National Identity
- Official name
- Republic of Kiribati
- Name etymology
the name is the local pronunciation of "Gilbert," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788
Sources:- Kiribati Parliament ↗ - Kiribati Government Portal
- The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- National emblem
- National flag
As published by the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute The Kiribati National Flag is a rectangular flag, proportions two to one, divided horizontally by a wavy line; the upper segment is red (BSI 381C No 539) representing the sky and is charged with a gold (BSI 381C No 355) representation of a frigate bird and the rising sun and the lower segment is plain white (Admiralty T 8514J) and is charged with three blue (BSI 381C No 110) wavy bands representing the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Frigate Bird (Te Eitei)
Symbolises command of the sea, freedom, and Kiribati cultural dance patterns.
Rising Sun (Otintaai)
Refers to Kiribati's position astride the Equator and its status as the first country to see the sun rise. The 17 rays represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba.
Blue and White Waves
Represent the Pacific Ocean, which surrounds and sustains the nation, and the three island groups.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute the upper segment is red (BSI 381C No 539) representing the sky
As published in EnglishSources:- paclii.org ↗ - the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute
- kiribatitourism.gov.ki ↗ - the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK)
- National anthem
- Teirake kaini Kiribati0:45
- Title (in Gilbertese)
- Teirake kaini Kiribati
- Title (in English, translated)
- Stand Up, Kiribati
- Lyrics
1Teirake kaini Kiribati, Anene ma te kakatonga, Tauraoi nakon te nwioko, Ma ni buokia aomata. Tauaninne n te raoiroi, Tangiria aoma ta nako. Tauaninne n te raoiroi, Tangiria aomata.
2Reken te kabaia ma te rau Ibuakoia kaain abara Bon reken abara Bon reken te nano ae banin Ma te i-tangitangiri naba. Ma ni wakina te kab’aia, Ma n neboa i eta abara. Ma ni wakina te kab’aia, Ma n neboa abara.
3Ti butiko ngkoe Atuara Kawakinira ao kairika Nakon taai aika i maira. Buokira ni baim ae akoi. Kakabaia ara Tautaeka Ma ake a makuri iai. Kakabaia ara Tautaeka Ma aomata ni bane.
- Citizens
- I-Kiribati
- Official name:Kiribati Parliament ↗ - Kiribati Government Portal
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- National flag:paclii.org ↗ - the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute
- National flag:kiribatitourism.gov.ki ↗ - the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK)
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
- National anthem:Recording credit
Geography
- 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
- Total area
- 811 km²
- Land area
- 811 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 1,143 km
- Terrain
Mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs - Mean elevation
- 2 m
- Highest point
- 81 m
- Lowest point
- 0 mPacific Ocean
- Climate
Tropical marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds - Avg. temperature
- 26.8 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 26.2 to 27.4 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 1,274 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 27.1 26.6 26 131 February 27 26.5 25.9 114 March 27.2 26.6 26 149 April 27.5 26.9 26.1 173 May 27.7 27.1 26.4 130 June 27.8 27.2 26.5 109 July 27.6 27 26.4 93 August 27.5 26.9 26.3 69 September 27.4 26.9 26.3 58 October 27.4 26.9 26.3 61 November 27.4 26.9 26.3 62 December 27.2 26.7 26.1 125 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable2.5%Perm. crops39.5%Forest1.3%Other56.7%
- Arable land
- 2,000 hectares (2.5%)
- Permanent crops
- 32,000 hectares (39.5%)
- Forest
- 1,070 hectares (1.3%)
- Other land
- 45,930 hectares (56.7%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Coastal floods8.4Very high#9/191Tsunamis7.7Very high#19/191Epidemics5.3High#83/191Drought3.5Low#82/191Earthquakes0.1Very low#127/191River floods0.0Very lowTropical cyclones0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Mean elevation, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +1.43% per year+1,957 people/yearWorld Rank73rdof 237
- Birth rate
- 24.3 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 7.1 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −3.2 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 23.0 yearsWorld Rank179thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years34.0%15-64 years61.5%65 years +4.5%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 4.5%
- Share aged under 18
- 40.1%
- Total dependency ratio
- 63
- Youth dependency ratio
- 55
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 7
- Sex ratio
- 0.95 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 0.2% 0.4% 70-79 0.7% 1.2% 60-69 2.3% 2.9% 50-59 3.3% 4.0% 40-49 5.0% 5.6% 30-39 7.0% 7.7% 20-29 8.0% 8.0% 10-19 10.3% 10.4% 0-9 11.8% 11.2% - 2026
- 0.86 above the replacement level for Kiribati ()3.06 births per womanreplacement 2.201234World Rank55thof 237
- 1.37 daughters per woman0.37 above replacement, long-run each generation larger than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +17.3 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 17.3 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- −3.2 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 64.3% live in 89,009 urban residents
- Population distribution
- Consists of three archipelagos 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.
- Ethnic groups2020
- I-Kiribati95.8%I-Kiribati/mixed3.8%Tuvaluan0.2%Other1.7%
- Religions2020
- Roman Catholic58.9%Kiribati Uniting Church21.2%Kiribati Protestant Church8.4%Church of Jesus Christ5.6%Seventh Day Adventist2.1%Baha'i2.1%Other1.7%
- Languages
- English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicThe Beretitenti (President), both Head of State and Head of Government, is chosen by popular vote from three or four candidates whom the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (parliament) nominates from its own members (ss. 30, 32).
- System of government
- Semi-presidentialThe Beretitenti appoints ministers from the Maneaba, and the Cabinet is collectively responsible to it; a majority no-confidence vote removes the Beretitenti and automatically dissolves the Maneaba, which the executive has no power to dissolve (ss. 33, 41, 45, 78).Source:
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Tarawa63,072 people(2020)
- National holidays
- 17 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- SunMar 8International Women's Day
- MonMar 9International Women's Day (observed)
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- SunApr 19National Health Day
- MonApr 20National Health Day (observed)
- SatJul 11Gospel Day
- SunJul 12National Day - Independence Anniversary
- MonJul 13National Day - Independence Anniversary (observed)
- WedJul 15National Day (in honor of Unimwane)
- ThuJul 16National Day (in honor of Unaine)
- WedAug 5Youth Day
- WedDec 9Human Rights and Peace Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
- MonDec 28Boxing Day (observed)
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- GILTGilbert Islands TimeUTC+12
Kiribati spans multiple time zones, the capital's is shown here. All 3 time zones
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +686
- Internet TLD
- .ki
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- KI, KIR
- Infrastructure
- Passengers carried
- 58,879 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Aircraft departures
- 4,427 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Air freight
- 0.3 million tonne-km(2023)
- Aircraft registration prefix
- T3
Sources:- The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Flag carrier
- Air KiribatiState-owned
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:The Kiribati Independence Order 1979 (S.I. 1979 No. 719), Schedule: The Constitution of Kiribati ↗ - The National Archives (United Kingdom)
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- Lower middle income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +3% per yearWorld Rank99thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $3,058 (149th in the world)
Source:- 2024
- Services70.3% of GDPIndustry11.8% of GDPAgriculture23.2% of GDPManufacturing4.2%part of industry
- Households
- +103.8%
- Government
- +59%
- Investment
- +29.9%
- Exports
- +4.5%
- Imports
- −97.6%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 4.5%down 1.4 percentage points1.4pp from 2025
- Budget balance2026
- 16.7% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 16.1% of GDP, $65 million deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Government debt9.9% of GDPInterest on debt0.1% of GDPCentral government debt9.9% of GDP
- Trade2025
- Goods$17.3 million66.8%
- Services$8.6 million33.2%
- Total exports
- $26 million
- Change from 2024
- up 67.7 percent on the previous year67.7%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Coconuts (in shell), Bananas
- 1Coconuts (in shell)156.2×
- 2Bananas3.1×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- fishing, handicrafts
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Average gross salary2023
- A$538 per month$358 (USD), $573 (PPP)
- Median
- A$430 per month($286)
- Men
- A$529 per month($352)
- Women
- A$552 per month($367)
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- A$270 per month, gross$178 (USD), $289 (PPP)
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.644MediumWorld Rank140thof 193KiribatiWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Kiribati World 2005 0.588 0.681 2006 0.593 0.688 2007 0.596 0.694 2008 0.596 0.698 2009 0.598 0.701 2010 0.600 0.707 2011 0.603 0.713 2012 0.608 0.717 2013 0.613 0.721 2014 0.615 0.726 2015 0.623 0.731 2016 0.627 0.735 2017 0.630 0.739 2018 0.633 0.741 2019 0.635 0.745 2020 0.632 0.742 2021 0.631 0.742 2022 0.642 0.752 2023 0.644 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- 2023
- 24.7
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 9.1 years
- Expected for a child today
- 11.9 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Literacy2020
- 98.6% of adults
- Education expenditure2023
- 16.4% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 21.6%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2024
- 89.4% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 89.5%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2024
- 72,000
- Fixed telephone lines
- 14
- Fixed broadband
- 0 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists2022
- 1,800 arrivalsdown 77% against 201977% below 2019World Rank138thof 139
- Per resident
- 1.4 arrivals per 100 residents
- Same-day visitors
- 4,100 arrivals(2019, latest available)
- $2.1 million(2024)
- Share of GDP
- 0.7% tourism direct GDP(2019, latest available)
- $16.4 million(2024)
- Hotel beds
- 535
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2022A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 1 site1 natural
Site Phoenix Islands Protected Area Source:- The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Income inequality (Gini), Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Literacy:UIS Data Browser ↗ - UNESCO Institute for Statistics
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Homicide rate2012
- 7.1 per 100,000 peopleMedium by global standards
- Crime rates
- 1 offence category
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 7.1 8 2012 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2016
- 108.9 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 129
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 66.9 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 10.9% of GDP$238 per person
- Physicians2013
- 0.19 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2016
- 1.9 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 41.3 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 80 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 1 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Tobacco use2015latest available
- 47.1% of adults
- Men
- 60.8%
- Women
- 33.3%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Road traffic deaths2019
- 1.9 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption, Tobacco use:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 0.08 Mt per yearup 4.9 percent on the previous year4.9% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 0.6 t per personWorld Rank167thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.03 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.01 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 0.12 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 1 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted231stof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to overcrowding mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping
- coastal erosion
- International agreements
- 17 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 64 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1995 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1993 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1993 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1994 CITES not a party Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2004 Nagoya Protocol in force 2021 Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in force 2013 World Heritage Convention in force 2000 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1998 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 2000 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) not a party Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2004 Minamata Convention on Mercury in force 2017 Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 2003 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) in force 2026 MARPOL 73/78 in force 2007 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Kiribati - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 33.1% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 0 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 0 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 0% originates outside the country
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment2022
- 3.8% of the population
- Obesity2024
- 45.6% of adults
- Men
- 37.2%
- Women
- 52.9%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children2018
- 6.9% of children under five
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment:Food security indicators (FAOSTAT) ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 9.62 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- < 0.01%
- Supply
- No meaningful productionproduces under 2% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade0 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 0 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 0 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 589 b/d in 2024Consumption2024589 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
Defense
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
