The Micronesia Federation consists of over 600 islands, divided into four states. The small islands are spread over an area five times larger than France.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Palikir
- Ethnic groups: Chuukese/Mortlockers 49.3%, Pohnpeians 29.8%, Kosraans 6.3%, Yapsians 5.7%, Yap (from the Isles) 5.1%, Polynesians 1.6%, Asians 1.4%, others 0.8%, (2010)
- Language: English (official language and daily speech), chuukese, kosrean, pohnpeian, yapese, ulithian, woleaian, nukuoro, kapingamarangi
- Religion: Roman Catholic 54.7%, various Protestants 41.1%, Mormon 1.5%, other/none 2.7% (2010)
- Population: 531 996 (2018)
- Area: 700 km2
- Currency: US Dollar
- GNP per capita: 3 509 PPP $
- National Day: November 3rd
Micronesia Population
The Micronesia Federation had a population of 107,700 in 2008 with the following distribution among the states: Yap approximately 11%, Chuuk approximately 50%, Pohnpei approximately 32% and Kosrae approximately 7%. The population is very young and is growing rapidly by approximately 3% per year. 37% of the population is under 15 years of age.
Many move from the islands of the Micronesia Federation, especially to Guam, Saipan or Hawaii, and the country has a negative balance of migration. In the period 1993–2003, the population decreased by an average of -0.08% annually.
The population is Micronesians with the exception of the population of the isolated atolls Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi in the state of Pohnpei, which are Polynesians. The largest places (2001) are the state capital Weno (in Chuuk, 14,000 b.c.) and the new capital Palikir (6200) located at Pohnpei.
Religion
About 49% of the population belongs to the Catholic Church, approximately 46% are Protestants; religious minorities include Chinese religion and followers of the Baha’i religion.
Language
The official language is English. Native languages of the population are different Austronesian languages.