

Topic: Introduction
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. Kwajalein hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system.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. Kwajalein hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 181 sq km

land: 181 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Natural resources: coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Topic: People and Society
Population: 79,906 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006 est.)
Languages: Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 est.)
Religions: Protestant 80.5% (United Church of Christ 47%, Assembly of God 16.2%, Bukot Nan Jesus 5.4%, Full Gospel 3.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 3%, Salvation Army 1.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, Meram in Jesus 1.2%, other Protestant 1.1%), Roman Catholic 8.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%,  other 1.2%, none 1.1% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
Capital: name: Majuro; note - the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap
Executive branch: chief of state: President David KABUA (since  13 January 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President David KABUA (since 13 January 2020)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Parliament consists of:
Council of Iroij, a 12-member group of tribal leaders advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice); members appointed to serve 1-year terms
Nitijela (33 seats; members in 19 single- and 5 multi-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - legislative power resides in the Nitijela

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: upper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector workforce; produces coconut oil as a substitute to diesel fuel; becoming offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependentupper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector workforce; produces coconut oil as a substitute to diesel fuel; becoming offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependent
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $240 million (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $4,000 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts
Industries: copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
Exports: $130 million (2018 est.)
Exports - partners: Poland 28%, Denmark 19%, South Korea 13%, Indonesia 10%, Cyprus 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: ships, fish, recreational boats, broadcasting equipment, coal tar oil (2019)
Imports: $170 million (2018 est.)
Imports - partners: South Korea 39%, China 27%, Japan 15% (2019)
Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, centrifuges, recreational boats, boat propellers (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022