Urban Population: Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands's urban population is currently 78.7% as of 2024. # Marshall Islands Urban Population The Marshall Islands reached 78.
Current (2024)
78.7%
+0.5% y/y
Peak (2024)
78.7%
Low (1960)
34.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Marshall Islands
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Marshall Islands
Analysis# Marshall Islands Urban Population
The Marshall Islands reached 78.733% urban population in 2024, marking its all-time peak since records began in 1960. This represents a dramatic 126% increase from the 34.834% urban rate recorded in 1960, reflecting one of the most significant urbanization shifts in the Pacific region. The nation has transformed from a predominantly rural society to an overwhelmingly urban one over six decades.
The steady acceleration visible from 2015 onward demonstrates consistent annual growth, averaging roughly 0.3 percentage points yearly. Between 2015 and 2024, urbanization climbed from 75.47% to 78.733%, suggesting sustained migration toward urban centers and concentrated development patterns. With urbanization already near 79%, the Marshall Islands shows limited room for further growth, indicating stabilization around this elevated level in coming years.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78.7% | +0.48% |
| 2023 | 78.4% | +0.48% |
| 2022 | 78.0% | +0.48% |
| 2021 | 77.6% | +0.43% |
| 2020 | 77.3% | +0.45% |
| 2019 | 76.9% | +0.46% |
| 2018 | 76.6% | +0.48% |
| 2017 | 76.2% | +0.49% |
| 2016 | 75.9% | +0.51% |
| 2015 | 75.5% | +0.52% |
| 2014 | 75.1% | +0.54% |
| 2013 | 74.7% | +0.55% |
| 2012 | 74.3% | +0.56% |
| 2011 | 73.9% | +0.60% |
| 2010 | 73.4% | +0.69% |
| 2009 | 72.9% | +0.75% |
| 2008 | 72.4% | +0.80% |
| 2007 | 71.8% | +0.82% |
| 2006 | 71.2% | +0.83% |
| 2005 | 70.6% | +0.81% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 70.1% | +0.77% |
| 2003 | 69.5% | +0.70% |
| 2002 | 69.0% | +0.61% |
| 2001 | 68.6% | +0.50% |
| 2000 | 68.3% | +0.36% |
| 1999 | 68.0% | +0.25% |
| 1998 | 67.9% | +0.19% |
| 1997 | 67.7% | +0.15% |
| 1996 | 67.6% | +0.13% |
| 1995 | 67.5% | +0.11% |
| 1994 | 67.5% | +0.11% |
| 1993 | 67.4% | +0.12% |
| 1992 | 67.3% | +0.15% |
| 1991 | 67.2% | +0.19% |
| 1990 | 67.1% | +0.24% |
| 1989 | 66.9% | +0.38% |
| 1988 | 66.7% | +0.88% |
| 1987 | 66.1% | +1.44% |
| 1986 | 65.1% | +1.79% |
| 1985 | 64.0% | +1.95% |
| 1984 | 62.8% | +1.91% |
| 1983 | 61.6% | +1.65% |
| 1982 | 60.6% | +1.16% |
| 1981 | 59.9% | +0.43% |
| 1980 | 59.6% | -0.19% |
| 1979 | 59.8% | -0.49% |
| 1978 | 60.1% | -0.66% |
| 1977 | 60.5% | -0.69% |
| 1976 | 60.9% | -0.59% |
| 1975 | 61.2% | -0.37% |
| 1974 | 61.5% | +0.27% |
| 1973 | 61.3% | +2.28% |
| 1972 | 59.9% | +4.35% |
| 1971 | 57.4% | +5.77% |
| 1970 | 54.3% | +6.50% |
| 1969 | 51.0% | +6.36% |
| 1968 | 47.9% | +5.11% |
| 1967 | 45.6% | +4.10% |
| 1966 | 43.8% | +4.13% |
| 1965 | 42.1% | +4.11% |
| 1964 | 40.4% | +4.04% |
| 1963 | 38.8% | +3.91% |
| 1962 | 37.4% | +3.72% |
| 1961 | 36.0% | +3.45% |
| 1960 | 34.8% | — |
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