Northern Mariana Islands Net Migration
Net migration SM.POP.NETM
Northern Mariana Islands's net migration was -963 in 2025, ranked 111th globally. This represents a 12.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Northern Mariana Islands's net migration stood at -963 in 2025, a rise of +134 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -899 by 2026. Northern Mariana Islands ranked 111th globally.
Net migration in the Northern Mariana Islands has shifted dramatically over the 66‑year series, moving from a modest inflow of 17.00 in 1960 to a pronounced outflow of –963.00 in 2025, ranking the territory 111th globally. The most pronounced inflow occurred in 1996, when 3,801.00 persons entered the islands, reflecting a brief period of economic optimism linked to tourism expansion and U.S. federal investment. By contrast, the all‑time trough of –3,050.00 in 2007 coincided with the global financial crisis and a sharp contraction in construction, prompting a wave of departures. Recent outflows remain comparable to those of peer small island economies such as Suriname (–967.00) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (–714.00), underscoring shared vulnerabilities to external shocks and limited domestic labor markets. If diversification of the service sector and targeted migration incentives are pursued, the downward trajectory could be moderated, allowing net migration to stabilise or modestly improve in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Net Migration | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | -685 | - | - |
| 2027* trend | -792 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -899 | - | - |
| 2025 | -963 | +134 | #111 |
| 2024 | -1,097 | +224 | #108 |
| 2023 | -1,321 | +27 | #92 |
| 2022 | -1,348 | +25 | #85 |
| 2021 | -1,373 | −618 | #94 |
| 2020 | -755 | +796 | #95 |
| 2019 | -1,551 | −24 | #101 |
| 2018 | -1,527 | −10 | #95 |
| 2017 | -1,517 | +0 | #94 |
| 2016 | -1,517 | +13 | #92 |
| 2015 | -1,530 | +20 | #104 |
| 2014 | -1,550 | −3 | #99 |
| 2013 | -1,547 | −131 | #98 |
| 2012 | -1,416 | −107 | #100 |
| 2011 | -1,309 | +278 | #104 |
Analysis
Northern Mariana Islands's net migration was -963 in 2025, a rise of +134 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated -899 by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Northern Mariana Islands's net migration was -963 in 2025. Ranked 111th globally. This represents a 12.2% increase from the previous year.
Northern Mariana Islands's net migration peaked at 3,801 in 1996.
The lowest net migration in Northern Mariana Islands was -3,050 in 2007.
Northern Mariana Islands ranks 111th globally in net migration as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SM.POP.NETM. Data sourced from World Bank.
Northern Mariana Islands's net migration is projected to reach -899 by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The net migration of Northern Mariana Islands in 2025 was -963. This ranks 111th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_northern-mariana-islands_net-migration,
title = {Northern Mariana Islands Net Migration},
url = {https://historysaid.com/northern-mariana-islands/net-migration/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}