Introduction
Background
The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915. They were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. Kiribati joined the UN in 1999 and has been an active participant in international efforts to combat climate change.
Geography
Area
total: 811 sq km
land: 811 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Natural resources
phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish
People and Society
Population
115,372 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
I-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
Languages
Gilbertese, English (official)
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.)
Population growth rate
1.02% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Tarawa
Executive branch
chief of state: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two-rounds if needed; 1 member appointed by the Rabi Council of Leaders - representing Banaba Island, and 1 ex officio member - the attorney general; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$249.64 million (2021 est.)
$245.951 million (2020 est.)
$247.304 million (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$1,900 (2021 est.)
$1,900 (2020 est.)
$2,000 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, roots/tubers, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruit, poultry, pork, nuts, eggs
Industries
fishing, handicrafts
Remittances
8.24% of GDP (2020 est.)
11.28% of GDP (2019 est.)
10.18% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$10.754 million (2021 est.)
$21.228 million (2020 est.)
$32.516 million (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
Thailand 60%, Indonesia 11%, Philippines 10%, Japan 6%, South Korea 3% (2021)
Exports - commodities
skipjacks, tuna, fish fillets, ships, coconut oil, copra (2021)
Imports
$201.984 million (2021 est.)
$148.77 million (2020 est.)
$177.149 million (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 23%, Taiwan 16%, Fiji 16%, Australia 12%, New Zealand 6% (2021)
Imports - commodities
fishing ships, beef, netting, poultry meat, rice, refined petroleum, sugar, refrigerators (2021)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
1.331 (2021 est.)
1.453 (2020 est.)
1.439 (2019 est.)
1.338 (2018 est.)
1.305 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023
