| Economy - overview | US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. |
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| GDP | NA |
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| GDP - real growth rate | 3.5% (2005 est.) |
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| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 31.7%
industry: 14.9%
services: 53.4% (2004 est.) |
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| Population below poverty line | NA% |
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Household income or consumption
by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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| Labor force | 14,680 (2000) |
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| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 21.4%
industry: 20.9%
services: 57.7% |
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| Unemployment rate | 30.9% (2000 est.) |
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| Budget | revenues: $42 million
expenditures: $40 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) |
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| Industries | copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from seashells, wood, and pearls |
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| Industrial production growth rate | NA% |
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Electricity -
production by source | fossil fuel: 99%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 1% (solar) |
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| Agriculture - products | coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens |
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| Exports | $9.1 million f.o.b. (2000) |
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| Exports - commodities | copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish |
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| Exports - partners | US, Japan, Australia, China (2004) |
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| Imports | $54.7 million f.o.b. (2000) |
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| Imports - commodities | foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco |
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| Imports - partners | US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2004) |
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| Debt - external | $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.) |
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| Economic aid - recipient | $51.1 million more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002 (2004) |
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| Currency code | USD |
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| Exchange rates | the US dollar is used |
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| Fiscal year | 1 October - 30 September |
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