Micronesia, Federated States of - Population

The population of Micronesia in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 136,000, which placed it as number 176 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 4% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 44% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 102 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 0.81%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 119,000. The population density in 2002 was 154 per sq km (400 per sq mi). The majority of the population live in the coastal areas of the high islands, leaving the mountainous interiors largely uninhabited.

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 28% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Palikir, had a population of 9,000 in that year. Population estimates for other large urban areas include 7,200 in Kosrae, 33,100 in Pohnpei, 53,700 in Truk, and 13,900 in Yap. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 3.3%.