The Human Truth Foundation

Marshall Islands (Republic of the Marshall Islands)

https://www.humantruth.info/marshall_islands.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Marshall Islands
Republic of the Marshall Islands
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index165th best
CapitalMajuro
Land Area 180km21
LocationAustralasia, Micronesia
GroupingsSmall Islands
Population58 4132
Life Expectancy65.27yrs (2017)3
GNI$4 620 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesMH, MHL, 5845
Internet Domain.mh6
CurrencyDollar (USD)7
Telephone+6928

1. Overview

#USA

After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverThis expanse of slender, flat coral atolls is so surrounded by tropical sea that anywhere at any time you can see, hear, smell and feel salt air and water. A thousand or so coral islands make up the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Living on these narrow strips of land between ocean and lagoon, the Marshallese are expert fishers and navigators, having long been reliant on the sea.

Local faces reflect the islands´ history. In the late 1700s, after 2000 years of isolation, these Micronesian islands were variously visited, settled, colonised or occupied by British, Russians, Germans, Japanese and Americans (at first by missionaries, later by defence forces). Today the more developed atolls have a sense of all these influences, with well-stocked stores carrying international groceries, restaurants serving the food of several nations, and basketball courts on many street corners. On the quieter backstreets the Marshallese continue to live in family compounds, surrounded by flowers.

The RMI´s charm lies in its outer islands, which still retain the pristine feel of a Pacific paradise.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Marshall Islands National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
128Cape Verde0.662
129Bangladesh0.661
130Tuvalu0.641
131Marshall Islands0.639
132India0.633
133Ghana0.632
134Micronesia0.628
135Guatemala0.627
Australasia Avg0.70
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
141Venezuela$4 811
142Nigeria$4 790
143Pakistan$4 624
144Marshall Islands$4 620
145Kyrgyzstan$4 566
146Tajikistan$4 548
147Kenya$4 474
148Timor-Leste (E. Timor)$4 461
Australasia Avg$12 519
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway29.8
2Denmark30.0
3Finland33.7
...
162Nigeria115.8
163N. Korea116.1
164Mozambique117.6
165Marshall Islands117.7
166Solomon Islands117.7
167Pakistan118.0
168Haiti118.0
169Ivory Coast118.5
Australasia Avg101.6
World Avg87.9
q=196.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Marshall Islands's Demographics and Migration

#health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #population

Population:

The Marshall Islands's population is predicted to rise to 67 344 by 2030.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
185Antigua & Barbuda96 286
186Andorra77 006
187Dominica71 625
188Marshall Islands58 413
189St Kitts & Nevis52 441
190Monaco38 682
191Liechtenstein37 910
192San Marino33 785
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
146Guyana65.7
147Myanmar (Burma)65.7
148Papua New Guinea65.4
149Marshall Islands65.3
150Sudan65.3
151Ethiopia65.0
152Tuvalu64.5
153Madagascar64.5
World Avg71.28
q=195.

Migration:

Immigrants13
Pos.2017
%13
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
76Bhutan6.5%
77Macedonia6.3%
78Finland6.2%
79Marshall Islands6.2%
80Turkey6.0%
81Syria5.5%
82Thailand5.2%
83Hungary5.2%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants14
Pos.2010
%14
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
34Croatia17.1%
35Liechtenstein17.1%
36Cyprus17.0%
37Marshall Islands16.6%
38Ireland16.1%
39Belize16.1%
40Azerbaijan16.0%
41Bulgaria16.0%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Marshall Islands's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freethought #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #tolerance #women

Compared to Australasia (2020)15
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank15
1New Zealand17.3
2Australia23.9
3Fiji102.1
4Papua New Guinea122.2
5=Nauru123.0
6Micronesia128.4
7Palau130.6
8Tonga132.6
9Marshall Islands134.2
10Samoa135.9
11Vanuatu137.8
12=Kiribati138.0
13Cook Islands144.5
Australasia Avg119.7
q=15.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)15
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank15
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
174Tonga132.6
175Syria132.9
176Iran133.6
177Marshall Islands134.2
178Zimbabwe134.3
179Saudi Arabia134.5
180Samoa135.9
181Angola136.0
World Avg87.9
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Norway and Denmark16. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are The Solomon Islands, Somalia and Tuvalu16.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe16, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia16.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Nominal Commitment to HR
Higher is better
17
Pos.2009
Treaties17
1Argentina24
2=Chile23
2=Costa Rica23
...
186Micronesia5
187=Singapore5
187=Nauru5
189Marshall Islands4
190=Myanmar (Burma)4
190=Palau4
190=Malaysia4
193Bhutan3
Australasia Avg8.7
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag
Lower is better
18
Pos.2019
Avg Yrs/Treaty18
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
...
188Kiribati15.80
189Solomon Islands15.81
190Nauru16.16
191Sao Tome & Principe16.17
192Tuvalu16.33
193Palau16.34
194Marshall Islands16.34
195Palestine17.21
Australasia Avg14.35
World Avg10.02
q=195.

Gender Equality:

See:

Year Women Can Vote
Lower is better
Pos.Total
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
...
170Portugal1976
171Guinea-Bissau1977
172Zimbabwe1978
173=Marshall Islands1979
173=Palau1979
173=Micronesia1979
176Iraq1980
177=Vanuatu1980
Australasia Avg1962
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality
Higher is better
19
Pos.2017
Score19
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
...
85=Sao Tome & Principe20
85=Palau20
85=Nauru20
85=Marshall Islands20
85=Guinea-Bissau20
85=Micronesia20
85=Armenia20
92Mozambique17
Australasia Avg07.1
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought
Lower is better
20
Pos.202120
1=Belgium1.0
1=Netherlands1.0
1=Taiwan1.0
...
39Cape Verde2.3
40=Botswana2.3
40=Uruguay2.3
40=Marshall Islands2.3
43Seychelles2.3
44=Bhutan2.5
44=Kenya2.5
44=Timor-Leste (E. Timor)2.5
Australasia Avg2.6
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Marshall Islands's Health

#health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #vaccines

Compared to Australasia (2020)21
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank21
1Solomon Islands82.0
2Australia84.6
3Kiribati87.0
...
8=Tonga104.1
9Samoa107.8
10Tuvalu112.5
11Micronesia114.2
12Papua New Guinea120.8
13Cook Islands123.7
14Nauru134.8
15Palau146.0
16Marshall Islands158.3
Australasia Avg109.4
q=16.
Health (2020)21
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank21
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
189Ivory Coast132.6
190Angola133.1
191Nauru134.8
192Equatorial Guinea136.5
193Nigeria142.1
194Palau146.0
195S. Sudan146.5
196Marshall Islands158.3
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives22. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau22.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean22, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa22.

For more, see:

Health:

The Marshall Islands is amongst the unhealthiest places in the world, causing serious issues for most of its citizens. The Marshall Islands does worse than average when it comes to its average life expectancy11 (one of the worst in Australasia) and in its immunizations take-up23. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance24 (amongst the highest in Australasia). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Marshall Islands improved by just +2.6yrs in the 30 years from 1990, significantly less than almost everywhere else in the world.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
146Guyana65.7
147Myanmar (Burma)65.7
148Papua New Guinea65.4
149Marshall Islands65.3
150Sudan65.3
151Ethiopia65.0
152Tuvalu64.5
153Madagascar64.5
Australasia Avg70.11
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
24
Pos.2017
Rank24
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
141Rwanda141
142Mali142
143Niger143
144Marshall Islands144
145Botswana145
146Samoa146
147Jamaica147
148Togo148
Australasia Avg94.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
25
Pos.2016
%25
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
184Tonga78.5
185Kiribati78.7
186Niue80.0
187Tuvalu81.9
188Marshall Islands83.5
189Cook Islands84.7
190Palau85.1
191Nauru88.5
Australasia Avg73.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
23
Pos.2015
Avg %23
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
149Djibouti82.6
150Uganda82.5
151Comoros81.8
152Marshall Islands81.8
153Mozambique81.4
154Venezuela80.6
155Myanmar (Burma)80.3
156=Benin80.1
Australasia Avg86.4
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Marshall Islands's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

This rank is derived from 2 data sets. The Marshall Islands does the best in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. It does better than average in terms of its forested percent change 2000-202026.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
26
Pos.Total26
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
87Cook Islands0.1%
88New Caledonia0.0%
89=Qatar0.0%
89=Marshall Islands0.0%
89=Norfolk Island0.0%
89=Yemen0.0%
89=Tonga0.0%
89=Barbados0.0%
Australasia Avg0.1%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
7=Canada1993 Dec 29
7=Monaco1993 Dec 29
7=Maldives1993 Dec 29
7=Marshall Islands1993 Dec 29
7=Seychelles1993 Dec 29
7=Mauritius1993 Dec 29
7=Antigua & Barbuda1993 Dec 29
7=Mongolia1993 Dec 29
Australasia Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.

7. Marshall Islands's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Australasia (2020)27
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank27
1New Zealand17.6
2Australia19.2
3Palau59.3
4Tonga75.2
5=New Caledonia75.5
6Fiji80.8
7French Polynesia95.0
8Nauru99.0
9Marshall Islands102.8
10Samoa103.4
11Vanuatu117.0
12Micronesia131.3
13Kiribati143.0
Australasia Avg98.1
q=16.
Modernity & Learning (2020)27
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank27
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
135Maldives99.8
136Cameroon101.6
137Zimbabwe101.8
138Marshall Islands102.8
139Algeria103.4
140Samoa103.4
141Paraguay104.4
142Turkmenistan105.3
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Secondary Education
Higher is better
28
Pos.201828
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
34Barbados92.9%
35Albania92.9%
36Belarus92.2%
37Marshall Islands92.1%
38Montenegro91.6%
39Australia90.4%
40Romania90.0%
41Botswana90.0%
Australasia Avg79.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
29
Pos.2021
Years29
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
161Papua New Guinea10.4
162Solomon Islands10.3
163Afghanistan10.3
164Marshall Islands10.2
165Mozambique10.2
166Uganda10.1
167Laos10.1
168Madagascar10.1
Australasia Avg13.4
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
24
Pos.2017
Rank24
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
40Spain40
41Italy41
42Slovakia42
43Marshall Islands43
44S. Korea44
45Morocco45
46Belarus46
47Moldova47
Australasia Avg58.7
World Avg82.0
q=163.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
30
Pos.201630
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
149Equatorial Guinea21%
150Lesotho21%
151Indonesia20%
152Marshall Islands20%
153Algeria20%
154Nicaragua19%
155=Uganda19%
155=Zambia19%
Australasia Avg44.3%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
31
Pos.2017
Ratio31
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
117=Maldives0.0
118Tunisia0.0
119=Tuvalu0.0
119=Marshall Islands0.0
119=Georgia0.0
119=Swaziland0.0
119=Mongolia0.0
119=Samoa0.0
Australasia Avg1.55
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
24
Pos.2017
Rank24
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
37Iceland37
38Croatia38
39Bulgaria39
40Marshall Islands40
41Malaysia41
42Namibia42
43St Vincent & Grenadines43
44Cyprus44
Australasia Avg61.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
24
Pos.2017
Rank24
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
38Cyprus38
39Bulgaria39
40Turkey40
41Marshall Islands41
42Malta42
43Morocco43
44Fiji44
45Bosnia & Herzegovina45
Australasia Avg91.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
24
Pos.2017
Rank24
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
156Swaziland156
157Yemen157
158Iraq158
159Bahrain159
160Slovenia160
161Tonga161
162Marshall Islands162
163Guinea-Bissau163
Australasia Avg88.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
24
Pos.2017
Rank24
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
146Central African Rep.146
147El Salvador147
148Bahamas148
149Marshall Islands149
150Burundi150
151Zimbabwe151
152Grenada152
153Angola153
Australasia Avg103.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

10. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below32:

Christian97.5%
Muslim0.1%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Folk Religion0.3%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated1.5%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census)33.

Links: