GeoRealityMatch
Serene tropical beach with palm trees under a bright blue sky, perfect for relaxation.Aerial view of the tropical coastline and crystal-clear ocean at Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands.

Marshall Islands

Oceania · Micronesia

High development

The air is clean. Life expectancy is short.

Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$9,710national income per person, US dollarsModerate
World Bank · 2025

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 208% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 88% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parity

$0$5.0K$10K$8,964 PPP$8,489200620102015202020252006, $2,754 a person, $3,110 at PPP2007, $2,892 a person, $3,309 at PPP2008, $2,818 a person, $3,118 at PPP2009, $2,907 a person, $3,253 at PPP2010, $3,095 a person, $3,473 at PPP2011, $3,319 a person, $3,537 at PPP2012, $3,514 a person, $3,590 at PPP2013, $3,678 a person, $3,845 at PPP2014, $3,735 a person, $3,931 at PPP2015, $3,764 a person, $4,125 at PPP2016, $4,230 a person, $4,366 at PPP2017, $4,593 a person, $4,719 at PPP2018, $4,858 a person, $5,232 at PPP2019, $5,292 a person, $6,045 at PPP2020, $5,662 a person, $6,138 at PPP2021, $6,315 a person, $6,769 at PPP2022, $6,456 a person, $7,431 at PPP2023, $6,799 a person, $7,525 at PPP2024, $7,590 a person, $8,238 at PPP2025, $8,489 a person, $8,964 at PPP$0$5.0K$10K200620102015202020252006, $2,754 a person, $3,110 at PPP2007, $2,892 a person, $3,309 at PPP2008, $2,818 a person, $3,118 at PPP2009, $2,907 a person, $3,253 at PPP2010, $3,095 a person, $3,473 at PPP2011, $3,319 a person, $3,537 at PPP2012, $3,514 a person, $3,590 at PPP2013, $3,678 a person, $3,845 at PPP2014, $3,735 a person, $3,931 at PPP2015, $3,764 a person, $4,125 at PPP2016, $4,230 a person, $4,366 at PPP2017, $4,593 a person, $4,719 at PPP2018, $4,858 a person, $5,232 at PPP2019, $5,292 a person, $6,045 at PPP2020, $5,662 a person, $6,138 at PPP2021, $6,315 a person, $6,769 at PPP2022, $6,456 a person, $7,431 at PPP2023, $6,799 a person, $7,525 at PPP2024, $7,590 a person, $8,238 at PPP2025, $8,489 a person, $8,964 at PPP

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Below-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
67.1years, at birthLow
#155 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
66WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100LowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
6.4PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Aerial view of the tropical coastline and crystal-clear ocean at Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands.
How it changed

Marshall Islands's Human Development Index

0.733High human development

108th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 5th of 15 in Oceania.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #108Bolivia0.733
  2. #108Gabon0.733
  3. #108Marshall Islands0.733
  4. #111Botswana0.731
  5. #111Fiji0.731
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 2011

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.666 in 2011 to 0.733 in 2023.

0.600.700.800.733201120232011: 0.6662012: 0.6682013: 0.6762014: 0.6812015: 0.6912016: 0.6962017: 0.7022018: 0.7102019: 0.7222020: 0.7222021: 0.7232022: 0.7322023: 0.7330.600.700.80201120232011: 0.6662012: 0.6682013: 0.6762014: 0.6812015: 0.6912016: 0.6962017: 0.7022018: 0.7102019: 0.7222020: 0.7222021: 0.7232022: 0.7322023: 0.733

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 13 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
67.1 years2024at birthUp 3 years from 64.1 years in 2005
Internet users
66%2024of people onlineUp 62 points from 4% in 2006
Urban population
79%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 8 points from 71% in 2006
Births per woman
2.862024births per womanDown 1.42 from 4.28 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
12%2022of energy usedDown 6 points from 18% in 2004
Access to electricity
97%2024of people with electricityUp 22 points from 76% in 2005
Infant mortality
232024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 11 from 34 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
0 t2024of CO2 per person a yearLevel with 2005
Forest area
52%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

The case for living here is clean air. The case against is short lives and patchy access to essential health services.

About Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands is a Pacific nation of low-lying coral atolls north of the equator, with clear lagoons, excellent diving, and a Marshallese culture built on navigation, weaving, and deep connection to the ocean. The atolls sit just metres above sea level, making them particularly vulnerable to changing sea conditions. It suits travellers who come specifically for diving or those drawn to experiencing a genuinely isolated and traditional Pacific way of life.

Practical facts

  • CapitalMajuro
  • LanguagesEnglish, Marshallese
  • CurrencyUnited States dollar (USD)
  • Area180 km²
  • Plug typeType A/B
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Marshall Islands's Human Development Index?

Marshall Islands's Human Development Index is 0.733 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #108 of 193 by UNDP.

What is life expectancy in Marshall Islands?

Life expectancy at birth in Marshall Islands is 67.1 yrs (World Bank), ranked #155 of 195 countries.