Nauru
Introduction
Background
The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific region. Germany annexed the island in 1888. A German-British consortium began mining the island's phosphate deposits early in the 20th century. Australian forces occupied Nauru in World War I; it subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.
Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates
0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 21 sq km
land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 240
Area - comparative
about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
30 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
Climate
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain
sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
Elevation
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Command Ridge 70 m
Natural resources
phosphates, fish
Land use
agricultural land: 20% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 20% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 80% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
Natural hazards
periodic droughts
Environment - current issues
limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks that collect rainwater and desalination plants provide water; a century of intensive phosphate mining beginning in 1906 left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland; cadmium residue, phosphate dust, and other contaminants have caused air and water pollution with negative impacts on health; climate change has brought on rising sea levels and inland water shortages
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
world's smallest island country; situated just 53 km south of the Equator; Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia
People and Society
Population
9,692 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
Nationality
noun: Nauruan(s)
adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups
Nauruan 88.9%, part Nauruan 6.6%, I-Kiribati 2%, other 2.5% (2007 est.)
Languages
Nauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes I-Kiribati 2% and Chinese 2%) (2011 est.)
note: percentages represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12%
Religions
Protestant 60.4% (includes Nauru Congregational 35.7%, Assembly of God 13%, Nauru Independent Church 9.5%, Baptist 1.5%, and Seventh Day Adventist 0.7%), Roman Catholic 33%, other 3.7%, none 1.8%, unspecified 1.1% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 31.18%(male 1,323 /female 1,699)
15-24 years: 16.37%(male 764 /female 823)
25-54 years: 43.08%(male 2,112 /female 2,063)
55-64 years: 6.51%(male 249 /female 382)
65 years and over: 2.86%(male 101 /female 176) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:
Median age
total: 26.7 years (2018 est.)
male: 27.4 years
female: 25.8 years
country comparison to the world: 149
Population growth rate
0.51% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Birth rate
23.2 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Death rate
5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Net migration rate
-12.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Population distribution
extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: -0.06% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth: 0.84 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 0.78 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.65 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 156
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 67.8 years (2018 est.)
male: 63.6 years
female: 71.2 years
country comparison to the world: 170
Total fertility rate
2.76 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 96.5% of population
total: 96.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population
total: 3.5% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
11.1% (2016)
Physicians density
1.24 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density
5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 65.6% of population (2015 est.)
total: 65.6% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 34.4% of population (2015 est.)
total: 34.4% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
61% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 1
Education expenditures
NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 10 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 26.6%
male: 20.9%
female: 37.5% (2013)
country comparison to the world: 43
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form: Nauru
local long form: Republic of Nauru
local short form: Nauru
former: Pleasant Island
etymology: the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach"
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: no official capital; government offices in the Yaren District
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
Independence
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution
history: effective 29 January 1968
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; amendments to constitutional articles, such as the republican form of government, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the executive and legislative branches, also requires two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum; amended 1968, 2009, 2014 (2018)
Legal system
mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and customary law
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch
chief of state: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 August 2019 (next to be held in 2022)
election results: Lionel AINGIMEA elected president; Parliament vote - Lionel AINGIMEA (independent) 12, David ADEANG (Nauru First) 6
Legislative branch
description: unicameral parliament (19 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms)
elections: last held on 24 August 2019 (next to be held in 2022)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19; composition - men 17, women 2, percent of women 10.5%
Judicial branch
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - in late 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in early 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
Political parties and leaders
Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]
Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party
Nauru Party (informal)
note: loose multiparty system
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Ambassador Marlene Inemwin MOSES (since 13 March 2006)
chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
Flag description
blue with a narrow, horizontal, gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the gold stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru; the star's white color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth
National symbol(s)
frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors: blue, yellow, white
National anthem
name: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru)
lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS
note: adopted 1968
Economy
Economy - overview
Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely.The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future.Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$160 million (2017 est.)
$153.9 million (2016 est.)
$139.4 million (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
country comparison to the world: 224
GDP (official exchange rate)
$114 million (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
4% (2017 est.)
10.4% (2016 est.)
2.8% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$12,300 (2017 est.)
$11,800 (2016 est.)
$11,600 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2015 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 129
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 98% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 37.6% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 42.2% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -89.1% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6.1% (2009 est.)
industry: 33% (2009 est.)
services: 60.8% (2009 est.)
Agriculture - products
coconuts
Industries
phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate
NA
Labor force
NA
Labor force - by occupation
note: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation
Unemployment rate
23% (2011 est.)
90% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Population below poverty line
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget
revenues: 103 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 113.4 million (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
90.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Public debt
62% of GDP (2017 est.)
65% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.1% (2017 est.)
8.2% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Current account balance
$5 million (2017 est.)
$2 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Exports
$125 million (2013 est.)
$110.3 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Exports - partners
Nigeria 38.6%, Japan 16.6%, Australia 15.9%, South Korea 13.7%, NZ 5.7% (2017)
Exports - commodities
phosphates
Imports
$64.9 million (2016 est.)
$143.1 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Imports - commodities
food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
Imports - partners
Australia 67.5%, Fiji 9.2%, India 8.1%, Singapore 5.4% (2017)
Debt - external
$33.3 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Exchange rates
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3452 (2016 est.)
1.3452 (2015 est.)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity - production
24 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - consumption
22.32 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - installed generating capacity
7,000 kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - from fossil fuels
86% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - from other renewable sources
14% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Refined petroleum products - consumption
470 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Refined petroleum products - imports
449 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
76,540 Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 1,900
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 9,900
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Telephone system
general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities; geography is a challenge for the islands; there is a need to service the tourism sector and thus the South Pacific Islands economy; mobile technology is booming (2018)
domestic: fixed-line 14 per 100 and mobile-cellular 87 per 100 (2018)
international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media
1 government-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand sent via satellite or on videotape; 1 government-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, utilizes Australian and British programs (2019)
Internet country code
.nr
Internet users
total: 5,100
percent of population: 53.5% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces (2019)
Military - note
Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 38,858 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7,793,474mt-km (2015)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C2 (2016)
Airports
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 230
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
Roadways
total: 30 km (2002)
paved: 24 km (2002)
unpaved: 6 km (2002)
country comparison to the world: 211
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Nauru
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none