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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009)

Internet country code [time series]

.mp

Internet users [time series]

total: 16,000 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 30.6% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: digital fiber-optic cables and satellites connect the islands to worldwide networks (2015) | domestic: wide variety of services available including dial-up and broadband Internet, mobile cellular, international private lines, payphones, phone cards, voicemail, and automatic call distribution systems (2015) | international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

3.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(CNMI) has been on the rebound in the last few years, mainly on the strength of its tourism industry. In 2016, the CNMI’s real GDP increased 28.6% over the previous year, following two years of relatively rapid growth in 2014 and 2015. Chinese and Korean tourists have supplanted Japanese tourists in the last few years. The Commonwealth is making a concerted effort to broaden its tourism by extending casino gambling from the small Islands of Tinian and Rota to the main Island of Saipan, its political and commercial center. Investment is concentrated on hotels and casinos in Saipan, the CNMI’s largest island and home to about 90% of its population. Federal grants have also contributed to economic growth and stability. In 2016, federal grants amounted to $101.4 billion which made up 26% of the CNMI government’s total revenues. A small agriculture sector consists of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Legislation is pending in the US Congress to extend the transition period to allow foreign workers to work in the CNMI on temporary visas.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used

Exports [time series]

$914 million (2016 est.) | $520 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

garments

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.242 billion (2016 est.) (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

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

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 43.1% (2016 est.) | government consumption: 28.9% (2016 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2016 est.) | investment in inventories: NA (2016 est.) | exports of goods and services: 73.6% (2016 est.) | imports of goods and services: -71.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 1.7% (2016) | industry: 58.1% (2016 est.) | services: 40.2% (2016)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$24,500 (2016 est.) | $18,400 (2015 est.) | $16,600 (2014 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

28.6% (2016 est.) | 3.8% (2015 est.) | 3.5% (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$893 million (2016 est.) | $638 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (2016 est.) | 0.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force [time series]

27,970 (2010 est.) | note: includes foreign workers

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1.9% | industry: 10% | services: 88.1% (2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

7.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

31.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

11.2% (2010 est.) | 8% (2005 est.)

Energy

Electricity - consumption [time series]

48,300 kWh (2009)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

60,600 kWh (2009)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 464 sq km | land: 464 sq km | water: 0 sq km | note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Area - comparative [time series]

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October

Coastline [time series]

1,482 km

Elevation [time series]

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean | 965 highest point: unnamed elevation on Agrihan

Environment - current issues [time series]

contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development

Geographic coordinates [time series]

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land [time series]

1 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 6.6% (2011 est.) | arable land: 2.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 2.2% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 2.2% (2011 est.) | forest: 65.5% (2011 est.) | other: 27.9% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)

Natural resources [time series]

arable land, fish

Population distribution [time series]

approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan

Terrain [time series]

the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian

Capital [time series]

name: Saipan | geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E | time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship [time series]

see United States

Constitution [time series]

history: partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement) (2017) | amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2012 (2017)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands | conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands | former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District | abbreviation: CNMI | etymology: formally claimed and named by Spain in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria

Dependency status [time series]

commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017) | head of government: Governor Ralph TORRES (since 29 December 2015); Lieutenant Governor Victor HOCOG (since 29 December 2015) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate | elections/appointments: 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; election last held on 13 November 2018 (next to be held in 2022) | election results: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (Independent) 37.8%; Arnold PALACIOS elected Lieutenant Governor

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone (the traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the latte stone and the floral head wreath display elements of the native Chamorro culture

Government type [time series]

presidential democracy; a commonwealth in political union with the US

Independence [time series]

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

International organization participation [time series]

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: 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); note - US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court | 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

Legal system [time series]

US system applies, except for customs and some aspects of taxation

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral Northern Mariana Commonwealth Legislature consists of: Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (20 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms) | elections: Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020) House of Representatives - last held on 13 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) | election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independent 2; composition - men 8, women 1, percent of women 11.1% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 13, independent 7; composition - men 13, women 7, percent of women 35%; note - total Legisature percent of women 27.6% | note: the Northern Mariana Islands directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate 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; election of delegate last held on 4 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2018)

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea) | lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN | note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the US, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

National holiday [time series]

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

National symbol(s) [time series]

latte stone; national colors: blue, white

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Party [Daniel QUITUGUA] Republican Party [James ADA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Introduction

Background [time series]

Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 26.17% (male 7,355 /female 6,252) | 15-24 years: 15.71% (male 4,365 /female 3,804) | 25-54 years: 39.14% (male 10,545 /female 9,805) | 55-64 years: 13% (male 3,701 /female 3,057) | 65 years and over: 5.98% (male 1,672 /female 1,438) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Australia - Oceania :: Northern Mariana Islands Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Northern Mariana Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

14.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | female: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 73.6 years (2018 est.) | female: 78.1 years (2018 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.4 years | male: 32.4 years | female: 34.3 years (2018 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: NA (US citizens) | adjective: NA

Net migration rate [time series]

-15.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.36 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

51,994 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.52% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 79.7% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 79.7% of population (2015 est.) | total: 79.7% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 20.3% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 20.3% of population (2015 est.) | total: 20.3% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.16 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 1.28 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 0.73 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.76 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 91.6% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 0.29% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

5 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 3 (2017) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 (2013) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013) | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Saipan, Tinian, Rota

Roadways [time series]

total: 536 km (2008)