2020 Edition

Background

Each of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) -- Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap -- has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200. At its height, Nan Madol united the approximately 25,000 people of Pohnpei under the Saudeleur Dynasty. By 1250, Kosrae was united in a kingdom centered in Leluh. Yap’s society became strictly hierarchical, with chiefs receiving tributes from islands up to 1,100 km (700 mi) away. Widespread human settlement in Chuuk began in the 1300s, and the different islands in the Chuuk Lagoon were frequently at war with one another. Portuguese and Spanish explorers visited a few of the islands in the 1500s, and Spain began exerting nominal, but not day-to-day, control over some of the islands -- which they named the Caroline Islands -- in the 1600s. In 1899, Spain sold all of the FSM to Germany. Japan seized the islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer them in 1920. During WWII, Japan built military bases across most of the islands and headquartered their Pacific naval operations in Chuuk. The US bombed Chuuk in 1944 but largely bypassed the other islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific.  In 1947, the FSM came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which comprised six districts: Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap; Kosrae was separated from Pohnpei into a separate district in 1977. In 1979, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap ratified the FSM Constitution and declared independence while the other three districts opted to pursue separate political status. There are significant inter-island rivalries stemming from their different histories and cultures. Chuuk, the most populous but poorest state, has pushed for secession, but an independence referendum has been repeatedly postponed.

Area

land

702 sq km

total

702 sq km

water

0 sq km (fresh water only)

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, D.C. (land area only)

Climate

tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

Coastline

6,112 km

Elevation

highest point

Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 158 15 E

Geography - note

composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

7.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.)

forest

92.2% (2023 est.)

other

0.7% (2023 est.)

Location

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Population distribution

the majority of the population lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas

Terrain

islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Age structure

0-14 years

27% (male 13,673/female 13,239)

15-64 years

67.3% (male 32,527/female 34,487)

65 years and over

5.7% (2024 est.) (male 2,508/female 3,169)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

17.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.7% (2023 est.)

Death rate

4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

8.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

11.8 (2024 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.6 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

40.2 (2024 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

11.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

18.6% national budget (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.06 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

11% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

1.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

17.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male

23.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

20.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.2 years

male

72.9 years

total population

75 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

129 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

29.1 years

male

27.3 years

total

28.7 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

noun

Micronesian(s)

Net migration rate

-20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

45.8% (2016)

Physician density

0.97 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

female

50,895

male

48,708

total

99,603 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.77% (2025 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God 0.7%), Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 88.3% of population

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.17 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

23.4% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Capital

geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 158 09 E

name

Palikir

time difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

time zone note

Micronesia has two time zones

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

amendment process

proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states

history

drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979

Country name

abbreviation

FSM

conventional long form

Federated States of Micronesia

conventional short form

none

etymology

the name is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, mikros (small) and nesoi (islands), and refers to its thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean

former

New Philippines; Caroline Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts

local long form

Federated States of Micronesia

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Jennifer L. JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023)

email address and website

koloniaacs@state.gov https://fm.usembassy.gov/

embassy

1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941

FAX

[691] 320-2186

mailing address

4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120

telephone

[691] 320-2187

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Jackson T. SORAM (since 27 February 2024)

consulate(s) general

Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam)

email address and website

dcmission@fsmembassy.fm https://fsmembassy.fm/

FAX

[1] (202) 223-4391

telephone

[1] (202) 223-4383

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments

chief of state

President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)

election/appointment process

president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)

expected date of next election

2027

head of government

President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)

most recent election date

12 May 2023

Flag

description: light blue with four five-pointed white stars centered and arranged in a diamond pattern meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, and the stars for the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

Government type

federal republic in free association with the US

Independence

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life

subordinate courts

the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court

Legal system

mixed system of common and customary law

Legislative branch

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

March 2027

legislative structure

unicameral

legislature name

Congress

most recent election date

3/4/2025

number of seats

14 (all directly elected)

percentage of women in chamber

21.4%

scope of elections

partial renewal

term in office

2 years

National anthem(s)

history

adopted 1991

lyrics/music

unknown

title

"Patriots of Micronesia"

National color(s)

light blue, white

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia

total World Heritage Sites

1 (cultural)

National holiday

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

National symbol(s)

four five-pointed white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower

Political parties

no formal parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

coconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruits, beef, eggs (2023)

Budget

expenditures

$111.963 million (2020 est.)

revenues

$137.795 million (2020 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2014

$22.408 million (2014 est.)

Current account balance 2016

$11 million (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

$12 million (2017 est.)

Economic overview

lower middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance, sunsetting in 2024; low entrepreneurship; mostly fishing and farming; US dollar user; no patent laws; tourism remains underdeveloped; significant corruption

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

Exports 2022

$90.466 million (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$125.789 million (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$129.5 million (2024 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, diamonds, garments (2023)

Exports - partners

Thailand 64%, China 16%, Philippines 11%, Japan 5%, Ecuador 1% (2023)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

23.3% (2023 est.)

industry

5% (2023 est.)

services

69.2% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$471.425 million (2024 est.)

Imports

Imports 2022

$274.334 million (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$310.669 million (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$325.9 million (2024 est.)

Imports - commodities

poultry, fish, plastic products, cars, prepared meat (2023)

Imports - partners

USA 35%, China 20%, Japan 13%, Taiwan 6%, Philippines 4% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

0.8% (2023 est.)

Industries

tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

0.6% (2020 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

3.2% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

5.4% (2022 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2020

27.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$427.529 million (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$429.59 million (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$432.679 million (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

-2.9% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

0.5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

0.7% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$3,800 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$3,800 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$3,800 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2021

6% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

5.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019

$397.158 million (2019 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020

$451.913 million (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$497.434 million (2021 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

7% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

79.4%

electrification - total population

85.3% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

98.6%

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

800 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2022 est.)

total

7,000 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about half a dozen radio stations (2009)

Internet country code

.fm

Internet users

percent of population

41% (2022 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

7,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

19 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

22,000 (2021 est.)

Airports

7 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V6

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 17, oil tanker 4, other 17

total

38 (2023)

Ports

key ports

Colonia, Lele Harbor, Moen, Pohnpei Harbor

large

0

medium

0

ports with oil terminals

3

small

1

total ports

4 (2024)

very small

3

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US; in 1982, the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the FSM financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986; Micronesians can serve in the US armed forces the FSM has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within the FSM's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)

Military and security forces

no military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police (includes a maritime wing)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from petroleum and other liquids

121,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

121,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

overfishing; sea-level rise; water and toxic pollution from mining; solid waste disposal

International environmental agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

8.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

26,000 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15.2% (2022 est.)