Country Profile: Kiribati

Kiribati is a unique Pacific island nation comprised of three distinct island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. It boasts a population of approximately 116,545, predominantly of I-Kiribati ethnicity, with a vibrant mix of Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian cultures. The economy is largely based on fishing, tourism, and public sector employment, intertwined with challenges posed by climate change and environmental fragility. Kiribati is a presidential republic, with governance focused on sustainability amidst the growing impacts of rising sea levels.

Geography

Kiribati is located in Oceania and consists of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island scattered across the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator. The country's total land area is 811 square kilometers, with a coastline extending 1,143 kilometers. Its terrain is mostly made up of low-lying coral atolls, surrounded by extensive reefs. The climate is tropical, influenced by marine conditions and trade winds.

42% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
21 of the 33 islands are inhabited.
The highest point is an unnamed elevation on Banaba Island at 81 m.
Kiribati is the only country to fall into all four hemispheres.

People and Society

The population of Kiribati is estimated at 116,545 in 2024, with a balanced gender ratio. The I-Kiribati ethnic group constitutes about 95.8% of the populace, and the primary languages spoken are Gilbertese and English. The country has a young demographic, with a median age of 27.7 years and a notable percentage of urbanization, where 57.8% of people live in urban areas.

68.5 years is the average life expectancy at birth (2024).
The birth rate is 19.4 births per 1,000 population (2025).
94: the total sex ratio for the population (2024 est.).
98.6% literacy rate among the total population (2020).

Economy

As a lower-middle-income Pacific island economy, Kiribati's economy is fragile and heavily relies on remittances, tourism, and fishing. The GDP for 2024 is estimated at $438.143 million, with a per capita GDP of $3,300. The public sector plays a dominant role in employment, while the country faces ongoing economic challenges due to constitutional crises.

The economy grew by 5.3% in 2024.
27.8% of GDP comes from agriculture (2022).
Remittances account for 4% of GDP in 2023.
21.9% of the population lived below the poverty line (2019).

Government

Kiribati is a presidential republic, with a political structure that includes a president serving as both the head of state and government. The current president, Taneti Maamau, has been in office since March 2016. The national assembly, known as the House of Assembly, consists of 45 members, with elections held every four years.

Independence was achieved on 12 July 1979.
18 years is the minimum voting age in Kiribati.
The constitution was last amended in 1979.
There are 6 districts administering the nation.

Military and Security

The primary security force in Kiribati is the Kiribati Police Service, which includes maritime police units. The nation benefits from security assistance provided by countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, which includes cooperative agreements for maritime patrols.

Kiribati has a ship rider agreement with the US for maritime law enforcement.
The Kiribati Police Service is responsible for maintaining internal security (2025).

Energy

Energy access in Kiribati is relatively high, with 94.4% of the population having electricity access. The electricity generation primarily relies on fossil fuels, accounting for 81.5% of installed capacity, while the remainder comes from solar.

27.388 million kWh of electricity was consumed in 2023.
The total installed electricity generation capacity is 12,000 kW (2023).

Environment

Kiribati faces significant environmental challenges, primarily from pollution and coastal erosion. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity.

Heavy pollution has affected the lagoon of South Tarawa due to overcrowding.
15.4% of municipal solid waste was recycled in 2022.
81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions were recorded in 2023.

Transportation

Kiribati has a network of 21 airports and maintains a merchant marine fleet that includes various types of vessels. Transportation is crucial for connecting the widely dispersed islands.

The merchant marine consists of 74 vessels (2023).
The country’s ports are modest, with 3 operational ports.

Communications

Kiribati's communication infrastructure includes a significant mobile cellular network with around 70,000 subscriptions. Internet usage has also grown, with 88% of the population reported to be internet users.

There are 0 fixed line subscriptions as of 2023.
49% of the population had mobile cellular subscriptions in 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	116,545	Estimated for 2024
Area	811 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$438.143 million	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	27.388 million kWh	Total consumption for 2023
Birth Rate	19.4 births/1,000 people	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	68.5 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	98.6%	Total population, estimated 2020
Unemployment Rate	Not specified	Data not present
Electrification Rate	94.4%	Total population with electricity access (2022)
Total Agriculture Land Use	42%	Total percentage of agricultural land (2023)