Broadcast media [time series]

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 (2009)

Internet country code [time series]

.nr

Internet users [time series]

total: 5,100 | percent of population: 53.5% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities | international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 1,900 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 9,900 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 103 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 214

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coconuts

Budget [time series]

revenues: $57.8 million | expenditures: $51.8 million (2010 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$2 million (2016 est.) | $-10 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

Debt - external [time series]

$33.3 million (2004 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Exchange rates [time series]

Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - | 1.3442 (2016 est.) | 1.3452 (2015 est.) | 1.3291 (2014 est.) | 1.1094 (2013 est.) | 0.9695 (2012 est.)

Exports [time series]

$125 million (2013 est.) | $110.3 million (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Exports - commodities [time series]

phosphates

Exports - partners [time series]

Nigeria 45.5%, Australia 13.7%, Japan 13%, South Korea 11.1%, NZ 8.7% (2016)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$102 million (2015 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$151 million (2016 est.) | $135 million (2015 est.) | $130 million (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2015 dollars | country comparison to the world: 223

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 6.1% | industry: 33% | services: 60.8% (2009 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$11,600 (2016 est.) | $11,400 (2015 est.) | $11,100 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 130

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

10.4% (2016 est.) | 2.8% (2015 est.) | 36.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$143.1 million (2013 est.) | $41.2 million (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211

Imports - commodities [time series]

food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery

Imports - partners [time series]

Australia 71.9%, Fiji 8.1%, Japan 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

8.2% (2016 est.) | 9.8% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Labor force [time series]

NA

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

note: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

65% of GDP (2016 est.) | 77.7% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Unemployment rate [time series]

23% (2011 est.) | 90% (2004 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

200,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - consumption [time series]

23.25 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

20% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

5,000 kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 213

Electricity - production [time series]

25 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 181

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

400 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

394.8 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Area [time series]

total: 21 sq km | land: 21 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 242

Area - comparative [time series]

about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)

Coastline [time series]

30 km

Elevation [time series]

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Command Ridge 70 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; a century of intensive phosphate mining beginning in 1906 - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

0 32 S, 166 55 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 20% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 20%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 0% | other: 80% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 24 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic droughts

Natural resources [time series]

phosphates, fish

Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center

Administrative divisions [time series]

14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren

Capital [time series]

no official capital; government offices in Yaren District | time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

effective 29 January 1968; amended 1968, 2009, 2014 (2016)

Country name [time series]

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"

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: 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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Baron WAQA (since 11 June 2013) | 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 11 June 2013 (next to be held in 2016) | election results: Baron WAQA reelected president on 11 June 2013; Parliament vote - Baron WAQA (independent) 13, Roland KUN (Nauru First) 5

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 white star color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth

Government type [time series]

parliamentary republic

Independence [time series]

31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 1 judge) | judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65 | subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

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 9 July 2016 (next to be held in 2019) | election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru) | lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS | note: adopted 1968

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

National symbol(s) [time series]

frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors: blue, yellow, white

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG] | Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party | Nauru Party (informal) | note: loose multiparty system

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Woman Information and News Agency (women's issues)

Suffrage [time series]

20 years of age; universal and compulsory

Background [time series]

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.

Military - note [time series]

Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces (2012)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 31.4% (male 1,323/female 1,705) | 15-24 years: 16.21% (male 766/female 797) | 25-54 years: 43.4% (male 2,112/female 2,073) | 55-64 years: 6.38% (male 240/female 375) | 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 96/female 155) (2017 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

24 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

4.8% (2007) | country comparison to the world: 91

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

35.6% (2007)

Death rate [time series]

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Drinking water source [time series]

urban: 96.5% of population | total: 96.5% of population | urban: 3.5% of population | total: 3.5% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

NA

Ethnic groups [time series]

Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

NA

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

3.3% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 179

Hospital bed density [time series]

5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 10 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Languages [time series]

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%) | note: percentages represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.4 years | male: 63.3 years | female: 70.9 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Median age [time series]

total: 26.4 years | male: 27 years | female: 25.7 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

22.1 years | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Nauruan(s) | adjective: Nauruan

Net migration rate [time series]

-12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

61% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 1

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

9,642 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 223

Population distribution [time series]

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

Population growth rate [time series]

0.53% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Religions [time series]

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.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

urban: 65.6% of population | total: 65.6% of population | urban: 34.4% of population | total: 34.4% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years | male: 9 years | female: 10 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.8 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 0.62% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Airports [time series]

1 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 227

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

C2 (2016)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 38,858 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7,793,474 mt-km (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Nauru

Roadways [time series]

total: 30 km | paved: 24 km | unpaved: 6 km (2002) | country comparison to the world: 220