Kiribati is located in Micronesia, and its capital is Tarawa. It has a population of approximately 134,518 and covers an area of about 810 km². Its official currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).
What stands out
People & place
166 /km² across 810 km²
Kiribati has a recorded population of 134,518 and a reported surface area of 810 km².
Economic snapshot
$307.9 million nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $307.9 million and GDP per capita at $2,289 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Practical reference
Australian dollar (AUD)
Kiribati uses Australian dollar (AUD), calling code +686, internet domain .ki.
About Kiribati
Kiribati, a sprawling island nation scattered across the central Pacific, comprises 33 atolls and reef islands spread over an area larger than the United Kingdom, yet it is home to just under 120,000 people, offering a unique blend of oceanic beauty and resilient island life.
Stretching over 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean, Kiribati straddles the equator and the International Date Line, featuring low-lying coral atolls like Tarawa and the remote Phoenix and Line Islands, where the highest natural point is merely 81 metres above sea level, making the country highly vulnerable to rising seas.
Kiribati's culture is a vibrant tapestry of traditional dance (te Kaimatoa), intricate woven mats, and communal feasting, with seafood and coconut-based dishes such as palusami forming the culinary backbone, while oral histories and the Kiribati language preserve a deep connection to the sea and ancestral lands.
In 1979, after decades as a British colony, Kiribati achieved independence as a sovereign republic, a milestone marked by the adoption of its own flag featuring a sunrise over the ocean, symbolizing hope and unity for its dispersed islands.
Key facts
Kiribati is the only country whose territory is situated in all four hemispheres: north, south, east, and west.
The capital, South Tarawa, is one of the world's most densely populated urban areas, with over 50,000 residents on a narrow strip of land.
Its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is one of the largest in the world, covering roughly 3.5 million square kilometres of Pacific Ocean.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Kiribati has a recorded population of approximately 134,518 people.
How big is Kiribati?
Kiribati covers an area of about 810 km².
What is the population density of Kiribati?
Kiribati has a population density of roughly 166 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Kiribati?
Kiribati has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $307.9 million as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Kiribati?
Kiribati has a GDP per capita of approximately $2,289.
What currency is used in Kiribati?
Kiribati uses the Australian dollar (AUD), with the symbol $.
Where is Kiribati located?
Kiribati is located in Micronesia, Oceania.
What are people from Kiribati called?
People from Kiribati are referred to as I-Kiribati.
What is the phone calling code for Kiribati?
The international dialing code for Kiribati is +686.
What is the internet domain for Kiribati?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Kiribati is .ki.
What time zone is Kiribati in?
Kiribati spans 3 time zones including Pacific/Enderbury, Pacific/Kiritimati, Pacific/Tarawa.
What is Kiribati known for?
Kiribati, a sprawling island nation scattered across the central Pacific, comprises 33 atolls and reef islands spread over an area larger than the United Kingdom, yet it is home to just under 120,000 people, offering a unique blend of oceanic beauty and resilient island life.
Micronesia