Marshall Islands/Society

Society in Marshall Islands

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
38.8K(2023)
Population Growth
-3.2%(2023)
Fertility Rate
2.92(2023)
Death Rate
7.0 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-1.8K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
66.9 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
28.2 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
155 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
11.7%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
98%(2011)
Primary Enrollment
73.2%(2016)
Secondary Enrollment
116.1%(2022)
Tertiary Enrollment
53.5(2022)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
7.5%(2022)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
65.7%(2023)
Access to Electricity
100%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
85.1%(2022)
Urban Population
30.6K(2023)
Rural Population
8.2K(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Marshall Islands

  • Marshall Islands has an estimated population of 39K
    2023
    . The country is confronting significant population decline, with a negative growth rate of -3.2%
    2023
    , posing long-term challenges for workforce sustainability and social security systems. The fertility rate of 2.9 births per woman
    2023
    is above replacement level, ensuring sustainable long-term population stability without significant external migration. Substantial net emigration of approximately 2K individuals annually (or 45.5 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    exacerbates demographic challenges, potentially leading to 'brain drain' and diminished economic capacity.
  • Regarding public health, Healthcare outcomes show foundational progress with a life expectancy of 66.9 years
    2023
    , yet significant disparities or developmental gaps may still exist. Concurrently, Healthcare delivery faces significant systemic challenges, as evidenced by elevated child mortality (under 5 years) (28.2 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality (155 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    ) rates, suggesting areas for critical intervention and resource allocation. These outcomes are supported by a substantial health investment, with 11.7% of GDP allocated to healthcare expenditure
    2022
    .
  • Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 98%
    2011
    , which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, while primary education reaches 73% of children
    2016
    , secondary enrollment at 116%
    2022
    suggests significant attrition challenges that may hinder higher skill development and future economic potential. This educational framework is supported by robust public investment, with 7.5% of GDP dedicated to education spending
    2022
    , underscoring a strong commitment to human capital development.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, the predominantly urban character, with 79% urban population
    2023
    , supports modern economic structures while maintaining important rural-urban linkages. Furthermore, basic infrastructure coverage includes 100% electricity access
    2023
    . However, digital connectivity at {currentInternet}% internet penetration
    2023
    indicates significant opportunities for further digital transformation and economic inclusion.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

Managing demographic trends is crucial for long-term economic planning and workforce stability.

Public Health System

Addressing critical gaps in the healthcare system is essential to improve lagging indicators like life expectancy and maternal mortality.

Human Capital Formation

A highly educated populace positions the nation for success in the global knowledge economy. Keeping talent is a vital strength.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.