2014 Edition

Background

The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific region. Germany annexed the island in 1888. A German-British consortium began mining the island's phosphate deposits early in the 20th century. Australian forces occupied Nauru in World War I; it subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.

Area

21 sq km 21 sq km 0 sq km

total

21 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)

Coastline

30 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m unnamed elevation along plateau rim 61 m

highest point

unnamed elevation along plateau rim 61 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling none of the selected 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

0 32 S, 166 55 E

Geography - note

world's smallest island country; situated just 53 km south of the Equator; Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

0% 20% 80% (2011)

arable land

0%

other

80% (2011)

permanent crops

20%

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts

Natural resources

phosphates, fish

Terrain

sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center

Age structure

32.5% (male 1,359/female 1,720) 16.9% (male 828/female 773) 42.7% (male 2,013/female 2,040) 6% (male 228/female 343) 1.8% (male 73/female 111) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

32.5% (male 1,359/female 1,720)

15-24 years

16.9% (male 828/female 773)

25-54 years

42.7% (male 2,013/female 2,040)

55-64 years

6% (male 228/female 343)

65 years and over

1.8% (male 73/female 111) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

25.61 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.8% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

35.6% (2007)

Death rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 96.3% of population total: 96.3% of population urban: 3.7% of population total: 3.7% of population (2012 est.)

total

3.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

3.7% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%

Health expenditures

9.8% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

8.21 deaths/1,000 live births 10.54 deaths/1,000 live births 6.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

6.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

8.21 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Nauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes I-Kiribati 2% and Chinese 2%) percentages represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

66.4 years 62.3 years 69.83 years (2014 est.)

female

69.83 years (2014 est.)

total population

66.4 years

Literacy

NA

Median age

25.3 years 25.6 years 25 years (2014 est.)

female

25 years (2014 est.)

male

25.6 years

total

25.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.1 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Nauruan(s) Nauruan

adjective

Nauruan

noun

Nauruan(s)

Net migration rate

-14.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

71.1% (2008)

Physicians density

0.71 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

9,488 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.56% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant 60.4% (includes Nauru Congregational 35.7%, Assembly of God 13%, Nauru Independent Church 9.5%, Baptist 1.5%, and Seventh Day Adventist .7%), Roman Catholic 33%, other 3.7%, none 1.8%, unspecified 1.1% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 65.6% of population total: 65.6% of population urban: 34.4% of population total: 34.4% of population (2012 est.)

total

34.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

34.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 9 years 10 years (2008)

female

10 years (2008)

male

9 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

0.84 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

0.79 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.78 male(s)/female

at birth

0.84 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.93 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

100% of total population (2011) 0.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.59% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren

Capital

no official capital; government offices in Yaren District UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

time difference

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

Constitution

effective 29 January 1968; amended 1968, 2009; note - in early 2013, further amendments were introduced (2013)

Country name

Republic of Nauru Nauru Republic of Nauru Nauru Pleasant Island

conventional long form

Republic of Nauru

conventional short form

Nauru

former

Pleasant Island

local long form

Republic of Nauru

local short form

Nauru

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji, currently Ambassador Frankie A. REED, is accredited to Nauru

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 10 February 2006) 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 937-0074 [1] (212) 937-0079 Agana (Guam)

chancery

800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 10 February 2006)

consulate(s)

Agana (Guam)

FAX

[1] (212) 937-0079

telephone

[1] (212) 937-0074

Executive branch

President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013) Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament president elected by Parliament for a three-year term; election last held on 11 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016) Baron WAQA elected president on 11 June 2013

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament

chief of state

President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Baron WAQA elected president on 11 June 2013

elections

president elected by Parliament for a three-year term; election last held on 11 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016)

head of government

President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013)

Flag description

blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru

Government type

republic

Independence

31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 1 judge) judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65 District Court, Family Court

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 1 judge)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65

subordinate courts

District Court, Family Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral parliament (19 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) last held on 8 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 19

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 19

elections

last held on 8 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru) Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS adopted 1968

lyrics/music

Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS

name

"Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG] Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party Nauru Party (informal) loose multiparty system

Political pressure groups and leaders

Woman Information and News Agency (women's issues)

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

coconuts

Budget

$13.5 million $13.5 million (2005)

expenditures

$13.5 million (2005)

revenues

$13.5 million

Debt - external

$33.3 million (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Revenues of this tiny island traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. In 2005 an Australian company entered into an agreement to exploit remaining supplies. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faced virtual bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has frozen wages and reduced overstaffed public service departments. Nauru lost further revenue in 2008 with the closure of Australia's refugee processing center, making it almost totally dependent on food imports and foreign aid. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the government and economy afloat continues to climb. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist with estimates of Nauru's GDP varying widely.

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.031 (2013) 0.9658 (2011 est.) 1.0902 (2010) 1.2822 (2009) 1.2059 (2008)

Exports

$64,000 (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

phosphates

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

6.1% 33% 60.8% (2009 est.)

agriculture

6.1%

industry

33%

services

60.8% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,000 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

NA%

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$60 million (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$NA (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA% (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

90% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

168,800 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

32.55 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

35 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,075 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 government-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand sent via satellite or on videotape; 1 government-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, utilizes Australian and British programs (2009)

Internet country code

.nr

Internet hosts

8,162 (2012)

Telephone system

adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

general assessment

adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities

international

country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

1,900 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6,800 (2012)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Nauru

major seaport(s)

Nauru

Roadways

30 km 24 km 6 km (2002)

total

30 km

unpaved

6 km (2002)

Manpower available for military service

2,542 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,542 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

1,823 2,034 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,034 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,823

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

78 (2010 est.)

female

78 (2010 est.)

male

74

Military - note

Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia

Military branches

no regular military forces (2012)

Disputes - international

none