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Marshall Islands

Rank #219 by populationOceania

Officially Republic of the Marshall Islands

Population 2025
36,282
0.00% of world population
World Bank, 2025
Annual Growth
−3.43%
−1,244 people a year
World Bank, 2025
Density
216/km²
180 km² land area
World Bank, 2023
Median Age
20.4 years
Life expectancy 67.1 years
Our World in Data, 2025

About Marshall Islands

With a population of 36,282, the Marshall Islands ranks 217th globally and encompasses 180 km² across Oceania. The nation gained independence in 1986 and uses the United States dollar as its currency. English and Marshallese are spoken throughout the islands.

A young median age of 20.4 years indicates a workforce still in its growth phase, though the population is declining at 3.4% annually. Life expectancy stands at 67.1 years, and the fertility rate is 2.9 births per woman. Nearly 80% of residents live in urban areas, with a population density of 216 people per km².

GDP per capita is $8,489, reflecting the nation's limited economic scale. The capital, Majuro, serves as the administrative center of this island nation.

This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.

Country Facts

Capital
Majuro
Continent
Oceania
ISO codes
MH · MHL
Demonym
Marshallese
Currency
United States dollar (USD $)
State inception
1986
Time zone
UTC+12:00
Driving side
Right
Calling code
+692
Internet TLD
.mh
Land neighbours
No land borders

Languages

  • English
  • Marshallese

Demographics

Urban Population74th of 240
79.1%
World Bank, 2025
Fertility Rate61st of 240
2.86 births per woman
World Bank, 2024
Birth Rate73rd of 213
20.1 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024
Death Rate108th of 213
7.1 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024

Economy

GDP per Capita132nd of 240
$8,489
World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth135th of 210
+2.3%
World Bank, 2025
Poverty Rate149th of 164
7.2%
World Bank, 2019
Gini Index83rd of 170
35.5
World Bank, 2019

Not published for Marshall Islands: Unemployment Rate, Inflation Rate.

Health

Infant Mortality63rd of 194
22.7 per 1,000 live births
World Bank, 2024
Health Spending5th of 192
13.4% of GDP
World Bank, 2023
Physicians153rd of 206
0.47 per 1,000
World Bank, 2012
Hospital Beds80th of 199
2.80 per 1,000
World Bank, 2010
Maternal Mortality47th of 193
155 per 100,000 live births
World Bank, 2023
Obesity Rate20th of 198
41.2%
Our World in Data, 2024

Education

Literacy Rate79th of 175
95.8%
World Bank, 2021
Education Spending10th of 202
7.7% of GDP
World Bank, 2022
School Enrollment128th of 207
85.8% gross, secondary
World Bank, 2024

Not published for Marshall Islands: Mean Years of Schooling.

Environment

Renewable Energy131st of 211
12.2% of final consumption
World Bank, 2022
Forest Coverage46th of 211
52.2% of land area
World Bank, 2023
Protected Areas114th of 211
16.1% of land area
World Bank, 2025
CO₂ Emissions83rd of 212
4.11 tonnes per capita
Our World in Data, 2024

Infrastructure

Internet Penetration141st of 211
65.9%
World Bank, 2024
Mobile Subscriptions205th of 212
39.7 per 100 people
World Bank, 2022

Quality of Life

Human Development Index107th of 192
0.733
Our World in Data, 2023

Not published for Marshall Islands: Happiness Index.

Geography

Land Area218th of 240
180 km²
World Bank, 2023

Military

None of our sources publish these indicators for Marshall Islands.

Age & Gender Distribution

Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.

Male Female
100+95-9990-9485-8980-8475-7970-7465-6960-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2920-2415-1910-145-90-42.5K2.5KAge
Age 0–14
34.5%
Age 15–64
60.9%
Age 65+
4.6%
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant.
Marshall Islands population pyramid
Age bandMaleFemale
100+00
95-9901
90-9438
85-89922
80-843648
75-79126125
70-74274266
65-69418409
60-64573565
55-59779739
50-54926899
45-491,0751,052
40-441,2181,235
35-391,1451,172
30-34810859
25-29987929
20-241,7181,496
15-192,4742,212
10-142,4012,247
5-92,1812,084
0-42,0871,946

Population History & Projection (1950–2100)

Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.

010K20K30K40K50K1950197520002025205020752100projected →
Marshall Islands's population was 13K in 1950 and is projected at 24K by 2100. Peak of 52K in 2010. Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 (estimates to 2024, medium variant thereafter).
Marshall Islands population, 1950 to 2100
YearPopulation
195012,996
196014,703
197022,530
198030,774
199044,629
200050,706
201052,044
202042,706
203031,186
204026,597
205025,195
206024,309
207024,327
208024,715
209024,582
210023,805

How Marshall Islands Compares

Population against the ten most populous countries.

Sources as cited on each country page.
Marshall Islands compared with the ten largest countries by population
NamePopulation
India1.46B
China1.41B
United States341.8M
Indonesia285.7M
Pakistan255.2M
Nigeria237.5M
Brazil212.8M
Bangladesh175.7M
Russia143.5M
Ethiopia135.5M
Marshall Islands36K

Marshall Islands Population FAQ

What is the population of Marshall Islands in 2026?

Marshall Islands has a population of 36,282 people (2025 estimate), which is 219th in the world and about 0.00% of the global total.

Is the population of Marshall Islands growing or shrinking?

Marshall Islands's population is shrinking at −3.43% per year, a change of roughly 1,244 people annually.

What is the capital of Marshall Islands?

The capital of Marshall Islands is Majuro.

How densely populated is Marshall Islands?

Marshall Islands has 216/km² across 180 km² of land area.

What is life expectancy in Marshall Islands?

Life expectancy at birth in Marshall Islands is 67.1 years (2024).

What is the median age in Marshall Islands?

The median age in Marshall Islands is 20.4 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.

Which continent is Marshall Islands in?

Marshall Islands is in Oceania.

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