World Factbook
Marshall Islands
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with an orange stripe and a white stripe radiating from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the left side above the two stripes meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, orange for the Ralik Chain (or sunset and courage), and white for the Ratak Chain (or sunrise and peace); the star symbolizes the Christian cross, with a small ray for each electoral district and a larger ray for the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the diagonal stripes can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position
Capital
name
Majuro
note
note: the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap
etymology
Majuro means "two openings" or "two eyes" and refers to the two major passages through the atoll into the Majuro lagoon
time difference
UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
7 06 N, 171 23 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
effective 1 May 1979
amendment process
proposed by the National Parliament or by a constitutional convention; passage by Parliament requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership in each of two readings and approval by a majority of votes in a referendum; amendments submitted by a constitutional convention require approval of at least two thirds of votes in a referendum
Country name
former
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District
etymology
named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788
abbreviation
RMI
local long form
Republic of the Marshall Islands
local short form
Marshall Islands
conventional long form
Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form
Marshall Islands
Independence
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Legal system
mixed system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes
Government type
mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices)
subordinate courts
High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts
judge selection and term of office
judges appointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (consists of the chief justice of the High Court, the attorney general and a private citizen selected by the Cabinet) and upon approval of the Nitijela; the current chief justice, appointed in 2013, serves for 10 years; Marshallese citizens appointed as justices serve until retirement at age 72
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker
chief of state
President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023)
election results
2023: Hilda C. HEINE elected president; National Parliament vote - Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 17, David KABUA (independent) 16 2020: David KABUA elected president; National Parliament vote - David KABUA (independent) 20, Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 12
head of government
President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023)
most recent election date
2 January 2023
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits)
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
National color(s)
blue, white, orange
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site
Political parties
traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures
Legislative branch
note
note: the Council of Iroij is a 12-member consultative group of tribal leaders that advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice
term in office
4 years
number of seats
33 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Parliament (Nitijela)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/20/2023
expected date of next election
November 2027
percentage of women in chamber
12.1%
National anthem(s)
title
"Forever Marshall Islands"
history
adopted 1981; words and music written by the first president of the Marshall Islands
lyrics/music
Amata KABUA
National symbol(s)
a 24-rayed star
Administrative divisions
24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-3236
chancery
2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 234-5414
chief of mission
Ambassador Charles Rudolph PAUL (since 27 February 2024)
consulate(s) general
Honolulu, Springdale (AR)
email address and website
info@rmiembassyus.org
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[692] 247-4012
embassy
Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro
telephone
[692] 247-4011
mailing address
4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC 20521-4380
chief of mission
Ambassador Laura M. STONE (since 12 July 2024)
email address and website
MAJConsular@state.gov https://mh.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, WHO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction