Marshall Islands (Republic of the Marshall Islands)

Marshall Islands Republic of the Marshall Islands
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	165th best
Capital	Majuro
Land Area	180km21
Location	Australasia, Micronesia
Groupings	Small Islands
Population	58 4132
Life Expectancy	65.27yrs (2017)3
GNI	$4 620 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	MH, MHL, 5845
Internet Domain	.mh6
Currency	Dollar (USD)7
Telephone	+6928

1. Overview
2. Marshall Islands National and Social Development
3. Marshall Islands's Demographics and Migration
4. Marshall Islands's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Marshall Islands's Health
6. Marshall Islands's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Marshall Islands's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Religion and Beliefs
11. Links

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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

“This 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
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
128	Cape Verde	0.662
129	Bangladesh	0.661
130	Tuvalu	0.641
131	Marshall Islands	0.639
132	India	0.633
133	Ghana	0.632
134	Micronesia	0.628
135	Guatemala	0.627
	Australasia Avg	0.70
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
141	Venezuela	$4 811
142	Nigeria	$4 790
143	Pakistan	$4 624
144	Marshall Islands	$4 620
145	Kyrgyzstan	$4 566
146	Tajikistan	$4 548
147	Kenya	$4 474
148	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	$4 461
	Australasia Avg	$12 519
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Norway	29.8
2	Denmark	30.0
3	Finland	33.7
	...
162	Nigeria	115.8
163	N. Korea	116.1
164	Mozambique	117.6
165	Marshall Islands	117.7
166	Solomon Islands	117.7
167	Pakistan	118.0
168	Haiti	118.0
169	Ivory Coast	118.5
	Australasia Avg	101.6
	World Avg	87.9
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
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
185	Antigua & Barbuda	96 286
186	Andorra	77 006
187	Dominica	71 625
188	Marshall Islands	58 413
189	St Kitts & Nevis	52 441
190	Monaco	38 682
191	Liechtenstein	37 910
192	San Marino	33 785
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
146	Guyana	65.7
147	Myanmar (Burma)	65.7
148	Papua New Guinea	65.4
149	Marshall Islands	65.3
150	Sudan	65.3
151	Ethiopia	65.0
152	Tuvalu	64.5
153	Madagascar	64.5
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants13
Pos.		2017 %13
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
76	Bhutan	6.5%
77	Macedonia	6.3%
78	Finland	6.2%
79	Marshall Islands	6.2%
80	Turkey	6.0%
81	Syria	5.5%
82	Thailand	5.2%
83	Hungary	5.2%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants14
Pos.		2010 %14
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
34	Croatia	17.1%
35	Liechtenstein	17.1%
36	Cyprus	17.0%
37	Marshall Islands	16.6%
38	Ireland	16.1%
39	Belize	16.1%
40	Azerbaijan	16.0%
41	Bulgaria	16.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
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
1	New Zealand	17.3
2	Australia	23.9
3	Fiji	102.1
4	Papua New Guinea	122.2
5=	Nauru	123.0
6	Micronesia	128.4
7	Palau	130.6
8	Tonga	132.6
9	Marshall Islands	134.2
10	Samoa	135.9
11	Vanuatu	137.8
12=	Kiribati	138.0
13	Cook Islands	144.5
	Australasia Avg	119.7
q=15.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)15
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank15
1	Sweden	9.0
2	Norway	14.5
3	Denmark	14.5
	...
174	Tonga	132.6
175	Syria	132.9
176	Iran	133.6
177	Marshall Islands	134.2
178	Zimbabwe	134.3
179	Saudi Arabia	134.5
180	Samoa	135.9
181	Angola	136.0
	World Avg	87.9
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:

• "Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better17
Pos.		2009 Treaties17
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
186	Micronesia	5
187=	Singapore	5
187=	Nauru	5
189	Marshall Islands	4
190=	Myanmar (Burma)	4
190=	Palau	4
190=	Malaysia	4
193	Bhutan	3
	Australasia Avg	8.7
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better18
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty18
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
188	Kiribati	15.80
189	Solomon Islands	15.81
190	Nauru	16.16
191	Sao Tome & Principe	16.17
192	Tuvalu	16.33
193	Palau	16.34
194	Marshall Islands	16.34
195	Palestine	17.21
	Australasia Avg	14.35
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Gender Equality:

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
170	Portugal	1976
171	Guinea-Bissau	1977
172	Zimbabwe	1978
173=	Marshall Islands	1979
173=	Palau	1979
173=	Micronesia	1979
176	Iraq	1980
177=	Vanuatu	1980
	Australasia Avg	1962
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality Higher is better19
Pos.		2017 Score19
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
85=	Sao Tome & Principe	20
85=	Palau	20
85=	Nauru	20
85=	Marshall Islands	20
85=	Guinea-Bissau	20
85=	Micronesia	20
85=	Armenia	20
92	Mozambique	17
	Australasia Avg	07.1
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better20
Pos.		202120
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
	...
39	Cape Verde	2.3
40=	Botswana	2.3
40=	Uruguay	2.3
40=	Marshall Islands	2.3
43	Seychelles	2.3
44=	Bhutan	2.5
44=	Kenya	2.5
44=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.5
	Australasia Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Marshall Islands's Health

#health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #vaccines

Compared to Australasia (2020)21
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank21
1	Solomon Islands	82.0
2	Australia	84.6
3	Kiribati	87.0
	...
8=	Tonga	104.1
9	Samoa	107.8
10	Tuvalu	112.5
11	Micronesia	114.2
12	Papua New Guinea	120.8
13	Cook Islands	123.7
14	Nauru	134.8
15	Palau	146.0
16	Marshall Islands	158.3
	Australasia Avg	109.4
q=16.

Health (2020)21
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank21
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
	...
189	Ivory Coast	132.6
190	Angola	133.1
191	Nauru	134.8
192	Equatorial Guinea	136.5
193	Nigeria	142.1
194	Palau	146.0
195	S. Sudan	146.5
196	Marshall Islands	158.3
	World Avg	93.5
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:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

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 better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
146	Guyana	65.7
147	Myanmar (Burma)	65.7
148	Papua New Guinea	65.4
149	Marshall Islands	65.3
150	Sudan	65.3
151	Ethiopia	65.0
152	Tuvalu	64.5
153	Madagascar	64.5
	Australasia Avg	70.11
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better24
Pos.		2017 Rank24
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
141	Rwanda	141
142	Mali	142
143	Niger	143
144	Marshall Islands	144
145	Botswana	145
146	Samoa	146
147	Jamaica	147
148	Togo	148
	Australasia Avg	94.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better25
Pos.		2016 %25
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
184	Tonga	78.5
185	Kiribati	78.7
186	Niue	80.0
187	Tuvalu	81.9
188	Marshall Islands	83.5
189	Cook Islands	84.7
190	Palau	85.1
191	Nauru	88.5
	Australasia Avg	73.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better23
Pos.		2015 Avg %23
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
149	Djibouti	82.6
150	Uganda	82.5
151	Comoros	81.8
152	Marshall Islands	81.8
153	Mozambique	81.4
154	Venezuela	80.6
155	Myanmar (Burma)	80.3
156=	Benin	80.1
	Australasia Avg	86.4
	World Avg	88.3
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 better26
Pos.		Total26
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
87	Cook Islands	0.1%
88	New Caledonia	0.0%
89=	Qatar	0.0%
89=	Marshall Islands	0.0%
89=	Norfolk Island	0.0%
89=	Yemen	0.0%
89=	Tonga	0.0%
89=	Barbados	0.0%
	Australasia Avg	0.1%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
7=	Canada	1993 Dec 29
7=	Monaco	1993 Dec 29
7=	Maldives	1993 Dec 29
7=	Marshall Islands	1993 Dec 29
7=	Seychelles	1993 Dec 29
7=	Mauritius	1993 Dec 29
7=	Antigua & Barbuda	1993 Dec 29
7=	Mongolia	1993 Dec 29
	Australasia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 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
1	New Zealand	17.6
2	Australia	19.2
3	Palau	59.3
4	Tonga	75.2
5=	New Caledonia	75.5
6	Fiji	80.8
7	French Polynesia	95.0
8	Nauru	99.0
9	Marshall Islands	102.8
10	Samoa	103.4
11	Vanuatu	117.0
12	Micronesia	131.3
13	Kiribati	143.0
	Australasia Avg	98.1
q=16.

Modernity & Learning (2020)27
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank27
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
	...
135	Maldives	99.8
136	Cameroon	101.6
137	Zimbabwe	101.8
138	Marshall Islands	102.8
139	Algeria	103.4
140	Samoa	103.4
141	Paraguay	104.4
142	Turkmenistan	105.3
	World Avg	83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Secondary Education Higher is better28
Pos.		201828
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
34	Barbados	92.9%
35	Albania	92.9%
36	Belarus	92.2%
37	Marshall Islands	92.1%
38	Montenegro	91.6%
39	Australia	90.4%
40	Romania	90.0%
41	Botswana	90.0%
	Australasia Avg	79.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better29
Pos.		2021 Years29
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
161	Papua New Guinea	10.4
162	Solomon Islands	10.3
163	Afghanistan	10.3
164	Marshall Islands	10.2
165	Mozambique	10.2
166	Uganda	10.1
167	Laos	10.1
168	Madagascar	10.1
	Australasia Avg	13.4
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better24
Pos.		2017 Rank24
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
40	Spain	40
41	Italy	41
42	Slovakia	42
43	Marshall Islands	43
44	S. Korea	44
45	Morocco	45
46	Belarus	46
47	Moldova	47
	Australasia Avg	58.7
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better30
Pos.		201630
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
149	Equatorial Guinea	21%
150	Lesotho	21%
151	Indonesia	20%
152	Marshall Islands	20%
153	Algeria	20%
154	Nicaragua	19%
155=	Uganda	19%
155=	Zambia	19%
	Australasia Avg	44.3%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better31
Pos.		2017 Ratio31
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
117=	Maldives	0.0
118	Tunisia	0.0
119=	Tuvalu	0.0
119=	Marshall Islands	0.0
119=	Georgia	0.0
119=	Swaziland	0.0
119=	Mongolia	0.0
119=	Samoa	0.0
	Australasia Avg	1.55
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

Creativity & Culture Lower is better24
Pos.		2017 Rank24
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
37	Iceland	37
38	Croatia	38
39	Bulgaria	39
40	Marshall Islands	40
41	Malaysia	41
42	Namibia	42
43	St Vincent & Grenadines	43
44	Cyprus	44
	Australasia Avg	61.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better24
Pos.		2017 Rank24
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
38	Cyprus	38
39	Bulgaria	39
40	Turkey	40
41	Marshall Islands	41
42	Malta	42
43	Morocco	43
44	Fiji	44
45	Bosnia & Herzegovina	45
	Australasia Avg	91.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better24
Pos.		2017 Rank24
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
156	Swaziland	156
157	Yemen	157
158	Iraq	158
159	Bahrain	159
160	Slovenia	160
161	Tonga	161
162	Marshall Islands	162
163	Guinea-Bissau	163
	Australasia Avg	88.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better24
Pos.		2017 Rank24
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
146	Central African Rep.	146
147	El Salvador	147
148	Bahamas	148
149	Marshall Islands	149
150	Burundi	150
151	Zimbabwe	151
152	Grenada	152
153	Angola	153
	Australasia Avg	103.6
	World Avg	82.0
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:

Christian	97.5%
Muslim	0.1%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.3%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	1.5%

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:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems