Micronesia, Federated States of

Each of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) -- Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap -- has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200. At its height, Nan Madol united the approximately 25,000 people of Pohnpei under the Saudeleur Dynasty. By 1250, Kosrae was united in a kingdom centered in Leluh. Yap’s society became strictly hierarchical, with chiefs receiving tributes from islands up to 1,100 km (700 mi) away. Widespread human settlement in Chuuk began in the 1300s, and the different islands in the Chuuk Lagoon were frequently at war with one another.

Portuguese and Spanish explorers visited a few of the islands in the 1500s, and Spain began exerting nominal, but not day-to-day, control over some of the islands -- which they named the Caroline Islands -- in the 1600s. In 1899, Spain sold all of the FSM to Germany. Japan seized the islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer them in 1920. The Japanese navy built bases across most of the islands and headquartered their Pacific naval operations in Chuuk. The US bombed Chuuk in 1944 but largely bypassed the other islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific. 

In 1947, the FSM came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which comprised six districts: Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap; Kosrae was separated from Pohnpei into a separate district in 1977. In 1979, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap ratified the FSM Constitution and declared independence while the other three districts opted to pursue separate political status. There are significant inter-island rivalries stemming from their different histories and cultures. Chuuk, the most populous but poorest state, has pushed for secession, but an independence referendum has been repeatedly postponed.

6 55 N, 158 15 E

typhoons (June to December)

four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

6,112 km

Total: 0 km

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands

islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Oceania

0 sq km (2022)

the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas

Highest point: Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total : 702 sq km

Land: 702 sq km

Water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)

Note: Includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

Agricultural land: 25.5% (2018 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land: 2.3% (2018 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops: 19.7% (2018 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)

Forest: 74.5% (2018 est.)

Other: 0% (2018 est.)

0-14 years: 27% (male 13,673/female 13,239)

15-64 years: 67.3% (male 32,527/female 34,487)

65 years and over: 5.7% (2024 est.) (male 2,508/female 3,169)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Micronesian(s)

Adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Urban population: 23.4% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved: Total: 78.6% of population

Unimproved: Total: 21.4% of population (2017 est.)

7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018)

3.2 beds/1,000 population

Total dependency ratio: 57.7

Youth dependency ratio: 48.4

Elderly dependency ratio: 9.3

Potential support ratio: 10.8 (2021 est.)

Improved: Urban: NA

Rural: NA

Total: 88.3% of population

Unimproved: Urban: NA

Rural: NA

Total: 11.7% of population (2017 est.)

Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)

Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God 0.7%), Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

NA

11% of GDP (2021)

Total population: NA

Male: NA

Female: NA

1.07 (2024 est.)

51.7% (2023 est.)

Total: 18.9% (2014)

Male: 10.4%

Female: 29.9%

-21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 28.2 years (2024 est.)

Male: 27.3 years

Female: 29.1 years

74 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

2.19 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 99,603

Male: 48,708

Female: 50,895 (2024 est.)

Total: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births

45.8% (2016)

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

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

NA

Total: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 75 years (2024 est.)

Male: 72.9 years

Female: 77.2 years

-0.73% (2024 est.)

overfishing; sea level rise due to climate change threatens land; water pollution, toxic pollution from mining; solid waste disposal

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 26,040 tons (2016 est.)

166,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 166,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

(2019 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Jennifer JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023)

Embassy: 1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941

Mailing address: 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120

Telephone: [691] 320-2187

FAX: [691] 320-2186

Email address and website:
Koloniaacs@state.gov

https://fm.usembassy.gov/

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Name: Palikir

Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E

Time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Time zone note: Micronesia has two time zones

Note: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital

History: Drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979

Amendments: Proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states; amended 1990; note – at least every 10 years as part of a general or special election, voters are asked whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed; amended many times, last in 2019 (approval by referendum to hold a constitutional convention)

Chief of state: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)

Head of government: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)

Cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments

Elections/appointments: President and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 May 2023 (next to be held in 2027)

Note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Highest court(s): Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)

Judge selection and term of office: Justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life

Subordinate courts: The highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court

mixed legal system of common and customary law

Legislature name: Congress

Legislative structure: Unicameral

Number of seats: 14 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 2 years

Most recent election date: 3/7/2023

Percentage of women in chamber: 21.4%

Expected date of next election: March 2025

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

no formal parties

18 years of age; universal

federal republic in free association with the US

Conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia

Conventional short form: None

Local long form: Federated States of Micronesia

Local short form: None

Former: New Philippines; Caroline Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts

Abbreviation: FSM

Etymology: The term "Micronesia" is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, "micro" (small) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean

Chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson T. SORAM (since 27 February 2024)

Chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

Telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383

FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391

Email address and website:
Dcmission@fsmembassy.fm

https://fsmembassy.fm/

Consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower; national colors: light blue, white

Citizenship by birth: No

Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of FSM

Dual citizenship recognized: No

Residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia

fish, diamonds, garments (2023)

Note: Top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

coconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruits, beef, eggs (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $137.795 million (2020 est.)

Expenditures: $87.355 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

poultry, fish, plastic products, cars, prepared meat (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

the US dollar is used

tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)

lower middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance, sunsetting in 2024; low entrepreneurship; mostly fishing and farming; US dollar user; no patent laws; tourism remains underdeveloped; significant corruption

$460 million (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Exports of goods and services: 27.3% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -67.5% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

USA 35%, China 20%, Japan 13%, Taiwan 6%, Philippines 4% (2023)

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

Thailand 64%, China 16%, Philippines 11%, Japan 5%, Ecuador 1% (2023)

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

5.07% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.43% of GDP (2022 est.)
5.98% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

$497.434 million (2021 est.)
$451.913 million (2020 est.)
$397.158 million (2019 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

27.86% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

7.05% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$437.759 million (2023 est.)
$434.352 million (2022 est.)
$437.759 million (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

5.41% (2022 est.)
3.19% (2021 est.)
0.55% (2020 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$12 million (2017 est.)
$11 million (2016 est.)
$22.408 million (2014 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$3,900 (2023 est.)
$3,900 (2022 est.)
$3,900 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$126 million (2021 est.)
$133 million (2020 est.)
$121 million (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$179 million (2021 est.)
$122 million (2020 est.)
$130 million (2019 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

0.78% (2023 est.)
-0.78% (2022 est.)
2.8% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0.78% (2023 est.)

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

Agriculture: 22.5% (2023 est.)

Industry: 4.9% (2023 est.)

Services: 66.8% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 85.3% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas: 98.6%

Electrification - rural areas: 79.4%

Refined petroleum consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

General assessment: Australia, Japan, and the United States are committed to working in partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, and Nauru to improve internet connectivity to these three Pacific nations by providing funding to build a new undersea cable; the proposed undersea cable will provide faster, higher quality, and more reliable and secure communications to approximately 100,000 people across three countries; this will support increased economic growth, drive development opportunities, and help to improve living standards as the region recovers from the severe impacts of COVID-19; the new cable will connect Kosrae (FSM), Nauru, and Tarawa (Kiribati) with the existing HANTRU-1 cable at Pohnpei (FSM), providing internet connectivity through a submarine cable for the first time (2021)

Domestic: Fixed line teledensity roughly 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 19 per 100 (2021)

International: Country code - 691; landing points for the Chuukk-Pohnpei Cable and HANTRU-1 submarine cable system linking the Federated States of Micronesia and the US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Percent of population: 41% (2022 est.)

.fm

no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half-dozen radio stations (2009)

Total subscriptions: 22,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2021 est.)

Total: 7,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 7,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2022 est.)

V6

Total: 388 km (2022)

Note - paved and unpaved circumferential roads, most interior roads are unpaved

7 (2024)

Total: 38 (2023)

By type: General cargo 17, oil tanker 4, other 17

no military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police (includes a maritime wing); the Department of Justice oversees the National Police; State police forces are responsible for law enforcement in their respective states and are under the jurisdiction of each state’s director of public safety (2024)

defense is the responsibility of the US; in 1982, the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the FSM 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; Micronesians can serve in the US armed forces

The FSM 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 the FSM's 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 (2024)

major consumer of cannabis

Name: "Patriots of Micronesia"

Lyrics/music: Unknown/August Daniel BINZER

Note: Adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes BRAHMS' "Festival Overture" and Gustav MAHLER's "Third Symphony"

Particulate matter emissions: 7.79 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 0.14 megatons (2016 est.)

Methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)

Total ports: 4 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 0

Small: 1

Very small: 3

Ports with oil terminals: 3

Key ports: Colonia, Lele Harbor, Moen, Pohnpei Harbor

0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

9.7% of GDP (2018 est.)