 years female: 77.5 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
2.62 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
1.28 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 84.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 87.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 15.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 12.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.9% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
12.5% of GDP (2021) 6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sanitation facility access
urban: 92.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 70.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 88% of population (2022 est.) urban: 7.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 29.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 12% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
52.9% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Tobacco use
total: 30.9% (2025 est.) male: 52.9% (2025 est.) female: 8.5% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
11.9% (2017 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
68.3% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Education expenditure
7.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 11.3% national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Literacy
total population: 95.8% (2021 est.) male: 95.7% (2021 est.) female: 96.4% (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2022 est.) male: 14 years (2022 est.) female: 15 years (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment8 fields
Environmental issues
inadequate potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels; sea-level rise
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 38.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 36.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 53.9% (2023 est.) other: 7.2% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
293,700 metric tonnes of CO2 (2017 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
7.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 8,600 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 39.7% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands local short form: Marshall Islands former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District abbreviation: RMI etymology: named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Majuro geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Majuro means "two openings" or "two eyes" and refers to the two major passages through the atoll into the Majuro lagoon note: the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Administrative divisions
24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
mixed system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: effective 1 May 1979 amendment process: proposed by the National Parliament or by a constitutional convention; passage by Parliament requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership in each of two readings and approval by a majority of votes in a referendum; amendments submitted by a constitutional convention require approval of at least two thirds of votes in a referendum
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Executive branch
chief of state: President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023) head of government: President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 2 January 2023 election results: 2023: Hilda C. HEINE elected president; National Parliament vote - Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 17, David KABUA (independent) 16 2020: David KABUA elected president; National Parliament vote - David KABUA (independent) 20, Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 12 expected date of next election: 2027 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Nitijela) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 33 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/20/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 12.1% expected date of next election: November 2027 note: the Council of Iroij is a 12-member consultative group of tribal leaders that advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (consists of the chief justice of the High Court, the attorney general and a private citizen selected by the Cabinet) and upon approval of the Nitijela; the current chief justice, appointed in 2013, serves for 10 years; Marshallese citizens appointed as justices serve until retirement at age 72 subordinate courts: High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles Rudolph PAUL (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 email address and website: info@rmiembassyus.org consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Springdale (AR)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Laura M. STONE (since 12 July 2024) embassy: Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro mailing address: 4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC 20521-4380 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 email address and website: MAJConsular@state.gov https://mh.usembassy.gov/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, WHO
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: blue with an orange stripe and a white stripe radiating from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the left side above the two stripes meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, orange for the Ralik Chain (or sunset and courage), and white for the Ratak Chain (or sunrise and peace); the star symbolizes the Christian cross, with a small ray for each electoral district and a larger ray for the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the diagonal stripes can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
a 24-rayed star
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
blue, white, orange
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "Forever Marshall Islands" lyrics/music: Amata KABUA history: adopted 1981; words and music written by the first president of the Marshall Islands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy26 fields
Economic overview
upper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector; coconut oil production as diesel fuel substitute; growing offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependent
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$270.809 million (2024 est.) $263.507 million (2023 est.) $274.3 million (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
2.8% (2024 est.) -3.9% (2023 est.) -1.1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$7,200 (2024 est.) $6,800 (2023 est.) $6,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$280.358 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.2% (2022 est.) 2.6% (2021 est.) -0.7% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 19.5% (2023 est.) industry: 11.1% (2023 est.) services: 70.5% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 70.7% (2023 est.) government consumption: 53.5% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.2% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -0.5% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.9% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -71.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
coconuts (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
-2.8% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population below poverty line
7.2% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
35.5 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.8% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 27.5% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
13.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 13.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $171.267 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $159.095 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Public debt
41.6% of GDP (2019 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Taxes and other revenues
17.2% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
$76.263 million (2021 est.) $90.281 million (2020 est.) $86.133 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$130.016 million (2021 est.) $88.042 million (2020 est.) $91.394 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
UK 16%, Germany 13%, Denmark 10%, Ghana 9%, Cyprus 9% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, fish, natural gas, stone processing machines (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$206.025 million (2021 est.) $132.845 million (2020 est.) $129.682 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
China 47%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Brazil 4%, Cyprus 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, iron structures, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy1 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 96.1% electrification - rural areas: 100%
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 2,000 (2014 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 16,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
no TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and TV service to Kwajalein Atoll (2019)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.mh
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 66% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 1,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
V7
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
33 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Merchant marine
total: 4,180 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1,939, container ship 277, general cargo 66, oil tanker 1039, other 859
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ports
total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro Atoll
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security2 fields
Military and security forces
Marshall Islands Police Department (includes a Sea Patrol Division)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US; in 1982, the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the Marshall Islands financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986; the Marshall Islands hosts a US Army missile test site the Marshall Islands has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within its designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 35 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

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