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Kiribati

Includes historical data for Kiribati’s Gross Domestic Product growth, debt-to-GDP ratio and more, as well as information on trade, banking and financial sector leadership.

An Economy Dependent On Outside Support

Kiribati, officially known as the Republic of Kiribati, is an archipelago nation of 33 islands in the central Pacific Ocean. After gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1979, today Kiribati faces numerous economic challenges. With the public sector dominating employment and only a small share of the remaining labor force participating in the formal economy, foreign assistance and remittances are essential revenue sources. Despite efforts by the Investment Promotion Division to attract investment, regulatory inefficiencies hinder private-sector development.

While the rule of law is respected, Kiribati is also penalized by underdeveloped commercial regulations, high credit costs, and not being a member of the World Trade Organization. Given Kiribati’s limited domestic production ability, it must import nearly all essential goods and manufactured items. With a population of about 130,000 primarily concentrated in the Gilbert Islands, the republic is also vulnerable to climate change and tsunamis.

Macroeconomy & Sovereign Data

Type of Government Presidential republic
Capital Tarawa
Sovereign Ratings S&P: Not rated
Moody’s: Not rated
Fitch: Not rated
Total Population 127,000
Median Age 22.5
Adult Per Capita Income (PPP) 7,622.52
Total GDP (2023) USD 0.3 billion

Kiribati GDP & Economic Overview

Most Recent Content

Banking & Finance

Trade & Investment

Total Exports USD 154.8 million (2022)
Leading Exports Fishing Ships
Beef
Netting
Poultry Meat
Rice
Refined Petroleum
Sugar
Refrigerators                                                                      
Total Imports USD 216.0 million (2022)
Leading Imports Skipjacks
Tuna
Fish Fillets
Ships
Coconut Oil
Copra        
Source: World Integrated Trade Solution

Kiribati Leading Companies

Bank of Kiribati Financials
Kiribati Airlines Transportation, Airlines
Kiribati Copra Mill Consumer Staples, Food Products

Major Trade Partners — Import

Fiji 18.0%
Australia 15.6%
China 14.1%
Singapore 11.9%
New Zealand 8.6%

Major Trade Partners — Export

Japan 31.8%
Malaysia 17.3%
Australia 11.5%
United States 10.8%
Fiji 7.1%

Data Sources:

IMF World Economic Outlook

UN World Population Prospects

World Inequality Report

S&P Global Ratings

Moody’s

Fitch Ratings

IMF Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS)

UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

CIA The World Factbook

World Bank’s World Integrated Trade Solution

Forbes Global 2000

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