2015 Edition

Background

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.

Area

land

811 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)

total

811 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

1,143 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

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

Geographic coordinates

1 25 N, 173 00 E

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)

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 2.5%; permanent crops 39.5%; permanent pasture 0%

agricultural land

42%

forest

15%

other

43% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

Age structure

0-14 years

30.77% (male 16,582/female 15,950)

15-24 years

21.28% (male 11,202/female 11,296)

25-54 years

38.23% (male 19,446/female 20,965)

55-64 years

5.66% (male 2,706/female 3,281)

65 years and over

4.05% (male 1,689/female 2,594) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

21.46 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.9% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

22.3% (2009)

Death rate

7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6%

potential support ratio

16.6% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

63%

youth dependency ratio

57%

Drinking water source

urban: 87.3% of population

rural: 50.6% of population

total: 66.9% of population

urban: 12.7% of population

rural: 49.4% of population

total: 33.1% of population (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

I-Kiribati 89.5%, I-Kiribati/mixed 9.7%, Tuvaluan 0.1%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

10.1% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

32.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

35.48 deaths/1,000 live births

total

34.26 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

I-Kiribati, English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

68.39 years (2015 est.)

male

63.36 years

total population

65.81 years

Major urban areas - population

TARAWA (capital) 46,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

90 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

female

24.8 years (2015 est.)

male

23.1 years

total

23.9 years

Nationality

adjective

I-Kiribati

noun

I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-2.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

40.1% (2014)

Physicians density

0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

105,711 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

1.15% (2015 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 55.8%, Kempsville Presbyterian Church 33.5%, Mormon 4.7%, Baha'i 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2%, other 1.5%, none 0.2%, unspecified 0.05% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 51.2% of population

rural: 30.6% of population

total: 39.7% of population

urban: 48.8% of population

rural: 69.4% of population

total: 60.3% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.93 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.83 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.65 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.48 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

54% (2010 est.)

male

47.6%

total

61.8%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

44.3% of total population (2015)

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)

Capital

geographic coordinates

1 21 N, 173 02 E

name

Tarawa

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

time difference

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

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

Constitution

The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (preindependence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence); amended several times, last in 2013 (2015)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Kiribati

conventional short form

Kiribati

etymology

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

former

Gilbert Islands

local long form

Republic of Kiribati

local short form

Kiribati

note

pronounced keer-ree-bahss

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; the Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy; it is headed by Makurita BAARO (since 21 May 2014); address: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400A, New York, NY 10017; telephone: [1](212)867-3310; FAX: [1](212)867-3320

note

there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members

chief of state

President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO (since 2003); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Anote TONG TONG elected president; percent of vote - Anote TONG (BTK) 42.2%, Tetaua TAITAI (KTK) 35%, Rimeta BENIAMINA (MKP) 22.8%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote following nomination of candidates from among House of Assembly members; term is 4 years (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 13 January 2012 (next to be held in 2015); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO (since 2003)

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

Government type

republic

Independence

12 July 1979 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

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

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, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

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

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, 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)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, other 2 (includes attorney general)

elections

legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first on 21 October 2011 and the second on 28 October 2011 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Urium Tamuera IOTEBA

name

"Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)

note

adopted 1979

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Anote TONG]

Kamaeuraoan Te I-Kiribati Party or KTK [Tetaua TAITAI]

Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP [Rimeta BENIAMINA]

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

copra, breadfruit, fish

Budget

expenditures

$179.9 million (2013 est.)

revenues

$197.9 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

9.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Current account balance

$7 million (2014 est.)

-$39 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$13.6 million (2013 est.)

$14.1 million (2012 est.)

Economy - overview

A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including the road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth. Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income. In 2013, the International Monetary Fund estimated that fishing licenses revenues contributed close to half of government’s total revenue and total remittances from seafarers were equivalent to 6% of GDP. However, remittances and the number of seafarers employed have declined since the global crisis. Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 43% in 2013 to the government’s finances. The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $668 million in 2013, equivalent to 381% of GDP. The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, United States dollar, the Japanese yen and the Euro. Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget.

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

1.1094 (2014 est.)

0.9695 (2013 est.)

0.9695 (2012 est.)

0.9695 (2011 est.)

1.0902 (2010 est.)

note

the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender

Exports

$84.75 million (2013 est.)

$62.31 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, coconut products

Fiscal year

NA

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

26.3%

industry

9.2%

services

64.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,700 (2014 est.)

$1,600 (2013 est.)

$1,600 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2014 est.)

2.4% (2013 est.)

3.4% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$181 million (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$189 million (2014 est.)

$182.2 million (2013 est.)

$177.9 million (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$182.2 million (2013 est.)

$172.5 million (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel

Industrial production growth rate

1.1% (2012 est.)

Industries

fishing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2014 est.)

-1.5% (2013 est.)

Labor force

39,000

note

economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

15%

industry

10%

services

75% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

8.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$8.37 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Taxes and other revenues

109.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

30.6% (2010 est.)

6.1% (2005)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

58,450 Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

24.18 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

26 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

400 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

420.4 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.ki

Internet users

percent of population

11.7% (2014 est.)

total

12,200

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (may be inactive) (2002)

Telephone system

domestic

wireline service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999

general assessment

generally good quality national and international service

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)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

9 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

9,200

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

17 (2014 est.)

total

18,100

Television broadcast stations

1 (possibly inactive) (2002)

Airports

19 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

4 (2013)

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

10

total

15

Merchant marine

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)

total

77

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Betio (Tarawa Atoll), Canton Island, English Harbor

Roadways

total

670 km (2011)

Waterways

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

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

25,190 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

20,302 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

18,364

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

1,120 (2010 est.)

male

1,132

Military - note

Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ

Military branches

no regular military forces (establishment prevented by the constitution); Police Force (2011)

Disputes - international

none