Kiribati flag

Kiribati

Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati

Capital

South Tarawa

Region

Oceania

Population

120,740

Area (km²)

811

💡Quick Summary

Kiribati, a remote island nation in Oceania, spans just 811 km² across 33 atolls and islands in the Pacific Ocean, home to a population of around 120,740. Its capital, South Tarawa, serves as the bustling hub for this low-lying archipelago, where climate change poses a major threat to its existence. With GDP data unavailable, Kiribati relies on fishing, copra exports, and international aid to sustain its vibrant, community-driven economy.

Key Insights

Minimal Forest Cover on a Vulnerable Island Nation

Kiribati has a very low forest area percentage of just 1.457%. This minimal forest cover, combined with its status as a low-lying island nation, makes it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and coastal erosion, and limits its natural carbon sequestration capacity.

Significant Urbanization on a Small Island Nation

Despite being a small island nation, Kiribati has a high urban population percentage of 61.524%. This indicates a concentrated population in urban centers, likely due to limited land availability and resource distribution, which can lead to specific challenges related to infrastructure, housing, and environmental strain in these areas.

High Fertility Rate and Relatively Low Life Expectancy

Kiribati exhibits a high fertility rate of 3.15 children per woman, suggesting a rapidly growing population. Concurrently, the life expectancy is relatively low at 66.47 years, indicating potential underlying health or environmental challenges that could be impacting the longevity of its citizens.

Concerning Infant Mortality Rate

Kiribati faces a significant challenge with an infant mortality rate of 39.700 per 1,000 live births. This figure is considerably high, pointing to potential deficiencies in maternal and child healthcare, sanitation, or nutrition, which require urgent attention to improve public health outcomes.

Economic Indicators
Latest economic data from World Bank

GDP (Current US$)

$288.61M

Year: 2023

GDP Per Capita

$2,177.7

GDP Growth (%)

2.65%

Inflation (%)

9.28%

Unemployment (%)

N/A%

Debt to GDP (%)

N/A%

Source: World Bank • Last updated: 12/24/2025

Historical Trends & Data Visualizations

GDP Growth Rate
Annual percentage change in GDP over time
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023-4.00%0.00%4.00%8.00%12.00%
  • GDP Growth (%)
Population Growth
Total population over time
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023035,00070,000105,000140,000
  • Population
Life Expectancy
Average life expectancy at birth (years)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220230.0years20.0years40.0years60.0years80.0years
  • Life Expectancy (years)
Renewable Energy Consumption
Percentage of total energy from renewable sources
2014201520162017201820192020202120220.0%15.0%30.0%45.0%60.0%
  • Renewable Energy (%)
GDP Per Capita
Economic output per person (current US$)
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023$0$600$1,200$1,800$2,400
  • GDP Per Capita ($)

Share This Country

Local Resources
Curated links to local news, real estate, events, and official websites