Marshall Islands Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Marshall Islands's population growth was -3.38% in 2025, ranked 213th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Marshall Islands's population growth stood at -3.38% in 2025, a decline of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -3.38% by 2025. Marshall Islands ranked 213th globally.
Marshall Islands’ population growth has shifted from a modest increase of 3.45 % in 1961 to a pronounced decline of –3.38 % in 2025, placing the nation at rank 213 globally for the latest year. The all‑time peak of 7.01 % occurred in 1969, reflecting a period of high fertility and limited out‑migration, whereas the current trough mirrors sustained emigration, low birth rates and the lingering impacts of climate‑related displacement. Over the 65‑year span, the growth trajectory has turned negative, a pattern shared by other small island economies such as the Northern Mariana Islands, which recorded a –2.34 % change, and more dramatically by Ukraine at –5.13 %. Demographic contraction is compounded by limited economic diversification and vulnerability to sea‑level rise, which together constrain population retention. Unless significant policy interventions address out‑migration and bolster reproductive incentives, the negative growth rate is likely to persist, keeping the Marshall Islands among the world’s most rapidly declining populations.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -3.51% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -3.45% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -3.38% | - | - |
| 2025 | -3.38% | −0.03pp | #213 |
| 2024 | -3.35% | −0.18pp | #3 |
| 2023 | -3.17% | −0.00pp | #4 |
| 2022 | -3.17% | +0.02pp | #3 |
| 2021 | -3.19% | −0.18pp | #4 |
| 2020 | -3.00% | −0.14pp | #2 |
| 2019 | -2.86% | −0.15pp | #3 |
| 2018 | -2.71% | −0.21pp | #3 |
| 2017 | -2.50% | −0.24pp | #4 |
| 2016 | -2.26% | −0.24pp | #3 |
| 2015 | -2.02% | −0.26pp | #3 |
| 2014 | -1.76% | −0.32pp | #3 |
| 2013 | -1.45% | −0.50pp | #7 |
| 2012 | -0.94% | −0.68pp | #8 |
| 2011 | -0.26% | −0.31pp | #27 |
Analysis
Marshall Islands's population growth was -3.38% in 2025, a decline of −0.03pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated -3.38% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marshall Islands's population growth was -3.38% in 2025. Ranked 213th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Marshall Islands's population growth peaked at 7.01% in 1969.
The lowest population growth in Marshall Islands was -3.38% in 2025.
Marshall Islands ranks 213th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Marshall Islands's population growth is projected to reach -3.38% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Marshall Islands in 2025 was -3.38%. This ranks 213th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_marshall-islands_population-growth,
title = {Marshall Islands Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/marshall-islands/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}