Kiribati - KI - KIR - KIR - Australia and Oceania

Last updated: April 16, 2024
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Kiribati Images

  • The memorial to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. The seventeen New Zealand coastwatchers and five civilians were captured by the Japanese in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) early in World War II and held prisoner on Tarawa, where they were murdered on 15 October 1942. The memorial reads, in part, "Standing unarmed at their posts, they matched brutality with gallantry, and met death with fortitude." Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

    The memorial to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. The seventeen New Zealand coastwatchers and five civilians were captured by the Japanese in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) early in World War II and held prisoner on Tarawa, where they were murdered on 15 October 1942. The memorial reads, in part, "Standing unarmed at their posts, they matched brutality with gallantry, and met death with fortitude." Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

  • Pronounced "Ki-ris-mas," Kiritimati Island has a large infilled lagoon that gives it the largest land area of any atoll in the world. Captain Cook named the atoll Christmas Island when he arrived on Christmas Eve in 1777. Used for nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s, the island is now valued for its marine and wildlife resources. It is particularly important as a seabird nesting site, with an estimated 6 million birds using or breeding on the island, including several million Sooty Terns. Rainfall on Kiritimati is linked to El Nino patterns, with long droughts experienced between the wetter El Nino years. This image is a mosaic of four digital photographs taken on 16 January 2002 from the Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA.

    Pronounced "Ki-ris-mas," Kiritimati Island has a large infilled lagoon that gives it the largest land area of any atoll in the world. Captain Cook named the atoll Christmas Island when he arrived on Christmas Eve in 1777. Used for nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s, the island is now valued for its marine and wildlife resources. It is particularly important as a seabird nesting site, with an estimated 6 million birds using or breeding on the island, including several million Sooty Terns. Rainfall on Kiritimati is linked to El Nino patterns, with long droughts experienced between the wetter El Nino years. This image is a mosaic of four digital photographs taken on 16 January 2002 from the Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA.

  • Millennium Island - known as Caroline Island prior to 2000 - is located at the southern end of the Line Islands, which make up the western portion of Kiribati. Uninhabited Millennium Island is formed from a number of smaller islets built on coral reefs. The reefs grew around a now-submerged volcanic peak, leaving a ring of coral around an inner lagoon. The shallow lagoon waters are a lighter blue than the deeper surrounding ocean water; tan linear "fingers" within the lagoon are the tops of corals. The two largest islets are Nake Islet (on the north) and South Islet. Image courtesy of NASA.

    Millennium Island - known as Caroline Island prior to 2000 - is located at the southern end of the Line Islands, which make up the western portion of Kiribati. Uninhabited Millennium Island is formed from a number of smaller islets built on coral reefs. The reefs grew around a now-submerged volcanic peak, leaving a ring of coral around an inner lagoon. The shallow lagoon waters are a lighter blue than the deeper surrounding ocean water; tan linear "fingers" within the lagoon are the tops of corals. The two largest islets are Nake Islet (on the north) and South Islet. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • An aerial photograph of the south side of Tarawa Atoll, taken by Navy Squadron VC-24 on 9 September 1943, from an altitude of 3,660 m (12,000 ft). Betio Island is in the foreground, with Bairiki and Eita Islands beyond. The Battle of Tarawa took place on 20 November 1943 largely on Betio Island. Photo courtesy of the US Navy.

    An aerial photograph of the south side of Tarawa Atoll, taken by Navy Squadron VC-24 on 9 September 1943, from an altitude of 3,660 m (12,000 ft). Betio Island is in the foreground, with Bairiki and Eita Islands beyond. The Battle of Tarawa took place on 20 November 1943 largely on Betio Island. Photo courtesy of the US Navy.

  • The remains of a Japanese 8-inch coastal defense gun mount sit on the point at Green Beach, Betio Island. Rising above the sand with its muzzle pointed inland, this was one of four 8-inch guns the Japanese emplaced on the island. Shrubs have overtaken the concrete and steel, and hundreds of red crabs race throughout the battlefield debris. Other than some graffiti and weathering, the area remains as it was following the Battle of Tarawa. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Cpl. Aaron Hostutler.

    The remains of a Japanese 8-inch coastal defense gun mount sit on the point at Green Beach, Betio Island. Rising above the sand with its muzzle pointed inland, this was one of four 8-inch guns the Japanese emplaced on the island. Shrubs have overtaken the concrete and steel, and hundreds of red crabs race throughout the battlefield debris. Other than some graffiti and weathering, the area remains as it was following the Battle of Tarawa. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Cpl. Aaron Hostutler.

  • Wreaths enfold the base of the Battle of Tarawa Memorial on Betio Island in the Republic of Kiribati. A ceremony held on 20 November 2018 marked the 75th anniversary of the battle. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Sgt. Jacqueline A. Clifford.

    Wreaths enfold the base of the Battle of Tarawa Memorial on Betio Island in the Republic of Kiribati. A ceremony held on 20 November 2018 marked the 75th anniversary of the battle. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Sgt. Jacqueline A. Clifford.

  • A close up of the plaque on the US Marine Corps Memorial commemorating the Battle of Tarawa that took place on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Kiribati on 20 November 1943. More than 1,100 Marines died and over 2,200 were wounded during the Battle of Tarawa. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Lance Cpl. Juan C. Bustos.

    A close up of the plaque on the US Marine Corps Memorial commemorating the Battle of Tarawa that took place on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Kiribati on 20 November 1943. More than 1,100 Marines died and over 2,200 were wounded during the Battle of Tarawa. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Lance Cpl. Juan C. Bustos.

  • New Zealand High Commissioner of Tarawa Michael Wehi Mailetonga Walsh explains the Betio Memorial to Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, during his visit to the Republic of Kiribati for Pacific Partnership 2013, 17 July 2013. The memorial is to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers held prisoner and murdered by Imperial Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

    New Zealand High Commissioner of Tarawa Michael Wehi Mailetonga Walsh explains the Betio Memorial to Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, during his visit to the Republic of Kiribati for Pacific Partnership 2013, 17 July 2013. The memorial is to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers held prisoner and murdered by Imperial Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

  • The memorial to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. The seventeen New Zealand coastwatchers and five civilians were captured by the Japanese in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) early in World War II and held prisoner on Tarawa, where they were murdered on 15 October 1942. The memorial reads, in part, "Standing unarmed at their posts, they matched brutality with gallantry, and met death with fortitude." Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

    The memorial to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. The seventeen New Zealand coastwatchers and five civilians were captured by the Japanese in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) early in World War II and held prisoner on Tarawa, where they were murdered on 15 October 1942. The memorial reads, in part, "Standing unarmed at their posts, they matched brutality with gallantry, and met death with fortitude." Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

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  • Kiritimati Island (formerly Christmas Island), the largest atoll in the Pacific Ocean, is the centerpiece of this low-oblique, northeast-looking photo. The atoll covers 606 sq km (234 sq mi), of which 243 sq km (94 sq mi) are land. The island was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1777. The majority of the island's inhabitants work on coconut plantations and in copra production. The island's major airbase is on the northeast side of the island. Nuclear tests were conducted on Kiritimati Island by the British in 1957 and 1958 and by the United States in 1962. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Pronounced "Ki-ris-mas," Kiritimati Island has a large infilled lagoon that gives it the largest land area of any atoll in the world. Captain Cook named the atoll Christmas Island when he arrived on Christmas Eve in 1777. Used for nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s, the island is now valued for its marine and wildlife resources. It is particularly important as a seabird nesting site, with an estimated 6 million birds using or breeding on the island, including several million Sooty Terns. Rainfall on Kiritimati is linked to El Nino patterns, with long droughts experienced between the wetter El Nino years. This image is a mosaic of four digital photographs taken on 16 January 2002 from the Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA.
  • Millennium Island - known as Caroline Island prior to 2000 - is located at the southern end of the Line Islands, which make up the western portion of Kiribati. Uninhabited Millennium Island is formed from a number of smaller islets built on coral reefs. The reefs grew around a now-submerged volcanic peak, leaving a ring of coral around an inner lagoon. The shallow lagoon waters are a lighter blue than the deeper surrounding ocean water; tan linear "fingers" within the lagoon are the tops of corals. The two largest islets are Nake Islet (on the north) and South Islet. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • An aerial photograph of the south side of Tarawa Atoll, taken by Navy Squadron VC-24 on 9 September 1943, from an altitude of 3,660 m (12,000 ft). Betio Island is in the foreground, with Bairiki and Eita Islands beyond. The Battle of Tarawa took place on 20 November 1943 largely on Betio Island. Photo courtesy of the US Navy.
  • The remains of a Japanese 8-inch coastal defense gun mount sit on the point at Green Beach, Betio Island. Rising above the sand with its muzzle pointed inland, this was one of four 8-inch guns the Japanese emplaced on the island. Shrubs have overtaken the concrete and steel, and hundreds of red crabs race throughout the battlefield debris. Other than some graffiti and weathering, the area remains as it was following the Battle of Tarawa. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Cpl. Aaron Hostutler.
  • Wreaths enfold the base of the Battle of Tarawa Memorial on Betio Island in the Republic of Kiribati. A ceremony held on 20 November 2018 marked the 75th anniversary of the battle. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Sgt. Jacqueline A. Clifford.
  • A close up of the plaque on the US Marine Corps Memorial commemorating the Battle of Tarawa that took place on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Kiribati on 20 November 1943. More than 1,100 Marines died and over 2,200 were wounded during the Battle of Tarawa. Photo courtesy of the US Marine Corps/ Lance Cpl. Juan C. Bustos.
  • New Zealand High Commissioner of Tarawa Michael Wehi Mailetonga Walsh explains the Betio Memorial to Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, during his visit to the Republic of Kiribati for Pacific Partnership 2013, 17 July 2013. The memorial is to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers held prisoner and murdered by Imperial Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.
  • The memorial to 22 New Zealand, British, and Australian coastwatchers on Betio Island, Tarawa atoll, Kiribati. The seventeen New Zealand coastwatchers and five civilians were captured by the Japanese in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) early in World War II and held prisoner on Tarawa, where they were murdered on 15 October 1942. The memorial reads, in part, "Standing unarmed at their posts, they matched brutality with gallantry, and met death with fortitude." Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.

Kiribati Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.06% (male 15,906/female 15,314)

15-64 years: 67.77% (male 37,634/female 40,559)

65 years and over: 5.17% (2023 est.) (male 2,314/female 3,645)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Kiribati. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

1 25 N, 173 00 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Natural hazards

typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, DC

Background

Kiribati is made up of three distinct island groups - the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The first Austronesian voyagers arrived in the Gilbert Islands as early as 3000 B.C., but these islands were not widely settled until about A.D. 200 by Micronesians. Around 1300, Samoans and Tongans invaded the southern Gilbert Islands, then known as Tungaru, bringing Polynesian cultural elements with them. Later arrivals by Fijians brought Melanesian elements to the Gilbert Islands, and extensive intermarriage between the Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian people led to the creation of what would become Gilbertese cultural traditions by the time Europeans spotted the islands in the 1600s. The Phoenix Islands and Line Islands were both visited by various Melanesian and Polynesian peoples, but their isolation and lack of natural resources meant that long-term settlements were not possible and both island groups were uninhabited by the time of European contact.
 
Kiribati experienced sustained European contact by the 1760s; all three island groups were named and charted by 1826. American whaling ships frequently passed through the islands, and the UK declared a protectorate over the Gilbert and nearby Ellice Islands in 1892 to block growing US influence. Phosphate-rich Banaba Island was annexed to the protectorate in 1900. In 1916, the protectorate became a colony, and some Line Islands were added in 1916 and 1919 with the final ones added in 1972. The Phoenix Islands were added to the colony in 1937, and the UK agreed to share jurisdiction of some of them with the US because of their strategic location for aviation. Japan occupied the northern Gilbert Islands in 1941; the islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The UK continued to rule the colony after World War II. The Ellice Islands became its own colony in 1974 and renamed Tuvalu for “eight standing together” in 1975. The Gilbert Islands became fully self-governing in 1977 and independent in 1979 as Kiribati, the Gilbertese spelling of Gilberts. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Islands in a 1979 treaty of friendship.

In 1994, Kiribati adjusted the international date line to the east of the Line Islands, bringing all islands in the country to the same day and giving Kiribati the earliest time zone in the world. Kiribati is a leading climate change advocate. In 2012, Kiribati purchased a 22 sq km (8.5 sq mi) plot of land in Fiji for potential eventual resettlement of its population because of climate change.

Environment - current issues

heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to overcrowding mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk; potential for water shortages, disease; coastal erosion

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

21.9% (2019 est.) NA

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 22.9% (2019 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

skipjacks, tuna, fish fillets, ships, coconut oil, copra (2021)

Exports - partners

Thailand 60%, Indonesia 11%, Philippines 10%, Japan 6%, South Korea 3% (2021)

Administrative divisions

3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions, but there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)

Agricultural products

coconuts, roots/tubers, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruit, poultry, pork, nuts, eggs

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Kiribati Police and Prison Service (Ministry of Justice) (2024)

Budget

revenues: $281 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: $205 million (2017 est.)

Capital

name: Tarawa

geographic coordinates: 1 21 N, 173 02 E

time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

time zone note: Kiribati has three time zones: the Gilbert Islands group at UTC+12, the Phoenix Islands at UTC+13, and the Line Islands at UTC+14

etymology: in Kiribati creation mythology, "tarawa" was what the spider Nareau named the land to distinguish it from "karawa" (the sky) and "marawa" (the ocean)

Imports - commodities

fishing ships, beef, netting, poultry meat, rice, refined petroleum, sugar, refrigerators (2021)

Climate

tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds

Coastline

1,143 km

Constitution

history: The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (preindependence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence)

amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; passage of amendments affecting the constitutional section on amendment procedures and parts of the constitutional chapter on citizenship requires deferral of the proposal to the next Assembly meeting where approval is required by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and support of the nominated or elected Banaban member of the Assembly; amendments affecting the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms also requires approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
1.442 (2022 est.)
1.331 (2021 est.)
1.453 (2020 est.)
1.439 (2019 est.)
1.338 (2018 est.)

note: the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender

Executive branch

chief of state: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote following nomination of candidates from among House of Assembly members for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 22 June 2020 (next to be held in 2024); vice president appointed by the president

election results: 2020: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKB) 59.3%, Banuera BERINA (BKM) 40.7%

Fiscal year

NA

Flag description

the upper half is red with a yellow frigatebird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the Pacific ocean; the white stripes represent the three island groups - the Gilbert, Line, and Phoenix Islands; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigatebird symbolizes authority and freedom

Independence

12 July 1979 (from the UK)

Industries

fishing, handicrafts

Judicial branch

highest court(s): High Court (consists of a chief justice and other judges as prescribed by the president); note - the High Court has jurisdiction on constitutional issues

judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president on the advice of the cabinet in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC); other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice along with the PSC

subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; magistrates' courts

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 42% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 39.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 15% (2018 est.)

other: 43% (2018 est.)

Legal system

English common law supplemented by customary law

Legislative branch

description: unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; 1 member appointed by the Rabi Council of Leaders - representing Banaba Island, and 1 ex officio member - the attorney general; members serve 4-year terms)

elections:
legislative elections originally scheduled to be held in two rounds on 7 and 15 April 2020 but rescheduled for 14 and 21 April 2020 (next to be held in 2024)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TKB 22, BKM 22, appointed 1; composition as of February 2024 - 42 men, 3 women; percentage women 6.7%

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

Nationality

noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

adjective: Kiribati

Natural resources

phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish

Geography - note

21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru; Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, and western)

Economic overview

lower-middle income, Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; sizable remittances; key phosphate mining fund; tourism and fishing industries; public sector-dominated economy; recent withdrawal from Pacific Islands Forum; ongoing constitutional crisis

Political parties and leaders

Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party (Supporting Kiribati First) or BKM [Tessie LAMBOURNE]
Tobwaan Kiribati Party (Embracing Kiribati) or TKP [Taneti MAAMAU]

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Betio (Tarawa Atoll), Canton Island, English Harbor

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: generally good national and international service; wireline service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; recently formed (mobile network operator) MNO is implementing the first phase of improvements with 3G and 4G upgrades on some islands; islands are connected to each other and the rest of the world via satellite; launch of Kacific-1 in December 2019 will improve telecommunication for Kiribati (2020)

domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular approximately 42 per 100 subscriptions (2021)

international: country code - 686; landing point for the Southern Cross NEXT submarine cable system from Australia, 7 Pacific Ocean island countries to the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Terrain

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

Government type

presidential republic

Military - note

defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ

Kiribati has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Kiribati's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2023)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati

conventional short form: Kiribati

local long form: Republic of Kiribati

local short form: Kiribati

former: Gilbert Islands

etymology: the name is the local pronunciation of "Gilberts," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788

note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss

Location

Oceania, group of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia

Map references

Oceania

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018)

chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1109, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 867-3310

FAX: [1] (212) 867-3320

email address and website:
Kimission.newyork@mfa.gov.ki

note - the Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy

Internet country code

.ki

GDP (official exchange rate)

$223.353 million (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Urbanization

urban population: 57.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 97.2% of population

rural: 63.1% of population

total: 82% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population

rural: 36.9% of population

total: 18% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)

lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA

note: adopted 1979

Major urban areas - population

64,000 TARAWA (capital) (2018)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Physicians density

0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016)

National symbol(s)

frigatebird; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.1 years (2009 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Contraceptive prevalence rate

33.5% (2018/19)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 66.4

youth dependency ratio: 60.2

elderly dependency ratio: 6.2

potential support ratio: 16.1 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Kiribati

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Population distribution

consists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 92.8% (2020)

electrification - urban areas: 88.2% (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

T3

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 75.4% of population

rural: 45.4% of population

total: 62.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 24.6% of population

rural: 54.6% of population

total: 37.9% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

I-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 58.9%, Kiribati Uniting Church 21.2%, Kiribati Protestant Church 8.4%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.1%, Baha'i 2.1%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)

Languages

Gilbertese, English (official)

Imports - partners

China 23%, Taiwan 16%, Fiji 16%, Australia 12%, New Zealand 6% (2021)

Disputes - international

none identified

Elevation

highest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 2 m

Current health expenditure

11.6% of GDP (2020)

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 66,567 (2018)

Total renewable water resources

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 35,724 tons (2016 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 7.62 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.07 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 2.4%

women married by age 18: 18.4%

men married by age 18: 8.6% (2019 est.)

Coal

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 84.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 15.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Natural gas

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.06 (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

67.6% (2023 est.)

Remittances

6.72% of GDP (2022 est.)
5.87% of GDP (2021 est.)
8.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Labor force

39,000 (2010 est.)

note: economically active, not including subsistence farmers

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 22.5% (2019 est.)

male: 21.2%

female: 24.6%

Net migration rate

-2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 26.9 years (2023 est.)

male: 26 years

female: 27.8 years

Debt - external

$40.9 million (2016 est.)
$32.3 million (2015 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

76 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$8.37 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Waterways

5 km (2012) (small network of canals in Line Islands)

Refined petroleum products - imports

420 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Public debt

26.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
22.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.18 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate

30.6% (2010 est.)
6.1% (2005)

Population

115,372 (2023 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-64.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Internet users

total: 70,200 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 54% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

76,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 76,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Area

total: 811 sq km

land: 811 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands - dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi)

Taxes and other revenues

27.38% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$262.821 million (2022 est.)
$258.777 million (2021 est.)
$239.908 million (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Roadways

total: 670 km (2017)

Airports

21 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 32.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 34.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 30.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 54,527 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

27.8 (2019 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.05% (2021 est.)
2.55% (2020 est.)
-1.81% (2019 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Current account balance

-$6.46 million (2022 est.)
$20.251 million (2021 est.)
$71.279 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$2,000 (2022 est.)
$2,000 (2021 est.)
$1,900 (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 185 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 40.6% (2020 est.)

male: 53.9% (2020 est.)

female: 27.3% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

46% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

9.335 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

6.9 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Birth rate

19.9 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 11,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 25.137 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 4.7 million kWh (2019 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 74 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 24, oil tanker 11, other 37

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.9% (2018/19)

Imports

$254.438 million (2022 est.)
$201.984 million (2021 est.)
$148.77 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$19.677 million (2022 est.)
$10.754 million (2021 est.)
$21.228 million (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 0 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2021 est.) less than 1

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 68.2 years (2023 est.)

male: 65.6 years

female: 71 years

Real GDP growth rate

1.56% (2022 est.)
7.87% (2021 est.)
-1.66% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

21.11% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 23% (2016 est.)

industry: 7% (2016 est.)

services: 70% (2016 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

12.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

Population growth rate

1.02% (2023 est.)
Sources: