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Australia-Oceania :: Kiribati

- ## Introduction :: KIRIBATI

- 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. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.

- ## Geography :: KIRIBATI

- Location:
  Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia
  Geographic coordinates:
  1 25 N, 173 00 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  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)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Area - comparative:
  four times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  1,143 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
  Terrain:
  mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m
  Natural resources:
  phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 42%
  arable land 2.5%; permanent crops 39.5%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 15%
  other: 43% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  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
  Environment - current issues:
  heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  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)

- ## People and Society :: KIRIBATI

- Nationality:
  noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)
  adjective: I-Kiribati
  Ethnic groups:
  I-Kiribati 89.5%, I-Kiribati/mixed 9.7%, Tuvaluan 0.1%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)
  Languages:
  I-Kiribati, English (official)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 55.8%, Kempsville Presbyterian Church 33.5%, Mormon 4.7%, Baha'i 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2%, other 1.5%, none 0.2%, unspecified 0.05% (2010 est.)
  Population:
  105,711 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 30.77% (male 16,582/female 15,950)
  15-24 years: 21.28% (male 11,202/female 11,296)
  25-54 years: 38.23% (male 19,446/female 20,965)
  55-64 years: 5.66% (male 2,706/female 3,281)
  65 years and over: 4.05% (male 1,689/female 2,594) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 63%
  youth dependency ratio: 57%
  elderly dependency ratio: 6%
  potential support ratio: 16.6% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 23.9 years
  male: 23.1 years
  female: 24.8 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.15% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Birth rate:
  21.46 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Death rate:
  7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Net migration rate:
  -2.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 44.3% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  TARAWA (capital) 46,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  90 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 34.26 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 35.48 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 32.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 65.81 years
  male: 63.36 years
  female: 68.39 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Total fertility rate:
  2.48 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  22.3% (2009)
  Health expenditures:
  10.1% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Physicians density:
  0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 87.3% of population
  rural: 50.6% of population
  total: 66.9% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 12.7% of population
  rural: 49.4% of population
  total: 33.1% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 51.2% of population
  rural: 30.6% of population
  total: 39.7% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 48.8% of population
  rural: 69.4% of population
  total: 60.3% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  40.1% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  14.9% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 12 years
  male: 12 years
  female: 13 years (2008)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 61.8%
  male: 47.6%
  female: 54% (2010 est.)

- ## Government :: KIRIBATI

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati
  conventional short form: Kiribati
  local long form: Republic of Kiribati
  local short form: Kiribati
  note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss
  former: Gilbert Islands
  etymology: the name is the local pronounciation of "Gilberts," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Tarawa
  geographic coordinates: 1 21 N, 173 02 E
  time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  note: on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory was in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (UTC +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction were on the other side of the International Date Line
  Administrative divisions:
  3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions but there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)
  Independence:
  12 July 1979 (from the UK)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
  Constitution:
  The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (preindependence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence); amended several times, last in 2013 (2015)
  Legal system:
  English common law supplemented by customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  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
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO (since 2003); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice President Teima ONORIO (since 2003)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote following nomination of candidates from among House of Assembly members; term is 4 years (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 13 January 2012 (next to be held in 2015); vice president appointed by the president
  election results: Anote TONG TONG elected president; percent of vote - Anote TONG (BTK) 42.2%, Tetaua TAITAI (KTK) 35%, Rimeta BENIAMINA (MKP) 22.8%
  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, 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)
  elections: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first on 21 October 2011 and the second on 28 October 2011 (next to be held in 2015)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA, other 2 (includes attorney general)
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): High Court (consists of a chief justice and other judges as prescribed by the president); note - the High Court has jurisdiction on constitutional issues
  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
  Political parties and leaders:
  Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Anote TONG]
  Kamaeuraoan Te I-Kiribati Party or KTK [Tetaua TAITAI]
  Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP [Rimeta BENIAMINA]
  note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures
  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, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none; the Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy; it is headed by Makurita BAARO (since 21 May 2014); address: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400A, New York, NY 10017; telephone: [1](212)867-3310; FAX: [1](212)867-3320
  note: there is an honorary consulate in Honolulu
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati
  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 horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the Pacific ocean; the white stripes represent the three island groups - the Gilbert, Line, and Phoenix Islands; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigatebird symbolizes authority and freedom
  National symbol(s):
  frigatebird; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)
  lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA
  note: adopted 1979

- ## Economy :: KIRIBATI

- Economy - overview:
  A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including the road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth. Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income. In 2013, the International Monetary Fund estimated that fishing licenses revenues contributed close to half of government’s total revenue and total remittances from seafarers were equivalent to 6% of GDP. However, remittances and the number of seafarers employed have declined since the global crisis. Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 43% in 2013 to the government’s finances. The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $668 million in 2013, equivalent to 381% of GDP. The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, United States dollar, the Japanese yen and the Euro. Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $189 million (2014 est.)
  $182.2 million (2013 est.)
  $177.9 million (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 219
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $181 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3.7% (2014 est.)
  2.4% (2013 est.)
  3.4% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,700 (2014 est.)
  $1,600 (2013 est.)
  $1,600 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 211
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 26.3%
  industry: 9.2%
  services: 64.5% (2012 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  copra, breadfruit, fish
  Industries:
  fishing, handicrafts
  Industrial production growth rate:
  1.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 129
  Labor force:
  39,000
  note: economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 15%
  industry: 10%
  services: 75% (2010)
  Unemployment rate:
  30.6% (2010 est.)
  6.1% (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $197.9 million
  expenditures: $179.9 million (2013 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  109.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  9.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Public debt:
  8.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
  8% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Fiscal year:
  NA
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.1% (2014 est.)
  -1.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  $7 million (2014 est.)
  -$39 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Exports:
  $84.75 million (2013 est.)
  $62.31 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Exports - commodities:
  fish, coconut products
  Imports:
  $182.2 million (2013 est.)
  $172.5 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Imports - commodities:
  food, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $8.37 million (31 December 2010 est.)
  Debt - external:
  $13.6 million (2013 est.)
  $14.1 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
  1.1094 (2014 est.)
  0.9695 (2013 est.)
  0.9695 (2012 est.)
  0.9695 (2011 est.)
  1.0902 (2010 est.)
  note:: the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender

- ## Energy :: KIRIBATI

- Electricity - production:
  26 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Electricity - consumption:
  24.18 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  5,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 121
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  400 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  420.4 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  58,450 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208

- ## Communications :: KIRIBATI

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 9,200
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 18,100
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: generally good quality national and international service
  domestic: wireline service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999
  international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  1 TV broadcast station that provides about 1 hour of local programming Monday-Friday; multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (may be inactive) (2002)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (possibly inactive) (2002)
  Internet country code:
  .ki
  Internet users:
  total: 12,200
  percent of population: 11.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204

- ## Transportation :: KIRIBATI

- Airports:
  19 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 4
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 15
  914 to 1,523 m: 10
  under 914 m:
  5 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 670 km (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Waterways:
  5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Merchant marine:
  total: 77
  by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 35, chemical tanker 6, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 15
  foreign-owned: 43 (China 26, Hong Kong 2, Russia 1, Singapore 9, South Korea 1, Taiwan 2, Vietnam 2) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 59
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Betio (Tarawa Atoll), Canton Island, English Harbor

- ## Military :: KIRIBATI

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces (establishment prevented by the constitution); Police Force (2011)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 25,190 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 18,364
  females age 16-49: 20,302 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 1,132
  female: 1,120 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ

- ## Transnational Issues :: KIRIBATI

- Disputes - international:
  none

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