Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 25 N, 173 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 811 sq km
country comparison to the world: 187
land: 811 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,143 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 2.47%
permanent crops: 39.51%
other: 58.02% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)
adjective: I-Kiribati
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Micronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
I-Kiribati, English (official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 55%, Protestant 36%, Mormon 3.1%, Baha'i 2.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.9%, other 1.8% (2005 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
103,248 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 32.3% (male 16,989/female 16,355)
15-24 years: 21.2% (male 10,985/female 10,950)
25-54 years: 37.2% (male 18,486/female 19,955)
55-64 years: 5.3% (male 2,515/female 3,004)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,572/female 2,437) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 56.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 49.8 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.5 %
potential support ratio: 15.5 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23.2 years
male: 22.4 years
female: 24.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.21% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.18 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 44% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
TARAWA (capital) 43,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 156
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 36.5 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 63
male: 37.74 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 35.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 65.11 years
country comparison to the world: 173
male: 62.7 years
female: 67.64 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.63 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.3% (2009)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 25
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 8
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.6% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 4
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2008)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati
conventional short form: Kiribati
local long form: Republic of Kiribati
local short form: Kiribati
note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss
former: Gilbert Islands
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Tarawa
geographic coordinates: 1 21 N, 173 02 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory was in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (UTC +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction were on the other side of the International Date Line
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in addition, 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)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 July 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
preindependence - The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975; latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence); amended 1995 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law supplemented by customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO
cabinet: 12-member cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the House of Parliament nominates the presidential candidates from among its members following parliamentary elections and then those candidates compete in a general election; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 13 January 2012 (next to be held in 2015); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Anote TONG 42.2%, Tetaua TAITAI 35%, Rimeta BENIAMINA 22.8%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members elected by popular vote, 1 ex officio member - the attorney general, 1 nominated by the Rabi Council of Leaders (representing Banaba Island); members serve four-year terms)
elections: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first round on 21 October 2011 and the second round on 28 October 2011 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, other 2 (includes attorney general)
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): High Court (consists of a chief justice and other judges as prescribed by the president)
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Anote TONG]
note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the US ambassador to Fiji, currently Ambassador Frankie A. REED, is accredited to Kiribati
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
frigatebird
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)
lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA
note: adopted 1979
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Islands. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. Private sector initiatives and a financial sector are in the early stages of development. Foreign financial aid from the EU, UK, US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UN agencies, and Taiwan accounts for 20-25% of GDP. Remittances from seamen on merchant ships abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Kiribati receives around $15 million annually for the government budget from an Australian trust fund.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$669 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$172.6 million (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6,200 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 24.3%
industry: 7.9%
services: 67.8% (2010 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fishing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,870
country comparison to the world: 218
note: economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 32%
services: 65.3% (2000)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (1992 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $55.52 million
expenditures: $107.1 million (2010 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-29.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-35.01 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.066 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$80.09 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10 million (1999 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.25 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 149
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
300 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
420.2 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 155
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
59,340 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 201
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 211
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: generally good quality national and international service
domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999
international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 TV broadcast station that provides about 1 hour of local programming Monday-Friday; multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2009)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ki
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
327 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 188
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 204
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 137
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 670 km (2011)
country comparison to the world: 190
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 108
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 77
country comparison to the world: 58
by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 35, chemical tanker 6, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 15
foreign-owned: 43 (China 26, Hong Kong 2, Russia 1, Singapore 9, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, Vietnam 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Betio (Tarawa Atoll), Canton Island, English Harbor
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces (establishment prevented by the constitution); Police Force (2011)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 25,190 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 18,364
females age 16-49: 20,302 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 1,132
female: 1,120 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ