Quick facts
Northern Mariana Islands population overview
The Northern Mariana Islands is the 15th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 44,006 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -1.3% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 2 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 480 births (10.9 per 1,000 people) and 242 deaths (5.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 810 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 8,736 in 1960 to 43,541 in 2025 — a change of +398.4%, or +2.5% per year on average. It peaked at 68,356 in 2000 and has declined 36.3% since.
Demographically, the median age is 38.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 79.2 years; women have on average 2.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 21.2% of residents are under 15 and 10.8% are 65 or older (2025); 92.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Saipan. The Northern Mariana Islands covers 460 km², giving a population density of about 94.7 people per km². GDP was $1.1B in 2022 — about $23,786 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Northern Mariana Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #216 of 238 → | 43,544 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 44,006 |
| World rank | #216 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #15 of 23 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate #234 of 238 → | -1.3% |
| Births per year est. | 480 |
| Deaths per year est. | 242 |
| Net migration per year est. · #232 of 238 → | -810 |
| Birth rate #119 of 216 → | 10.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #192 of 216 → | 5.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #175 of 238 → | 4.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #13 of 238 → | 112.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age #77 of 238 → | 38.8 years |
| Life expectancy #57 of 216 → | 79.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #83 of 216 → | 2.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #27 of 216 → | 92.2% |
| Surface area 2023 · #190 of 215 → | 460 km² |
| Population density #109 of 215 → | 94.7 per km² |
| Capital | Saipan |
| GDP (current US$) 2022 · #201 of 212 → | $1.1B |
| GDP per capita 2022 · #68 of 212 → | $23,786 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Northern Mariana Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 43,544 | – | – |
| 2025 | 43,541 | -737 | -1.7% |
| 2024 | 44,278 | -865 | -1.9% |
| 2023 | 45,143 | -935 | -2% |
| 2022 | 46,078 | -901 | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 46,979 | -549 | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 47,528 | -3,986 | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 51,514 | -2,577 | -1% |
| 2010 | 54,091 | -8,263 | -2.8% |
| 2005 | 62,354 | -6,002 | -1.8% |
| 2000 | 68,356 | +20,180 | +7.2% |
| 1995 | 48,176 | +4,834 | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 43,342 | +13,084 | +7.5% |
| 1985 | 30,258 | +12,633 | +11.4% |
| 1980 | 17,625 | +2,560 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 15,065 | +4,895 | +8.2% |
| 1970 | 10,170 | -94 | -0.2% |
| 1965 | 10,264 | +1,528 | +3.3% |
| 1960 | 8,736 | – | – |
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.
Largest cities in Northern Mariana Islands
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saipan Capital | 48,220 | 110.7% |
Saipan is the largest city with 48,220 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of Northern Mariana Islands cities →
About Northern Mariana Islands
Population over time
- From 8,736 in 1960 to 43,544 today — up 398.4%.
- Population peaked at 68,356 in 2000 and is down 36.3% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1.7% per year.
- World rank: Population #216 of 238 · Population growth rate #234 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.9 years (2024), up 17.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #57 of 216 · Fertility rate #83 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 12.1 births vs 5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 7.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
- World rank: Birth rate #119 of 216 · Death rate #192 of 216.
Age structure
- 21.2% of the population is under 15 and 10.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
- World rank: Population under 15 #112 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #92 of 216 · Median age #77 of 238.
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.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #201 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #197 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 0.5% of final energy in 2022 (+0.5 points since 1992).
- World rank: Renewable energy share #198 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 53% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 72.7% to 53% since 1991 — roughly 91 km² of forest lost.
- World rank: Forest area #42 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 92.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 80.1% in 1960 (+12 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
- World rank: Urban population #27 of 216.
Economy
- GDP: $1.1B in 2022.
- Nominal GDP is up 46.9% since 2012.
- That works out to $23,786 per person.
- World rank: GDP #201 of 212 · GDP per capita #68 of 212.
Internet & mobile
- 0% of people used the internet in 1990.
- Mobile subscriptions: 32 per 100 people (2004).
Northern Mariana Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Northern Mariana Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Northern Mariana Islands has an estimated population of 43,544. The United Nations estimated 44,006 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -1.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Northern Mariana Islands growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -1.3% per year — roughly 2 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 480 births and 242 deaths, with net migration of -810.
What is the population density of the Northern Mariana Islands?
About 94.7 people per square kilometre: 43,544 people living on 460 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Northern Mariana Islands?
The median age is 38.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79.2 years. 21.2% of the population is under 15 and 10.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Northern Mariana Islands rank by population?
The Northern Mariana Islands is the 216th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 15th in Oceania, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the Northern Mariana Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 8,736; by 2025 it had grown to 43,541 (+398.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Glostats. (2026). Northern Mariana Islands Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/northern-mariana-islands/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/northern-mariana-islands/">Northern Mariana Islands Population 2026 — Live Counter</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-1.3%); 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 2026-10-20. More about our data.