Country Profile: Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands, located in the North Pacific Ocean, consists of 29 atolls and five isolated islands, creating a unique geographical landscape. With a population of approximately 82,011 people, the nation has a rich cultural heritage largely shaped by its navigational history and early socio-political structures. The economy is characterized as upper middle-income, heavily reliant on U.S. aid, and primarily driven by the public sector, agriculture, and offshore banking. Governed as a mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the U.S., the Marshall Islands maintain a unique political status that influences its domestic and international policies.

Geography

The Marshall Islands spans 181 square kilometers across the North Pacific, comprising 29 atolls and numerous islets. The climate is tropical, hot, and humid, with a wet season from May to November, and the islands are prone to infrequent typhoons. The archipelago features low coral limestone and sand islands, with 52.2% of land allocated to forests and 38.9% used for agricultural purposes.

1,225 islands and islets total
370.4 km of coastline
Highest elevation at 14 meters on Airik Island
78.9% urban population as of 2023

People and Society

With an estimated population of 82,011 in 2024, the Marshallese people predominantly comprise 95.6% Marshallese ethnicity. English is widely spoken as a second language alongside Marshallese. The nation has an age structure that reflects a youthful society, with 30% of the population under the age of 15 and a median age of 25.5 years.

78.9% urban population in 2023
21.2 births/1,000 population in 2024
Life expectancy at birth is 75.2 years (2024 est.)
4.3 deaths/1,000 population in 2024

Economy

The Marshall Islands has an upper middle-income economy characterized by significant reliance on U.S. aid, with a GDP (PPP) of approximately $270.8 million in 2024. The economy focuses on agriculture, particularly coconut oil, and is becoming a hub for offshore banking. The public sector plays a crucial role, while fishing rights provide additional economic benefits.

2.8% GDP growth projected for 2024
19.5% of GDP from agriculture in 2023
70.5% GDP from services in 2023
7.2% of the population lives below the poverty line (2019)

Government

The Republic of the Marshall Islands operates under a mixed presidential-parliamentary system, with Hilda C. Heine serving as president since 2023. The nation gained independence in 1986 and has a unicameral legislature known as the Nitijela. The legal system incorporates U.S. and English common law, alongside customary law.

33 members in the Nitijela, all directly elected
Universal suffrage starting at age 18
Constitution effective since 1 May 1979
Next presidential election expected in 2027

Military and Security

The Marshall Islands does not maintain regular military forces; defense is the responsibility of the United States as part of a Compact of Free Association. This agreement allows for U.S. military access while providing the Marshall Islands with financial assistance. The local police department additionally possesses a Sea Patrol Division to protect its maritime interests.

No standing military; relies on U.S. defense
1982 compact agreement with the U.S.
Hosts a U.S. Army missile test site
Local maritime law enforcement cooperates with U.S. Coast Guard

Energy

The country has achieved 100% electricity access for its population as of 2022, focusing on improving its energy infrastructure. It has initiatives for renewable energy usage, including coconut oil production for diesel fuel.

100% electrification rate in rural areas
96.1% electrification in urban areas
Carbon dioxide emissions were 293,700 metric tonnes in 2017

Environment

The Marshall Islands faces significant environmental issues such as inadequate potable water supply, pollution in the Majuro lagoon, and challenges posed by climate change, particularly sea-level rise. The country is active in multiple international environmental agreements.

38.9% of land used for agriculture (2022)
Total renewable water resources estimated at 0 cubic meters (2017)
Acknowledged high vulnerability to climate-related phenomena

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure includes 33 airports and a merchant marine fleet of roughly 4,180 vessels, primarily focused on maritime trade and fishing. The key ports facilitate essential economic activity, linking the islands to broader markets.

3 operating ports (2024)
4,180 total vessels in the merchant marine (2023)

Communications

Telecommunications have been evolving, with roughly 66% of the population using the internet as of 2023. The nation has limited media broadcast capabilities, relying primarily on satellite and cable networks.

16,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2021)
2,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2014)
1,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	82,011 (2024 est.)
Area	181 sq km
GDP	$270.8 million (2024 est.)	PPP
Electricity access	100% (2022 est.)
Urban population	78.9% (2023)
Birth rate	21.2 births/1,000 (2024)
Life expectancy	75.2 years (2024 est.)
Dependency ratio	55.6 (2024 est.)	Total dependency ratio
Public debt	41.6% of GDP (2019 est.)
Total fertility rate	2.67 children/woman (2024)