2017 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

land

21 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

NA lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Command Ridge 70 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Command Ridge 70 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; a century of intensive phosphate mining beginning in 1906 - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - 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

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

20% arable land 0%; permanent crops 20%; permanent pasture 0% 0% 80% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

20%

forest

0%

other

80% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast

Terrain

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

Age structure

31.4% (male 1,323/female 1,705) 16.21% (male 766/female 797) 43.4% (male 2,112/female 2,073) 6.38% (male 240/female 375) 2.6% (male 96/female 155) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

31.4% (male 1,323/female 1,705)

15-24 years

16.21% (male 766/female 797)

25-54 years

43.4% (male 2,112/female 2,073)

55-64 years

6.38% (male 240/female 375)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 96/female 155) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

24 births/1,000 population (2017 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 (2017 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 96.5% of population total: 96.5% of population urban: 3.5% of population total: 3.5% of population (2015 est.)

total

3.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

3.5% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

7.8 deaths/1,000 live births 10 deaths/1,000 live births 6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

10 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.8 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.)

note

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

67.4 years 63.3 years 70.9 years (2017 est.)

female

70.9 years (2017 est.)

male

63.3 years

total population

67.4 years

Median age

26.4 years 27 years 25.7 years (2017 est.)

female

25.7 years (2017 est.)

male

27 years

total

26.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

note

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

Nationality

Nauruan(s) Nauruan

adjective

Nauruan

noun

Nauruan(s)

Net migration rate

-12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

61% (2016)

Physicians density

1 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

9,642 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast

Population growth rate

0.53% (2017 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 0.7%), 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 (2015 est.)

total

34.4% of population (2015 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

0.83 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

0.77 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.64 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.63 male(s)/female

at birth

0.83 male(s)/female

total population

0.89 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.8 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

100% of total population (2017) 0.62% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.62% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, 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, 2014 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Nauru Nauru Republic of Nauru Nauru Pleasant Island the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach"

conventional long form

Republic of Nauru

conventional short form

Nauru

etymology

the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach"

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 is accredited to Nauru

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 13 March 2006) 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 937-0074 [1] (212) 937-0079

chancery

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 13 March 2006)

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 indirectly elected by Parliament (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016) Baron WAQA reelected president on 11 June 2013; Parliament vote - Baron WAQA (independent) 13, Roland KUN (Nauru First) 5

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 reelected president on 11 June 2013; Parliament vote - Baron WAQA (independent) 13, Roland KUN (Nauru First) 5

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by Parliament (eligible for a second 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, gold 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 gold stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru; the white star color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth

Government type

parliamentary 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, ICCt, IFAD, 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 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms) last held on 9 July 2016 (next to be held in 2019) percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19

description

unicameral parliament (19 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms)

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19

elections

last held on 9 July 2016 (next to be held in 2019)

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)

note

adopted 1968

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

National symbol(s)

frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors: blue, yellow, white

frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors

blue, yellow, white

Political parties and leaders

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

note

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

$57.8 million $51.8 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$51.8 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$57.8 million

Current account balance

$2 million (2016 est.) $-10 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$33.3 million (2004 est.)

Economy - overview

Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - 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. 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. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely. 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. Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.

Exchange rates

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.3442 (2016 est.) 1.3452 (2015 est.) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) 0.9695 (2012 est.)

Exports

$125 million (2013 est.) $110.3 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

phosphates

Exports - partners

Nigeria 45.5%, Australia 13.7%, Japan 13%, South Korea 11.1%, NZ 8.7% (2016)

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)

$11,600 (2016 est.) $11,400 (2015 est.) $11,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

10.4% (2016 est.) 2.8% (2015 est.) 36.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$102 million (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$151 million (2016 est.) $135 million (2015 est.) $130 million (2014 est.) data are in 2015 dollars

note

data are in 2015 dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$143.1 million (2013 est.) $41.2 million (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery

Imports - partners

Australia 71.9%, Fiji 8.1%, Japan 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.2% (2016 est.) 9.8% (2016 est.)

Labor force

NA

Labor force - by occupation

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

note

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

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

65% of GDP (2016 est.) 77.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

23% (2011 est.) 90% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

200,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

23.25 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

20% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

25 million kWh (2015 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 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

394.8 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 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 users

5,100 53.5% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

53.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

5,100

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 - fixed lines

1,900 14 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

14 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1,900

Telephones - mobile cellular

9,900 103 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

103 (July 2016 est.)

total

9,900

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C2 (2016)

National air transport system

38,858 7,793,474 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

7,793,474 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

38,858

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

5

number of registered air carriers

1

Ports and terminals

Nauru

major seaport(s)

Nauru

Roadways

30 km 24 km 6 km (2002)

paved

24 km

total

30 km

unpaved

6 km (2002)

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