Quick facts
Marshall Islands population overview
The Marshall Islands is the 16th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 36,462 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -3.3% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 3 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 711 births (19.5 per 1,000 people) and 273 deaths (7.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,637 people. The infant mortality rate is 21 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 14,703 in 1960 to 36,282 in 2025 — a change of +146.8%, or +1.4% per year on average. It peaked at 52,044 in 2010 and has declined 31.8% since.
Demographically, the median age is 20.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 67.3 years; women have on average 2.9 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 33.9% of residents are under 15 and 4.9% are 65 or older (2025); 79.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Majuro. The Marshall Islands covers 180 km², giving a population density of about 197 people per km². GDP was $308.00M in 2025 — about $8,489 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Marshall Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 35,508 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 36,462 |
| World rank | #221 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #16 of 23 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -3.3% |
| Births per year est. | 711 |
| Deaths per year est. | 273 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,637 |
| Birth rate | 19.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 21 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 104.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 20.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 67.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 79.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 180 km² |
| Population density | 197 per km² |
| Capital | Majuro |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $308.00M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $8,489 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Marshall Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 35,508 | – | – |
| 2025 | 36,282 | -1,266 | -3.4% |
| 2024 | 37,548 | -1,279 | -3.3% |
| 2023 | 38,827 | -1,250 | -3.1% |
| 2022 | 40,077 | -1,290 | -3.1% |
| 2021 | 41,367 | -1,339 | -3.1% |
| 2020 | 42,706 | -6,094 | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 48,800 | -3,244 | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 52,044 | +138 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 51,906 | +1,200 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 50,706 | +2,440 | +1% |
| 1995 | 48,266 | +3,637 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 44,629 | +6,868 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 37,761 | +6,987 | +4.2% |
| 1980 | 30,774 | +4,620 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 26,154 | +3,624 | +3% |
| 1970 | 22,530 | +5,128 | +5.3% |
| 1965 | 17,402 | +2,699 | +3.4% |
| 1960 | 14,703 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Marshall Islands
Population over time
- From 14,703 in 1960 to 35,508 today — up 141.5%.
- Population peaked at 52,044 in 2010 and is down 31.8% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -2.9% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.1 years (2024), up 12.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.9 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 20.1 births vs 7.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 13 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 33.9% of the population is under 15 and 4.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 5.8% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0 t in 2024, vs 0 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 615 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 9.8% since 2004.
- Renewables supplied 12.2% of final energy in 2022 (-7.1 points since 1992).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 52.2% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1991 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 79.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 34.8% in 1960 (+44.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1969.
Economy
- GDP: $308.00M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 67.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $8,489 per person.
Internet & mobile
- 65.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 39.7 per 100 people (2022).
Marshall Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Marshall Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Marshall Islands has an estimated population of 35,508. The United Nations estimated 36,462 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -3.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Marshall Islands growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -3.3% per year — roughly 3 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 711 births and 273 deaths, with net migration of -1,637.
What is the population density of the Marshall Islands?
About 197 people per square kilometre: 35,508 people living on 180 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Marshall Islands?
The median age is 20.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 67.3 years. 33.9% of the population is under 15 and 4.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Marshall Islands rank by population?
The Marshall Islands is the 221st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 16th in Oceania, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the Marshall Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 14,703; by 2025 it had grown to 36,282 (+146.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
British Virgin IslandsSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-3.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.