People and Society of Kiribati

Nationality

I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

predominantly Micronesian with some Polynesian

Population

119,000

Population in Major Urban Areas

TARAWA (capital) 44,000

Health care throughout Kiribati, including Tarawa, is substandard. Medication and supplies are limited and hospital accommodations are inadequate throughout the country. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization or evacuation to the United States or elsewhere may cost thousands of dollars. If a person dies in Kiribati, there are no funeral homes with embalming or cremation services. If a relative wishes to return their deceased family member to the United States, there will be additional requirements needed to prepare the deceased member for travel. These requirements depend on the cause of death. The only international air connections in Kiribati are a weekly flight connecting Kiritimati (Christmas) Island to Honolulu and two weekly connections between Tarawa and Fiji. Air Kiribati provides rare flights between the islands of Kiribati. A serious medical condition could require an expensive medical evacuation. All water should be regarded as a potential health risk. Visitors should refrain from drinking any water that is not bottled, boiled, or otherwise sterilized. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be peeled before being eaten.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Kiribati stands at approximately 68 to 69 years overall, with notable differences between males and females. Women in Kiribati typically live longer, with a life expectancy of around 71 to 72 years, while men average closer to 65 to 67 years. These figures place Kiribati somewhat below the regional average for Pacific island nations and well below the global average of approximately 73 years. Several interconnected factors shape these outcomes. Kiribati faces significant public health challenges stemming from its remote geography and limited healthcare infrastructure. The country's scattered atolls — spread across 3.5 million square kilometers of the central Pacific Ocean — make consistent delivery of medical services extremely difficult. Access to hospitals, specialists, and emergency care varies considerably between the main island of South Tarawa and the outer islands, where basic health facilities may be the only option available. Non-communicable diseases represent a growing and serious concern. Rates of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease have risen sharply in recent decades, driven in part by shifts in diet toward processed and imported foods, reduced physical activity, and high rates of tobacco use. These conditions are now among the leading causes of premature death in the country. Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, continue to affect the population at rates higher than in many other Pacific nations. Overcrowding in South Tarawa, where population density rivals some of the most congested urban areas in the world, contributes to the spread of respiratory and waterborne illnesses. Clean water access and sanitation remain persistent challenges across parts of the archipelago. Maternal and child health outcomes have improved modestly over recent years due to targeted health programs and international aid, contributing incremental gains to overall life expectancy. Nonetheless, infant mortality remains elevated relative to wealthier Pacific neighbors. Climate change poses an increasingly urgent long-term threat. As a low-lying atoll nation, Kiribati is highly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events, all of which threaten freshwater supplies and food security. These environmental pressures are expected to place growing strain on population health and longevity in the decades ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Kiribati faces notable challenges in infant health, reflected in its infant mortality rate, which stands at approximately 32 to 35 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years. While this figure represents a significant improvement over previous decades — when rates exceeded 60 deaths per 1,000 live births in the 1990s — it remains considerably higher than the averages seen in developed nations and many Pacific Island neighbors. The primary drivers of infant mortality in Kiribati include neonatal complications, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition. Limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly on the outer islands, contributes significantly to the spread of preventable illnesses among infants. The country's geographic reality — comprising 33 low-lying atolls spread across 3.5 million square kilometers of the central Pacific — creates substantial logistical barriers to healthcare delivery, making timely medical intervention for at-risk newborns difficult to achieve. South Tarawa, the densely populated capital atoll, faces overcrowding that strains existing health services, while remote islands often have little more than basic aid post facilities. Access to skilled birth attendants, neonatal care units, and emergency obstetric services is inconsistent across the archipelago. Kiribati has worked alongside international partners including UNICEF and the World Health Organization to improve maternal and child health outcomes. Efforts have focused on expanding immunization coverage, promoting breastfeeding, improving nutrition among pregnant women and infants, and training community health workers. These initiatives have contributed to the gradual downward trend in infant deaths over time. Climate change poses an additional long-term risk, as rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten freshwater supplies and food security — factors that directly influence infant health and survival. Continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, clean water access, and nutrition programs will be essential for Kiribati to further reduce its infant mortality rate in the years ahead.

Literacy Definition

NA

• Roman Catholic52.0%
• Protestant (Congregational)40.0%
• Other8.0%

I-Kiribati, English (official)

• English
• I-Kiribati

Crime Information

Although the crime rate in Kiribati is low, visitors should not be complacent regarding their personal safety or protecting valuables. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Kiribati, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In Kiribati, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Kiribati, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.