Micronesia

<p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p>

Land

702 sq km

Note

<strong>note:</strong> includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

Total

702 sq km

Water

0 sq km (fresh water only)

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

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

6,112 km

Oceania

Highest point

Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

Lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

6 55 N, 158 15 E

composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands

0 sq km (2022)

Total

0 km

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.)

arable land

2.86%

Forest

92.2% (2023 est.)

Other

0.7% (2023 est.)

No

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

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/LLcnofC5LxZsJXTo8

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/571802

Oceania

Exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Territorial sea

12 nm

typhoons (June to December)

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

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

Micronesia

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

UTC+10:00, UTC+11:00

number of time zones

2

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)

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.)

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

51.7% (2023 est.)

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

adult female

174 per 1,000

adult male

310 per 1,000

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 (% GDP)

11.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

18.6% national budget (2020 est.)

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.)

1.06 (2025 est.)

13 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

11% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

1.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Female

17.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

23.8 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

12 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

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

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

languages

English

number of languages

1

Female

77.2 years

Male

72.9 years

Total population

75 years (2024 est.)

7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018)

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

Female

29.1 years

Male

27.3 years

Total

28.7 years (2025 est.)

44 births/1,000 women 15-19

Adjective

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

Noun

Micronesian(s)

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

45.8% (2016)

0.97 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Female

50,895

Male

48,708

Total

99,603 (2024 est.)

-0.77% (2025 est.)

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.)

Improved: total

total: 88.3% of population

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.)

2.17 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

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

Urban population

23.4% of total population (2023)

measles

81%

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

Geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 158 09 E

Name

Palikir

Note

<strong>note:</strong> Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital

Time difference

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

Time zone note

Micronesia has two time zones

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

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/fm.svg

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

Note

<strong>note:</strong> at least every ten years, voters are asked as part of a general or special election whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed

Abbreviation

FSM

alternative spellings

FM, Federated States of Micronesia, Micronesia, Federated States of

Conventional long form

Federated States of Micronesia

Conventional short form

none

Etymology

the name is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, <em>mikros </em>(small) and <em>nesoi </em>(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 long form (eng)

Federated States of Micronesia

Local short form

none

Chief of mission

Ambassador Jennifer L. JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023)

Email address and website

<br>koloniaacs@state.gov<br><br>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

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

<br>dcmission@fsmembassy.fm<br><br>https://fsmembassy.fm/

FAX

[1] (202) 223-4391

Telephone

[1] (202) 223-4383

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

Note

<strong>note:</strong> the president is both chief of state and head of government

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

The flag of Micronesia has a light blue field, at the center of which are four five-pointed white stars arranged in the shape of a diamond.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/fm.svg

federal republic in free association with the US

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

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

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

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

mixed system of common and customary law

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

light blue, white

Selected World Heritage Site locales

Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia

Total World Heritage Sites

1 (cultural)

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

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

no formal parties

Monday

18 years of age; universal

Yes

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

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Expenditures

$111.963 million (2020 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Revenues

$137.795 million (2020 est.)

code

USD

name

United States dollar (USD) [$]

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.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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

<p>the US dollar is used</p>

$127 million

Exports 2022

$90.466 million (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$125.789 million (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$129.5 million (2024 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

fish, diamonds, garments (2023)

note

<strong>note:</strong> top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Agriculture

23.3% (2023 est.)

Industry

5% (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Services

69.2% (2023 est.)

$471.425 million (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$4,166

40.1 (2013)

$508.73 million

$4,240

$337 million

Imports 2022

$274.334 million (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$310.669 million (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$325.9 million (2024 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0.8% (2023 est.)

note

<strong>note:</strong> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

5.41%

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.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

Note

<b>note:</b> central government debt as a % of GDP

Public debt 2020

27.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

$491.89 million

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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.)

0.72%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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.)

$4,347

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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.)

$23.34 million

Note

<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

6% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

5.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

$497.43 million

Note

<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

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.)

7% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Electrification - rural areas

79.4%

Electrification - total population

85.3% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas

98.6%

fossil fuels

95.05%

hydroelectric

1.42%

nuclear

0%

renewable

4.95%

Refined petroleum consumption

800 bbl/day (2023 est.)

2%

per 100 inhabitants

6 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2022 est.)

Total

7,000 (2022 est.)

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)

.fm

Percent of population

41% (2022 est.)

#####

+691

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions

7,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100

20 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

19 (2021 est.)

Total subscriptions

22,000 (2021 est.)

7 (2025)

V6

Right

By type

general cargo 17, oil tanker 4, other 17

Total

38 (2023)

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

FSM

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<br><br>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)

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

From petroleum and other liquids

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

Total emissions

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

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

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

8.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

0 % of total land area

4 % of total

Municipal solid waste generated annually

26,000 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15.2% (2022 est.)