Urban and rural population in Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands: Urban and rural population was 28,701 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
28,701
Change on year
down 2.9%
World rank
212th
of 236 countries
All-time high
38,337
in 2011
All-time low
3,342
in 1950
Years of data
76
1950–2025
Urban and rural population in Marshall Islands, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population in Marshall Islands is 28,701, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and down 22.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in Marshall Islands peaked at 38,337 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 3,342, in 1950.
Marshall Islands ranks 212th of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population in Marshall Islands, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3,342 | — |
| 1951 | 3,463 | +3.6% |
| 1952 | 3,591 | +3.7% |
| 1953 | 3,727 | +3.8% |
| 1954 | 3,868 | +3.8% |
| 1955 | 4,021 | +3.9% |
| 1956 | 4,180 | +4.0% |
| 1957 | 4,343 | +3.9% |
| 1958 | 4,542 | +4.6% |
| 1959 | 4,796 | +5.6% |
| 1960 | 5,122 | +6.8% |
| 1961 | 5,484 | +7.1% |
| 1962 | 5,889 | +7.4% |
| 1963 | 6,331 | +7.5% |
| 1964 | 6,809 | +7.5% |
| 1965 | 7,320 | +7.5% |
| 1966 | 7,852 | +7.3% |
| 1967 | 8,507 | +8.3% |
| 1968 | 9,520 | +11.9% |
| 1969 | 10,862 | +14.1% |
| 1970 | 12,233 | +12.6% |
| 1971 | 13,419 | +9.7% |
| 1972 | 14,377 | +7.1% |
| 1973 | 15,067 | +4.8% |
| 1974 | 15,547 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 16,016 | +3.0% |
| 1976 | 16,449 | +2.7% |
| 1977 | 16,871 | +2.6% |
| 1978 | 17,304 | +2.6% |
| 1979 | 17,773 | +2.7% |
| 1980 | 18,357 | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 19,181 | +4.5% |
| 1982 | 20,239 | +5.5% |
| 1983 | 21,443 | +6.0% |
| 1984 | 22,764 | +6.2% |
| 1985 | 24,166 | +6.2% |
| 1986 | 25,592 | +5.9% |
| 1987 | 26,979 | +5.4% |
| 1988 | 28,212 | +4.6% |
| 1989 | 29,166 | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 29,936 | +2.6% |
| 1991 | 30,623 | +2.3% |
| 1992 | 31,221 | +2.0% |
| 1993 | 31,735 | +1.6% |
| 1994 | 32,188 | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 32,599 | +1.3% |
| 1996 | 32,984 | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 33,363 | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 33,739 | +1.1% |
| 1999 | 34,152 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 34,620 | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 35,079 | +1.3% |
| 2002 | 35,503 | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 35,900 | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 36,284 | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 36,658 | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 37,022 | +1.0% |
| 2007 | 37,358 | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 37,653 | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 37,928 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 38,206 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 38,337 | +0.3% |
| 2012 | 38,189 | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 37,848 | -0.9% |
| 2014 | 37,386 | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 36,830 | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 36,188 | -1.7% |
| 2017 | 35,467 | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 34,683 | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 33,860 | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 33,006 | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 32,108 | -2.7% |
| 2022 | 31,254 | -2.7% |
| 2023 | 30,425 | -2.7% |
| 2024 | 29,562 | -2.8% |
| 2025 | 28,701 | -2.9% |
Marshall Islands compared with similar countries
- Marshall Islands's 28,701 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.47 million, 1% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Marshall Islands's 28,701 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 722,007, 4% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3,987 | 3,342 | 4,796 | 10 |
| 1960s | 7,370 | 5,122 | 10,862 | 10 |
| 1970s | 15,506 | 12,233 | 17,773 | 10 |
| 1980s | 23,610 | 18,357 | 29,166 | 10 |
| 1990s | 32,254 | 29,936 | 34,152 | 10 |
| 2000s | 36,400 | 34,620 | 37,928 | 10 |
| 2010s | 36,699 | 33,860 | 38,337 | 10 |
| 2020s | 30,843 | 28,701 | 33,006 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Marshall Islands
- 209 American Samoa 37,058 compare
- 210 Jersey 35,910 compare
- 211 San Marino 32,628 compare
- 213 Micronesia (country) 25,557 compare
- 214 Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba 25,416 compare
- 215 Saint Martin (French Part) 24,940 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)
- Population growth rate -0.407 (2100)
- Population density 132.37 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1,311 (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population in Marshall Islands?
- Urban and rural population in Marshall Islands was 28,701 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in Marshall Islands?
- The highest recorded value was 38,337 in 2011.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in Marshall Islands?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,342 in 1950.
- How does Marshall Islands rank for urban and rural population?
- Marshall Islands ranks 212th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in Marshall Islands?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Marshall Islands data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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