Introduction
Background
The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific region. Germany annexed the island in 1888. A German-British consortium began mining the island's phosphate deposits early in the 20th century. Australian forces occupied Nauru in World War I; it subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and became one of the richest countries in the world because of its extensive phosphate stocks; however, the phosphate was depleted in the early 1980s and the quality of life began to decline. In 2001, an Australian offshore refugee processing center was opened in Nauru, providing an economic lifeline. Nauru is one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic partners, and in 2008, Nauru recognized the breakaway Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
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Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates
0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references
Oceania
Area - comparative
about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
30 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain
sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
Elevation
highest point: Command Ridge 70 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
phosphates, fish
Land use
agricultural land: 20% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 20% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 80% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Total renewable water resources
10 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distribution
extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
Natural hazards
periodic droughts
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
Nauru is the third-smallest country in the world behind the Holy See (Vatican City) and Monaco; it is the smallest country in the Pacific Ocean, the smallest country outside Europe, the world's smallest island country, and the the world's smallest independent republic; situated just 53 km south of the Equator, Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Nauruan(s)
adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups
Nauruan 88.9%, part Nauruan 6.6%, I-Kiribati 2%, other 2.5% (2007 est.)
Languages
Nauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes I-Kiribati 2% and Chinese 2%) (2011 est.)
note: data represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12%
Religions
Protestant 60.4% (includes Nauru Congregational 35.7%, Assembly of God 13%, Nauru Independent Church 9.5%, Baptist 1.5%, and Seventh Day Adventist 0.7%), Roman Catholic 33%, other 3.7%, none 1.8%, unspecified 1.1% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 30.87% (male 1,337/female 1,684)
15-24 years: 16.35% (male 734/female 866)
25-54 years: 42.57% (male 2,115/female 2,050)
55-64 years: 6.72% (male 262/female 396)
65 years and over: 3.48% (male 122/female 219) (2020 est.)
Median age
total: 27 years
male: 28.2 years
female: 25.9 years (2020 est.)
Net migration rate
-11.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223Population distribution
extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2021)
rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth: 0.84 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 0.79 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.85 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.66 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.56 male(s)/female
total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 10.25 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 67.62 years
male: 64.06 years
female: 71.3 years (2021 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
9.6% (2018)
Physicians density
1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density
5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 96.3% of population
total: 96.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.7% of population
total: 3.7% of population (2017 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 10 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 26.6%
male: 20.9%
female: 37.5% (2013)
Environment
Environment - current issues
limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks that collect rainwater and desalination plants provide water; a century of intensive phosphate mining beginning in 1906 left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland; cadmium residue, phosphate dust, and other contaminants have caused air and water pollution with negative impacts on health; climate change has brought on rising sea levels and inland water shortages
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 12.53 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.05 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.01 megatons (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
10 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Climate
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Land use
agricultural land: 20% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 20% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 80% (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources
forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2021)
rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 6,192 tons (2016 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form: Nauru
local long form: Republic of Nauru
local short form: Nauru
former: Pleasant Island
etymology: the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach"
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: no official capital; government offices in the Yaren District
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
Independence
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution
history: effective 29 January 1968
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; amendments to constitutional articles, such as the republican form of government, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the executive and legislative branches, also requires two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum; amended 1968, 2009, 2014
Legal system
mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and customary law
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch
chief of state: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 August 2019 (next to be held in 2022)
election results: Lionel AINGIMEA elected president; Parliament vote - Lionel AINGIMEA (independent) 12, David ADEANG (Nauru First) 6
Legislative branch
description: unicameral parliament (19 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms)
elections: last held on 24 August 2019 (next to be held in 2022)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19; composition - men 17, women 2, percent of women 10.5%
Judicial branch
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - in late 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in early 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
Political parties and leaders
Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]
Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party
Nauru Party (informal)
note: loose multiparty system
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 13 March 2006)
chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
Flag description
blue with a narrow, horizontal, gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the gold stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru; the star's white color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth
National symbol(s)
frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors: blue, yellow, white
National anthem
name: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru)
lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS
note: adopted 1968
Economy
Economic overview
Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely.
The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future.
Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.
Real GDP growth rate
4% (2017 est.)
10.4% (2016 est.)
2.8% (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.1% (2017 est.)
8.2% (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$145 million (2019 est.)
$145 million (2018 est.)
$137 million (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$114 million (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$11,583 (2019 est.)
$11,471 (2018 est.)
$10,667 (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2015 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6.1% (2009 est.)
industry: 33% (2009 est.)
services: 60.8% (2009 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 98% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 37.6% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 42.2% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -89.1% (2016 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, tropical fruit, vegetables, pork, eggs, pig offals, pig fat, poultry, papayas, cabbages
Industries
phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products
Labor force - by occupation
note: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget
revenues: 103 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 113.4 million (2017 est.)
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Current account balance
$5 million (2017 est.)
$2 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners
Thailand 34%, Australia 16%, United States 13%, South Korea 10%, Philippines 9%, Japan 7%, France 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
fish, calcium phosphates, low-voltage protection equipment, air conditioners, leather apparel (2019)
Imports - partners
Taiwan 52%, Australia 28% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, construction vehicles, tug boats, poultry meats, cars (2019)
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (
1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3452 (2016 est.)
1.3452 (2015 est.)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 99.8% (2018)
electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2018)
electrification - rural areas: 98.7% (2018)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
86% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188Electricity - from other renewable sources
14% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 1,900
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (July 2016 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 9,212
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 94.58 (2019 est.)
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities; geography is a challenge for the islands; there is a need to service the tourism sector and the South Pacific Islands economy; mobile technology is booming (2018)
domestic: fixed-line 14 per 100 and mobile-cellular 95 per 100 (2019)
international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
Broadcast media
1 government-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand sent via satellite or on videotape; 1 government-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, utilizes Australian and British programs (2019)
Internet users
total: 5,524
percent of population: 57% (July 2018 est.)
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 45,457 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7.94 million mt-km (2018)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 (2019)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
Roadways
total: 30 km (2002)
paved: 24 km (2002)
unpaved: 6 km (2002)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Nauru
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces
Military - note
Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia