The population of Marshall Islands in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 55,000, which placed it as number 185 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 2% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 49% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 104 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 1.19%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 60,000. The population density in 2002 was 300 per sq km (777 per sq mi).
It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 72% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. About 60% of the total population resided on two atolls, Majuro and Ebeye. Of the 34 atolls and major islands, 24 are inhabited. The capital city, Majuro, had a population of 33,000 in 2002. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000– 2005 was 3.4%.