Marshall Islands: cost of living

What is the inflation rate in the Marshall Islands?

Consumer prices in the Marshall Islands rose by 6.3% in 2024, after 7.6% in 2023, 3.6% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2021, according to the Pacific Community's consumer price index data on the Pacific Data Hub.

The IMF's 2025 Article IV press release gives inflation of 5.7% at the end of fiscal year 2024, and projects average inflation of 5.9% in FY2025 and 3.3% in FY2026. The two sources measure slightly different periods, a calendar-year average and an end-of-fiscal-year rate. The index itself is compiled by the Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office, which publishes quarterly CPI reports on its website.

Official sources: Pacific Data Hub: Marshall Islands inflation rate (CSV) · IMF: Republic of the Marshall Islands, 2025 Article IV consultation (press release) · EPPSO: Consumer Price Index report, 4th quarter 2023

How many households in the Marshall Islands are food insecure?

52.7% of households in the Marshall Islands reported having experienced food insecurity at the 2021 census, according to EPPSO's census analytical report. About 4,000 households reported being food insecure, and about half of them reported all eight insecurities on the global Food Insecurity Experience Scale.

The scale asks whether people worried about food, ate less or went without food for lack of money or other resources. The report links food worries to natural disasters: 19.3% of households had experienced at least one natural disaster, and just over half of those said it had limited their income or livelihood. The census did not produce a national poverty line, so this is the closest official measure of hardship from that source.

Official sources: EPPSO: RMI 2021 Census of Population and Housing, analytical report (PDF)

How much do people in the Marshall Islands spend?

In 2024, household consumption per person in the Marshall Islands was $4,066, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from $2,522 (2008) to $4,182 (2022). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was $4,470, and the Marshall Islands placed 12th highest of 22. Of 153 countries with 2024 data, 78th highest.

What is the extreme poverty rate in the Marshall Islands?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2019, is 2.1%. It is 5th highest of 9 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1%. World rank, highest first: 28th of 77.

How many people in the Marshall Islands are poor?

In 2019, the share of people below the national poverty line in the Marshall Islands was 7.2%, according to the World Bank. East Asia & Pacific median: 8.4%; the Marshall Islands is 6th highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 56th of 62.

What is the Marshall Islands' Gini coefficient?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2019, is 35.5. East Asia & Pacific median: 33.2; the Marshall Islands is 2nd highest of 9. Worldwide: 28th of 77.