Australia - Oceania :: Nauru

- Introduction :: Nauru
- Background:
  The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific region. Germany annexed the island in 1888. A German-British consortium began mining the island's phosphate deposits early in the 20th century. Australian forces occupied Nauru in World War I; it subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.
- Geography :: Nauru
- Location:
  Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
  Geographic coordinates:
  0 32 S, 166 55 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 21 sq km
  land: 21 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 240
  Area - comparative:
  about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  30 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  Climate:
  tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
  Terrain:
  sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
  Elevation:
  0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean
  70 highest point: Command Ridge
  Natural resources:
  phosphates, fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 20% (2011 est.)
  arable land: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 20% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
  forest: 0% (2011 est.)
  other: 80% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km (2012)
  Population distribution:
  extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
  Natural hazards:
  periodic droughts
  Environment - current issues:
  limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks that collect rainwater and desalination plants provide water; a century of intensive phosphate mining beginning in 1906 left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland; cadmium residue, phosphate dust, and other contaminants have caused air and water pollution with negative impacts on health; climate change has brought on rising sea levels and inland water shortages
  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:
  world's smallest island country; situated just 53 km south of the Equator; Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia
- People and Society :: Nauru
- Population:
  9,692 (July 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Nationality:
  noun: Nauruan(s)
  adjective: Nauruan
  Ethnic groups:
  Nauruan 88.9%, part Nauruan 6.6%, I-Kiribati 2%, other 2.5% (2007 est.)
  Languages:
  Nauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes I-Kiribati 2% and Chinese 2%) (2011 est.)

  note: percentages represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12%

  Religions:
  Protestant 60.4% (includes Nauru Congregational 35.7%, Assembly of God 13%, Nauru Independent Church 9.5%, Baptist 1.5%, and Seventh Day Adventist 0.7%), Roman Catholic 33%, other 3.7%, none 1.8%, unspecified 1.1% (2011 est.)
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 31.18% (male 1,323 /female 1,699)
  15-24 years: 16.37% (male 764 /female 823)
  25-54 years: 43.08% (male 2,112 /female 2,063)
  55-64 years: 6.51% (male 249 /female 382)
  65 years and over: 2.86% (male 101 /female 176) (2018 est.)
  population pyramid:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  Australia - Oceania :: Nauru Print
  Image Description
  This is the population pyramid for Nauru. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
  For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
  Median age:
  total: 26.7 years
  male: 27.4 years
  female: 25.8 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Population growth rate:
  0.51% (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Birth rate:
  23.2 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Death rate:
  5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Net migration rate:
  -12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 214
  Population distribution:
  extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 100% of total population (2018)
  rate of urbanization: -0.06% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 0.83 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  0-14 years: 0.77 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  55-64 years: 0.64 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  male: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 67.8 years (2018 est.)
  male: 63.6 years (2018 est.)
  female: 71.2 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Total fertility rate:
  2.76 children born/woman (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62
  Health expenditures:
  3.3% of GDP (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Physicians density:
  1.39 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved: urban: 96.5% of population
  total: 96.5% of population
  unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population
  total: 3.5% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved: urban: 65.6% of population (2015 est.)
  total: 65.6% of population (2015 est.)
  unimproved: urban: 34.4% of population (2015 est.)
  total: 34.4% 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:
  61% (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Education expenditures:
  NA
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 9 years (2008)
  male: 9 years (2008)
  female: 10 years (2008)
- Government :: Nauru
- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
  conventional short form: Nauru
  local long form: Republic of Nauru
  local short form: Nauru
  former: Pleasant Island
  etymology: the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach"
  Government type:
  parliamentary republic
  Capital:
  UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
  Independence:
  31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
  Constitution:
  history: effective 29 January 1968 (2018)
  amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Parliament membership; amendments to constitutional articles such as the republican form of government, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the executive and legislative branches also requires two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum; amended 1968, 2009, 2014 (2018)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  20 years of age; universal and compulsory
  Judicial branch:
  highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - in late 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in early 2018, the government announced its intention to form its own appeals court
  judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
  subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament
  elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016)
  election results: Baron WAQA reelected president; Parliament vote - Baron WAQA (independent) 13, Roland KUN (Nauru First) 5
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral parliament (19 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms)
  elections: last held on 9 July 2016 (next to be held in 2019)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19; composition - men 17, women 2, percent of women 10.5%
  Political parties and leaders:
  Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]
  Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party
  Nauru Party (informal)

  note: loose multiparty system

  International organization participation:
  ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 13 March 2006)
  chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017
  telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
  FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
  Flag description:
  blue with a narrow, horizontal, gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the gold stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru; the star's white color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth
  National symbol(s):
  frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors: blue, yellow, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru)
  lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS

  note: adopted 1968

- Economy :: Nauru
- Economy - overview:

  Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely.

  The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future.

  Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.

  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $160 million (2017 est.)
  $153.9 million (2016 est.)
  $139.4 million (2015 est.)

  note: data are in 2015 dollars

  country comparison to the world: 224
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $114 million (2017 est.) (2017 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4% (2017 est.)
  10.4% (2016 est.)
  2.8% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $12,300 (2017 est.)
  $11,800 (2016 est.)
  $11,600 (2015 est.)

  note: data are in 2015 US dollars

  country comparison to the world: 129
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 98% (2016 est.)
  government consumption: 37.6% (2016 est.)
  investment in fixed capital: 42.2% (2016 est.)
  exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2016 est.)
  imports of goods and services: -89.1% (2016 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 6.1% (2009 est.)
  industry: 33% (2009 est.)
  services: 60.8% (2009 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts
  Industries:
  phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA
  Labor force:
  NA
  Labor force - by occupation:

  note: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation

  Unemployment rate:
  23% (2011 est.)
  90% (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Population below poverty line:
  NA
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA
  highest 10%: NA
  Budget:
  revenues: 103 million (2017 est.)
  expenditures: 113.4 million (2017 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  90.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Public debt:
  62% of GDP (2017 est.)
  65% of GDP (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Fiscal year:
  1 July - 30 June
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  5.1% (2017 est.)
  8.2% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Current account balance:
  $5 million (2017 est.)
  $2 million (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Exports:
  $125 million (2013 est.)
  $110.3 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Exports - partners:
  Nigeria 38.6%, Japan 16.6%, Australia 15.9%, South Korea 13.7%, NZ 5.7% (2017)
  Exports - commodities:
  phosphates
  Imports:
  $64.9 million (2016 est.)
  $143.1 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 218
  Imports - commodities:
  food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
  Imports - partners:
  Australia 67.5%, Fiji 9.2%, India 8.1%, Singapore 5.4% (2017)
  Debt - external:
  $33.3 million (2004 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Exchange rates:
  Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
  1.311 (2017 est.)
  1.3452 (2016 est.)
  1.3452 (2015 est.)
  1.3291 (2014 est.)
  1.1094 (2013 est.)
- Energy :: Nauru
- Electricity - production:
  24 million kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Electricity - consumption:
  22.32 million kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  7,000 kW (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  86% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  14% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  470 bbl/day (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  449 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  76,540 Mt (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
- Communications :: Nauru
- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 1,900 (July 2016 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 215
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total subscriptions: 9,900 (July 2016 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities
  international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
  Broadcast media:
  1 government-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand sent via satellite or on videotape; 1 government-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, utilizes Australian and British programs (2009)
  Internet country code:
  .nr
  Internet users:
  total: 5,100 (July 2016 est.)
  percent of population: 53.5% (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 214
- Transportation :: Nauru
- National air transport system:
  number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
  inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 (2015)
  annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 38,858 (2015)
  annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7,793,474 mt-km (2015)
  Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
  C2 (2016)
  Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 230
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1 (2017)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
  Roadways:
  total: 30 km (2002)
  paved: 24 km (2002)
  unpaved: 6 km (2002)
  country comparison to the world: 220
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Nauru
- Military and Security :: Nauru
- Military branches:
  no regular military forces (2012)
  Military - note:
  Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia
- Transnational Issues :: Nauru
- Disputes - international:
  none