Country Profile: Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth in political union with the United States, is located in the North Pacific Ocean and comprises 14 islands, with Saipan being the most populous. The region's economy heavily relies on tourism, particularly from China and Korea, while also engaging in garment production and agriculture. Governed under a republican system with separate branches, it maintains a unique cultural identity shaped by its indigenous Chamorro and the historical influences of colonial powers.

Geography

The Northern Mariana Islands are situated in Oceania, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines, characterized by both limestone and volcanic islands. The total area of the islands is 464 sq km, and their coastline stretches 1,482 km. The climate is tropical marine, experiencing minimal seasonal variation, with a dry season from December to June.

Highest point: Agrihan Volcano at 965 m.
Approximately 90% of the population resides on Saipan.
The islands are prone to natural hazards such as typhoons and volcanic activity.

People and Society

As of 2024, the Northern Mariana Islands has an estimated population of 51,118, with a demographic predominantly consisting of Asian (50%) and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (34.9%) ethnic groups. The official languages are Chamorro and English, with Roman Catholicism as the majority religion. The median age of the population is 32.4 years, and urbanization is high, with 92.1% living in urban areas.

Birth rate: 15.7 births/1,000 population (2024).
Life expectancy at birth is 77.1 years.
The total fertility rate stands at 2.56 children per woman.

Economy

The economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture, and garment production. Real GDP growth was 16.6% in 2022, recovering from significant downturns due to natural disasters. As of 2022, the GDP at official exchange rate is estimated at $1.096 billion.

Major exports include scrap iron and refined petroleum, totaling $244 million in 2022.
Imports reached $777 million in 2022.
Industries include tourism, banking, fishing, and construction.

Government

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands operates under a republican form of government with a separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches, under US sovereignty. The capital is Saipan. The CNMI is integrated into the US political framework, with US federal laws applying in most cases except for specific local customs.

The CNMI's constitution has been partially effective since 1978.
Citizens are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections.
The most recent gubernatorial election was held in 2022.

Military and Security

The military defense of the Northern Mariana Islands is the responsibility of the United States, ensuring the security of the islands under US oversight.

Energy

The Northern Mariana Islands boasts a 100% electrification rate as of 2022, reflecting reliable access to energy among its population.

Environment

Environmental issues in the Northern Mariana Islands include the contamination of groundwater in Saipan and the need for landfill clean-up. The land usage reflects a significant portion dedicated to forest, which covers 53% of the area, while agricultural land accounts for only 1.2%.

Transportation

The Northern Mariana Islands features 4 airports and 3 ports, accommodating various transportation needs. A critical port serves oil terminal functions, ensuring access for imports and exports.

Communications

The islands have 20,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions, and the percentage of internet users stands at 25.1% of the population as of 2021. The primary internet country code is .mp.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	51,118 (2024 est.)
Area	464 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$1.096 billion (2022 est.)	At official exchange rate
Energy Access	100% (2022 est.)	Full electrification rate
Birth Rate	15.7 births/1,000 population (2024)
Life Expectancy	77.1 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population	92.1% (2023)	Urbanization rate
Exports	$244 million (2022 est.)	Total exports
Imports	$777 million (2022 est.)	Total imports
Total Fertility Rate	2.56 children born/woman (2024 est.)