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 foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. |
GDP - per capita | $1,600 (2001 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate (%) | 1% (2001 est.) |
Agriculture - products | coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens |
GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 14%, industry: 16%, services: 70% (2000 est.) |
Industries | copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls |
Economic aid - recipient | more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002 |
Debt - external | $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.) |
Population below poverty line (%) | NA |
Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7% |