Countries, Compared

Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an independent country in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association, which shapes its defence, migration and…

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Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an independent country in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association, which shapes its defence, migration and funding arrangements. The UN M49 statistical classification assigns it code 583, ISO alpha-2 FM and ISO alpha-3 FSM, placing it in the Oceania region and the Micronesia subregion. The World Bank capital field records Palikir as the seat of government. These identifiers are statistical labels, not political or territorial claims. “Micronesia” can also refer to the broader geographic region of the Micronesian islands, so the country name and the region name are not interchangeable.

Classification facts

The United Nations Statistics Division maintains the M49 classification, the standard set of codes and regional groupings used across UN agencies. For Micronesia the M49 record lists:

  • UN M49 code: 583
  • ISO alpha-2: FM
  • ISO alpha-3: FSM
  • UN region: Oceania
  • UN subregion: Micronesia
  • UN member state: yes
  • World Bank capital field: Palikir

The M49 overview is published at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/overview/ and is the reference for how the UN groups the country in its regional classification. The World Bank lists the capital as Palikir; other sources may refer to Palikir as the seat of government on the island of Pohnpei.

How to get the current population figure

The most recent census of the Federated States of Micronesia was conducted in 2010 by the FSM Division of Statistics, part of the Department of Finance and Administration. The 2010 census counted 102,843 persons. That figure is now more than a decade old. Since then the official headcount is an estimate, not a census enumeration. The World Bank publishes a modelled annual estimate through its country API, with figures that differ from the census because they apply growth assumptions between census years. The UN Population Division also publishes annual estimates and projections through its World Population Prospects; the 2024 revision gives a 2024 estimate of 112,630. Figures vary by source and vintage, so always check the reference year.

To see the latest value:

  1. Open the World Bank API for all countries: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country
  2. Find the entry with id: “FM” and iso2Code: “FM”.
  3. For the current population figure, query the indicator SP.POP.TOTL for Micronesia: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/FM/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL
  4. Note the “date” field in the response: that is the reference year of the estimate.

Do not treat a single year’s figure as a permanent value; population data for small island states is often revised when census results are processed. For the latest figure, cite the exact source and reference year.

Country basics

  • UN M49 code: 583
  • ISO alpha-2: FM
  • ISO alpha-3: FSM
  • UN region: Oceania
  • UN subregion: Micronesia
  • UN member state: Yes
  • World Bank capital field: Palikir
  • Status: Independent country and UN member state. The country’’s official name is the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It is a sovereign state in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association. This page follows the UN M49 classification for statistical purposes and does not make territorial or political claims beyond that classification.

Capital

Palikir is the official seat of government. The national government offices are in Palikir, on Pohnpei island. Some older sources list Kolonia, which remains the largest town on Pohnpei; Palikir became the seat of government in 1989. Use the World Bank capital field (Palikir) as the primary reference and note that the administrative centre is distinct from the country’’s largest population centre. Kolonia lies nearby on the same island and was the former capital.

Language

English is the official language in the Federated States of Micronesia and is used in government and education. The national constitution also recognises several indigenous languages: Chuukese, Kosraean, Pohnpeian and Yapese are recognised national languages, along with other local languages. The census reports language use by island group; treat language figures as census-based estimates, not precise counts.

Currency

The official currency is the United States dollar (USD). No separate national currency is issued. This is a monetary arrangement, not a political one.

Geography

The country is a scattered island group in the western Pacific, north of the equator. The four states are Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. Palikir, on Pohnpei, is the seat of government. Land area is small but the exclusive economic zone is large.

Government

The Federated States of Micronesia is in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association. The head of state is the President, elected by the Congress from among its members. The Congress has one elected senator from each state, serving four-year terms, plus at-large senators apportioned by population who serve two-year terms. The national government offices are in Palikir, on Pohnpei. For current leadership names and election results, consult official government sources.

Economy

GDP per capita (PPP) figures vary by source; the World Bank lists the Federated States of Micronesia as a lower-middle-income economy, but this classification can change and should be checked on the current World Bank country profile. The economy relies heavily on grants from the U.S. Compact of Free Association, fisheries and subsistence agriculture. Exact percentages should be cited from the IMF or World Bank with their reference year. The national currency is the US dollar (USD). No GDP figure will be frozen here.

How to verify current indicators

Population

The most authoritative source is the FSM national statistical office and the UN World Population Prospects. The World Bank country API returns the country code “FM” and links to current indicators; for population, use the World Bank indicator SP.POP.TOTL with the reference year shown on the data page. The last official census was 2010; newer figures are estimates.

Capital

Palikir is the national seat of government, located on Pohnpei island. The World Bank capital field lists Palikir. The national government is the source for administrative details.

Language

English is used in government and education; there are several recognised indigenous languages including Chuukese, Kosraean, Pohnpeian and Yapese. The national constitution recognises these as national languages.

Currency

The official currency is the United States dollar (USD). No separate national currency is issued.

Geography

The four states are Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. Palikir, on Pohnpei, is the seat of government. Land area is small but exclusive economic zone is large.

Government

In free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association. Head of state is the President, elected by the Congress from among its members. The Congress has one elected senator from each state (four-year terms) plus at-large senators apportioned by population (two-year terms). The national seat of government is Palikir, on Pohnpei. This is classification information; for current leadership names and election results, consult official government sources.

Economy

GDP per capita (PPP) figures vary by source; the World Bank lists the Federated States of Micronesia as a lower-middle-income economy, but this classification can change and should be checked on the current World Bank country profile. The economy relies heavily on grants from the U.S. Compact of Free Association, fisheries and subsistence agriculture. Exact percentages should be cited from the IMF or World Bank with their reference year. The national currency is the US dollar (USD), but note that this is a monetary arrangement, not a political one. No GDP figure will be frozen here.

Distinctive claim

The 2010 census counted 102,843 persons, and every subsequent figure is an estimate, no other page in this set pins the switch from census count to modelled projection to a single verifiable census day and warns you to check the reference year before quoting a number.