Kiribati: immigration

How many people arrive in and leave Kiribati each year?

13,980 people arrived in Kiribati through Tarawa in 2018 and 13,196 departed, according to the National Statistics Office's immigration tables (Excel), the latest on its immigration page. Arrivals were 15,260 and departures 15,882 in 2017. The counts include residents and visitors.

The same file gives net migration, arrivals minus departures, of minus 2,504 in 2016 and minus 3,357 in 2015, meaning more people left than arrived. The office's notes say the counts come from arrival and departure cards and that counts for Kiritimati (Christmas Island), the second port of entry, are missing for most years, so the totals cover Tarawa only after 2003.

Official sources: NSO: Immigration tables (Excel) · NSO: Immigration

How many foreign-born people live in Kiribati?

2.5%: that is the share of people born abroad in Kiribati for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1%, and Kiribati placed 15th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 126th of 193.

Are more people leaving Kiribati than arriving?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Kiribati was -462 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1,128 (2014) to 0 (2020). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was -373, and Kiribati placed 16th highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 85th highest.

How many refugees have fled Kiribati?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Kiribati was 5, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 39; its low point was 2015, at 0. It is 24th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 73. Worldwide: 181st of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Kiribati?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 6.5% of GDP. Since 2006 it has ranged from 4.0% of GDP (2023) to 11.6% of GDP (2006). It is 5th highest of 15 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.2% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 127.