Northern Mariana Islands population
Current population of Northern Mariana Islands
42,734
Live estimate, extrapolated from the latest official figures
- Births today
- 0
- Deaths today
- 0
- Change today (UTC)
- 0
- World rank
- 208th of 218
- 0.00% of world population
- Population
- 43,541
- 2025 estimate
- Annual growth
- −1.68%
- 2025
- Density
- 98 /km²
- 2023
- Land area
- 460 km²
- Urban population
- 92%
- 2025
- Median age
- 38.0 yrs
- 2025 (UN WPP)
- Fertility rate
- 2.32
- births per woman, 2024
- Life expectancy
- 79.0 yrs
- 2024
- Net migration
- −963
- 2025
- Capital
- Saipan
- Region
- East Asia & Pacific
Population of Northern Mariana Islands: overview
Northern Mariana Islands counts just 43,541 residents (2025 estimate), giving it one of the smallest populations of any country or territory tracked worldwide (208th of 218). Northern Mariana Islands is part of the East Asia & Pacific region and its capital is Saipan.
The population is shrinking, declining at 1.68% per year — Northern Mariana Islands belongs to the growing group of countries whose populations have begun to fall. That translates to a loss of roughly 737 people over the past year.
Population density is moderate — about 98 people per km², spread across 460 km² of land. Life here is overwhelmingly urban: 92% of residents live in cities.
The population is maturing, with a median age of 38.0 years. The fertility rate of 2.32 children per woman sits above the replacement level of 2.1. Life expectancy at birth is 79.0 years (2024).
UN projections suggest a roughly stable population through mid-century, at 42.76 thousand in 2050. The 2030 projection is 41,785.
Northern Mariana Islands population, 1960–2025 and projections
| Year | Population | Growth rate | Annual change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43,541 | −1.68% | −737 |
| 2024 | 44,278 | −1.93% | −865 |
| 2023 | 45,143 | −2.05% | −935 |
| 2022 | 46,078 | −1.94% | −901 |
| 2021 | 46,979 | −1.16% | −549 |
| 2020 | 47,528 | −1.26% | −601 |
| 2019 | 48,129 | −1.95% | −948 |
| 2018 | 49,077 | −1.78% | −882 |
| 2017 | 49,959 | −1.62% | −814 |
| 2016 | 50,773 | −1.45% | −741 |
| 2015 | 51,514 | −1.28% | −664 |
| 2014 | 52,178 | −1.11% | −580 |
| 2010 | 54,091 | −2.26% | −1,234 |
| 2005 | 62,354 | −2.51% | −1,584 |
| 2000 | 68,356 | +3.63% | +2,440 |
| 1995 | 48,176 | +3.05% | +1,446 |
| 1990 | 43,342 | +4.82% | +2,039 |
| 1985 | 30,258 | +9.29% | +2,683 |
| 1980 | 17,625 | +6.67% | +1,137 |
| 1975 | 15,065 | +2.76% | +410 |
| 1970 | 10,170 | +1.80% | +181 |
| 1965 | 10,264 | +3.36% | +339 |
| 1960 | 8,736 | – | – |
Recent years annually, earlier years at five-year steps. Annual change compares against the immediately preceding year.
Northern Mariana Islands population forecast
United Nations World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant.
| Year | Projected population | vs today |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 41,785 | −4.0% |
| 2050 | 42,764 | −1.8% |
Northern Mariana Islands population pyramid (2025)
Age and sex structure from UN World Population Prospects 2024: 21.2% of Northern Mariana Islands's population is under 15, 68.0% is of working age (15–64), and 10.8% is 65 or older. Hover any bar for the group's size.
Northern Mariana Islands population FAQ
What is the population of Northern Mariana Islands in 2026?
Northern Mariana Islands's population is estimated at about 42.73 thousand in 2026, extrapolated from the latest official figure of 43,541 (2025). Northern Mariana Islands ranks 208th in the world by population.
Is the population of Northern Mariana Islands growing or shrinking?
Northern Mariana Islands's population is shrinking by about 1.68% per year — a loss of roughly 737 people over the past year.
How densely populated is Northern Mariana Islands?
Northern Mariana Islands has about 98 people per square kilometre across a land area of 460 km².
What share of the world's population lives in Northern Mariana Islands?
Northern Mariana Islands is home to about 0.00% of the world's population.
What is Northern Mariana Islands's projected population in 2050?
United Nations medium-variant projections put Northern Mariana Islands's population at 42,764 in 2050, passing through 41,785 in 2030.
What is the median age in Northern Mariana Islands?
The median age in Northern Mariana Islands is 38.0 years (2025 estimate) — half the population is younger and half older than that.
Sources: World Bank Open Data (CC BY-4.0); median age and projections from UN World Population Prospects 2024. Live figures are estimates extrapolated from the latest official data — see methodology.