Kiribati

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.

1 25 N, 173 00 E

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

four times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

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

tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds

1,143 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 42% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 2.5% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 39.5% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

Forest: 1.5% (2022 est.)

Other: 56.6% (2022 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish

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)

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

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

Oceania

0 sq km (2022)

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

Highest point: Unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m

Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Mean elevation: 2 m

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)

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)

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.)

Noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

Adjective: Kiribati

Urban population: 57.8% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 87.9% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 59.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 75.7% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 12.1% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 40.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 24.3% of population (2022 est.)

64,000 TARAWA (capital) (2018)

0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016 est.)

23.1 years (2009 est.)

Note: Data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

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.)

Improved:

Urban: 72.6% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 48.1% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 62.1% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 27.4% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 51.9% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 37.9% of population (2022 est.)

I-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)

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.)

Gilbertese, English (official)

14.8% of GDP (2021)

9.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Total population: 98% (2018 est.)

Male: 97.3% (2018 est.)

Female: 98.6% (2018 est.)

Women married by age 15: 2.4% (2019)

Women married by age 18: 18.4% (2019)

Men married by age 18: 8.6% (2019)

1.05 (2024 est.)

67.6% (2023 est.)

-2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 27.3 years (2024 est.)

Male: 26.4 years

Female: 28.2 years

80 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

2.15 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 116,545 (2024 est.)

Male: 56,364

Female: 60,181

Total: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 33.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 29.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 35.4% (2025 est.)

Male: 48.4% (2025 est.)

Female: 23.6% (2025 est.)

46% (2016)

6.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

19.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

6.9% (2018/19)

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.)

Total population: 68.5 years (2024 est.)

Male: 65.9 years

Female: 71.3 years

16.4% of GDP (2023 est.)

13.5% national budget (2023 est.)

1% (2024 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 35,700 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.4% (2022 est.)

8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

8.578 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 July 1979 (from the UK)

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

English common law supplemented by customary law

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

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

Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party or BKM 
Kiribati Moa Party or KMP
Kamanoan Kiribati Party or KKP
Tobwaan Kiribati Party or TKP

18 years of age; universal

presidential republic

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

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

Title: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)

Lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA

History: Adopted 1979

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

frigatebird

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

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Phoenix Islands Protected Area

red, white, blue, yellow

21.9% (2019 est.)

Note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 4% (2019 est.)

Highest 10%: 22.8% (2019 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

fish, coconut oil (2023)

Note: Top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

Thailand 85%, Japan 6%, Philippines 3%, UAE 2%, Fiji 1% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

coconuts, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruits, pork, chicken, nuts, eggs, pork offal (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

ships, centrifuges, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
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

fishing, handicrafts

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

$307.863 million (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

China 24%, Australia 20%, Fiji 15%, Japan 7%, NZ 6% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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

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

17.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$438.143 million (2024 est.)
$416.221 million (2023 est.)
$405.468 million (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

9.3% (2023 est.)
5.3% (2022 est.)
2.1% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$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

$3,300 (2024 est.)
$3,100 (2023 est.)
$3,100 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$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

$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

5.3% (2024 est.)
2.7% (2023 est.)
4.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-6.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 27.8% (2022 est.)

Industry: 9.9% (2022 est.)

Services: 65.7% (2022 est.)

Electrification - total population: 94.4% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas: 86%

Electrification - rural areas: 94.3% (2020 est.)

Fossil fuels: 81.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 18.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 12,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 27.388 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 5 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 88% (2023 est.)

.ki

multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017)

Total subscriptions: 70,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2022 est.)

Total: 0 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

Total subscriptions: 0 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

T3

21 (2025)

Total: 74 (2023)

By type: Bulk carrier 2, general cargo 24, oil tanker 11, other 37

Kiribati Police Service (includes Maritime Police) (2025)

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)

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

27.8 (2019 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality