Marshall Islands

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.

9 00 N, 168 00 E

infrequent typhoons

about the size of Washington, D.C.

inadequate potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels; sea-level rise

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

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt

370.4 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 38.9% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 2.8% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 36.1% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

Forest: 52.2% (2022 est.)

Other: 8.9% (2022 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

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

low coral limestone and sand islands

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

Oceania

0 sq km (2022)

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

Highest point: East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m

Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Mean elevation: 2 m

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

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

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)

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.)

Noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)

Adjective: Marshallese

Urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 84.5% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 87.2% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 85.1% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 15.5% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 12.8% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 14.9% of population (2022 est.)

31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018)

0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Improved:

Urban: 92.8% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 70.4% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 88% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 7.2% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 29.6% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 12% of population (2022 est.)

Marshallese 95.6%, Filipino 1.1%, other 3.3% (2021 est.)

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.)

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

12.5% of GDP (2021)

6.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

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.)

Total: 14 years (2022 est.)

Male: 14 years (2022 est.)

Female: 15 years (2022 est.)

1.3 (2024 est.)

68.3% (2022 est.)

-4.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 25.5 years (2024 est.)

Male: 25.4 years

Female: 25.6 years

155 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

2.67 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 82,011 (2024 est.)

Male: 41,581

Female: 40,430

Total: 20.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 24 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 17.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 30.9% (2025 est.)

Male: 52.9% (2025 est.)

Female: 8.5% (2025 est.)

52.9% (2016)

4.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

21.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

11.9% (2017)

Total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.)

Male: 73 years

Female: 77.5 years

7.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

11.3% national budget (2022 est.)

1.26% (2024 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 8,600 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 39.7% (2022 est.)

7.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

293,700 metric tonnes of CO2 (2017 est.)

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/

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

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

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

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

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

21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

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

mixed system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes

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 

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

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

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

18 years of age; universal

mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US

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

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)

Title: "Forever Marshall Islands"

Lyrics/music: Amata KABUA

History: Adopted 1981; words and music written by the first president of the Marshall Islands

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

a 24-rayed star

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

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site

blue, white, orange

7.2% (2019 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 2.8% (2019 est.)

Highest 10%: 27.5% (2019 est.)

Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

ships, refined petroleum, fish, natural gas, stone processing machines (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

coconuts (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $186.971 million (2018 est.)

Expenditures: $177.91 million (2018 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, iron structures, crude petroleum (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

the US dollar is used

copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)

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

$280.358 million (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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

China 47%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Brazil 4%, Cyprus 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

UK 16%, Germany 13%, Denmark 10%, Ghana 9%, Cyprus 9% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

41.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

17.2% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$270.809 million (2024 est.)
$263.507 million (2023 est.)
$274.3 million (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

6.2% (2022 est.)
2.6% (2021 est.)
-0.7% (2020 est.)

Note: Annual % change based on consumer prices

$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

$7,200 (2024 est.)
$6,800 (2023 est.)
$6,800 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$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

$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

2.8% (2024 est.)
-3.9% (2023 est.)
-1.1% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-2.8% (2023 est.)

Note: Annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas: 96.1%

Electrification - rural areas: 100%

Percent of population: 66% (2023 est.)

.mh

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)

Total subscriptions: 16,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2021 est.)

Total: 1,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 2,000 (2014 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.)

V7

33 (2025)

Total: 4,180 (2023)

By type: Bulk carrier 1,939, container ship 277, general cargo 66, oil tanker 1039, other 859

no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police Department (includes a Sea Patrol Division) (2025)

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, and its funding was renewed in 2003; 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)

Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Marshall Islands remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/marshall-islands/

IDPs: 35 (2024 est.)

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

35.5 (2019 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality