Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands: Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas was 17,348 people in 2020. ▲ Rising
Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in Marshall Islands, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Marshall Islands recorded 17,348 people for number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in 2020.
The figure is down 23.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in Marshall Islands peaked at 26,624 people in 1990 and was at its lowest, 11,640 people, in 1965.
Marshall Islands ranks 203rd of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in Marshall Islands, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 12,996 people | — |
| 1955 | 13,482 people | +3.7% |
| 1960 | 14,703 people | +9.1% |
| 1965 | 11,640 people | -20.8% |
| 1970 | 13,972 people | +20.0% |
| 1975 | 15,319 people | +9.6% |
| 1980 | 19,417 people | +26.7% |
| 1985 | 22,954 people | +18.2% |
| 1990 | 26,624 people | +16.0% |
| 1995 | 23,932 people | -10.1% |
| 2000 | 24,754 people | +3.4% |
| 2005 | 24,144 people | -2.5% |
| 2010 | 22,727 people | -5.9% |
| 2015 | 19,123 people | -15.9% |
| 2020 | 17,348 people | -9.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 13,239 people | 12,996 people | 13,482 people | 2 |
| 1960s | 13,171 people | 11,640 people | 14,703 people | 2 |
| 1970s | 14,646 people | 13,972 people | 15,319 people | 2 |
| 1980s | 21,186 people | 19,417 people | 22,954 people | 2 |
| 1990s | 25,278 people | 23,932 people | 26,624 people | 2 |
| 2000s | 24,449 people | 24,144 people | 24,754 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 20,925 people | 19,123 people | 22,727 people | 2 |
| 2020s | 17,348 people | 17,348 people | 17,348 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Marshall Islands
- 200 United States Virgin Islands 23,130 people compare
- 201 Antigua and Barbuda 22,535 people compare
- 202 Andorra 20,594 people compare
- 204 Cook Islands 15,644 people compare
- 205 Northern Mariana Islands 15,328 people compare
- 206 Anguilla 14,843 people compare
More population data for Marshall Islands
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.393 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.46 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.393 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3323 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 51.21 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8454 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3799 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.4% (2100)
- Population density 132.37 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1,311 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in Marshall Islands?
- Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in Marshall Islands was 17,348 people in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Marshall Islands?
- The highest recorded value was 26,624 people in 1990.
- What is the lowest number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Marshall Islands?
- The lowest recorded value was 11,640 people in 1965.
- How does Marshall Islands rank for number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Marshall Islands ranks 203rd out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Marshall Islands?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Marshall Islands data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of people living in rural areas. Rural areas are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.