Countries

Kiribati

Map

Kiribati
This map is an approximation of actual country borders.

The Republic of Kiribati, located in the Pacific, consists of 32 low-lying atolls and one volcanic island in three main groups, the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Islands. The country spreads over 3.5. million kilometres of ocean, but has a total land area of only 811 square kilometres.

The 2010 census counted a population of 103 466. The average population density is 128 per square kilometre, but this varies widely between islands. Between 1995 and 2000, there was significant in-migration of people from the outer islands to South Tarawa, resulting in an urban growth rate of 5.2%, compared with a national growth rate of 1.7%. In-migration plateaued during the period from 2000 to 2005, when the overall growth rate in South Tarawa fell to 1.9%. However overcrowding in South Tarawa persists, as the 2010 census (not yet officially released) revealed that around 50% of the population is now living on the capital island, putting extreme stress on the environment and infrastructure. New ‘urban’ settlements have emerged since 2000, especially in Northern Tarawa and Kiritimati Island. Between 2000-2010, North Tarawa’s growth rate was 4.8% and Kirimati Island’s 8%, compared with 2.2.% and 1.2 %, respectively, during the period from 1995 to 2000.

In May 1953, Kiribati (formerly Gilbert Islands) was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly ''without prejudice to any questions regarding sovereignty'' as an area. On 12 July 1979, Kiribati became an independent Republic, within the British Commonwealth. It joined WHO on 26 July 1984 as a Member State.

The WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific has covered Kiribati since its establishment, and the Country Liaison Officer was designated ine 1982.

Reiffer

The WHO Country Liaison Officer in Kiribati : Reiffer, Dr Andre Ernst

WHO Country Office

Office address:

World Health Organization Bikenibeu, Tarawa Kiribati

Postal address:

World Health Organization P.O. Box 210 Bikenibeu, Tarawa, Kiribati

Telephone number:

(686) 28231

Fax number:

(686) 28188

Office hours:

08.00 - 12.30 13.30 - 16.15 (Monday to Friday)

Email:

who.kir@wpro.who.int

Website:

http://www.wpro.who.int/southpacific

Ministry of Health and Medical Services

Address:

Nawerewere, Tarawa, Kiribati P.O. Box 268, Bikenibue (Nawerewere),Tarawa, Kiribati Office Hours: 0800-1230, 1330-1615

Telephone number:
(686) 28100

Fax number:

(686) 28152

Email:

mhfp@tskl.net.ki

Sources

 

Statistics

Estimated Population ('000s) ( 2010 ) 103.47
Percentage of Population 5-14 years old ( 2010 ) 22.57
Life expectancy at birth (years) ( 2009 ) 68
Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 livebirths) ( 2010 ) 61
Total health expenditure as % of GDP ( 2009 ) 12.2
General gov't expenditure on health as % of total general gov't expenditure ( 2009 ) 8.7
Human development index ( 1998 ) 0.52
Per capita GDP (US$) at current market prices ( 2010 ) 1307.4
Population below national poverty line not available
Adult literacy rate (%) ( 2005 ) 91
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 livebirths) ( 2010 ) not available
Proportion of population with sustainable access to improved water source ( 2006 ) 65
Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation ( 2006 ) 33