Country Profile: Nauru

Nauru, a small island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, boasts a unique tropical geography characterized by its sandy beaches and coral reefs. With a population of approximately 9,892, the country is home to a predominantly Nauruan ethnic group, alongside others from the Pacific region. Economically, Nauru has faced challenges following the depletion of its phosphate resources and relies heavily on foreign aid, including revenue from Australia's Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers. Nauru operates as a parliamentary republic, with its governance shaped by a mix of common and customary law.

Geography

Nauru is positioned in Oceania, south of the Marshall Islands, and is the third-smallest country in the world. The island covers an area of just 21 square kilometers with a significant coastline of 30 kilometers. The terrain consists of a sandy beach that rises to a fertile ring of raised coral reefs, with phosphate plateaus at the center. Its tropical climate includes a rainy season from November to February, and the island is susceptible to periodic droughts.

21 sq km: Total area
30 km: Coastline length
70 m: Highest point at Command Ridge
200 nm: Exclusive economic zone
0%: Forested land as of 2022
20%: Agricultural land (as of 2023)

People and Society

Nauru's population is estimated to be about 9,892, predominantly composed of Nauruans, with small percentages of I-Kiribati and Fijians. The official language is Nauruan, although English is widely understood. The country has a median age of 27.8 years, reflecting a youthful demographic, with a significant urban population of 100%. Nauruans primarily practice Protestant Christianity, with a notable Catholic minority.

96.6%: Literacy rate (2023)
20.2 births/1,000: Birth rate (2024)
68.6 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024)
1.27 physicians/1,000: Physician density (2015)
61%: Adult obesity prevalence (2016)
100%: Access to improved drinking water sources

Economy

Nauru is classified as an upper-middle-income economy, once prosperous due to phosphate mining. However, the exhaustion of phosphate resources has rendered much of the interior uninhabitable, leading to a reliance on fishing rights and foreign aid. The country generated a real GDP of approximately $150.581 million in 2024, with growth rates fluctuating around 1.8%. Nauru's economic landscape is further complicated by its previous status as a tax haven and current operations related to an offshore refugee processing center.

$150.581 million: Real GDP (2024 est.)
$12,600: Real GDP per capita (2024 est.)
0.6%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2023)
50%: Imports from Australia (2023)
$64.931 million: Exports (2023)
44.4%: Central government tax revenue as a percentage of GDP (2020)

Government

Nauru functions as a parliamentary republic with no official capital; government offices are located in the Yaren District. The country's legal framework is a blend of common law and customary law, and it gained independence from Australian administration on January 31, 1968. The president, currently David Adeang, serves as both the chief of state and head of government, elected indirectly by the Parliament for a three-year term.

19: Seats in Parliament
10.5%: Percentage of women in government (2023)
Universal suffrage at age 20
Mixed legal system: Based on common and customary law
14 districts: Administrative divisions

Military and Security

Nauru does not maintain regular military forces, relying instead on the Nauru Police Force for security. The country has entered agreements with Australia for enhanced security cooperation and participates in maritime law enforcement via a "shiprider" arrangement with the US Coast Guard.

No regular military forces
Nauru Police Force: Main security service
Security cooperation: Established with Australia (2024)
"Shiprider" agreement: With US Coast Guard

Energy

The nation has achieved 100% electrification, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 19,000 kW. The energy sources are primarily fossil fuels, contributing to CO2 emissions of 86,000 metric tonnes in 2023. Nauru's energy strategy also includes some reliance on solar energy, accounting for 12% of total capacity.

100%: Population with electricity access (2022 est.)
19,000 kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023)
88%: Fossil fuels in energy sources (2023)
37.893 million kWh: Electricity consumption (2023)

Transportation

Nauru has limited transportation infrastructure, featuring only one airport and a single port accommodating its merchant marine fleet. The country operates six vessels as part of its maritime operations.

1: Operational airport (2025)
6: Merchant marine vessels (2023)
1: Port for maritime trade (2024)

Communications

Telecommunication services in Nauru include a small number of mobile subscriptions and limited fixed-line connections. The internet penetration rate is relatively high, with 82% of the population being internet users.

82%: Internet user percentage (2020)
10,000: Mobile telecommunication subscriptions (2021)
1,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,892	Estimated for 2024
Area	21 sq km	Total land area
Real GDP	$150.581 million	Estimated for 2024
GDP per capita	$12,600	Estimated for 2024
Birth rate	20.2 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy	68.6 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy rate	96.6%	Estimated for 2023
Electricity access	100%	Total population electrified
Adult obesity prevalence	61%	Prevalence in 2016
Total fertility rate	2.55 children/woman	Estimated for 2024