Kiribati Population 2026
Kiribati, a Lower middle income country in the East Asia & Pacific region, has an estimated population of 134,518 as of 2025. This figure represents a modest 1.50% annual growth rate, reflecting ongoing demographic changes in this Pacific island nation. The country ranks 187th globally by population size.
Population Trend (Kiribati)
Population by Decade
Population milestones
How Kiribati's population changed across key years (World Bank estimates).
Overview
Kiribati's population of 134,518 places it among the smaller nations in the East Asia & Pacific region, a region that includes populous giants like China and Indonesia. The country's 1-year growth rate of 1.50% and 10-year average growth rate of 1.55% suggest a relatively stable but slow demographic expansion, typical of many small island developing states facing limited land area and emigration pressures. As a Lower middle income economy, Kiribati's population trends are shaped by factors such as urban migration to South Tarawa, high birth rates in outer islands, and climate-related challenges that impact habitable land. The global rank of #187 underscores its demographic niche, with growth rates slightly above zero but below the regional average for Pacific nations, reflecting a balance between natural increase and outward migration.
Key Facts
- As of 2025, Kiribati's population is 134,518.
- The annual population growth rate for 2025 stands at 1.50%.
- Over the past decade, Kiribati has averaged a 1.55% growth rate per year.
- Kiribati is classified as a Lower middle income country by the World Bank.
- The country is located in the East Asia & Pacific region and ranks 187th globally in population size.
- The 10-year average growth rate (1.55%) exceeds the current 1-year rate (1.50%), indicating a slight recent slowdown.