# Library

ABOUT REFERENCES APPENDICES FAQs CONTACT

Australia-Oceania :: Marshall Islands

- ## Introduction :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Background:
  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 on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. 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 (the others are on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha), Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US)) that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system.

- ## Geography :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Location:
  Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia
  Geographic coordinates:
  9 00 N, 168 00 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 181 sq km
  land: 181 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Area - comparative:
  about the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  370.4 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
  Terrain:
  low coral limestone and sand islands
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
  Natural resources:
  coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 50.7%
  arable land 7.8%; permanent crops 31.2%; permanent pasture 11.7%
  forest: 49.3%
  other: 0% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km (2011)
  Natural hazards:
  infrequent typhoons
  Environment - current issues:
  inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: 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: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  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 :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Nationality:
  noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Marshallese
  Ethnic groups:
  Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)
  Languages:
  Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)
  note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
  Religions:
  Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census)
  Population:
  72,191 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 36.02% (male 13,256/female 12,749)
  15-24 years: 17.4% (male 6,391/female 6,171)
  25-54 years: 37.25% (male 13,681/female 13,210)
  55-64 years: 5.73% (male 2,120/female 2,017)
  65 years and over: 3.6% (male 1,276/female 1,320) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 22.6 years
  male: 22.5 years
  female: 22.7 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.66% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Birth rate:
  25.6 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  Death rate:
  4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Net migration rate:
  -4.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 72.7% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  MAJURO (capital) 31,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 20.66 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 23.29 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 17.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 72.84 years
  male: 70.67 years
  female: 75.13 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Total fertility rate:
  3.15 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  44.6% (2007)
  Health expenditures:
  16.5% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Physicians density:
  0.44 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  2.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 93.5% of population
  rural: 97.6% of population
  total: 94.6% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 6.5% of population
  rural: 2.4% of population
  total: 5.4% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 84.5% of population
  rural: 56.2% of population
  total: 76.9% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 15.5% of population
  rural: 43.8% of population
  total: 23.1% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  42.3% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 9

- ## Government :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
  conventional short form: Marshall Islands
  local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
  local short form: Marshall Islands
  abbreviation: RMI
  former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District
  Government type:
  constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
  Capital:
  name: Majuro
  geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E
  time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namdrik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje
  Independence:
  21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
  National holiday:
  Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
  Constitution:
  effective 1 May 1979; amended several times, last in 1995 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands
  dual citizenship recognized: no
  residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Christopher J. LOEAK (since 17 January 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Christopher J. LOEAK (since 17 January 2012)
  cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker
  elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 3 January 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
  election results: Christopher J. LOEAK elected president; Parliament vote - Christopher J. LOEAK (AKA) 21, Jurelang ZEDKAIA (UDP) 11
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral legislature consists of the Council of Iroij (12 seats; consists of tribal chiefs chosen by holders of the chieftainship among the constituent islands) and the National Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Council of Iroij advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice)
  elections: last held on 21 November 2011 (next to be held by November 2015)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 33
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and other judges as prescribed by law)
  judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission and upon the approval of the Nitijela; judges appointed until retirement, normally at age 72
  subordinate courts: High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  NA
  International organization participation:
  ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Charles R. PAUL (since 6 September 2011)
  chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
  FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236
  consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Springdale (AK)
  consulate(s): Agana (Guam)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas H. ARMBRUSTER (since 16 August 2012)
  embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro
  mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
  telephone: [692] 247-4011
  FAX: [692] 247-4012
  Flag description:
  blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes; blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position just to the north
  National symbol(s):
  a 24-rayed star; national colors: blue, white, orange
  National anthem:
  name: "Forever Marshall Islands"
  lyrics/music: Amata KABUA
  note: adopted 1981

- ## Economy :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Economy - overview:
  US assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country. The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during 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, from 2004 to 2024. Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance. 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. Under the amended Compact, the US is also funding, jointly with the Marshall Islands, a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024 when direct Compact aid is to end.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $182 million (2014 est.)
  $181.1 million (2013 est.)
  $175.8 million (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 221
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $193 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  0.5% (2014 est.)
  3% (2013 est.)
  4.7% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $3,300 (2014 est.)
  $3,300 (2013 est.)
  $3,200 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 181
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 4.4%
  industry: 9.9%
  services: 85.7% (2013 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
  Industries:
  copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  10,670 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 11%
  industry: 16.3%
  services: 72.7% (2011 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  36% (2006 est.)
  30.9% (2000 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $116.7 million
  expenditures: $113.9 million (2013 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  60.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  1.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Public debt:
  51.3% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.1% (2014 est.)
  1.9% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Current account balance:
  -$34 million (2014 est.)
  -$26 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Exports:
  $53.7 million (2013 est.)
  $58.1 million (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Exports - commodities:
  copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish
  Imports:
  $133.7 million (2013 est.)
  $120.9 million (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 214
  Imports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages, tobacco
  Debt - external:
  $97.96 million (2013 est.)
  $87 million (2008 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Exchange rates:
  the US dollar is used

- ## Communications :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 2,400
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 15,500
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits
  domestic: 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
  international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2005)
  Broadcast media:
  no TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and television service to Kwajalein Atoll (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (additionally, the American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (Central Pacific Network) operates one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein Island) (2005)
  Television broadcast stations:
  2 (both are US military stations; Marshalls Broadcasting Service, a cable company, operates on Majuro) (2005)
  Internet country code:
  .mh
  Internet users:
  total: 1,700
  percent of population: 2.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210

- ## Transportation :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Airports:
  15 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 4
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 11
  914 to 1,523 m: 10
  under 914 m:
  1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 2,028 km
  paved: 75 km
  note: roads are mostly unimproved (2007)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Merchant marine:
  total: 1,593
  by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 524, cargo 65, carrier 1, chemical tanker 351, container 226, liquefied gas 88, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 297, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 10
  foreign-owned: 1,465 (Belgium 1, Bermuda 35, Brazil 1, Canada 8, China 14, Croatia 12, Cyprus 40, Denmark 7, Egypt 1, France 7, Germany 248, Greece 408, Hong Kong 3, India 10, Indonesia 1, Iraq 2, Ireland 6, Italy 1, Japan 59, Jersey 11, Kuwait 2, Latvia 19, Malaysia 11, Mexico 2, Monaco 30, Netherlands 21, Norway 75, Pakistan 1, Qatar 29, Romania 2, Russia 5, Singapore 30, Slovenia 6, South Korea 41, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 8, Turkey 70, UAE 12, UK 12, Ukraine 1, US 200) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro

- ## Military :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 16,446 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 13,568
  females age 16-49: 13,606 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 653
  female: 631 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the US

- ## Transnational Issues :: MARSHALL ISLANDS

- Disputes - international:
  claims US territory of Wake Island
  Trafficking in persons:
  current situation: 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 reportedly forced into prostitution in businesses frequented by crew members of fishing and transshipping vessels; some Chinese women are recruited to the Marshall Islands with promises of legitimate work and are subsequently forced into prostitution
  tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – The Marshall Islands do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; government officials publically acknowledged the existence of human trafficking and an investigation into women being forced into prostitution was initiated in 2013; the government has not provided evidence of implementing 2011 anti-trafficking legislation or providing training to law enforcement or judges on the law; no trafficking prosecutions have been reported since 2011; in 2013, no proactive efforts were made to identify victims among vulnerable groups, such as women in prostitution or foreign men in the fishing industry; several public awareness campaigns were conducted in 2013 (2014)

GO TOP