Kiribati: economy

What is Kiribati's GDP growth rate?

Kiribati's real GDP grew 4.6% in 2024, according to the preliminary GDP master table for 2024 published by the Kiribati National Statistics Office (KNSO) in December 2025. That followed growth of 3.3% in 2023 and 5.0% in 2022. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development's Kiribati Economic Outlook 2026 puts growth at an estimated 4.3% in 2025 and about 3.2% in 2026, driven by consumption and public investment.

KNSO measures real GDP in constant 2019 prices; the 2024 table is the first release on that new base year, replacing 2006. Figures for 2022 and 2023 are marked revised and 2024 preliminary. The ministry's 2025 and 2026 numbers are estimates and projections drawn from the IMF's 2026 Article IV consultation, not KNSO results.

Official sources: KNSO: GDP master table 2024 (Excel) · MFED: Kiribati Economic Outlook 2026 (PDF)

What is Kiribati's GDP per capita?

Kiribati's GDP per person was A$4,079 in 2024, at current prices, according to the Kiribati National Statistics Office's GDP master table for 2024. Total GDP was about A$519.8 million, for an estimated population of about 127,400. Gross national income per person was higher, at A$6,487.

Kiribati uses the Australian dollar. The gap between GDP and national income is unusually wide: KNSO's tables put gross national income at 159% of GDP in 2024, mainly because of investment income received from abroad. GDP counts only what is produced inside the country, while national income adds income from abroad, such as returns on overseas investments. The 2024 figures are preliminary.

Official sources: KNSO: GDP master table 2024 (Excel) · KNSO: Gross domestic product

What are Kiribati's main exports?

Fish products made up 28% of Kiribati's exports in 2024, down from 56% in 2019, largely because copra crude oil has grown, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development's Fishing License Revenues in Kiribati 2025 report. The ministry notes that the export figures may understate fish exports, because they reflect only one reporting company.

Most of the money Kiribati earns from its tuna does not appear as exports: it comes from licence fees paid by foreign fleets to fish in its 3.5 million km² exclusive economic zone. The same report puts fishing revenue at A$210 million in 2024, 2% lower than in 2023. The Kiribati National Statistics Office publishes detailed export and import tables on its trade page.

Official sources: MFED: Fishing License Revenues in Kiribati, 2025 report (PDF) · KNSO: Foreign trade

What is Kiribati's economic growth rate?

4.2%: that is real GDP growth in Kiribati for 2025, according to the World Bank. The peak was 11.3% in 2015 and the low -3.0% in 2008. East Asia & Pacific median: 3.6%; Kiribati is 13th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 65th of 180.

How rich is Kiribati per person?

$2,559: that is GDP per person in Kiribati for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: $6,547; Kiribati is 25th highest of 29. Worldwide: 141st of 180.

What is Kiribati's GDP per capita at PPP?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Kiribati was $3,937 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: $14,200 in international dollars; Kiribati is 28th highest of 29. Worldwide: 158th of 179.

How much does Kiribati export?

4.5% of GDP: that is exports of goods and services in Kiribati for 2024, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.8% of GDP (2021) to 16.6% of GDP (2016). East Asia & Pacific median: 32.7% of GDP; Kiribati is 25th highest of 25. World rank, highest first: 160th of 162.

Does Kiribati earn more abroad than it spends?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is -15.2% of GDP, which is a deficit. Since 2006 it has ranged from -17.4% of GDP (2024) to 40.0% of GDP (2019). It is 18th highest of 19 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.6% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 125th of 132.

What is FDI in Kiribati?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 1.2% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 3.6% of GDP; its low point was 2010, at -4.0% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.9% of GDP, and Kiribati placed 19th highest of 28. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 120th highest.