Marshall Islands Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Marshall Islands's dependency ratio was 65.14 in 2025, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Marshall Islands's dependency ratio stood at 65.14 in 2025, a rise of +0.89 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.14 by 2025. Marshall Islands ranked 56th globally.
The Marshall Islands’ total dependency ratio stood at 65.14 in 2025, placing the nation 56th in the world and closely matching peers such as the U.S. Virgin Islands (65.35) and Iraq (65.36). Over the 66‑year series, the ratio fell dramatically from an all‑time high of 116.23 in 1987 to a trough of 61.96 in 2020, reflecting a long‑term shift from a heavily dependent population toward a more balanced age structure as fertility declined and life expectancy rose. The steep post‑1980s decline coincided with the nation’s transition from a primarily agrarian economy to one increasingly dependent on remittances, aid, and service‑oriented sectors, which altered household composition and reduced the proportion of children. Despite the recent modest rise to 65.14, the trajectory suggests a gradual re‑acceleration of aging pressures as the cohort born during the 1990s enters retirement, implying that future policy on health care and pension financing will be pivotal in shaping the dependency ratio’s path.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 66.47 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 65.80 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 65.14 | - | - |
| 2025 | 65.14 | +0.89 | #56 |
| 2024 | 64.24 | +0.08 | #159 |
| 2023 | 64.17 | +0.96 | #161 |
| 2022 | 63.21 | +1.15 | #159 |
| 2021 | 62.06 | +0.10 | #156 |
| 2020 | 61.96 | −1.08 | #155 |
| 2019 | 63.03 | −1.06 | #156 |
| 2018 | 64.09 | −1.02 | #157 |
| 2017 | 65.11 | −1.06 | #158 |
| 2016 | 66.16 | −1.23 | #160 |
| 2015 | 67.40 | −1.37 | #163 |
| 2014 | 68.77 | −1.30 | #165 |
| 2013 | 70.07 | −1.14 | #165 |
| 2012 | 71.21 | −0.62 | #168 |
| 2011 | 71.83 | +0.26 | #169 |
Analysis
Marshall Islands's dependency ratio was 65.14 in 2025, a rise of +0.89 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 65.14 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marshall Islands's dependency ratio was 65.14 in 2025. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from the previous year.
Marshall Islands's dependency ratio peaked at 116.23 in 1987.
The lowest dependency ratio in Marshall Islands was 61.96 in 2020.
Marshall Islands ranks 56th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Marshall Islands's dependency ratio is projected to reach 65.14 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Marshall Islands in 2025 was 65.14. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_marshall-islands_dependency-ratio,
title = {Marshall Islands Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/marshall-islands/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}