Kiribati: public finances

What is Kiribati's government budget for 2026?

Kiribati's 2026 budget plans revenue and expenditure of A$423.1 million each, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development's Kiribati Citizens Budget 2026. Fishing revenue is the largest source, at A$220 million, followed by tax at A$106.1 million and dividends of A$78.0 million from the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF).

The RERF is Kiribati's sovereign wealth fund. The ministry put its value at a record A$1.67 billion in June 2025, in a press release. Spending of A$423.1 million covers departmental costs, subsidies and grants, debt service and contributions to development projects. The ministry's Economic Outlook 2026 estimates the 2025 overall deficit at 14% of GDP, financed through RERF dividends.

Official sources: MFED: Kiribati Citizens Budget 2026 (PDF) · MFED: RERF press release, August 2025 (PDF) · MFED: Kiribati Economic Outlook 2026 (PDF)

How much debt does Kiribati have?

Kiribati's central government external debt was A$47.26 million at the end of 2024, owed to the Asian Development Bank (A$29.67 million) and Taiwan's ICDF (A$17.59 million), according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development's Annual Debt Statistics 2024. Debt service in 2024 was A$3.25 million.

The ministry's Economic Outlook 2026 says external public debt fell from 9% to 8% of GDP in 2025, and domestic public debt was 0.1% of GDP. It also reports that, despite the low level of debt, the risk of debt distress is assessed as high because of climate vulnerability and contingent liabilities. That assessment comes from the IMF's 2026 Article IV consultation.

Official sources: MFED: Annual Debt Statistics 2024 (PDF) · MFED: Kiribati Economic Outlook 2026 (PDF)

What is Kiribati's debt to GDP ratio?

The IMF puts general government gross debt in Kiribati at 8.0% of GDP in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 27th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 180th of 185.

What is Kiribati's budget deficit?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Kiribati at -14.5% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). The peak was 42.5% of GDP in 2015 and the low -18.2% of GDP in 2022. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was -1.7% of GDP, and Kiribati placed 27th highest of 29. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 184th highest.

How much does Kiribati's government take in?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 73.7% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 63.3% of GDP (2011) to 136.2% of GDP (2014). It is 4th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 33.6% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 4th of 187.

How much does Kiribati's government spend?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 88.2% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 108.8% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at 74.7% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 32.9% of GDP, and Kiribati placed 3rd highest of 29. Worldwide: 4th of 186.

What is Kiribati's tax to GDP ratio?

The IMF puts central government tax revenue in Kiribati at 17.5% of GDP in 2023. Since 2011 it has ranged from 15.9% of GDP (2014) to 22.3% of GDP (2019). It is 7th highest of 17 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.9% of GDP. Of 110 countries with 2023 data, 56th highest.