The latest officially reported population of the Marshall Islands was 36,282 in 2025 vs 26,571,036 people in North Korea in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Marshall Islands' population is 35,039 people compared to 26,668,308 in North Korea.
Population statistics:
- North Korea's population is 761 times bigger than the Marshall Islands'.
- The Marshall Islands is ranked the 192nd most populous country in the world, while North Korea is the 57th.
- The countries together account for 0.32% of the world: 0.0004% for the Marshall Islands vs 0.32% for North Korea.
- For the last 10 years, the Marshall Islands has had an average growth rate of -2.84% per year vs +0.39% in North Korea.
- Since 2006, the population of the Marshall Islands has decreased from 52K people to 35K (32.6% decline), while North Korea has grown from 24.5M to 26.7M (8.74% growth).
Marshall Islands vs North Korea: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Marshall Islands
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2100 | 23,445 | 19,601,003 |
| 2099 | 23,524 | 19,729,897 |
| 2098 | 23,613 | 19,859,274 |
| 2097 | 23,708 | 19,989,589 |
| 2096 | 23,784 | 20,120,795 |
| 2095 | 23,867 | 20,252,653 |
| 2094 | 23,935 | 20,384,384 |
| 2093 | 24,009 | 20,516,457 |
| 2092 | 24,079 | 20,649,140 |
| 2091 | 24,137 | 20,781,939 |
| 2090 | 24,185 | 20,914,434 |
| 2089 | 24,240 | 21,046,685 |
| 2088 | 24,272 | 21,178,406 |
| 2087 | 24,301 | 21,310,103 |
| 2086 | 24,316 | 21,441,361 |
| 2085 | 24,335 | 21,571,843 |
| 2084 | 24,342 | 21,701,761 |
| 2083 | 24,331 | 21,830,989 |
| 2082 | 24,315 | 21,960,135 |
| 2081 | 24,304 | 22,088,774 |
| 2080 | 24,278 | 22,216,836 |
| 2079 | 24,256 | 22,344,442 |
| 2078 | 24,214 | 22,471,597 |
| 2077 | 24,172 | 22,598,635 |
| 2076 | 24,138 | 22,725,293 |
| 2075 | 24,083 | 22,852,140 |
| 2074 | 24,049 | 22,979,532 |
| 2073 | 24,000 | 23,107,165 |
| 2072 | 23,969 | 23,234,961 |
| 2071 | 23,931 | 23,363,260 |
| 2070 | 23,889 | 23,491,789 |
| 2069 | 23,857 | 23,621,167 |
| 2068 | 23,815 | 23,750,741 |
| 2067 | 23,795 | 23,880,460 |
| 2066 | 23,763 | 24,010,584 |
| 2065 | 23,762 | 24,140,518 |
| 2064 | 23,766 | 24,269,765 |
| 2063 | 23,778 | 24,397,924 |
| 2062 | 23,818 | 24,525,403 |
| 2061 | 23,869 | 24,651,788 |
| 2060 | 23,917 | 24,776,326 |
| 2059 | 23,981 | 24,898,430 |
| 2058 | 24,028 | 25,018,630 |
| 2057 | 24,106 | 25,135,871 |
| 2056 | 24,194 | 25,250,670 |
| 2055 | 24,305 | 25,361,704 |
| 2054 | 24,411 | 25,469,578 |
| 2053 | 24,502 | 25,574,137 |
| 2052 | 24,602 | 25,675,211 |
| 2051 | 24,714 | 25,772,870 |
| 2050 | 24,811 | 25,866,886 |
| 2049 | 24,935 | 25,957,363 |
| 2048 | 25,047 | 26,043,774 |
| 2047 | 25,155 | 26,126,594 |
| 2046 | 25,267 | 26,205,638 |
| 2045 | 25,394 | 26,281,344 |
| 2044 | 25,531 | 26,353,455 |
| 2043 | 25,687 | 26,422,173 |
| 2042 | 25,846 | 26,486,580 |
| 2041 | 26,033 | 26,547,651 |
| 2040 | 26,249 | 26,604,634 |
| 2039 | 26,493 | 26,656,882 |
| 2038 | 26,759 | 26,703,458 |
| 2037 | 27,090 | 26,744,185 |
| 2036 | 27,446 | 26,778,348 |
| 2035 | 27,874 | 26,805,065 |
| 2034 | 28,364 | 26,823,948 |
| 2033 | 28,919 | 26,834,263 |
| 2032 | 29,543 | 26,835,978 |
| 2031 | 30,251 | 26,827,992 |
| 2030 | 31,054 | 26,809,850 |
| 2029 | 31,943 | 26,782,161 |
| 2028 | 32,879 | 26,744,278 |
| 2027 | 33,909 | 26,696,504 |
| 2026 | 35,039 | 26,638,530 |
| 2025 | 36,282 | 26,571,036 |
| 2024 | 37,548 | 26,498,823 |
| 2023 | 38,827 | 26,418,204 |
| 2022 | 40,077 | 26,328,845 |
| 2021 | 41,367 | 26,232,534 |
| 2020 | 42,706 | 26,136,312 |
| 2019 | 44,007 | 26,037,632 |
| 2018 | 45,285 | 25,931,147 |
| 2017 | 46,529 | 25,817,709 |
| 2016 | 47,709 | 25,698,326 |
| 2015 | 48,800 | 25,575,350 |
| 2014 | 49,796 | 25,451,262 |
| 2013 | 50,681 | 25,329,451 |
| 2012 | 51,419 | 25,211,728 |
| 2011 | 51,907 | 25,097,874 |
| 2010 | 52,044 | 24,987,258 |
| 2009 | 52,019 | 24,878,332 |
| 2008 | 52,030 | 24,764,618 |
| 2007 | 52,035 | 24,646,383 |
| 2006 | 51,992 | 24,524,507 |
| 2005 | 51,906 | 24,396,433 |
| 2004 | 51,791 | 24,254,943 |
| 2003 | 51,639 | 24,090,380 |
| 2002 | 51,425 | 23,943,973 |
| 2001 | 51,123 | 23,815,358 |
| 2000 | 50,706 | 23,665,910 |
| 1999 | 50,202 | 23,497,599 |
| 1998 | 49,717 | 23,311,564 |
| 1997 | 49,259 | 23,110,830 |
| 1996 | 48,775 | 22,895,746 |
| 1995 | 48,266 | 22,669,304 |
| 1994 | 47,712 | 22,393,975 |
| 1993 | 47,093 | 22,073,352 |
| 1992 | 46,388 | 21,750,911 |
| 1991 | 45,568 | 21,428,638 |
| 1990 | 44,629 | 21,112,137 |
| 1989 | 43,586 | 20,804,367 |
| 1988 | 42,321 | 20,503,161 |
| 1987 | 40,828 | 20,205,483 |
| 1986 | 39,286 | 19,910,855 |
| 1985 | 37,761 | 19,620,388 |
| 1984 | 36,264 | 19,335,043 |
| 1983 | 34,811 | 19,054,034 |
| 1982 | 33,397 | 18,776,357 |
| 1981 | 32,017 | 18,501,295 |
| 1980 | 30,774 | 18,236,786 |
| 1979 | 29,738 | 17,983,470 |
| 1978 | 28,809 | 17,735,995 |
| 1977 | 27,906 | 17,492,798 |
| 1976 | 27,021 | 17,243,450 |
| 1975 | 26,154 | 16,971,055 |
| 1974 | 25,296 | 16,673,121 |
| 1973 | 24,581 | 16,350,367 |
| 1972 | 23,992 | 15,975,069 |
| 1971 | 23,366 | 15,572,457 |
| 1970 | 22,530 | 15,172,775 |
| 1969 | 21,305 | 14,767,615 |
| 1968 | 19,862 | 14,365,596 |
| 1967 | 18,655 | 13,958,350 |
| 1966 | 17,927 | 13,569,094 |
| 1965 | 17,402 | 13,219,369 |
| 1964 | 16,852 | 12,889,770 |
| 1963 | 16,302 | 12,567,057 |
| 1962 | 15,755 | 12,262,882 |
| 1961 | 15,219 | 11,990,713 |
| 1960 | 14,703 | 11,722,953 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/north-korea | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Marshall Islands decreased by 4,283 people (a 8.24% decline), while North Korea gained 1,173,819 people (a 4.79% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Marshall Islands lost 12,670 people (a 26.6% decline), while North Korea's population increased by 969,982 people (a 3.77% growth).
The Marshall Islands was ranked 188th most populous country in 2006 and is 192nd in 2026. North Korea was ranked 46th in 2006 and ranked 57th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) the Marshall Islands' population will shrink by 29.2% to 24,811 people with a rank change from 192nd to 193rd. The population of North Korea will decrease by 3.01% to 25,866,886 people and rank change from 57th to 66th.
North Korea is projected to reach its peak in 2032 at 26.8M people, while the Marshall Islands' population already peaked in 2010 at 52K people and is projected to decrease to 23.4K people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Marshall Islands
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2100 | -0.33% | -0.65% |
| 2099 | -0.38% | -0.65% |
| 2098 | -0.4% | -0.65% |
| 2097 | -0.32% | -0.65% |
| 2096 | -0.35% | -0.65% |
| 2095 | -0.28% | -0.65% |
| 2094 | -0.31% | -0.64% |
| 2093 | -0.29% | -0.64% |
| 2092 | -0.24% | -0.64% |
| 2091 | -0.2% | -0.63% |
| 2090 | -0.23% | -0.63% |
| 2089 | -0.13% | -0.62% |
| 2088 | -0.12% | -0.62% |
| 2087 | -0.06% | -0.61% |
| 2086 | -0.08% | -0.6% |
| 2085 | -0.03% | -0.6% |
| 2084 | 0.05% | -0.59% |
| 2083 | 0.06% | -0.59% |
| 2082 | 0.04% | -0.58% |
| 2081 | 0.11% | -0.58% |
| 2080 | 0.09% | -0.57% |
| 2079 | 0.17% | -0.57% |
| 2078 | 0.17% | -0.56% |
| 2077 | 0.14% | -0.56% |
| 2076 | 0.23% | -0.56% |
| 2075 | 0.14% | -0.55% |
| 2074 | 0.2% | -0.55% |
| 2073 | 0.13% | -0.55% |
| 2072 | 0.16% | -0.55% |
| 2071 | 0.17% | -0.55% |
| 2070 | 0.14% | -0.55% |
| 2069 | 0.18% | -0.55% |
| 2068 | 0.08% | -0.54% |
| 2067 | 0.14% | -0.54% |
| 2066 | 0.004% | -0.54% |
| 2065 | -0.02% | -0.53% |
| 2064 | -0.05% | -0.53% |
| 2063 | -0.17% | -0.52% |
| 2062 | -0.21% | -0.51% |
| 2061 | -0.2% | -0.5% |
| 2060 | -0.27% | -0.49% |
| 2059 | -0.2% | -0.48% |
| 2058 | -0.32% | -0.47% |
| 2057 | -0.37% | -0.45% |
| 2056 | -0.46% | -0.44% |
| 2055 | -0.43% | -0.42% |
| 2054 | -0.37% | -0.41% |
| 2053 | -0.41% | -0.39% |
| 2052 | -0.45% | -0.38% |
| 2051 | -0.39% | -0.36% |
| 2050 | -0.5% | -0.35% |
| 2049 | -0.45% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | -0.43% | -0.32% |
| 2047 | -0.44% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | -0.5% | -0.29% |
| 2045 | -0.54% | -0.27% |
| 2044 | -0.61% | -0.26% |
| 2043 | -0.62% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | -0.72% | -0.23% |
| 2041 | -0.82% | -0.21% |
| 2040 | -0.92% | -0.2% |
| 2039 | -1% | -0.17% |
| 2038 | -1.22% | -0.15% |
| 2037 | -1.3% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | -1.53% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | -1.73% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | -1.92% | -0.04% |
| 2033 | -2.11% | -0.006% |
| 2032 | -2.34% | 0.03% |
| 2031 | -2.59% | 0.07% |
| 2030 | -2.78% | 0.1% |
| 2029 | -2.85% | 0.14% |
| 2028 | -3.04% | 0.18% |
| 2027 | -3.23% | 0.22% |
| 2026 | -3.42% | 0.25% |
| 2025 | -3.37% | 0.27% |
| 2024 | -3.29% | 0.31% |
| 2023 | -3.12% | 0.34% |
| 2022 | -3.12% | 0.37% |
| 2021 | -3.14% | 0.37% |
| 2020 | -2.96% | 0.38% |
| 2019 | -2.82% | 0.41% |
| 2018 | -2.67% | 0.44% |
| 2017 | -2.47% | 0.46% |
| 2016 | -2.24% | 0.48% |
| 2015 | -2% | 0.49% |
| 2014 | -1.75% | 0.48% |
| 2013 | -1.44% | 0.47% |
| 2012 | -0.94% | 0.45% |
| 2011 | -0.26% | 0.44% |
| 2010 | 0.05% | 0.44% |
| 2009 | -0.02% | 0.46% |
| 2008 | -0.01% | 0.48% |
| 2007 | 0.08% | 0.5% |
| 2006 | 0.17% | 0.52% |
| 2005 | 0.22% | 0.58% |
| 2004 | 0.29% | 0.68% |
| 2003 | 0.42% | 0.61% |
| 2002 | 0.59% | 0.54% |
| 2001 | 0.82% | 0.63% |
| 2000 | 1% | 0.72% |
| 1999 | 0.98% | 0.8% |
| 1998 | 0.93% | 0.87% |
| 1997 | 0.99% | 0.94% |
| 1996 | 1.05% | 1% |
| 1995 | 1.16% | 1.23% |
| 1994 | 1.31% | 1.45% |
| 1993 | 1.52% | 1.48% |
| 1992 | 1.8% | 1.5% |
| 1991 | 2.1% | 1.5% |
| 1990 | 2.39% | 1.48% |
| 1989 | 2.99% | 1.47% |
| 1988 | 3.66% | 1.47% |
| 1987 | 3.93% | 1.48% |
| 1986 | 4.04% | 1.48% |
| 1985 | 4.13% | 1.48% |
| 1984 | 4.17% | 1.47% |
| 1983 | 4.23% | 1.48% |
| 1982 | 4.31% | 1.49% |
| 1981 | 4.04% | 1.45% |
| 1980 | 3.48% | 1.41% |
| 1979 | 3.22% | 1.4% |
| 1978 | 3.24% | 1.39% |
| 1977 | 3.28% | 1.45% |
| 1976 | 3.31% | 1.61% |
| 1975 | 3.39% | 1.79% |
| 1974 | 2.91% | 1.97% |
| 1973 | 2.45% | 2.35% |
| 1972 | 2.68% | 2.59% |
| 1971 | 3.71% | 2.63% |
| 1970 | 5.75% | 2.74% |
| 1969 | 7.27% | 2.8% |
| 1968 | 6.47% | 2.92% |
| 1967 | 4.06% | 2.87% |
| 1966 | 3.02% | 2.65% |
| 1965 | 3.26% | 2.56% |
| 1964 | 3.37% | 2.57% |
| 1963 | 3.47% | 2.48% |
| 1962 | 3.52% | 2.27% |
| 1961 | 3.51% | 2.28% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/north-korea | CC BY
In 2025, the population of the Marshall Islands declined by 3.37%, while North Korea's population grew by 0.27%.
Live population counters
|
Marshall Islands
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
35039
|
26668308
|
| Population rank | 192/197 | 57/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.0004% | 0.32% |
| One net population change |
6.94 hours
|
7.3 minutes
|
| One birth every |
11.6 hours
|
1.54 minutes
|
| One death every |
1.37 days
|
2.01 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | -3 | +198 |
| Annual growth/decline | -1,266 | +72,213 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | -3.37% | +0.27% |
| Population growth rate rank | 197/197 | 146/197 |
| One migration net change every |
5.17 hours
|
3.15 hours
|
| Annual migration change | -1,698 | -2,787 |
| Net migration rank | 97/196 | 104/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 3,309 | 50,439 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 189/195 | 150/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 8.8% | 0.2% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 71/195 | 189/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Marshall Islands
|
North Korea
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -1,698 | - | -2,787 |
| 2024 | 487 | -1,765 | 79,496 | -2,473 |
| 2023 | 550 | -1,832 | 86,203 | -1,997 |
| 2022 | 606 | -1,829 | 96,495 | -1,997 |
| 2021 | 653 | -2,016 | 99,710 | -1,585 |
| 2020 | 689 | -2,004 | 95,920 | -1,585 |
| 2019 | 746 | -2,030 | 106,208 | -3,142 |
| 2018 | 785 | -2,058 | 113,164 | -3,225 |
| 2017 | 826 | -2,040 | 120,181 | -3,224 |
| 2016 | 866 | -2,003 | 125,048 | -3,222 |
| 2015 | 912 | -1,964 | 127,365 | -3,208 |
| 2014 | 959 | -1,906 | 127,078 | -3,042 |
| 2013 | 1,014 | -1,825 | 122,519 | -2,933 |
| 2012 | 1,097 | -1,759 | 118,773 | -2,919 |
| 2011 | 1,185 | -1,512 | 114,798 | -2,957 |
| 2010 | 1,273 | -1,221 | 112,443 | -3,053 |
| 2009 | 1,365 | -1,361 | 111,530 | -3,058 |
| 2008 | 1,443 | -1,467 | 122,015 | -3,051 |
| 2007 | 1,507 | -1,491 | 120,521 | -3,021 |
| 2006 | 1,556 | -1,491 | 129,171 | -2,948 |
| 2005 | 1,586 | -1,482 | 132,765 | -2,861 |
| 2004 | 1,595 | -1,466 | 155,838 | -2,758 |
| 2003 | 1,600 | -1,427 | 178,775 | -2,717 |
| 2002 | 1,594 | -1,345 | 119,504 | -2,763 |
| 2001 | 1,596 | -1,237 | 143,321 | -2,884 |
| 2000 | 1,592 | -1,110 | 161,591 | -3,142 |
| 1999 | 1,590 | -1,068 | 181,613 | -3,443 |
| 1998 | 1,576 | -1,124 | 197,589 | -3,706 |
| 1997 | 1,564 | -1,097 | 211,325 | -3,745 |
| 1996 | 1,542 | -1,050 | 226,095 | -3,512 |
| 1995 | 1,522 | -991 | 233,381 | -3,094 |
| 1994 | 1,524 | -942 | 320,861 | -517 |
| 1993 | 1,524 | -869 | 320,880 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1,525 | -769 | 324,002 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1,540 | -661 | 320,551 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1,556 | -562 | 312,460 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1,574 | -479 | 303,078 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1,575 | -140 | 299,305 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1,566 | -16 | 296,030 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1,544 | -8 | 293,227 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1,511 | -1 | 287,714 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1,470 | 6 | 282,987 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1,422 | 12 | 279,046 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1,375 | 23 | 276,332 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1,328 | 31 | 273,800 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1,287 | -155 | 255,206 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1,250 | -316 | 251,409 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1,207 | -286 | 243,533 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1,160 | -264 | 242,870 | 0 |
| 1976 | 1,109 | -233 | 255,841 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1,055 | -193 | 288,966 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1,000 | -145 | 306,902 | 0 |
| 1973 | 954 | -383 | 338,600 | 0 |
| 1972 | 913 | -306 | 411,997 | 0 |
| 1971 | 877 | -232 | 393,220 | 0 |
| 1970 | 819 | 201 | 406,129 | 0 |
| 1969 | 747 | 690 | 404,189 | 0 |
| 1968 | 685 | 769 | 399,837 | 0 |
| 1967 | 636 | 308 | 414,632 | 0 |
| 1966 | 603 | -89 | 363,882 | 0 |
| 1965 | 566 | -22 | 335,587 | 0 |
| 1964 | 536 | 16 | 323,623 | 0 |
| 1963 | 509 | 42 | 321,805 | 0 |
| 1962 | 488 | 54 | 286,534 | 0 |
| 1961 | 469 | 56 | 257,788 | 0 |
| 1960 | 452 | 63 | 277,717 | 0 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/north-korea | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 26.7% of the population change in the Marshall Islands is from natural causes (a gain of 7,120 people) and 73.3% is from migration (a loss of 19,541 people). In North Korea 97.6% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,049,790 people) and 2.39% is from migration (a loss of 25,658 people).
As of 2024, 3,309 residents or 8.8% of the population were not native-born in the Marshall Islands, compared to 50,439 people or 0.2% in North Korea.
Biggest cities by population
|
Marshall Islands
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Majuro | 30K |
| Djarrit | 7.1K |
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Pyongyang | 2.86M |
| Hamhung | 769K |
| Chongjin | 668K |
| Sunchon | 437K |
| Nampo | 367K |
| Wonsan | 363K |
| Sinuiju | 359K |
| Tanchon | 346K |
| Kaechon | 320K |
| Kaesong | 308K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between the Marshall Islands and North Korea
|
Marshall Islands
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 67.3 years | 74 years |
| Average age | 27.8 years | 38.2 years |
| Median age | 21.8 years | 37.6 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 51.2:48.8 | 49.5:50.5 |
| Fertility rate | 2.86 births per woman | 1.78 births per woman |
| Population density | 504 ppl/mi² | 573 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/north-korea | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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