{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing conducted on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962 (67 tests total). The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network. Kwajalein also hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha), and at Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory))." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "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" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "9 00 N, 168 00 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Oceania" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "181 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "181 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "0 sq km" }, "note": "
note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "about the size of Washington, DC" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "0 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "370.4 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "contiguous zone": { "text": "24 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt" }, "Terrain": { "text": "low coral limestone and sand islands" }, "Elevation": { "mean elevation": { "text": "2 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Pacific Ocean 0 m" }, "highest point": { "text": "East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "50.7% (2011 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 7.8% (2011 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 31.2% (2011 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 11.7% (2011 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "49.3% (2011 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "0% (2011 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "0 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "most people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "infrequent typhoons" }, "Environment - current issues": { "text": "inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels; sea level rise" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "none of the selected agreements" } }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; 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" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "78,831 (July 2021 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Marshallese (singular and plural)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Marshallese" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)" }, "Languages": { "text": "Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)", "note": "note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
" }, "Religions": { "text": "Protestant 80.5% (United Church of Christ 47%, Assembly of God 16.2%, Bukot Nan Jesus 5.4%, Full Gospel 3.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 3%, Salvation Army 1.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, Meram in Jesus 1.2%, other Protestant 1.1%), Roman Catholic 8.5%, Mormon 7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 1.2%, none 1.1% (2011 est.)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "32.94% (male 13,090/female 12,575)" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "19.09% (male 7,568/female 7,308)" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "37.35% (male 14,834/female 14,270)" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "5.92% (male 2,269/female 2,341)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "4.7% (male 1,805/female 1,857) (2020 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "23.8 years" }, "male": { "text": "23.6 years" }, "female": { "text": "23.9 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "1.37% (2021 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "22.42 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "4.25 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "-4.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "most people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "77.8% of total population (2020)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "0.61% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.04 male(s)/female" }, "15-24 years": { "text": "1.04 male(s)/female" }, "25-54 years": { "text": "1.04 male(s)/female" }, "55-64 years": { "text": "0.97 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.97 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1.03 male(s)/female (2020 est.)" } }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "22.2 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "25.83 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "74.38 years" }, "male": { "text": "72.12 years" }, "female": { "text": "76.76 years (2021 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "2.81 children born/woman (2021 est.)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 99.8% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 99.7% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 99.8% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0.2% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0.3% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0.2% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "Current Health Expenditure": { "text": "16.4% (2017)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2012)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "2.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 96.3% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 65.4% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 89.1% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 15.5% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 34.6% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 10.9% of population (2017 est.)" } }, "HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "NA" }, "HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS": { "text": "NA" }, "HIV/AIDS - deaths": { "text": "NA" }, "Major infectious diseases": { "degree of risk": { "text": "high (2020)" }, "food or waterborne diseases": { "text": "bacterial diarrhea" }, "vectorborne diseases": { "text": "malaria" } }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "52.9% (2016)" }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "11.9% (2017)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "NA" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "98.3%" }, "male": { "text": "98.3%" }, "female": { "text": "98.2% (2011)" } }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "10 years" }, "male": { "text": "10 years" }, "female": { "text": "10 years (2019)" } }, "Unemployment, youth ages 15-24": { "total": { "text": "11%" }, "male": { "text": "12.2%" }, "female": { "text": "8.7% (2010 est.)" } } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Republic of the Marshall Islands" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Marshall Islands" }, "local long form": { "text": "Republic of the Marshall Islands" }, "local short form": { "text": "Marshall Islands" }, "former": { "text": "Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District" }, "abbreviation": { "text": "RMI" }, "etymology": { "text": "named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788" } }, "Government type": { "text": "mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Majuro; 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" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "7 06 N, 171 23 E" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "note": "note: adopted 1981
" } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "US assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. Tourism holds some potential. The islands and atolls have few natural resources, and imports exceed exports.
The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during the period 1986-2001 under the original Compact of Free Association (Compact). In 2002 and 2003, the US and the Marshall Islands renegotiated the Compact's financial package for a 20-year period, 2004 to 2024. Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance. Under the amended Compact, the US and Marshall Islands are also jointly funding a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024, when direct Compact aid ends.
" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2017": { "text": "2.5% (2017 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2016": { "text": "3.6% (2016 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2015": { "text": "2% (2015 est.)" } }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017": { "text": "0% (2017 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016": { "text": "-1.5% (2016 est.)" } }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018": { "text": "$227 million (2018 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017": { "text": "$219 million (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars
" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$222 million (2017 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2018": { "text": "$3,889 (2018 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2017": { "text": "$3,776 (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars
" }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "4.4% (2013 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "9.9% (2013 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "85.7% (2013 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "government consumption": { "text": "50% (2016 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "17.8% (2016 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "0.2% (2016 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "52.9% (2016 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-102.3% (2016 est.)" } }, "Ease of Doing Business Index scores": { "Overall Ease of Doing Business score 2020": { "text": "88.4 (2020)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "coconuts" }, "Industries": { "text": "copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "NA" }, "Labor force": { "text": "10,670 (2013 est.)" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "11%" }, "industry": { "text": "16.3%" }, "services": { "text": "72.7% (2011 est.)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2006": { "text": "36% (2006 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2000": { "text": "30.9% (2000 est.)" } }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "NA" }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "NA" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "NA" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "116.7 million (2013 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "113.9 million (2013 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "52.6% (of GDP) (2013 est.)" }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "1.3% (of GDP) (2013 est.)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2017": { "text": "25.5% of GDP (2017 est.)" }, "Public debt 2016": { "text": "30% of GDP (2016 est.)" } }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "1 October - 30 September" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2017": { "text": "-$1 million (2017 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2016": { "text": "$15 million (2016 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2013": { "text": "$0 (2013 est.)" } }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2016": { "text": "$103.8 million (2016 est.)" }, "Imports 2013": { "text": "$133.7 million (2013 est.)" } }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages, tobacco" }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 2013": { "text": "$97.96 million (2013 est.)" }, "Debt - external 2008": { "text": "$87 million (2008 est.)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "text": "the US dollar is used
" } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "96.3% (2018)" }, "electrification - urban areas": { "text": "95.7% (2018)" }, "electrification - rural areas": { "text": "98.4% (2018)" } }, "Electricity - production": { "text": "650 million kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - consumption": { "text": "604.5 million kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - exports": { "text": "0 kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - imports": { "text": "0 kWh (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - installed generating capacity": { "text": "52,000 kW (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from fossil fuels": { "text": "81% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)" }, "Electricity - from nuclear fuels": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Electricity - from hydroelectric plants": { "text": "19% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Electricity - from other renewable sources": { "text": "0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)" }, "Crude oil - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2017 est.)" }, "Crude oil - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Crude oil - imports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Crude oil - proved reserves": { "text": "0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - production": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - consumption": { "text": "2,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - exports": { "text": "0 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Refined petroleum products - imports": { "text": "2,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)" }, "Natural gas - production": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - consumption": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - exports": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Natural gas - imports": { "text": "0 cu m (2017 est.)" }, "Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy": { "text": "293,700 Mt (2017 est.)" } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "3,172" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "4.13 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "21,169" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "27.56 (2019 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "some telecom infrastructure improvements made in recent years; modern services include fiber optic cable service, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits; the US Government, World Bank, UN and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), have aided in improvements and monetary aid to the islands telecom; mobile penetrations is around 30%; radio communication is especially vital to remote islands (2018)" }, "domestic": { "text": "Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones; fixed-line 4 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is 28 per 100 persons (2019)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein" }, "note": "claims US territory of Wake Island
" }, "Trafficking in persons": { "current situation": { "text": "The Marshall Islands is a source and destination country for Marshallese women and girls and women from East Asia subjected to sex trafficking; Marshallese and foreign women are forced into prostitution in businesses frequented by crew members of fishing and transshipping vessels that dock in Majuro; some Chinese women are recruited to the Marshall Islands with promises of legitimate work and are subsequently forced into prostitution" }, "tier rating": { "text": "Tier 3 – The Marshall Islands do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government made no anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, including developing a written plan to combat trafficking; no new trafficking investigations were opened in 2014, and no prosecutions or convictions were made for the fourth consecutive year; no efforts were made to identify trafficking victims, especially among women in prostitution or men working on foreign fishing vessels in Marshallese waters, and no attempt was made to ensure their access to protective services; limited awareness-raising events were conducted by an international organization (2015)" } } } }