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🇲🇭 Marshall Islands
With 36,282 inhabitants (2025), Marshall Islands ranks 208 out of 213 in the population ranking (Oceania). GDP per capita – Marshall Islands: $8,489 /inh. (2025), ranking 110 out of 211. Economic growth is 2.3 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Marshall Islands, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Women's legal equality: marriage (1/186), Women's legal equality: mobility (1/186), Women's legal equality: pay and occupations (1/186).
Weaknesses – Marshall Islands, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Diabetes prevalence (206/207), Population living less than 5 m above sea level (210/212), Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy (181/186).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Marshall Islands has $8,489 /inh., close to the regional median (Oceania: $8,489 /inh.).
- GDP growth: Marshall Islands has 2.3 %, below the regional median (Oceania: 2.8 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇰🇮Kiribati184 indicators compared52/100
- 2🇹🇻Tuvalu140 indicators compared50/100
- 3🇫🇲Micronesia174 indicators compared49/100
- 4🇦🇸American Samoa73 indicators compared49/100
- 5🇳🇷Nauru138 indicators compared47/100
- 6🇬🇺Guam69 indicators compared42/100
- 7🇼🇸Samoa184 indicators compared37/100
- 8🇵🇼Palau175 indicators compared37/100
- 9🇹🇴Tonga183 indicators compared33/100
- 10🇻🇺Vanuatu184 indicators compared32/100
- 11🇲🇵Northern Mariana Islands59 indicators compared30/100
- 12🇹🇱Timor-Leste184 indicators compared29/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita growth | 5.9 % | 2025 | 19 of 211 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $9,710 /inh. | 2025 | 97 of 205 |
| GDP per capita | $8,489 /inh. | 2025 | 110 of 211 |
| GDP growth | 2.3 % | 2025 | 137 of 211 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $8,964 /inh. | 2025 | 146 of 201 |
| Natural resource rents | 0 % | 2021 | 189 of 211 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $325.2M | 2025 | 199 of 201 |
| GDP | $308M | 2025 | 209 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 2
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 5.7 % | 2025 | 158 of 210 |
| Official exchange rate | 1 LCU/$ | 2025 | 160 of 211 |
Foreign Trade 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current account balance | 21.9 % | 2024 | 5 of 198 |
| Imports of goods and services | 79.9 % | 2025 | 23 of 192 |
| Trade openness | 115.9 % | 2025 | 48 of 192 |
| Exports of goods and services | 36 % | 2025 | 98 of 192 |
| Merchandise exports | $72M | 2025 | 187 of 205 |
| Services exports | $19.4M | 2024 | 191 of 198 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official development aid received | 39.8 % | 2023 | 2 of 160 |
| Migrant remittances received | 23.5 % | 2024 | 10 of 196 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows | 1 % | 2025 | 139 of 201 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $3.2M | 2025 | 181 of 203 |
| International tourism receipts | $20.1M | 2018 | 186 of 201 |
| International tourist arrivals | 6,100 arr. | 2019 | 199 of 202 |
Public finances 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government final consumption | 54.5 % | 2024 | 4 of 187 |
| Central government spending | 59.4 % | 2020 | 4 of 160 |
| Budget balance | 5 % | 2020 | 9 of 158 |
| Central government debt | 41.6 % | 2019 | 42 of 109 |
| Tax revenue | 17.2 % | 2020 | 78 of 161 |
| Share of income taxes in government revenue | 9.7 % | 2020 | 137 of 159 |
Economic structure 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross savings | 38.1 % | 2024 | 16 of 178 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 19.9 % | 2024 | 41 of 203 |
| Services | 68.2 % | 2024 | 41 of 202 |
| Household final consumption | 69.5 % | 2024 | 65 of 189 |
| Gross capital formation | 21.1 % | 2024 | 118 of 185 |
| Industry (including construction) | 13.4 % | 2024 | 170 of 205 |
| Manufacturing | 3.2 % | 2024 | 175 of 201 |
Population & Vital Statistics 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 107 per 100 girls | 2024 | 22 of 213 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 104.7 per 100 women | 2025 | 24 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 51.2 % | 2025 | 24 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 33.9 % | 2025 | 53 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 63.3 per 100 | 2025 | 58 of 213 |
| Urban population | 79.1 % | 2025 | 62 of 213 |
| Births registered with civil authorities | 83.8 % | 2017 | 130 of 178 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 4.9 % | 2025 | 148 of 213 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 61.2 % | 2025 | 156 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 20.7 yrs | 2023 | 181 of 226 |
| Share of women in the population | 48.8 % | 2025 | 190 of 213 |
| Population | 36,282 inhab. | 2025 | 208 of 213 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road traffic deaths | 5.7 per 100,000 | 2013 | 33 of 188 |
| Children per woman | 2.86 children/woman | 2024 | 57 of 213 |
| Birth rate | 20.1 per 1,000 | 2024 | 71 of 213 |
| Death rate | 7.1 per 1,000 | 2024 | 109 of 213 |
| Infant mortality | 22.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 133 of 194 |
| Under-5 mortality | 26.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 135 of 194 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 65 yrs | 2024 | 168 of 213 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 67.1 yrs | 2024 | 175 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 69.5 yrs | 2024 | 177 of 213 |
| Population growth | -3.43 % | 2025 | 212 of 213 |
Health and healthcare system 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 1.1 % | 2023 | 3 of 191 |
| Health expenditure | 13.4 % | 2023 | 5 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 2.8 per 1,000 | 2010 | 74 of 190 |
| Nurses and midwives | 4.31 per 1,000 | 2018 | 86 of 196 |
| Measles vaccination | 88 % | 2024 | 111 of 191 |
| Physicians | 0.47 per 1,000 | 2012 | 142 of 193 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 79 % | 2024 | 149 of 211 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 87.4 % | 2024 | 160 of 211 |
| Open defecation | 6.8 % | 2024 | 174 of 211 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 411 per 100,000 | 2024 | 196 of 206 |
Body and lifestyle 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean body mass index of men | 28.8 kg/m² | 2016 | 11 of 190 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 30.4 kg/m² | 2016 | 12 of 190 |
| Tobacco use among women | 8.5 % | 2024 | 95 of 165 |
| Tobacco use | 29.9 % | 2024 | 138 of 165 |
| Tobacco use among men | 51.3 % | 2024 | 156 of 165 |
| Obesity among adult men | 32.1 % | 2024 | 167 of 196 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 0.7 L/person | 2024 | 170 of 202 |
| Adult obesity | 42 % | 2024 | 180 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult women | 51.9 % | 2024 | 183 of 196 |
| Average height of women | 151.3 cm | 2014 | 191 of 198 |
| Average height of men | 162.8 cm | 2014 | 191 of 198 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 25.7 % | 2024 | 206 of 207 |
Origins, languages and religions 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of immigrants in the population | 8.8 % | 2024 | 87 of 212 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.52 | 2003 | 88 of 204 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.07 | 2003 | 160 of 203 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.06 | 2003 | 176 of 205 |
Inequality 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income share of the poorest 20% | 7.2 % | 2019 | 78 of 169 |
| Extreme poverty | 2.1 % | 2019 | 78 of 169 |
| Income share of the richest 10% | 27.5 % | 2019 | 85 of 169 |
| Gini index | 35.5 | 2019 | 87 of 169 |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density | 207.4 inh./km² | 2024 | 62 of 212 |
| Length of coastline | 370 km | 2026 | 119 of 227 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 0 countries | 2026 | 155 of 223 |
| Latitude of the country's center | 7.1 ° | 2026 | 161 of 232 |
| Length of land borders | 0 km | 2026 | 162 of 230 |
| Land area | 181 km² | 2024 | 201 of 212 |
| Total area | 181 km² | 2024 | 202 of 212 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest point | 0 m | 2026 | 39 of 228 |
| Average elevation | 2 m | 2026 | 163 of 166 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 68 % | 2015 | 210 of 212 |
| Highest point | 14 m | 2026 | 226 of 229 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest cover | 53.6 % | 2024 | 46 of 210 |
| Agricultural land | 40.2 % | 2024 | 93 of 207 |
| Protected land areas | 16.1 % | 2025 | 114 of 210 |
| Arable land | 2.8 % | 2024 | 157 of 204 |
Democracy & Elections 1
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
Governance & Rule of Law 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | 1.52 | 2025 | 3 of 205 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | 0.95 | 2025 | 40 of 205 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | 0.92 | 2025 | 44 of 203 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | 0.35 | 2025 | 75 of 205 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | -0.35 | 2025 | 135 of 203 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | -0.73 | 2025 | 156 of 203 |
Women's rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women subjected to partner violence (past 12 months) | 20.1 % | 2014 | 75 of 106 |
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,950 | 2025 | 117 of 189 |
| Share of women in parliament | 12.1 % | 2025 | 162 of 192 |
| Share of women among ministers | 0 % | 2025 | 184 of 192 |
| Paid maternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 6 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 65 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Rights not equal | 2025 | 40 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Written into law | 2025 | 98 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Rights not equal | 2025 | 21 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | Discrimination prohibited by law | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | One to three areas covered | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | Comprehensive law | 2025 | 93 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | No mandatory quota | 2025 | 147 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 50 /100 | 2025 | 53 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 31.3 /100 | 2025 | 84 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 66.8 /100 | 2025 | 89 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 66.8 /100 | 2025 | 106 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 51.5 /100 | 2025 | 145 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 0 /100 | 2025 | 147 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 0 /100 | 2025 | 180 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 0 /100 | 2025 | 181 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | 5.7 pts | 2025 | 65 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | Same as for different-sex couples | 2025 | 120 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | No legal provision | 2025 | 45 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | Sexual orientation and gender identity protected | 2025 | 52 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | Sexual orientation and gender identity protected | 2025 | 44 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Legal | 2025 | 130 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 4.2 per 100,000 | 1994 | 114 of 192 |
| United Nations Convention against Torture | State party | 2026 | 171 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Prohibited for civilians | 2026 | 60 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | State party | 2026 | 117 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Abolished for all crimes | 2026 | 112 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (medical use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 126 countries out of 180 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 144 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unmet need for contraception | 8.1 % | 2007 | 18 of 150 |
| Use of modern contraceptives | 42.4 % | 2007 | 100 of 181 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 92.4 % | 2017 | 143 of 204 |
| Maternal mortality | 155 per 100,000 | 2023 | 145 of 192 |
| Adolescent birth rate | 71.3 per 1,000 | 2024 | 178 of 213 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed only to save the woman's life | 2026 | 35 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal monthly minimum wage | $624 | 2024 | 49 of 168 |
| Statutory monthly minimum wage in purchasing power parity | $655 | 2021 | 80 of 168 |
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 1.6 /10 | 2024 | 91 of 186 |
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 25.2 % | 2019 | 146 of 210 |
Family & Nationality 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of civil majority | 18 yrs | 2026 | 21 of 187 |
| Years of residence required for naturalization | 5 yrs | 2026 | 66 of 152 |
| Women married before age 18 | 26.3 % | 2007 | 100 of 144 |
| Dual nationality | Not recognised | 2026 | 98 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Same right as men | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Same right as men | 2025 | 142 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | At least one condition is missing | 2025 | 141 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Not acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 154 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Not recognized (prohibited) | 2026 | 107 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 13 yrs | 2025 | 17 of 194 |
| Age of entry into primary school | 6 yrs | 2025 | 33 of 207 |
| Compulsory voting | Voluntary voting | 2026 | 199 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Marshall Islands?
Marshall Islands has about 36,282 inhabitants (2025), ranking 208 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Marshall Islands?
GDP per capita is $8,489 /inh. (2025): Marshall Islands ranks 110 out of 211 countries.
Where does Marshall Islands stand in its region (Oceania)?
GDP per capita: Marshall Islands has $8,489 /inh., close to the regional median (Oceania: $8,489 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Marshall Islands come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.