TheThe Republic of the Marshall IslandsRepublic of the Marshall Islandsand other Island Areasand other Island Areas
A Comparative Analysis of Selected Demographic, Social
& Economic Indicators
May 2003
National development and progress can be measured in many ways.
In order to help us better plan for, implement, and measure development, social scientists have created a wide range of demographic, economic, social and other types of national statistical indicators. These indicators can serve as useful tools in our analysis of development progress, living standards and the overall quality of life within and across countries and regions.
In this short analysis, twenty-one selected statistical indicators for the RMI are presented and compared with those of the other Freely Associated States (Palau and FSM), the US Insular Areas (Guam, American Samoa, CNMI, US Virgin Islands), and the US (where applicable).
By doing this type of comparative analysis, we may gain some insight and perspective into the effectiveness of RMI development initiatives as well as how the RMI and its citizens generally compare to these other areas and peoples.
All data contained herein are drawn from periodic censuses and surveys and other statistical and administrative records.
NOTE: where shown, all RMI 2000 data from 1999 census and 1990 data from 1988 census; 1995 FSM data from 1994 census.
The 21 selected indicators analyzed here are:1. Total Population
2. Male to Female Sex Ratio
3. Percentage of Population Under Age 18
4. Percentage of Foreign Nationals
5. Percentage of Population which Speaks English at Home
6. Average Household Size (persons per household)
7. Percentage of Households with Telephones
8. Percentage of Households with Electricity
9. Percentage of Households with Radio
10. Percentage of Households with One or More Vehicles
11. Percentage of Adults with High School Education or Higher
12. Percentage of Adults with College Education (BA/BS) or Higher
13. Gross Domestic Product
14. Inflation Rate
15. Civilian Labor Force
16. Employed Population
17. Unemployed Population
18. Unemployment Rate
19. Median Household Income
20. Per Capita Income
21. Infant Mortality Rate
• As of its last Census of Population and Housing (in mid-1999), the RMI population stood at just under 51,000
• This makes the RMI population the second smallest of the seven FAS and Insular Areas
• From 1980 to 1999, the RMI population increased by nearly 65 percent, the third highest rate
• The RMI population grew at a faster rate during this period than did the USVI, Guam, Palau, FSM and US populations
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USTotal population 2000 108,612 154,805 69,221 57,291 19,129 107,008 50,840 281,421,906
1995 109,677 140,910 58,846 52,884 17,225 105,506 48,145 --1990 101,809 133,152 43,345 46,773 15,122 95,740 43,380 248,709,8731980 96,569 105,979 16,780 32,297 12,116 73,160 30,873 226,542,199
Percent Increase 1980 to 2000 12.5 46.1 312.5 77.4 57.9 46.3 64.7 24.2
Percent Population Increase: 1980 to 2000
12.546.1
312.5
77.4 57.9 46.3 24.264.7
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• There were slightly more males than females in the RMI in 1999
• The RMI sex ratio, 1.05, was close to Guam’s, American Samoa’s, and the FSM’s
• Females outnumbered males in the USVI, CNMI and US
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USMale population 2000 51,864 79,181 31,984 29,264 10,450 54,191 26,026 138,053,563Female population 2000 56,748 75,624 37,237 28,027 8,679 52,817 24,814 143,368,343
Sex ratio (males to females) 0.91 1.05 0.86 1.04 1.20 1.03 1.05 0.96
Male to Female Sex Ratio: 2000
0.911.05
0.861.04
1.201.03 0.961.05
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• Just over half of the RMI population was under the age of 18 in 1999
• This surpasses the percentage in all other FAS and Insular Areas, as well as the US
• This means that percentage-wise, the RMI has more younger people than any of these other areas
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent population under 18 2000 31.6 35.4 25.6 44.6 28.6 48.0 50.5 25.7
Percent of Population Under 18: 2000
31.6 35.4
25.6 28.6
48.0
25.7
50.544.6
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• The vast majority of people in the RMI were native citizens, comparable to the FSM
• Only two percent of the population were non-RMI citizens in 1999
• This compares to 12 percent in USVI, 18 percent in Guam, nearly 57 percent in the CNMI, 35 percent in American Samoa and 31 percent in Palau
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent foreign nationals 2000 12.0 18.1 56.5 35.3 30.9 2.0 2.3 6.6
Percent Foreign Nationals: 2000
12.018.1
56.5
35.330.9
2.06.6
2.3
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• Nearly all families and households in the RMI communicated in the native language
• Less than half a percent of people over the age of 5 spoke English at home
• English was spoken far more commonly in the other FAS and Insular Areas
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent English only spoken 2000 74.7 38.3 10.8 2.9 9.4 1.4 0.3 82.1
at home(age 5 and over)
Percent English Spoken at Home: 2000
74.7
38.3
10.82.9 9.4
1.4
82.1
0.3
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• RMI households were more crowded than those in all other FAS and Insular Areas
• There were nearly 8 people on average per household in the RMI in 1999
• All other areas, except for American Samoa and FSM, had on average fewer than 5 people per household
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USAverage persons per household 2000 2.64 3.89 3.66 6.05 4.63 6.70 7.80 2.59
Average Persons per Household: 2000
2.643.89 3.66
6.054.63
6.70
2.59
7.80
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• Close to 40 percent of RMI households had telephones in 1999
• Only the FSM had a lower percentage of households with telephones, at 29 percent
• Meanwhile, the majority (greater than 60 percent) of households in all other areas had telephones
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent occupied units 2000 91.9 93.3 70.1 68.3 91.0 28.6 38.6 97.6
with telephone
Percent Households with Telephone: 2000
91.9 93.3
70.1 68.3
91.0
28.6
97.6
38.6
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• Nearly 70 percent of RMI households had electricity in 1999
• Palau’s rate was far higher at 98 percent, but FSM’s was lower at about 54 percent
Indicator Year Palau FSM RMIPercent occupied units 2000 98.0 53.6 68.5
with electricity
Percent Households with Electricity: 2000
98.0
53.668.5
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
• The vast majority of RMI households owned and used radios (nearly 86 percent)
• Only Palau surpassed this rate, at close to 90 percent
• More than three-fourths of households in the CNMI and American Samoa used radios, but less than half of FSM households used radios
Indicator Year CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMIPercent occupied units 2000 76.0 79.1 89.8 44.3 85.6
with radio
Percent Households with Radio: 2000
76.0 79.189.8
44.3
85.6
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
• One in five RMI households had a vehicle• This was the lowest rate among the areas• Guam had the highest rate, at 92 percent,
surpassing the US rate of about 90 percent
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent occupied units 2000 75.7 92.3 77.0 53.3 77.6 34.6 21.1 89.7
with at least one vehicle
Percent Households with Vehicle: 2000
75.7
92.3
77.0
53.3
77.6
34.6
89.7
21.1
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• Less than 40 percent of adults in the RMI (age 25 or older) completed high school as of 1999
• This was the second lowest rate among the areas, only slightly higher than the FSM’s 37 percent
• All other areas had a high school education rate of 60 percent or higher
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent adults (age 25+) 2000 60.6 76.3 69.2 66.1 74.1 37.4 39.6 80.4
HS graduate or higher
Percent Adults with HS Education (or higher):2000
60.6
76.369.2 66.1
74.1
37.4
80.4
39.6
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• The RMI had the lowest percentage of adults with a college education (Bachelor level), at 2.7 percent
• The FSM rate was slightly higher at 3.6 percent and Palau’s rate was nearly four times the RMI’s, at 10 percent
• One in five adults in Guam had earned college degrees and nearly a quarter of adults in the US had earned degrees
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPercent adults (age 25+) 2000 16.8 20.0 15.5 7.4 10.0 3.6 2.7 24.4
BA/BS or higher
Percent Adults with BA/BS (or higher): 2000
16.820.0
15.5
7.410.0
3.6
24.4
2.7
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• Nominal GDP (unadjusted for inflation) for the RMI in 2001 was nearly $100 million
• RMI GDP was approximately 16 percent lower than Palau’s ($120.8 million) and less than half that of FSM ($230.1 million)
Indicator Year Palau FSM RMIGDP (in current dollars) 2001 120.8 230.1 99.2($ millions, rounded)
GDP ($ millions, nominal): 2001
120.8
230.1
99.2
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
• The inflation rate is a measure of the upward change in prices in an economy or area
• RMI price levels rose by less than three percent per year during the last four years of the 1994 to 2001 period, but surpassed four percent during the first four years
• The RMI average annual inflation rate during this eight year period was 4.45 percent, higher than both the FSM (2.28) and US (2.58) rates
• This suggests that the general cost of living in the RMI has appreciated faster than that of these other areas
Indicator Year FSM RMI USInflation rate (annual average) 2001 2.00 1.75 2.83
2000 1.80 1.62 3.381999 1.90 1.66 2.191998 1.60 2.18 1.551997 2.70 4.85 2.341996 2.80 9.58 2.931995 2.80 8.29 2.811994 2.60 5.69 2.61
Eight year average inflation rate 2.28 4.45 2.58
Eight Year Average Annual Inflation Rate: 1994 to 2001
2.282.58
4.45
FS
M
RM
I
US
• The civilian labor force (excluding military personnel) is made up of the employed and unemployed populations
• The RMI civilian labor force grew from 11,488 to 14,677 between 1988 and 1999
• This translates into a 28 percent increase, higher than all areas except for CNMI and Palau (FSM 1990 data not available)
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USCivilian labor force 2000 50,933 64,452 44,465 17,627 9,607 37,414 14,677 137,668,798(age 16 and over) 1995 47,947 -- 37,540 14,622 8,347 25,972 -- --
1990 47,443 54,186 26,581 14,187 6,070 -- 11,488 123,473,450
Percent Increase 1990 to 2000 7.4 18.9 67.3 24.2 58.3 -- 27.8 11.5
Percent Increase in Labor Force: 1990 to 2000
7.418.9
67.3
24.2
58.3
11.5
27.8
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au RM
I
US
• Among the 14,677 people in the RMI labor force in 1999, 10,141 were employed
• This was just slightly higher than the 10,056 employed 11 years earlier, in 1988
• Employment in the RMI, therefore, grew by just .8 percent during this period
• The RMI had, by far, the lowest growth in employment of all the areas during this period (FSM data for 1990 not available)
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USEmployed population 2000 46,565 57,053 42,753 16,718 9,383 29,175 10,141 129,721,512
1995 41,986 -- 34,812 13,785 7,759 21,756 -- --1990 44,267 52,144 25,965 13,461 5,599 -- 10,056 115,681,202
Percent Increase 1990 to 2000 5.2 9.4 64.7 24.2 67.6 -- 0.8 12.1
Percent Increase in Employed: 1990 to 2000
5.2 9.4
64.7
24.2
67.6
0.812.1
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au RM
I
US
• The RMI unemployed population more than tripled between 1988 and 1999, from 1,432 to 4,536
• This is an increase of well over 200 percent• Only Guam had a higher increase in the
unemployed population, at 262.3 percent• Palau’s unemployed population, meanwhile,
shrunk from 471 to 224 during the period
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USUnemployed population 2000 4,368 7,399 1,712 909 224 8,239 4,536 7,947,286
1995 5,961 -- 2,728 837 588 4,216 -- --1990 3,176 2,042 616 726 471 -- 1,432 7,792,248
Percent Increase 1990 to 2000 37.5 262.3 177.9 25.2 -52.4 -- 216.8 2.0
Percent Increase in Unemployed: 1990 to 2000
37.5
262.3
177.9
25.22.0
216.8
-52.4
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au RM
I
US
• The RMI unemployment rate (unemployed population divided by labor force), stood at 31 percent in 1999
• The RMI had the highest unemployment rate among all these areas
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USUnemployment rate 2000 8.6 11.5 3.9 5.2 2.3 22.0 30.9 5.8
Unemployment Rate: 2000
8.611.5
3.9 5.2 5.82.3
22.0
30.9
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• RMI median household income in 1999 was $6,840 (meaning half of all households earned more than this amount and half earned less)
• Median household income grew by 103 percent between 1980 and 1999
• The RMI 1999 median household income was the second lowest of the areas
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USMedian household income 2000 $24,704 $39,317 $22,898 $18,219 $13,421 $4,618 $6,840 $41,994(current dollars) 1995 $22,842 $30,335 $19,094 $15,715 $11,856 $4,694 -- --
1990 $22,050 $30,755 $20,644 $16,114 $8,962 -- -- $30,0561980 $11,090 $15,984 $8,607 $9,718 $3,728 -- $3,366 --
Percent Increase 1980 to 2000 122.8 146.0 166.0 87.5 260.0 -- 103.2 --
Percent Increase in Median Household Income: 1980 to 2000
122.8146.0
166.0
87.5103.2
260.0
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au RM
I
Median Household Income: 2000
$24,704
$39,317
$22,898$18,219
$41,994
$13,421
$4,618$6,840
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A.
Sam
oa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• RMI per capita income (calculated by dividing the aggregate or total income of all households by the total population) in 1999 was $2,281
• This was the lowest amount of all the areas • Per capita income in Palau, FSM and American
Samoa were all around $4,000• CNMI’s per capita income was four times greater
than the RMI’s, USVI’s and Guam’s were more than five times greater, and the US’ was nearly ten times greater
Indicator Year USVI Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau FSM RMI USPer capita income 2000 $13,139 $12,722 $9,151 $4,357 $4,092 $3,943 $2,281 $21,587(current dollars)
Per Capita Income: 2000
$13,139 $12,722
$9,151
$4,357
$21,587
$4,092$3,943
$2,281
US
VI
Gua
m
CN
MI
A. S
amoa
Pal
au
FS
M
RM
I
US
• The RMI infant mortality rate in 1999 was 37• While infant mortality in the RMI has decreased
over the last several decades, it was still the highest among all these areas in 1999
Indicator Year Guam CNMI A. Samoa Palau RMI USInfant mortality rate 2000 5.8 4.2 6.4 10.8 37.0 6.9
Infant Mortality Rate: 2000
5.8 4.26.4
10.86.9
37.0
Gua
m
CN
MI
A. S
amoa
Pal
au RM
I
US
SUMMARY
The most notable findings of this comparative analysis are:The most notable findings of this comparative analysis are:• Among the seven island areas compared here, the RMI had the second smallest population as of 1999, but Among the seven island areas compared here, the RMI had the second smallest population as of 1999, but its population growth rate between 1980 and 1999 was the third highestits population growth rate between 1980 and 1999 was the third highest
• The RMI had the highest percentage of young people (under 18) among the areasThe RMI had the highest percentage of young people (under 18) among the areas
• The RMI had the second lowest percentage of foreign nationals The RMI had the second lowest percentage of foreign nationals
• English was far less commonly spoken in the RMI than in the other areasEnglish was far less commonly spoken in the RMI than in the other areas
• The RMI had, by far, the most crowded households among the areas, with an average household size of The RMI had, by far, the most crowded households among the areas, with an average household size of nearly eight personsnearly eight persons
• A lower percentage of RMI households owned telephones and vehicles, but more households used radios in A lower percentage of RMI households owned telephones and vehicles, but more households used radios in the RMI than in the other areasthe RMI than in the other areas
• RMI adults had the second lowest high school completion rate and the lowest college completion rate RMI adults had the second lowest high school completion rate and the lowest college completion rate (Bachelor level) among all the areas(Bachelor level) among all the areas
• The RMI had higher inflation during most of the 1990s than did the FSM or the USThe RMI had higher inflation during most of the 1990s than did the FSM or the US
• The RMI had the third fastest growing labor force between 1980 and 1999, but had the lowest growth in The RMI had the third fastest growing labor force between 1980 and 1999, but had the lowest growth in employment employment
• As a result, the RMI had the highest unemployment rate among all the areasAs a result, the RMI had the highest unemployment rate among all the areas
• The RMI had the second lowest median household income and the lowest per capita incomeThe RMI had the second lowest median household income and the lowest per capita income
• The RMI had the highest infant mortality rate among the areasThe RMI had the highest infant mortality rate among the areas
