National Identity
- Official name
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Official name (in Marshallese)
- Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ
- Name etymology
named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788
Sources:- Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands ↗ - Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
- The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- National seal
- National flag
As published by the Nitijela of the Marshall Islands The official flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall be blue with two (2) contiguous trapezoidal bars extending from the lower left of the flag, diagonally across to the upper right of the flag. The top bar shall be orange, and the bottom bar shall be white. The union of the flag, in the upper left of the flag, shall be a white star of twenty-four (24) points; the two (2) points which are parallel to the fly shall be longer than the remaining twenty (20) points.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States of America The deep blue background represents the Pacific Ocean. The white and orange bands represent the Ratak (Sunrise) and Ralik (Sunset) chains, respectively. The customary symbolism of orange as the color of bravery and white as the color of peace are also recognized. The star represents the cross of Christianity, with each of the 24 points signifying a municipal district of the RMI. The four main points represent the major centers of Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit and Wotje.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Nitijela of the Marshall Islands AN ACT to specify and declare an official flag for the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Commencement:
June 12, 1979
As published in EnglishSources:- rmiparliament.org ↗ - the Nitijela of the Marshall Islands
- rmiembassyus.org ↗ - the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States of America
- National anthem
- Forever Marshall Islands2:18
- Title (in English)
- Forever Marshall Islands
- Lyrics
Aelon eo ao ion lometo; Einwot wut ko loti ion dren elae; Kin meram in Mekar jen ijoilan; Erreo an romak ioir kin meramin mour; Iltan pein Anij eweleosim woj; Kejolit kij kin ijin jikir emol; Ijjamin Ilok jen in aolemo ran; Anij an ro jemem wonakke im kej rammon Aelin kein am.
Source: - Citizens
- Marshallese
- Official name:Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands ↗ - Nitijela of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- National flag:rmiparliament.org ↗ - the Nitijela of the Marshall Islands
- National flag:rmiembassyus.org ↗ - the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United States of America
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- 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
- Total area
- 181 km²
- Land area
- 181 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 370.4 km
- Terrain
Low coral limestone and sand islands - Mean elevation
- 2 m
- Highest point
- 14 mEast-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll
- Lowest point
- 0 mPacific Ocean
- Climate
Tropical hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt - Avg. temperature
- 27 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 26.2 to 27.7 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 2,666 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 27.4 26.8 26.2 151 February 27.2 26.7 26 126 March 27.4 26.8 26.1 155 April 27.6 26.9 26.2 189 May 27.8 27.1 26.4 219 June 27.9 27.2 26.3 233 July 27.9 27.1 26.1 271 August 27.9 27.1 26.1 276 September 28 27.2 26.2 270 October 28 27.1 26.2 295 November 27.9 27.1 26.2 272 December 27.7 27.1 26.3 210 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable2.8%Perm. crops36.1%Forest53.9%Other7.2%
- Arable land
- 500 hectares (2.8%)
- Permanent crops
- 6,500 hectares (36.1%)
- Forest
- 9,710 hectares (53.9%)
- Other land
- 1,290 hectares (7.2%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Coastal floods8.5Very high#8/191Tsunamis6.7Very high#29/191Drought6.2High#25/191Epidemics3.2Low#150/191Tropical cyclones1.8Very low#48/191Earthquakes0.1Very low#127/191River floods0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Mean elevation, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- −3.33% per year−1,207 people/yearWorld Rank236thof 237
- Birth rate
- 19.5 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 7.5 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −44.9 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 20.5 yearsWorld Rank194thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years33.2%15-64 years61.6%65 years +5.1%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 5.1%
- Share aged under 18
- 41.3%
- Total dependency ratio
- 62
- Youth dependency ratio
- 54
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 8
- Sex ratio
- 1.04 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 0.2% 0.2% 70-79 1.2% 1.2% 60-69 2.9% 2.9% 50-59 4.8% 4.7% 40-49 6.1% 6.3% 30-39 4.0% 4.3% 20-29 7.8% 6.9% 10-19 13.2% 12.2% 0-9 10.9% 10.3% - 2026
- 0.57 above the replacement level for the Marshall Islands ()2.77 births per womanreplacement 2.20123World Rank60thof 237
- 1.27 daughters per woman0.27 above replacement, long-run each generation larger than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +12.0 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 12.0 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- −44.9 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 79.5% live in cities27,877 urban residents
- Largest places2021
- Ebeye, Delap, Djarrit, RairokRankPlacePopulation (2021 census)1Ebeye8,4162Delap6,3213Djarrit5,8094Rairok4,6535Uliga2,0196Laura1,5477Ajeltake1,1408Jabor7989Woja76510Wotje723Source:
- Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office, Marshall Islands (2021 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- 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.
- Ethnic groups2021
- Marshallese95.6%Filipino1.1%Other3.3%
- Religions2021
- Protestant79.3%Roman Catholic9.3%Church of Jesus Christ5.7%Jehovah's Witness1.3%Other3.3%None1.1%
- Protestant
- 79.3%
- United Church of Christ
- 47.9%
- Assembly of God
- 14.1%
- Full Gospel
- 5.0%
- Bukot Nan Jesus
- 3.0%
- Salvation Army
- 2.3%
- Reformed Congressional Church
- 2.2%
- Seventh Day Adventist
- 1.7%
- New Beginning Church
- 1.4%
- Other Protestant
- 1.6%
Source:- The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Languages
- Marshallese (Kajin Majeļ), English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office, Marshall Islands (2021 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicThe President is Head of State, elected from among its members by a majority of the total membership of the Nitijela (parliament); the Constitution uses the name "Republic of the Marshall Islands" without declaring a form (Preamble; Art. V, ss. 2, 3).Source:
- Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands ↗, Preamble; Art. V, ss. 2, 3
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe President forms a Cabinet of Nitijela members that holds executive authority, is collectively responsible to the Nitijela and can be removed by no-confidence; early dissolution is allowed only on deadlock grounds (Art. IV, s. 13; Art. V, ss. 1, 4, 7).Source:
- Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands ↗, Art. IV, s. 13; Art. V, ss. 1, 4, 7
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Majuro23,156 people(2021)
- National holidays
- 11 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- SunMar 1Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day
- MonMar 2Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day Holiday
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- FriMay 1Constitution Day
- FriJul 3Fisherman's Day
- FriSep 4Dri-jerbal Day
- FriSep 25Manit Day
- TueNov 17President's Day
- FriDec 4Gospel Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- MHTMarshall Islands TimeUTC+12
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +692
- Internet TLD
- .mh
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- MH, MHL
- Infrastructure
- Passengers carried
- 29,502 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Aircraft departures
- 1,693 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Air freight
- 0.4 million tonne-km(2023)
- Aircraft registration prefix
- V7
Sources:- The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands ↗ - Nitijela (Parliament of the Republic of the Marshall Islands)
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- Upper middle income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +3% per yearWorld Rank96thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $9,085 (97th in the world)
Source:- 2024
- Services68.2% of GDPIndustry13.4% of GDPAgriculture19.9% of GDPManufacturing3.2%part of industry
- Households
- +69.5%
- Government
- +54.5%
- Investment
- +21.1%
- Exports
- +37.2%
- Imports
- −81.1%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 8.6%up 4.6 percentage points4.6pp from 2025
- Budget balance2026
- 6.1% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 10.7% of GDP, $36 million surplus
Source: - Debt2024
- Government debt16.7% of GDPInterest on debt0.2% of GDP
- Trade2024
- Goods$101.3 million82.7%
- Services$21.1 million17.3%
- Total exports
- $122.5 million
- Change from 2023
- up 21.4 percent on the previous year21.4%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Coconuts (in shell)
- 1Coconuts (in shell)173.6×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Average gross salary2019
- $798 per month$804 (PPP)
- Median
- $600 per month
- Men
- $766 per month
- Women
- $872 per month
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- $624 per month, gross
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.733HighWorld Rank108thof 193Marshall IslandsWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Marshall Islands World 2011 0.666 0.713 2012 0.668 0.717 2013 0.676 0.721 2014 0.681 0.726 2015 0.691 0.731 2016 0.696 0.735 2017 0.702 0.739 2018 0.710 0.741 2019 0.722 0.745 2020 0.722 0.742 2021 0.723 0.742 2022 0.732 0.752 2023 0.733 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- 2019
- 35.5
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 11.6 years
- Expected for a child today
- 16.4 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Literacy2021
- 95.8% of adults
- Education expenditure2022
- 7.7% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 11.3%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2022
- 64.3% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 64.3%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2022
- 15,913
- Fixed telephone lines
- 1,947
- Fixed broadband
- 2.4 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists2021latest available
- 35 arrivalsdown 99% against 201999% below 2019Official tourism site
- Per resident
- 0.1 arrivals per 100 residents
- Same-day visitors
- 800 arrivals(2020, latest available)
- $583,400
- Spending per arrival
- $16,669
- 1.8% tourism direct GDP
- $21.5 million
- Hotel beds
- 383(2016, latest available)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2021A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 1 site1 cultural
Site Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site Source:- The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Income inequality (Gini), Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Literacy:UIS Data Browser ↗ - UNESCO Institute for Statistics
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Prison population2014
- 70.3 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 35
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 67.3 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 13.4% of GDP$894 per person
- Physicians2012
- 0.47 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2010latest available
- 2.8 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 21.0 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 155 per 100,000 live births
- Tobacco use2023
- 29.9% of adults
- Men
- 51.3%
- Women
- 8.5%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Road traffic deaths2013
- 5.7 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Tobacco use:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- 2024
- 0.7 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted233rdof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- inadequate potable water
- pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
- sea-level rise
- International agreements
- 18 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 64 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1994 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1993 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1993 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1993 CITES not a party Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2003 Nagoya Protocol in force 2015 Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in force 2004 World Heritage Convention in force 2002 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1998 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 2003 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) in force 2004 Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2004 Minamata Convention on Mercury in force 2019 Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1994 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) in force 2026 MARPOL 73/78 in force 1988 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Marshall Islands - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- Obesity2024
- 42% of adults
- Men
- 32.1%
- Women
- 51.9%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children2017
- 11.9% of children under five
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Energy
Defense
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
