Quick facts
Kiribati population overview
Kiribati is the 11th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 138,280 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 5 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 3,360 births (24.3 per 1,000 people) and 982 deaths (7.1 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 442 people. The infant mortality rate is 41.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 47,157 in 1960 to 136,488 in 2025 — a change of +189.4%, or +1.6% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 23 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.9 years; women have on average 3.1 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 34.4% of residents are under 15 and 4.4% are 65 or older (2025); 63.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Tarawa. Kiribati covers 810 km², giving a population density of about 173 people per km². GDP was $349.23M in 2025 — about $2,559 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Kiribati population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 139,834 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 138,280 |
| World rank | #194 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #11 of 23 |
| Share of world population | 0.002% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.4% |
| Births per year est. | 3,360 |
| Deaths per year est. | 982 |
| Net migration per year est. | -442 |
| Birth rate | 24.3 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 41.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 94.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 23 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 63.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 810 km² |
| Population density | 173 per km² |
| Capital | Tarawa |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $349.23M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $2,559 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Kiribati population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 139,834 | – | – |
| 2025 | 136,488 | +1,970 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | 134,518 | +1,988 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 132,530 | +2,061 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 130,469 | +2,092 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 128,377 | +2,278 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 126,099 | +9,284 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 116,815 | +8,111 | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 108,704 | +10,669 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 98,035 | +9,422 | +2% |
| 2000 | 88,613 | +7,379 | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 81,234 | +6,379 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 74,855 | +8,359 | +2.4% |
| 1985 | 66,496 | +5,348 | +1.7% |
| 1980 | 61,148 | +161 | +0.1% |
| 1975 | 60,987 | +3,477 | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 57,510 | +4,071 | +1.5% |
| 1965 | 53,439 | +6,282 | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 47,157 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Kiribati
Population over time
- From 47,157 in 1960 to 139,834 today — up 196.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.6 years (2024), up 18.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.1 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 25.3 births vs 7.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 18.3 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 34.4% of the population is under 15 and 4.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 4.8% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.08 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.59 t in 2024, vs 0.33 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 107.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 13.4% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 41.9% of final energy in 2022 (-22.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1.5% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 63.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 15.2% in 1960 (+48.2 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2014.
Economy
- GDP: $349.23M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 82.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,559 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.5% in 2024.
Internet & mobile
- 89.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 53.5 per 100 people (2024).
Kiribati in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kiribati in 2026?
As of October 2026, Kiribati has an estimated population of 139,834. The United Nations estimated 138,280 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Kiribati growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.4% per year — roughly 5 more people every day. Each year there are about 3,360 births and 982 deaths, with net migration of -442.
What is the population density of Kiribati?
About 173 people per square kilometre: 139,834 people living on 810 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Kiribati?
The median age is 23 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.9 years. 34.4% of the population is under 15 and 4.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Kiribati rank by population?
Kiribati is the 194th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 11th in Oceania, with 0.002% of the global population.
How has the population of Kiribati changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 47,157; by 2025 it had grown to 136,488 (+189.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
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Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Fiji
Seychelles
Grenada
Micronesia
ArubaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.