Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development

Country Republic of Marshall Islands flag Profile

Republic of Marshall Islands

The atolls, islands and islets of the Republic of Marshall Islands are scattered over 1.9 million square miles of ocean. The islands and atolls are situated in two, almost-parallel chains - the Ratak (Sunrise) group and the Ralik (Sunset) group.

Demographics

  • Population

    59,194

  • Annual births

    No data

  • Children under five years old

    No data

  • Under-five mortality

    32

    per 1,000 live births

ECD Indices

  • ECDI

    79

    Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) is an overall index score capturing the percentage of children aged 36-59 months who are on track in at least three of four domains. This is currently represented in the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) that assesses children aged 36-59 months in four domains: language/literacy, numeracy, physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development. Mothers or primary caregivers are asked 20 questions about the way their children behave in certain everyday situations, and the skills and knowledge they have acquired. (Click here to know more.)

  • Lifetime cost of growth deficit in early childhood

    11700%

    This refers to the estimated the economic costs of poor early development by calculating the cost of child growth deficit as a percent loss of the annual adult wage in the country. (Click here to know more.)

  • Human capital index

    0.42

    The Human Capital Index is a summary measure of the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to acquire by age 18, given the risks of poor health and poor education that prevail in the country where she lives. (Click here to know more.)

Threats to early childhood development

  • Maternal mortality

    No data

    per 100,000 births

  • Low birthweight

    No data

    of all births

  • Under-five stunting

    35%

    of all births

  • Child poverty

    No data

    of all births

  • Violent discipline

    No data

    of all births

  • Preterm births

    12%

    of all births

  • Young mothers (births by 18 years)

    21%

    of all births

  • Inadequate supervision

    9%

    of all births

Nurturing care

Healthcare

  • Antenatal care

    77%

  • Postnatal visits

    No data

Nutrition

  • Early initiation of breastfeeding

    61%

  • Exclusive breastfeeding

    43%

  • Minimum acceptable diet

    16%

Early learning

  • Attendance in ECD

    5%

  • Early stimulation at home

    72%

  • Children's books in the home

    19%

Security and safety

  • Birth registration

    84%

  • Positive discipline

    No data

  • Basic drinking water

    88%

  • Basic sanitation

    83%

Responsive caregiving

Enabling environments

  • Paid maternity leave

    No paid leave

  • Paid paternity leave

    No paid leave

  • Child and family social protection

    No

  • National ECD Policy

    No

  • ECD Coordination Mechanism

    Yes