The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) faces growing economic and environmental pressures, from the changing climate to food insecurity. The legacy of U.S. nuclear testing continues to affect communities, while changing weather patterns threaten the country through rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events. Despite these obstacles, innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands are being pursued through universal basic income, food security initiatives and renewable energy investments.

Poverty in the Marshall Islands 

Poverty remains a major challenge in the Marshall Islands. Approximately 7.2% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Outmigration has increased, driven by economic hardship and climate-related pressures, and one-third of Marshallese citizens now live in the United States. According to the RMI’s 2021 census, the population declined by an average 2.3% annually over the previous decade due largely to outmigration. 

The country also faces food insecurity, wealth inequality and limited access to health care. In response, the government and its partners are developing policies aimed at improving living conditions and creating opportunities for residents to remain in the islands.

Universal Basic Income

In 2025, the Marshall Islands launched ENRA, the world’s first long-term nationwide universal basic income program. The initiative provides annual cash payments to every Marshallese citizen living in the country, helping households manage rising living costs and reducing pressure to migrate abroad. 

More than 33,000 residents enrolled in the program, making it one of the largest national outreach efforts in the country’s history. By providing a reliable source of income and building a financial safety net, ENRA seeks to strengthen economic security for families while addressing poverty at a national scale. As the world’s first nationwide long-term universal basic income program, ENRA represents one of the most significant innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands to date.

Strengthening Food Security 

Food security is another pressing concern. Arable land is limited, much of the natural environment has been damaged by nuclear testing and more than half of households reported that natural disasters had limited their livelihoods in the most recent census. The national diet relies heavily on imported, highly processed foods, with an estimated 80% to 90% of the country’s food supply coming from abroad.

To address this dependence, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from the Government of Japan, launched a two-year initiative in 2026 to strengthen local food systems on Majuro and Wotje atolls. The project supports school gardens, nutrition education and improved food storage while promoting greater use of locally produced foods and fisheries. Efforts to strengthen local food production are another example of innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands, addressing both nutrition and economic resilience.

Renewable Energy for Economic Resilience

Innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands also take the form of renewable energy. Although the country achieved universal access to electricity in 2022, it remains heavily dependent on imported diesel fuel, which contributes to high energy costs. 

To reduce this dependence, the RMI has partnered with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank to expand solar power, modernize electricity infrastructure and improve energy storage systems. These investments are expected to lower energy costs, strengthen energy security and increase resilience to climate-related disruptions. 

In low-lying nations like the RMI, extreme weather is a key driver of poverty. An estimated 1.7% of RMI GDP is lost annually to typhoons and tsunamis. Through the Pacific Resilience Project II, supported by the Green Climate Fund and the World Bank, the Marshall Islands is improving coastal protection, disaster preparedness and early warning systems. These measures help reduce the economic losses caused by extreme weather events, which can undermine development progress and deepen poverty.

Looking Ahead 

Innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands demonstrate how even small island nations can develop ambitious solutions to complex challenges. While the changing climate, geographic isolation and economic vulnerability remain significant obstacles, innovations in poverty eradication in the Marshall Islands, such as investments in income security, local food production and renewable energy, are helping build long-term resilience. These efforts offer a model for how targeted policies can reduce poverty while preparing communities for an uncertain future.

– Anna Morin

Anna is based in Fairfield, CT, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr