Please note this is a Working Document
Profile last updated: 21 December 2011
The Republic of Kiribati straddles the Equator in the Pacific Ocean near Tuvalu, Nauru and the Marshall Islands. It consists of 32 small atolls in 3 major groupings, and 1 island. Kiribati is one of the smallest nations in the world in terms of land and population, yet has one of the largest total areas (UNICEF 2005). Indeed, the atolls are scattered over more than 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean, which is roughly the size of the total land area of all the countries of the European Union. However, the land area itself is only 810 square kilometres (less than a third of the size of Luxemburg). There are therefore more than 4,000 square kilometres of ocean per every 1 square kilometre of land (UNESCO 2008). The population of Kiribati was estimated to be 0.1 million in 2010, with about 44% of people living in urban areas. The population density was an estimated 137 people per square kilometre (UN DESA n.d.). The population is burgeoning, especially in urban areas, exacerbating already serious environmental, urban management and health problems. Additionally, the majority of atolls are only 1 metre above sea level. Thus, Kiribati is left extremely vulnerable to natural hazards, such as cyclones and global climate change (UNESCO 2008).
| Quick Facts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (millions)* | 0.1 | Rural Population (%) | 56 |
| GDP Per Capita (PPP US$) | 2,469 | Adult HIV Prevalence (%) | --- |
| Primary Gross Enrolment (%) | 113 | Life Expectancy (years) | ---- |
| Primary Net Enrolment (%) | --- | Adult Literacy (%) | ---% |
| Out of School Children (%) | --- | HDI** | 0.624 |
| Public Spending on Education as % of GDP | --- | EDI*** | --- |
