Kiribati Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Kiribati, state of the Pacific, about 4,500 km northeast of Australia; 861 km², 116 000 residents (2019).Kiribati extends along the equator, 3,780 km in the west-east direction, and consists of the west coral island of Banaba (Ocean Island), the 16 atolls that make up the Gilbert Islands (and which gave the country its former name), the 8 atolls in the Phoenix Islands, and 8 of the 11 atolls in the Line Islands, including Kiritimati (Christmas Island). The capital is Tarawa.

Country facts

Republic of Kiribati / Republic of Kiribati
Country abbreviation: KI
Area: 861 km²
Population (2019): 116,000 residents
Capital: Tarawa
Main languages: kiribati, English
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Taneti Maamau (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 1,625
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 3,140
Currency unit: 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents
Currency code: AUD
Country number (telephony): 686
Internet Domain Name: ki
Time difference compared to Sweden: +11 to +13
National Day: July 12 (Independence Day, 1979)

Nature

Land use: forest (3%), agricultural land (51%), other (46%)
Highest mountain: unnamed elevation on the island of Banaba (81 meters above sea level)

Population

Population density (2019): 135 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 2.1%; birthrate 28 ‰, death count 7 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (35%), 15-64 (61%), 65- (4%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 59 years, women 64 years
Infant mortality (2019): 43 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 200,000 residents
HDI (2017): 0.612 (place 134 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 54%
Most populous city (2012): Tarawa (50,200 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2016): agriculture (23%), industry (7%), service (70%)
Export (2013): US $ 85 million
Main export products: copra, coconuts, seagrass, fish
Main exporting countries: Philippines, Malaysia, USA
Imports (2016): US $ 107 million
Main import products: food, machinery, means of transport
Main importing countries: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand
Railway network: nothing in operation

Kiribati consists of low coral islands located on both sides of the equator. The country has a humid tropical climate.

According to the 1979 Constitution, Kiribati is an independent state within the Commonwealth. The head of state and government is the president, who, like 44 of the parliament’s 46 members, is elected in general elections every four years. The country became independent in 1979.

The most important industries are agriculture, mostly as self-catering, as well as fishing on a local scale. The soil is barren, and the most common crops are bananas and fruits from coconut and pandanus palms, papaya and breadfruit trees. Kopra is the country’s most important export commodity. In recent times, the tourism industry has grown in importance. The country also exports aquarium fish.