Kiribati profile

Demography and Health

Kiribati is a small, dispersed nation with a total population of about 134,518 in 2024, ranking 186th globally by size. The demographic profile features a relatively high birth rate of 25.8 per 1,000 people (2023) alongside a crude death rate of 7.05 per 1,000, indicating a growing population but not rapidly expanding. Life expectancy at birth stands at 66.5 years (2023), a marker of ongoing health challenges typical for small island economies, while mortality under age five is alarmingly high at 55.1 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling gaps in childhood health and care. The prevalence of undernourishment is 3.7% (2022), suggesting that chronic hunger is not widespread, though there remain pockets of vulnerability. Net migration is negative (-471 in 2024), implying notable outward movement of people, which can affect labor supply and future demographics. Suicide mortality is 17.5 per 100,000 population (2021), a statistic that underscores the importance of mental health resources and social support systems in a small, isolated setting. Health expenditure data show current health expenditure at 10.5% of GDP (2022) and domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, of 245 international dollars (2022), indicating a modest public-health platform constrained by scale and geography.

Economy

Kiribati presents the profile of a very small, low-income economy. GDP per capita is 2,289 current US dollars in 2024 (rank 144), with GDP per capita at PPP of 3,702 international dollars (2024). The economic structure is highly dependent on external trade, as exports of goods and services account for only 6.27% of GDP (2024) while imports of goods and services absorb 94.9% of GDP (2024), signaling a heavy reliance on external inputs and a persistent trade imbalance. Inflation runs high at 9.28% in 2023, reflecting macroeconomic pressures that erode purchasing power for households and raise costs for import-dependent businesses. The current account balance is negative at -1.77% of GDP (2023), consistent with substantial import needs and limited export earnings. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.77% of GDP (2023), indicating some external financing and confidence but not enough to drive rapid capital deepening. Taken together, Kiribati’s economy is open and vulnerable to global price shifts, shipping disruptions, and climate shocks, while offering potential gains from improved governance, targeted investment, and sectors like fisheries, niche tourism, and services that can leverage digital connectivity.

Trade and Investment

The trade profile of Kiribati is characterized by a stark tilt toward imports and a small export footprint. Exports of goods and services comprise 6.27% of GDP (2024), while imports absorb 94.9% of GDP (2024), highlighting the dependence on external supplies for basic goods, fuel, and capital inputs. This structure implies that domestic producers face a challenging environment for scale and price competitiveness, and the economy remains highly exposed to global shipping costs and exchange-rate movements. High-technology exports are minimal at 4,264 current US$ (2021), reflecting limited industrial diversification and a focus on traditional, low- to moderate-value-added sectors. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.77% of GDP (2023), signifying a modest infusion of external capital, but not a transformative level. The combination of a small export base, heavy import reliance, and modest FDI points to substantial opportunities for policy-led improvements in investment climate, logistics, and market access, particularly in fisheries, tourism, and service-oriented sectors that can leverage Kiribati’s unique geography and connectivity.

Governance and Institutions

On governance, Kiribati shows a mixed but generally stable political environment and governance capacity. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism score 1.1 in 2023, with a favorable global rank of 15, suggesting a relatively stable political climate for a small island state. However, governance indicators reveal a more nuanced picture: regulatory quality is negative (-0.279 in 2023, rank 111), while the rule of law is positive at 0.588 (rank 59). Control of corruption stands at 0.412 (rank 65), and government effectiveness is slightly negative at -0.097 (rank 103). This combination indicates that while political stability is solid, the quality of regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic efficiency faces challenges, potentially hindering business processes and public service delivery. Internet penetration is strong (88.0% of the population in 2023), which can support governance, transparency, and citizen engagement through e-services and digital platforms. Overall, Kiribati presents a stable but imperfect governance ecosystem, with opportunities to improve regulatory quality and public-sector effectiveness to better mobilize investment and deliver services.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology in Kiribati reflect both connectivity strengths and constraints from geography and scale. Individuals using the Internet account for 88% of the population in 2023, indicating broad digital access despite dispersed islands. High-technology exports are modest (4,264 current US$ in 2021), underscoring limited domestic high-tech industry and integration into global value chains. Renewable energy consumption is substantial at 41.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), signaling progress toward a cleaner energy mix and resilience against imported fuels. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 0.982 t CO2e (2023), ranking 182nd globally, which is low in per-capita terms due to small population and a limited industrial base, though absolute emissions remain a concern in a world facing climate risks. Domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, stands at 245 international dollars (2022), reflecting a modest level of public investment in health alongside a high reliance on imported goods and services for infrastructure and development needs. The data collectively suggest a connected population with growing digital capabilities, a growing emphasis on renewable energy, and the high costs and logistical complexities inherent in delivering infrastructure across a dispersed atoll nation.

Environment and Sustainability

Kiribati’s environmental indicators reveal a low-carbon footprint on a per-person basis, with total greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 0.982 t CO2e in 2023 and a relatively low global standing (rank 182). Renewable energy contributes 41.9% of total final energy consumption (2022), highlighting progress toward cleaner energy usage in a country with strong sea and solar resources and limited fossil-fuel dependence. The prevalence of undernourishment is 3.7% (2022), suggesting that food security is not extreme but remains vulnerable to climate and supply disruptions in a nation that imports a large share of its energy and food. High susceptibility to climate-related risks—such as sea-level rise, storms, and coral reef degradation—comes with the territory of small atoll nations, making the move toward renewables, resilient infrastructure, and climate-adaptive planning essential. The combination of modest economic scale, strategic energy choices, and environmental stewardship positions Kiribati to pursue sustainable development that protects vulnerable ecosystems while leveraging its maritime and solar potential.