🇲🇭Marshall Islands Political Stability: 48.2/100

The Marshall Islands are located in the central Pacific Ocean, consisting of 29 atolls and five islands, with a total land area of about 70 square miles. The islands are divided into two groups, Ratak and Ralik, and are characterized by low-lying terrain with an average altitude of just 7 feet above sea level. The climate features a dry season from December to April and a wet season from May to November, with a significant risk of drought and flooding due to rising sea levels.

As of the 2021 census, the Marshall Islands has a population of 42,418, with a significant portion residing in urban areas like Majuro and Ebeye. The population is predominantly Marshallese, of Micronesian origin, with English and Marshallese as the official languages. Approximately 96.2% of the population identifies as Christian, with the United Church of Christ being the largest denomination.

World Bank governance: rule of law 54th percentile, corruption control 50th percentile, political stability 72nd percentile.

Marshall Islands's strongest governance dimension is Political Stability at 72/100, placing it in the upper half globally. This reflects a relatively low likelihood of politically motivated violence or instability.

The weakest dimension is Regulatory Quality at 16/100. Regulatory challenges may create an unpredictable environment for economic activity and daily life.

A wide 56-point gap between the highest and lowest indicators signals deeply uneven governance. Strong performance in Political Stability contrasts sharply with weakness in Regulatory Quality. This kind of imbalance often means that day-to-day experiences can vary dramatically depending on which government functions are involved.

Marshall Islands's moderate governance scores suggest travelers should prepare for some institutional inconsistency. Public services may be unreliable in certain areas, and regulatory enforcement can be uneven. Travel insurance and advance planning are recommended.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Marshall Islands as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.