Discover Fascinating Kiribati Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Kiribati.

Kiribati

Background

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿค” 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! ๐ŸŽ‰ Kiribati stepped onto the world stage by joining the United Nations in 1999. ๐ŸŒ Since then, they've actively participated in global efforts to combat climate change. ๐ŸŒŠ

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

๐ŸŒŠ Kiribati's exports consist of several key commodities that help fuel its economy! In 2022, some of the most notable exports included:

  • Fish ๐ŸŽฃ
  • Ships ๐Ÿšข
  • Coconut Oil ๐Ÿฅฅ
  • Copra ๐ŸŒด
  • Raw Sugar ๐Ÿฌ

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

๐ŸŒ Exports by Partners for Kiribati ๐ŸŒ

In 2022, Kiribati's export partners showed some interesting numbers! Hereโ€™s how they stacked up:

  • Thailand: 55% ๐Ÿ“ˆ
  • Philippines: 15% ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ
  • Japan: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
  • Indonesia: 8% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ
  • South Korea: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท

As you can see, Thailand takes the lead, accounting for more than half of Kiribati's exports! ๐Ÿ“Š

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

๐ŸŒŸ 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. ๐Ÿ๏ธโœจ Whether you're exploring its beaches or engaging with friendly locals, Tarawa is a unique destination that showcases the beauty of island life. ๐Ÿฅฅ๐Ÿ–๏ธ

Imports - commodities

๐ŸŒŠ 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! ๐ŸŒดโ˜€๏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! ๐ŸŽ‰ 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. ๐ŸŒ

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 ๐Ÿ›๏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

๐ŸŒด Kiribati is known for its unique natural resources! The country primarily relies on:

  • Coconuts (copra): These versatile fruits are vital for the local economy. ๐ŸŒฐ
  • Fish: With vast ocean waters surrounding the islands, fishing is a crucial part of life in Kiribati. ๐ŸŽฃ

Interestingly, phosphate production was discontinued in 1979, highlighting the changes in resource management over time. ๐ŸŒŠ

Phosphate production discontinued

1979

Natural resources utilized

Coconuts and Fish

Economic overview

โœจ Economic Overview of Kiribati ๐ŸŒด

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. ๐Ÿ’ง

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. โš’๏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. ๐Ÿšฉ

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! ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท 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. ๐ŸŒŸ Isn't it awesome how different countries choose their leaders in unique ways?

Ethnic groups

๐ŸŒŽ In Kiribati, the majority of the population is made up of the I-Kiribati, accounting for a whopping 95.78% of the ethnic groups! ๐Ÿฅณ Hereโ€™s 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 Kiribatiโ€™s society! ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŒˆ

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! ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท 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! ๐ŸŒŠโœจ

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Languages Spoken

Gilbertese, English

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ In 2022, Kiribati had some interesting friendships when it comes to trading! Let's see who they imported the most from:

  • Taiwan: 25% ๐Ÿ“ฆ
  • China: 22% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Fiji: 13% ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ฏ
  • Australia: 9% ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ
  • South Korea: 7% ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท

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! ๐ŸŽ‰

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ๏ธ Each person contributes to the rich culture and unique way of life in this Pacific paradise.

Total Population

116,545

Area

๐ŸŒ Kiribati's Area Overview ๐ŸŒŠ
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! ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Total Area

811 sq km

Land Area

811 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒŸ Let's take a closer look at the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) for the beautiful country of Kiribati! ๐Ÿ“ˆ This important economic measure tells us how much the country's economy is producing in a way that considers the cost of living. Hereโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ“Š It went from $391.315 million in 2021 to a notable $423.828 million in 2023. Keep up the great work, Kiribati! ๐Ÿ’ช๐ŸŒด

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

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿค‘

  • 2021: $3,000
  • 2022: $3,100
  • 2023: $3,200

It looks like Kiribati has been on a positive trend! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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

๐Ÿ“Š Let's take a look at Kiribati's imports over the past few years! ๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿš€

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

๐Ÿ“Š Exploring Kiribati's Exports!

Did you know that Kiribati has seen some interesting changes in its exports over the past few years? ๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽข

๐ŸŒŸ 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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

๐ŸŒโœจ 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. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ˜Š

Estimated Population Growth Rate for 2024

1%