Country Profile: Kiribati

Kiribati is a Pacific island nation comprising three distinct island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. It is characterized by its low-lying coral atolls, with South Tarawa, the capital, being one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The economy is primarily based on fishing and tourism, with significant public sector involvement and reliance on remittances. Kiribati operates as a presidential republic and is facing challenges related to climate change and environmental sustainability.

Geography

Kiribati is located in Oceania, straddling the Equator in the central Pacific Ocean, with a total land area of approximately 811 sq km scattered over about 3.5 million sq km of ocean. The nation is made up of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island surrounded by rich marine resources. Its climate is tropical, characterized by hot and humid conditions moderated by trade winds.

• 1,143 km of coastline.
• 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited.
• The highest point is 81 m on Banaba, while the lowest is sea level.
• Kiribati is the only nation across all four hemispheres.

People and Society

As of 2024, Kiribati has an estimated population of 116,545, consisting predominantly of I-Kiribati (95.78%). The majority communicates in Gilbertese and English, with Roman Catholicism being the prevalent religion. The population is relatively young, with a median age of 27.7 years.

• 57.8% of the population lives in urban areas.
• The birth rate is projected at 19.4 births per 1,000 in 2025.
• Life expectancy is estimated at 68.5 years for 2024.
• Literacy rate stands at 98.6%.

Economy

Kiribati has a lower-middle-income economy that heavily relies on fishing, agriculture, and remittances. In 2024, the real GDP is estimated at $438.144 million, with a growth rate of 5.3%. The economy is characterized by high public sector employment and significant reliance on external financial assistance and remittances.

• 27.8% of GDP comes from agriculture, while services account for 65.7%.
• 21.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line.
• Remittances constituted 4% of GDP in 2023.
• Inflation was 9.3% in 2023.

Government

The Republic of Kiribati operates as a presidential republic with its capital at Tarawa. The executive branch is led by President Taneti Maamau, who has been in office since March 11, 2016. The legislature is unicameral, comprising 45 members, and elections occur every four years.

• Independence was gained on July 12, 1979.
• The national anthem is “Teirake kaini Kiribati.”
• Universal suffrage is granted at 18 years of age.
• The legal system incorporates English common law and customary law.

Military and Security

Kiribati does not maintain a standing army and instead relies on police forces, including the Kiribati Police Service. The nation benefits from security assistance from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, which includes a ship rider agreement allowing local law enforcement to collaborate with US Navy vessels.

Energy

Approximately 94.4% of Kiribati's population has access to electricity, with a mix of energy sources. As of 2023, the country consumes 27.388 million kWh of electricity, primarily generated from fossil fuels.

• 81.5% of installed electricity capacity comes from fossil fuels.
• 12,000 kW of installed generating capacity.
• The energy consumption per capita is 8.578 million Btu for 2023.

Environment

Kiribati faces significant environmental issues, including pollution in the lagoon of South Tarawa and coastal erosion. The nation is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement on climate change.

• 42% of land is used for agriculture as of 2023.
• Carbon dioxide emissions totaled 81,000 metric tonnes in 2023.
• Urbanization rate is 2.77% annually from 2020 to 2025.

Transportation

Kiribati has 21 airports and a modest maritime presence with 74 vessels in its merchant marine as of 2023. The country's key ports facilitate its fishing and tourism industries.

• There are 3 ports in total, predominantly very small.
• The civil aircraft registration country code is T3.

Communications

Telecommunications in Kiribati include mobile cellular networks, with 70,000 mobile subscriptions reported in 2023. The internet penetration rate stands at 88%, indicating a fairly connected population despite geographical challenges.

• Fixed-line subscriptions are nearly non-existent.
• 49 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for mobile cellular services.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	116,545	2024 estimate
Area	811 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$438.144 million	2024 estimate (PPP)
Birth Rate	19.4 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	68.5 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	57.8%	Total population in urban areas (2023)
Electricity Access	94.4%	Total population with access (2022)
Unemployment Rate	Not specified	Data not available
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	81,000 metric tonnes	2023 estimate
Gini Index	27.8	Distribution of family income (2019)