Kiribati/Society

Society in Kiribati

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
132.5K(2023)
Population Growth
1.6%(2023)
Fertility Rate
3.15(2023)
Death Rate
7.0 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-471(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
66.5 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
55.1 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
80 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
10.5%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
98%(2018)
Primary Enrollment
94.7%(2017)
Secondary Enrollment
93.2%(2023)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
14.2%(2021)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
88%(2023)
Access to Electricity
95.9%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
75.7%(2022)
Urban Population
76.6K(2023)
Rural Population
56K(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Kiribati

  • Kiribati has an estimated population of 133K
    2023
    A steady annual growth rate of 1.6%
    2023
    supports sustained population expansion, providing a stable base for economic development. With a fertility rate of 3.1 births per woman
    2023
    , the population maintains momentum, necessitating strategic investments in social infrastructure. Net emigration of approximately 471 individuals annually (or 3.6 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, Healthcare outcomes show foundational progress with a life expectancy of 66.5 years
    2023
    , yet significant disparities or developmental gaps may still exist. Concurrently, Healthcare delivery faces significant systemic challenges, as evidenced by elevated child mortality (under 5 years) (55.1 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality (80 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    ) rates, suggesting areas for critical intervention and resource allocation. These outcomes are supported by a substantial health investment, with 10.5% of GDP allocated to healthcare expenditure
    2022
    .
  • Strong educational foundations are evident in the high adult literacy rate of 98%
    2018
    , which significantly contributes to human capital development. Complementing this, educational access shows solid progress through 95% primary enrollment
    2017
    and 93% secondary participation rates
    2023
    . This educational framework is supported by robust public investment, with 14.2% of GDP dedicated to education spending
    2021
    , underscoring a strong commitment to human capital development.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (58% urban population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, infrastructure development shows strong progress with 96% electricity access
    2023
    and 88% internet penetration
    2023
    , supporting ongoing modernization efforts and enhancing quality of life.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

A youthful, rapidly growing population presents a "demographic dividend" opportunity if met with sufficient investment in jobs and services.

Public Health System

Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.

Human Capital Formation

A highly educated populace positions the nation for success in the global knowledge economy. Keeping talent is a vital strength.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Infrastructure shapes economic efficiency, urbanization patterns, and digital integration, being critical for modern economies.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.