World · permanent entity record · KR
Kiribati
Thirty-second orientation
Kiribati at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural); adjective: Kiribati
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Gilbertese, English (official)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Kiribati through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Kiribati became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,488World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 116,545 (2024 est.) male: 56,364 female: 60,181CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-05 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $349.2 million
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $2,559
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 66.6 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 63.4%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 97.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 89.4%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Tarawa
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 811 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 136,488
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Australian dollars (AUD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Gilbertese, English (official)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural); adjective: Kiribati
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Oceania
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Australia and Oceania.”
- Coastline
- 1,143 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 58.9%, Kiribati Uniting Church 21.2%, Kiribati Protestant Church 8.4%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.1%, Baha'i 2.1%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- red, yellow, blue, white
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- frigatebird
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- unnamed elevation on Banaba · 266 ft (81 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- Kiribati is made up of three distinct island groups -- the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The first Austronesian voyagers arrived in the Gilbert Islands as early as 3000 B.C., but these islands were not widely settled until about A.D. 200 by Micronesians. Around 1300, Samoans and Tongans invaded the southern Gilbert Islands, then known as Tungaru, bringing Polynesian cultural elements with them. Later arrivals of Fijians brought Melanesian elements to the Gilbert Islands, and extensive intermarriage between the Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian people led to the creation of what would become Gilbertese cultural traditions by the time Europeans spotted the islands in the 1600s. The Phoenix Islands and Line Islands were both visited by various Melanesian and Polynesian peoples, but their isolation and lack of natural resources meant that long-term settlements were not possible. Both island groups were uninhabited by the time of European contact. Kiribati experienced sustained European contact by the 1760s; all three island groups were named and charted by 1826. American whaling ships frequently passed through the islands, and the UK declared a protectorate over the Gilbert and nearby Ellice Islands in 1892, in an attempt to block growing US influence. Phosphate-rich Banaba Island was annexed to the protectorate in 1900. In 1916, the protectorate became a colony, and some Line Islands were added in 1916 and 1919, with the final ones added in 1972. The Phoenix Islands were added to the colony in 1937, and the UK agreed to share jurisdiction of some with the US because of their strategic location for aviation. During World War II, the islands were occupied by Japanese forces but were ejected by US amphibious assaults. The Ellice Islands became its own colony in 1974 and was renamed Tuvalu for “eight standing together” in 1975. The Gilbert Islands became fully self-governing in 1977 and independent in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati, the Gilbertese spelling of Gilberts. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Islands in a 1979 treaty of friendship. In 2012, Kiribati purchased a 22 sq km (8.5 sq mi) plot of land in Fiji for potential eventual resettlement of its population because of climate change, and in 2014 Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe BAINIMARAMA said residents of Kiribati would be welcome to relocate to Fiji if their country is swamped by rising sea levels.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Oceania, group of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 811 sq km land: 811 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes three island groups -- Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands -- dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- four times the size of Washington, D.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 42% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 39.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 1.3% (2023 est.) other: 56.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- consists of three archipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean -- the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru; Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, and western)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
- Population
- total: 116,545 (2024 est.) male: 56,364 female: 60,181
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: Kiribati
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- I-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 58.9%, Kiribati Uniting Church 21.2%, Kiribati Protestant Church 8.4%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.1%, Baha'i 2.1%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 15,895/female 15,304) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 38,046/female 41,059) 65 years and over: 5.4% (2024 est.) (male 2,423/female 3,818)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 47.3 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 39.4 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7.9 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 12.7 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 27.7 years (2025 est.) male: 26.4 years female: 28.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 19.4 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -2.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- consists of three archipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 57.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 64,000 TARAWA (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 23.1 years (2009 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 80 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 33.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.4 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 68.5 years (2024 est.) male: 65.9 years female: 71.3 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 2.13 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 87.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 59.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 75.7% of population (2022 est.) urban: 12.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 40.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 24.3% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 14.8% of GDP (2021) 9.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 72.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 48.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 62.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 27.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 51.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 37.9% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 0.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 35.4% (2025 est.) male: 48.4% (2025 est.) female: 23.6% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 6.9% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 67.4% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 2.4% (2019) women married by age 18: 18.4% (2019) men married by age 18: 8.6% (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 16.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 20.1% national budget (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 98.6% (2020 est.) male: 98.6% (2020 est.) female: 98.9% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment8 fields
- Environmental issues
- heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to overcrowding mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; coastal erosion
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 42% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 39.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 1.3% (2023 est.) other: 56.7% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 57.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 35,700 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.4% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government23 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati local long form: Republic of Kiribati local short form: Kiribati former: Gilbert Islands etymology: the name is the local pronunciation of "Gilbert," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788 note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Tarawa geographic coordinates: 1 21 N, 173 02 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Kiribati has three time zones: the Gilbert Islands group at UTC+12, the Phoenix Islands at UTC+13, and the Line Islands at UTC+14 etymology: the name is said to derive from the I-Kiribati words te (the) and rawa (run), referring to a channel through a nearby reef
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; there are no first-order administrative divisions, but the 6 districts are Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa, with 21 island councils on Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- English common law supplemented by customary law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence) amendment process: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; passage of amendments affecting the constitutional section on amendment procedures and parts of the constitutional chapter on citizenship requires deferral of the proposal to the next Assembly meeting where approval is required by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and support of the nominated or elected Banaban member of the Assembly; amendments affecting the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms also requires approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Kiribati dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016) head of government: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members election/appointment process: president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms) by simple-majority popular vote, after candidates are nominated from among House of Assembly members; vice president appointed by the president most recent election date: 25 October 2024 election results: 2024: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKP) 55%, Kaotitaake KOKORIA (independent) 42%, Bautaake BEIA (TKP) 3% 2020: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKP) 59.3%, Banuera BERINA (BKM) 40.7% expected date of next election: 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: House of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 45 (44 directly elected; 1 appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 8/14/2024 to 8/19/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 11.1% expected date of next election: August 2028
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): High Court (consists of a chief justice and other judges as prescribed by the president) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president on the advice of the cabinet in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC); other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice along with the PSC subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; magistrates' courts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party or BKM Kiribati Moa Party or KMP Kamanoan Kiribati Party or KKP Tobwaan Kiribati Party or TKP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1109, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 867-3310 FAX: [1] (212) 867-3320 email address and website: Kimission.newyork@mfa.gov.ki
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 6 December 2022); note - Ambassador DAMOUR is based in the US Embassy in the Republic of Fiji and is accredited to Kiribati as well as Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu Note: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati but has announced its intention to open an embassy
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ABEDA, ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigatebird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three wavy horizontal white stripes to represent the Pacific Ocean meaning: the white stripes represent the Gilbert, Line, and Phoenix island groups; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigatebird symbolizes authority and freedom
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati) lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA history: adopted 1979
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Phoenix Islands Protected Area
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy26 fields
- Economic overview
- lower-middle income, Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; sizable remittances; key phosphate mining fund; tourism and fishing industries; public sector-dominated economy; recent withdrawal from Pacific Islands Forum; ongoing constitutional crisis
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $438.143 million (2024 est.) $416.221 million (2023 est.) $405.468 million (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 5.3% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 4.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $3,300 (2024 est.) $3,100 (2023 est.) $3,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $307.863 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 9.3% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) 2.1% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 27.8% (2022 est.) industry: 9.9% (2022 est.) services: 65.7% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 101.2% (2022 est.) government consumption: 61.7% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.1% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 1.3% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 7.6% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -100.5% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- coconuts, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruits, pork, chicken, nuts, eggs, pork offal (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- -6.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 21.9% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 27.8 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 4% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 22.8% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 4% of GDP (2023 est.) 10.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 4.7% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $260.557 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $264.736 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 17.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$5.117 million (2023 est.) -$32.523 million (2022 est.) $20.251 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $17.099 million (2023 est.) $20.58 million (2022 est.) $10.754 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Thailand 85%, Japan 6%, Philippines 3%, UAE 2%, Fiji 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- fish, coconut oil (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $293.624 million (2023 est.) $272.004 million (2022 est.) $201.984 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- China 24%, Australia 20%, Fiji 15%, Japan 7%, NZ 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- ships, centrifuges, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) note: the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy5 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 94.4% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 86% electrification - rural areas: 94.3% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 12,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 27.388 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 5 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 81.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 18.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 8.578 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 0 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 70,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 88% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 0 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- T3
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 74 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 24, oil tanker 11, other 37
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Canton Island, English Harbor, Tarawa Atoll
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security2 fields
- Military and security forces
- Kiribati Police Service (includes Maritime Police) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- Australia, NZ, and the US have provided security assistance; Kiribati has a "ship rider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Kiribati's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; ship rider agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.