Nauru: immigration

How much does Nauru earn from the Regional Processing Centre?

Nauru received A$218.9 million from its Regional Processing arrangement with Australia in 2025–26, 92.4% of the A$236.8 million budgeted, according to the Department of Finance's 2026–27 Budget Paper No. 1. The arrangement covers the Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers and third-country resettlement.

The shortfall is mainly because Australia's Department of Home Affairs moved payments from in advance to in arrears, so a A$12.9 million June invoice will be recorded in July. The budget paper's scenarios model what would happen if processing centre activity declined. The Nauru Bureau of Statistics' GDP release counts processing centre fees as primary income from abroad.

Official sources: Department of Finance: 2026–27 Budget Paper No. 1 (PDF) · Nauru Bureau of Statistics: GDP 2024–25 release (PDF)

How many people in Nauru were born overseas?

92.1% of Nauru's population (10,755 people) was born in Nauru at the 2021 census, and fewer than 1,000 were born overseas, most in Kiribati (275), Fiji (254) and Australia (138), according to the Nauru Bureau of Statistics' census analytical report. 5.7% (668 people) were citizens of another country.

The share born overseas fell after 2002, when almost a quarter of residents were born abroad. The census counted 11,680 people, up 1,596 on 2011. Net migration over 2011 to 2021 was −1,118 people, about −1.0% a year, so growth came from births.

Official sources: Nauru Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Population and Housing Census, analytical report (PDF) · Nauru Bureau of Statistics: 2021 census report available

How many foreign-born people live in Nauru?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Nauru was 21.3%, according to the UN Population Division. It was 16.7% in 2015. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1%, and Nauru placed 6th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 27th of 193.

Are more people leaving Nauru than arriving?

-122: that is net migration in Nauru for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was -38 in 2012 and the low -249 in 2009. East Asia & Pacific median: -373; Nauru is 13th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 79th of 193.

How many refugees are in Nauru?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Nauru was 5 in 2025. Its high point since 2014 was 2020, at 1,074; its low point was 2023, at 0. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 631, and Nauru placed 15th highest of 18. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 157th highest.

How many people from Nauru are refugees?

5: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Nauru for 2025, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2011 was 2023, at 7; its low point was 2011, at 0. East Asia & Pacific median: 73; Nauru is 24th highest of 29. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 181st highest.

How big are remittances in Nauru's economy?

1.3% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Nauru for 2024, according to the World Bank. The peak was 12.3% of GDP in 2015 and the low 0.4% of GDP in 2010. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.2% of GDP, and Nauru placed 14th highest of 20. Worldwide: 94th of 156.