Country Profile: Kiribati

Kiribati is an island nation comprising 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island, located in the central Pacific Ocean. The capital, Tarawa, serves as the main population center in a country characterized by a low-lying, tropical climate and a rich cultural history influenced by Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian traditions. The population of approximately 116,545 (2024 est.) relies heavily on subsistence farming, fishing, and remittances, with a public sector-dominated economy. Kiribati operates as a presidential republic, with a governance structure that emphasizes traditional customs alongside common law.

Geography

Kiribati consists of three main island groups: the Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands, spread over an extensive area of about 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean. Most of the islands are low-lying coral atolls, with the highest point on Banaba Island reaching 81 meters. The climate is tropical, warm, and humid, moderated by trade winds, while the terrain predominantly features extensive reefs and low elevations.

Total area: 811 sq km
Coastline: 1,143 km
Inhabited islands: 21 of 33
Population density of South Tarawa: Similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong
Climate hazards: Susceptible to typhoons and sea level rise

People and Society

The population of Kiribati is approximately 116,545 (2024 est.), with a composition of 95.8% I-Kiribati, alongside small percentages of Tuvaluan and mixed ethnicities. The official languages are Gilbertese and English, and the predominant religions include Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations. Kiribati exhibits a youthful population, with a median age of 27.3 years (2024 est.) and high literacy rates at 98.6% (2020 est.).

Urban population: 57.8% (2023)
Fertility rate: 2.15 children/woman (2024 est.)
Life expectancy: 68.5 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate: 19.7 births/1,000 (2024 est.)
Dependency ratio: 47.3 (2024 est.)

Economy

Kiribati's economy is classified as lower-middle income, largely reliant on subsistence agriculture, remittances, and small-scale tourism and fishing industries. The GDP was estimated at $438.143 million (2024 est.) with a real GDP growth rate of 5.3% (2024 est.). The country has faced challenges such as environmental fragility and dependency on public sector employment, compounded by a recent withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum.

GDP per capita: $3,300 (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 21.9% (2019 est.)
Remittances contribution: 4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Agriculture sector contribution: 27.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate: 9.3% (2023 est.)

Government

Kiribati is a presidential republic with a governance structure that includes a unicameral legislative body called the House of Assembly. The president, currently Taneti Maamau since March 2016, serves as both head of state and government. The country has been independent since July 12, 1979, with a legal system rooted in English common law supplemented by customary practices.

Number of legislative seats: 45
Voting age: 18 years
Next presidential election: 2028
Constitution promulgated: July 12, 1979
Suffrage: Universal

Military and Security

The Kiribati Police Service, which includes maritime police, is responsible for domestic law enforcement and security. Kiribati has established a "ship rider" agreement with the United States, allowing local officers to board U.S. vessels for law enforcement purposes within its exclusive economic zone.

Navy presence: None; reliance on Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. for security support
Law enforcement: Kiribati Police Service to manage internal security matters (2025)

Energy

Energy access in Kiribati stands at approximately 94.4% (2022 est.), with the majority of the population electrified. The country primarily generates electricity from fossil fuels, but there has been a growing investment in solar energy.

Installed generating capacity: 12,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 27.388 million kWh (2023 est.)
Petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 8.578 million Btu (2023 est.)

Environment

Kiribati faces significant environmental challenges, including heavy pollution in the lagoon of South Tarawa and coastal erosion. As a party to multiple international environmental agreements, the country actively participates in global efforts against climate change.

Total carbon dioxide emissions: 81,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated: 35,700 tons (2024 est.)
Recycling rate of municipal waste: 15.4% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Transportation in Kiribati involves a mix of air and maritime routes, with 21 airports and 74 merchant vessels in the fleet. The country has limited port infrastructure, reliant primarily on small ports for its maritime needs.

Number of airports: 21 (2025)
Merchant marine: 74 vessels (2023)
Key ports: Canton Island, English Harbor, Tarawa Atoll

Communications

The communications landscape in Kiribati includes mobile cellular services, with around 70,000 mobile subscriptions as of 2023. The internet penetration rate is relatively high, with 88% of the population using the internet.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 70,000 (2023)
Internet users: 88% of population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: None reported (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	116,545	(2024 est.)
Area	811 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$438.143 million	(2024 est.)
Energy consumption	27.388 million kWh	(2023 est.)
Birth rate	19.7 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	Not provided
Life expectancy	68.5 years	(2024 est.)
Median age	27.3 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy rate	98.6%	(2020 est.)
Electrification rate	94.4%	(2022 est.)