Discover Fascinating Kiribati Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Kiribati.
Kiribati
Background
๐ Kiribati has a fascinating history! The journey began when the Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892. Fast forward to 1915, they became a colony. ๐ค During World War II, Japan took control of the islands in 1941, but the United States managed to retake them in 1943. In 1971, the UK granted self-rule to the Gilbert Islands, and by 1979, they proudly became independent, now known as Kiribati! ๐ Kiribati stepped onto the world stage by joining the United Nations in 1999. ๐ Since then, they've actively participated in global efforts to combat climate change. ๐
Year Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate
1892
Year Gilbert Islands became a British colony
1915
Year Japan captured Gilbert Islands
1941
Year US retook Gilbert Islands
1943
Year Kiribati was granted self-rule
1971
Year Kiribati gained complete independence
1979
Year Kiribati joined the UN
1999
Exports - commodities
๐ Kiribati's exports consist of several key commodities that help fuel its economy! In 2022, some of the most notable exports included:
- Fish ๐ฃ
- Ships ๐ข
- Coconut Oil ๐ฅฅ
- Copra ๐ด
- Raw Sugar ๐ฌ
These commodities play a vital role in the overall economic activities of Kiribati. Fishing, in particular, is a significant industry, providing both food and income for many families!
Export Commodities in 2022
Fish, Ships, Coconut Oil, Copra, Raw Sugar
Exports - partners
๐ Exports by Partners for Kiribati ๐
In 2022, Kiribati's export partners showed some interesting numbers! Hereโs how they stacked up:
- Thailand: 55% ๐
- Philippines: 15% ๐ต๐ญ
- Japan: 10% ๐ฏ๐ต
- Indonesia: 8% ๐ฎ๐ฉ
- South Korea: 4% ๐ฐ๐ท
As you can see, Thailand takes the lead, accounting for more than half of Kiribati's exports! ๐
Percentage of exports to Thailand
55%
Percentage of exports to Philippines
15%
Percentage of exports to Japan
10%
Percentage of exports to Indonesia
8%
Percentage of exports to South Korea
4%
Exports Partners of Kiribati in 2022
Capital
๐ Welcome to Tarawa, the vibrant capital of Kiribati! This lively place is not just a location on the map, but a hub of culture and community. ๐๏ธโจ Whether you're exploring its beaches or engaging with friendly locals, Tarawa is a unique destination that showcases the beauty of island life. ๐ฅฅ๐๏ธ
Imports - commodities
๐ Kiribati loves to trade! Here are some of the important commodities that the country imports: ships, refined petroleum, rice, twine and rope, and prepared meat. These imports are crucial for the daily life and economy of Kiribati, helping to bring in goods that are essential for both sustenance and infrastructure. Let's dive into the details of these imports!
Major commodities imported
ships, refined petroleum, rice, twine and rope, prepared meat
Climate
Kiribati experiences a tropical marine climate, which means it's hot and humid all year round! ๐ดโ๏ธ The weather is influenced by the trade winds, making life on these islands unique and vibrant!
Executive branch
In Kiribati, the Executive branch is led by President Taneti MAAMAU, who has been in office since March 11, 2016! ๐ This means that he is both the chief of state and the head of government. Both roles are very important because they guide the country and make decisions to help its people. ๐
Current President in Office
Taneti MAAMAU
Date President Took Office
11 March 2016
Legislative branch
In Kiribati, the legislative branch is represented by a unicameral House of Assembly ๐๏ธ which consists of 45 seats. This means that all decisions and discussions happen in one single assembly, making it a straightforward way to manage the country's legislative processes!
Total seats in House of Assembly
45
Natural resources
๐ด Kiribati is known for its unique natural resources! The country primarily relies on:
- Coconuts (copra): These versatile fruits are vital for the local economy. ๐ฐ
- Fish: With vast ocean waters surrounding the islands, fishing is a crucial part of life in Kiribati. ๐ฃ
Interestingly, phosphate production was discontinued in 1979, highlighting the changes in resource management over time. ๐
Phosphate production discontinued
1979
Natural resources utilized
Coconuts and Fish
Economic overview
โจ Economic Overview of Kiribati ๐ด
Kiribati is classified as a lower-middle income nation, marked by its unique position as a Pacific island economy. This location gives it a rich, yet environmentally fragile ecosystem that faces challenges from climate change. ๐ง
A significant part of its economy is driven by sizable remittances, showing how important support from family abroad is for many locals. Additionally, the phosphate mining industry has been a key fund for the country's economy. โ๏ธ
Tourism and fishing industries are crucial for income but are affected by the environmental fragility of the islands. The economy is largely public sector-dominated, indicating that the government has a big role to play in managing resources and services.
Currently, Kiribati is facing some turmoil with a recent withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Forum and an ongoing constitutional crisis. This adds to the challenges the nation must navigate to ensure a stable and prosperous future. ๐ฉ
Overall, Kiribati's economic landscape is shaped by both its natural resources and the pressures of modern challenges.
Income classification
Lower-middle income
Key industries
Tourism and fishing
Primary resource for economic fund
Phosphate mining
Economic structure
Public sector dominated
Recent political event
Withdrawal from Pacific Islands Forum
Current political status
Ongoing constitutional crisis
Government type
Kiribati is a presidential republic! ๐ฐ๐ท This means that the country is led by a president who is elected by the people. The president plays a big role in making decisions and running the government. ๐ Isn't it awesome how different countries choose their leaders in unique ways?
Ethnic groups
๐ In Kiribati, the majority of the population is made up of the I-Kiribati, accounting for a whopping 95.78% of the ethnic groups! ๐ฅณ Hereโs a quick breakdown of the other groups that call Kiribati home:
- I-Kiribati/mixed: 3.8%
- Tuvaluan: 0.2%
- Other: 1.7%
This colorful mix shows the rich tapestry of Kiribatiโs society! ๐๐
Percentage of I-Kiribati
95.78%
Percentage of I-Kiribati/mixed
3.8%
Percentage of Tuvaluan
0.2%
Percentage of Other ethnic groups
1.7%
Ethnic Groups in Kiribati
Religions
In Kiribati, the belief system is fascinatingly diverse! ๐ฐ๐ท Here's how the different religions stack up:
- 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%
These percentages paint a clear picture of the religious landscape in Kiribati! Each group contributes to the rich tapestry of beliefs that make up this island nation's culture! ๐โจ
Major Religion
Roman Catholic (58.9%)
Second Major Religion
Kiribati Uniting Church (21.2%)
Smallest Religion
Other (1.7%)
Percentage of Seventh Day Adventist
2.1%
Percentage of Baha'i
2.1%
Religious Composition in Kiribati
Languages
๐ In Kiribati, two main languages are spoken: Gilbertese and English! The people of Kiribati primarily communicate in their native language, Gilbertese, while English is used officially. This mixture of languages reflects the rich culture and history of the island nation! ๐๏ธ
Languages Spoken
Gilbertese, English
Imports - partners
๐ In 2022, Kiribati had some interesting friendships when it comes to trading! Let's see who they imported the most from:
- Taiwan: 25% ๐ฆ
- China: 22% ๐จ๐ณ
- Fiji: 13% ๐ซ๐ฏ
- Australia: 9% ๐ฆ๐บ
- South Korea: 7% ๐ฐ๐ท
Isn't it fascinating that Taiwan and China were at the top of the list? You can really see the different countries helping Kiribati get what it needs! ๐
Largest import partner
Taiwan (25%)
Second largest import partner
China (22%)
Third largest import partner
Fiji (13%)
Fourth largest import partner
Australia (9%)
Fifth largest import partner
South Korea (7%)
Imports Partners of Kiribati (2022)
Population
๐ Population of Kiribati: Did you know that Kiribati has a total population of 116,545 people? That's a vibrant community living across its beautiful islands! ๐๏ธ Each person contributes to the rich culture and unique way of life in this Pacific paradise.
Total Population
116,545
Area
๐ Kiribati's Area Overview ๐
Did you know that the total area of Kiribati is 811 square kilometers? That's all land, as it has 0 square kilometers of water! This makes Kiribati a unique island nation where every bit of space counts! ๐๏ธ
Total Area
811 sq km
Land Area
811 sq km
Water Area
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a closer look at the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) for the beautiful country of Kiribati! ๐ This important economic measure tells us how much the country's economy is producing in a way that considers the cost of living. Hereโs how the numbers stack up over the last few years:
- 2021: $391.315 million
- 2022: $406.41 million
- 2023: $423.828 million
As you can see, Kiribati's GDP has been growing! ๐ It went from $391.315 million in 2021 to a notable $423.828 million in 2023. Keep up the great work, Kiribati! ๐ช๐ด
Real GDP in 2021
391.315 million
Real GDP in 2022
406.41 million
Real GDP in 2023
423.828 million
Real GDP Growth in Kiribati (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita for Kiribati over the past few years! This tells us how much money, on average, each person in the country makes annually. ๐ค
- 2021: $3,000
- 2022: $3,100
- 2023: $3,200
It looks like Kiribati has been on a positive trend! ๐ Each year, the average income per person is increasing, which is great news for the economy!
GDP per Capita in 2023
3200
GDP per Capita in 2022
3100
GDP per Capita in 2021
3000
Real GDP per Capita in Kiribati (2021 - 2023)
Imports
๐ Let's take a look at Kiribati's imports over the past few years! ๐ The total monetary value of imports shows how much the country relies on goods from other nations.
Here's a quick summary:
- In 2022, imports were $254.438 million.
- In 2021, they were $201.984 million.
- Back in 2020, imports stood at $148.77 million.
This data reflects economic activity and dependency on international trade, and it looks like they are on an upward trend! ๐
Total Imports in 2022
$254.438 million
Total Imports in 2021
$201.984 million
Total Imports in 2020
$148.77 million
Imports of Kiribati (2020-2022)
Exports
๐ Exploring Kiribati's Exports!
Did you know that Kiribati has seen some interesting changes in its exports over the past few years? ๐ Let's take a look at the numbers! In 2020, Kiribati's exports reached $21.228 million. This amount slightly decreased to $10.754 million in 2021. But wait! In 2022, exports bounced back to $19.677 million!
What does this tell us? It shows that Kiribati's exporting game is full of ups and downs, much like an exciting roller coaster ride! ๐ข
๐ Export values over the years:
- 2020: $21.228 million
- 2021: $10.754 million
- 2022: $19.677 million
Stay tuned to see how Kiribati continues to grow its trade! ๐
Exports in 2020
21.228 million
Exports in 2021
10.754 million
Exports in 2022
19.677 million
Exports of Kiribati Over the Years
Population growth rate
๐โจ Kiribati is experiencing a population growth rate of 1% as of the 2024 estimate! This indicates a steady increase in the number of people living in this beautiful island nation. ๐๐
Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024
1%