Northern Mariana Islands

a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; it probably comes from a local word meaning "deserted" or "uninhabited," but stories vary on how it came to be used

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor David M. APATANG (since 24 July 2025) cabinet: Sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday, 24 July 2025 election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed most recent election date: 8 November 2022, with a runoff held on 25 November 2022 election results: 2022: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote in second round - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor 2018: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (independent) 37.8%; Arnold PALACIOS elected lieutenant governor expected date of next election: 2026

note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the "Committee of the Whole House," but not when legislation is submitted for a full floor House vote

highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge) judge selection and term of office: CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular election; US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate; judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms subordinate courts: Superior Court note: US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court

history: partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement) amendment process: proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

defense is the responsibility of the US

$1.242 billion (2016 est.) $933 million (2015 est.) $845 million (2014 est.) note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars

16.6% (2022 est.) 5% (2021 est.) -29.1% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

$244 million (2022 est.) $55 million (2021 est.) $128 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

$777 million (2022 est.) $666 million (2021 est.) $556 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

revenues: $389.6 million (2016 est.) expenditures: $344 million (2015 est.)

tourism, banking, construction, fishing, handicrafts, other services

vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products

total: 51,118 (2024 est.) male: 27,044 female: 24,074

-0.33% (2025 est.)

0-14 years: 22.1% (male 6,066/female 5,231) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 18,206/female 16,377) 65 years and over: 10.2% (2024 est.) (male 2,772/female 2,466)

15.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

-13.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

total population: 77.1 years (2024 est.) male: 75 years female: 79.5 years

urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Asian 50% (includes Filipino 35.3%, Chinese 6.8%, Korean 4.2%, and other Asian 3.7%), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 34.9% (includes Chamorro 23.9%, Carolinian 4.6%, and other Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 6.4%), other 2.5%, two or more ethnicities or races 12.7% (2010 est.)

Philippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1% (includes Carolinian (official), Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.)

Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)

arable land, fish

4 (2025)

total subscriptions: 20,474 (2004 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2004)

percent of population: 25.1% (2021 est.)