The FSM population is declining – for the first time in recorded history.  According to the FSM Statistician, Mathew Chigiyal, “the declining population is primarily due to the massive migration out of the country; declining fertility also played a role but this is linked to the out migration of young women.”
  

On October 20th, 2010, the Division of Statistics of the Office of Statistics, Budget & Economic Management, Overseas Development Assistance, and Compact Management (SBOC) released the Preliminary Population Counts for FSM 2010 Census.  The census was conducted in April 4, 2010.  It counted all people residing in the FSM.  The presentation of the result coincided with the celebration of National Statistics Day.

The Preliminary Census Counts show that the resident population of FSM stands at 102.6 thousand, a decline of about 4.4 thousand since the last census in 2000. This declined resulted in an average annual growth rate of -0.42% for period 2000-2010, as compared to 0.25% for period 1994-2000. The decline seen came from the decrease of the population size in the states of Chuuk and Kosrae, the two states whose economies experienced financial difficulties in the recent past. Despite the decline in Chuuk, it continues to be the biggest state in terms of population size, with 48,651 persons or 47% of the FSM population. Pohnpei’s population of 35,981 made up 35%, Yap’s population of 11,376 made up 11%, and Kosrae’s population of 6,616 made up 6% of the total FSM population.

About 35.7% of the total population were aged 0-14 years, 58.7% were aged 15-59 years, and 5.6% were aged 60 years and above. The median age is 21.5 years, an increase of about 3 years since 2000, indicating the FSM population is ageing.  The sex ratio 102.7, indicating the FSM population is dominantly male.

You can download the preliminary pamphlets by clicking on the following links: FSM, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae.

The 2010 Census is authorization under FSM Public Law 5-77. Its results are critical for the overall economic and social development of the FSM, and will be useful for policy makers as well as local leaders and planners.  

New technologies such as digitalized mapping and new topics on economic activity, tobacco use, disability, internet use, and household members residing abroad were included during the 2010 Census. The release of the final census report is expected mid-year 2011.

The 2010 FSM Census was conducted with financial and technical support from the State Government, the National Government, the United States Office of Insular Affairs, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

For more information on the Census results, contact the following: