Knelstrom Intelligence · World Factbook
Nauru
Republic of Naoero
CapitalYaren District
Population12,025
GDP$176.0m
Area21 km²
RegionEast Asia & Pacific
Data sources current · last checked September 20, 2026 2:11 am
Country facts
Overview
Background
By 1000 B.C., Micronesian and Polynesian settlers inhabited Nauru, and the island was divided among 12 clans. Nauru developed in relative isolation because ocean currents made landfall on the island difficult. As a result, the Nauruan language does not clearly resemble any other in the Pacific region. In 1798, a British mariner was the first European to spot the island and by 1830, European whalers used Nauru as a supply stop, trading firearms for food. A civil war in 1878 reduced the population by more than a third. Germany forcibly annexed Nauru in 1888 by holding the 12 chiefs under house arrest until they consented to the annexation. Phosphate was discovered in 1900 and was heavily mined, although Nauru and Nauruans earned about one tenth of one percent of the profits from the phosphate deposits.
Australian forces captured Nauru from Germany during World War I, and in 1919, it was placed under a joint Australian-British-New Zealand mandate with Australian administration. Japan occupied Nauru during World War II and used its residents as forced labor elsewhere in the Pacific while destroying much of the infrastructure on the island. After the war, Nauru became a UN trust territory under Australian administration. In 1962, recognizing the phosphate stocks would eventually be depleted, Australian Prime Minister Robert MENZIES offered to resettle all Nauruans on Curtis Island in Queensland, but Nauruans rejected that plan and opted for independence, which was achieved in 1968. In 1970, Nauru purchased the phosphate mining assets, and income from the mines made Nauruans among the richest people in the world. However, a series of unwise investments led to near bankruptcy by 2000. Widespread phosphate mining officially ceased in 2006.
As its economy faltered, Nauru briefly tried to rebrand itself as an offshore banking haven, an initiative that ended in 2005, and the country made a successful bid for Russian humanitarian aid in 2008. In 2001, Australia set up the Nauru Regional Processing Center (NRPC), an offshore refugee detention facility, paying Nauru per person at the center. The NRPC closed in 2008 but reopened in 2012. The number of refugees steadily declined after 2014, and in 2020, the remaining people were moved to Brisbane, Australia, effectively shuttering the NRPC. However, in 2023, Australia agreed to continue funding NRPC for two years and restarted settling asylees in the center in mid-2023. The center remains the Government of Nauru’s largest source of income.
Reference: 2023, 2020, 2014, 2012Australian forces captured Nauru from Germany during World War I, and in 1919, it was placed under a joint Australian-British-New Zealand mandate with Australian administration. Japan occupied Nauru during World War II and used its residents as forced labor elsewhere in the Pacific while destroying much of the infrastructure on the island. After the war, Nauru became a UN trust territory under Australian administration. In 1962, recognizing the phosphate stocks would eventually be depleted, Australian Prime Minister Robert MENZIES offered to resettle all Nauruans on Curtis Island in Queensland, but Nauruans rejected that plan and opted for independence, which was achieved in 1968. In 1970, Nauru purchased the phosphate mining assets, and income from the mines made Nauruans among the richest people in the world. However, a series of unwise investments led to near bankruptcy by 2000. Widespread phosphate mining officially ceased in 2006.
As its economy faltered, Nauru briefly tried to rebrand itself as an offshore banking haven, an initiative that ended in 2005, and the country made a successful bid for Russian humanitarian aid in 2008. In 2001, Australia set up the Nauru Regional Processing Center (NRPC), an offshore refugee detention facility, paying Nauru per person at the center. The NRPC closed in 2008 but reopened in 2012. The number of refugees steadily declined after 2014, and in 2020, the remaining people were moved to Brisbane, Australia, effectively shuttering the NRPC. However, in 2023, Australia agreed to continue funding NRPC for two years and restarted settling asylees in the center in mid-2023. The center remains the Government of Nauru’s largest source of income.
Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 21 sq km
land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 0.1 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
30 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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
highest point: Command Ridge 70 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
phosphates, fish
Land use
agricultural land: 20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 80% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023, 2022agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 80% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Reference: 2022Population distribution
most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
Natural hazards
periodic droughts
Geography - note
Nauru is the third-smallest country in the world behind the Holy See (Vatican City) and Monaco; it is the smallest country in the Pacific Ocean, the smallest country outside Europe, the world's smallest island country, and the world's smallest independent republic; 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
Population & Society
Nationality
noun: Nauruan(s)
adjective: Nauruan
adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups
Nauruan 94.6%, I-Kiribati 2.2%, Fijian 1.3%, other 1.9% (2021 est.)
Reference: 2021Languages
Nauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes Gilbertese 2% and Chinese 2%) (2011 est.)
note: note: data represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12%
Reference: 2011note: note: data 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% (Nauruan Congregational 34.7%, Assemblies of God 11.6%, Pacific Light House 6.3%, Nauru Independent 3.6%, Baptist 1.5, Seventh Day Adventist 1.3%, other Protestant 1.4%), Roman Catholic 33.9%, other 4.2%, none 1.3%, no answer 0.3% (2021 est.)
Reference: 2021Age structure
0-14 years: 29.6% (male 1,493/female 1,433)
15-64 years: 66% (male 3,220/female 3,309)
65 years and over: 4.4% (2024 est.) (male 143/female 294)
Reference: 202415-64 years: 66% (male 3,220/female 3,309)
65 years and over: 4.4% (2024 est.) (male 143/female 294)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 51.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 44.8 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 14.9 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024youth dependency ratio: 44.8 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 14.9 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 27.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 27.3 years
female: 28.4 years
Reference: 2024male: 27.3 years
female: 28.4 years
Population growth rate
0.39% (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Birth rate
20.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Death rate
6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Population distribution
most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Reference: 20240-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
273 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023Gross reproduction rate
1.25 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Drinking water source
improved: total: total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: urban: 0% of population
unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Reference: 2020unimproved: urban: urban: 0% of population
unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 13.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022, 2021Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.27 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Reference: 2015Obesity - adult prevalence rate
61% (2016)
Reference: 2016Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 2.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 1.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Reference: 2019beer: 0.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 1.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 47.7% (2025 est.)
male: 49.3% (2025 est.)
female: 46.1% (2025 est.)
male: 49.3% (2025 est.)
female: 46.1% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.8% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.6% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023Migration & Displacement
Immigrant/emigrant stock measures the number of international migrants resident in, or originating from, the country; it is not the same as annual immigration/emigration flows.
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 95 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Government & Politics
| Office | Holder | Affiliation | From | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head of government | David Adeang | — | 2023-10-30 | Current | Reported |
| Head of state | David Adeang | — | 2023-09-30 | Current | Reported |
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"; the former name, Pleasant Island, came from British navigator John Frean, who visited in 1798
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"; the former name, Pleasant Island, came from British navigator John Frean, who visited in 1798
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)
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
Legal system
mixed system of common law based on the English model and customary law
Constitution
history: effective 29 January 1968
amendment process: 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 require two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum
Reference: 1968amendment process: 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 require two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum
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 David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023)
head of government: President David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament
election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by Parliament for 3-year term (eligible for a second term)
most recent election date: 14 October 2025
election results: 2025: David ADEAGN elected president (unopposed)
2023: David ADEAGN elected president over Delvin THOMA, 10-8
expected date of next election: 2028
note: note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Reference: 2028, 2025, 2023head of government: President David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament
election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by Parliament for 3-year term (eligible for a second term)
most recent election date: 14 October 2025
election results: 2025: David ADEAGN elected president (unopposed)
2023: David ADEAGN elected president over Delvin THOMA, 10-8
expected date of next election: 2028
note: note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 19 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: Full renewal
term in office: 3 years
most recent election date: 10/11/2025
percentage of women in chamber: 10.5%
expected date of next election: October 2028
Reference: 2028, 2025legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 19 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: Full renewal
term in office: 3 years
most recent election date: 10/11/2025
percentage of women in chamber: 10.5%
expected date of next election: October 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices)
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
note: note: in 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
Reference: 2018, 2017, 1976judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
note: note: in 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
Political parties
Nauru does not have formal political parties; alliances within the government are often formed based on extended family ties
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Lara Erab DANIEL (since 13 January 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
chancery: 801 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
email address and website: nauru@onecommonwealth.org
https://www.un.int/nauru/
chancery: 801 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
email address and website: nauru@onecommonwealth.org
https://www.un.int/nauru/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
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, WMO
Independence
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
Reference: 1968National holiday
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Reference: 1968Flag
description: blue with a narrow horizontal gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the left side
meaning: 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 stand for the original tribes of Nauru; the star's white color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth
meaning: 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 stand for the 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 color(s)
blue, yellow, white
National anthem(s)
title: "Nauru Bwiema" (Nauru, Our Homeland)
lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS
history: adopted 1968
Reference: 1968lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS
history: adopted 1968
Government & Official Links
No official institutional links have yet been verified for this country.
Legislature & Elections
Legislature
| Name | Chamber | Seats | Electoral system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parliament of Nauru | — | 19 | — |
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle-income Pacific island country; phosphate resource exhaustion made island interior uninhabitable; licenses fishing rights; houses Australia’s Regional Processing Centre; former tax haven; largely dependent on foreign subsidies
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $150.581 million (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $147.976 million (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $147.026 million (2022 est.)
note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $147.976 million (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $147.026 million (2022 est.)
note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $12,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $12,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $12,500 (2022 est.)
note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021Real GDP per capita 2023: $12,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $12,500 (2022 est.)
note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Agricultural products
coconuts, tropical fruits, pork, eggs, pork offal, pork fat, chicken, papayas, vegetables, cabbages (2023)
note: note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Reference: 2023note: note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Remittances 2022: 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $199.74 million (2020 est.)
expenditures: $157.86 million (2020 est.)
note: note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Reference: 2020expenditures: $157.86 million (2020 est.)
note: note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
Public debt 2016: 65% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reference: 2016Taxes and other revenues
44.4% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
note: note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Reference: 2020note: note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: $1.923 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $2.966 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $6.597 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Current account balance 2022: $2.966 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $6.597 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
Exports 2023: $64.931 million (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $78.383 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $54.403 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Exports 2022: $78.383 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $54.403 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Thailand 78%, Philippines 11%, NZ 5%, Japan 1%, Canada 1% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Reference: 2023note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
fish, phosphates (2023)
note: note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Reference: 2023note: note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Imports
Imports 2023: $150.193 million (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $165.371 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $141.185 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Imports 2022: $165.371 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $141.185 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
Australia 50%, Japan 11%, Fiji 9%, Senegal 9%, China 9% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Reference: 2023note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
ships, titanium ore, refined petroleum, plastic products, other foods (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reference: 2023note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates
Currency: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024: 1.515 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 1.505 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 1.442 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 1.331 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020: 1.453 (2020 est.)
Reference: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021Exchange rates 2024: 1.515 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 1.505 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 1.442 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 1.331 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020: 1.453 (2020 est.)
Trade
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: $1.923 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $2.966 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $6.597 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Current account balance 2022: $2.966 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $6.597 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
Exports 2023: $64.931 million (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $78.383 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $54.403 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Exports 2022: $78.383 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $54.403 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Thailand 78%, Philippines 11%, NZ 5%, Japan 1%, Canada 1% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Reference: 2023note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
fish, phosphates (2023)
note: note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Reference: 2023note: note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Imports
Imports 2023: $150.193 million (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $165.371 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $141.185 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Reference: 2023, 2022, 2021Imports 2022: $165.371 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $141.185 million (2021 est.)
note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
Australia 50%, Japan 11%, Fiji 9%, Senegal 9%, China 9% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Reference: 2023note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
ships, titanium ore, refined petroleum, plastic products, other foods (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reference: 2023note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Energy & Resources
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 19,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 37.893 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.922 million kWh (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023consumption: 37.893 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.922 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 88% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 12% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023solar: 12% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023Infrastructure
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 0 (2019 est.) 0
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Reference: 2022, 2019subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Health
Maternal mortality ratio
273 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 13.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022, 2021Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.27 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Reference: 2015Obesity - adult prevalence rate
61% (2016)
Reference: 2016Tobacco use
total: 47.7% (2025 est.)
male: 49.3% (2025 est.)
female: 46.1% (2025 est.)
male: 49.3% (2025 est.)
female: 46.1% (2025 est.)
Education
Rights, Freedoms & Society
LGBTQ+ Rights & Law
Concrete legal-status fields only; Knelstrom does not generate an LGBTQ rights score or country ranking.
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory (CC BY-SA 4.0). Community-edited legal-status summary; retrieved by Knelstrom and not legal advice.
Crime & Justice
Legal system
mixed system of common law based on the English model and customary law
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices)
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
note: note: in 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
Reference: 2018, 2017, 1976judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court
note: note: in 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
Military & Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force (2025)
Military - note
under the terms of a security deal signed in December 2024, Australia and Nauru agreed to “deepen and expand security cooperation” and “consult and consider” in the event of threats; Nauru pledged to seek Australia’s agreement before it signed any bilateral accords on maritime security, defense, and policing, and would receive Australian financial assistance in support of Nauru's police and security needs
Nauru has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Nauru's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
Reference: 2025, 2024Nauru has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Nauru's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
International Relations
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Lara Erab DANIEL (since 13 January 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
chancery: 801 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
email address and website: nauru@onecommonwealth.org
https://www.un.int/nauru/
chancery: 801 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074
FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079
email address and website: nauru@onecommonwealth.org
https://www.un.int/nauru/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
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, WMO
Treaties & Organisations
| Organisation | Status | Joined |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth) | member | 1999-00-00 |
| United Nations (UN) | member | 1999-09-14 |
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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, WMO
Conflict & Security
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 95 (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Transportation & Logistics
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C2
Airports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total: 6 (2023)
by type: other 6
Reference: 2023by type: other 6
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 1
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Nauru
Reference: 2024large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 1
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Nauru
Environment
Environmental issues
limited natural freshwater resources; effects of intensive phosphate mining that left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland; air and water pollution from cadmium residue, phosphate dust, and other contaminants; rising sea levels
International environmental agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Land use
agricultural land: 20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 80% (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023, 2022agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 20% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 80% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Reference: 2023, 2020rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions: 86,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 86,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Reference: 2023from petroleum and other liquids: 86,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Reference: 2019Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 6,200 tons (2024 est.)
Reference: 2024Total renewable water resources
10 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Reference: 2022Communications & Media
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 0 (2019 est.) 0
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Reference: 2022, 2019subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Broadcast media
1 state-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand; 1 state-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, uses Australian and British programs (2019)
Reference: 2019Internet country code
.nr
Historical Trends
Population
Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.
View Population data table
| Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 11,150 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2017 | 11,324 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2018 | 11,477 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2019 | 11,587 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2020 | 11,643 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2021 | 11,709 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2022 | 11,801 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2023 | 11,875 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2024 | 11,947 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2025 | 12,025 | world_bank_wdi |
GDP (current US$)
Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.
View GDP (current US$) data table
| Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $97,541,943 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2017 | $109,355,639 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2018 | $130,995,566 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2019 | $125,160,116 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2020 | $124,685,688 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2021 | $149,268,324 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2022 | $180,671,357 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2023 | $161,531,317 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2024 | $167,833,415 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2025 | $176,040,044 | world_bank_wdi |
International migrant stock (immigrants)
Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.
View International migrant stock (immigrants) data table
| Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,201 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2024 | 2,548 | world_bank_wdi |
International emigrant stock
Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.
View International emigrant stock data table
| Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1,370 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 1995 | 1,482 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 2000 | 1,565 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 2005 | 1,836 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 2010 | 2,092 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 2015 | 2,196 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 2020 | 2,345 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
| 2024 | 2,484 | un_migrant_stock_2024 |
Net migration
Source: World Bank WDI. Historical observations shown by reference period.
View Net migration data table
| Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | -105 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2017 | -115 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2018 | -131 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2019 | -171 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2020 | -214 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2021 | -137 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2022 | -144 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2023 | -148 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2024 | -121 | world_bank_wdi |
| 2025 | -122 | world_bank_wdi |
Sources & Methodology
Current statistical observations include their reference period and provenance. Reference fields from approved source datasets are attributed below. Missing information is left unknown rather than inferred.
| Indicator | Value | Period | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,025 | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| UN Population Division population estimate | 12,102 | 2026 | UN Population Division Data Portal | Estimated |
| Wikidata population (fallback) | 13,650 | 2017 | Wikidata | Reported |
| International migrant stock (immigrants) | 2,548 | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| International migrant stock | 21.3% | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| International emigrant stock | 2,484 | 2024 | UN DESA International Migrant Stock 2024 | Estimated |
| Net migration | -122 | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Refugees hosted | 5 | 2025 | UNHCR Refugee Population Statistics | Verified |
| Asylum seekers hosted | 92 | 2025 | UNHCR Refugee Population Statistics | Verified |
| Refugees from this country | 5 | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Asylum seekers from this country | 22 | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Same-sex sexual activity | Yes Legal since 2016; + UN decl. sign. | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| Recognition of same-sex relationships | No | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| Same-sex marriage | No | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| Same-sex adoption | No | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| Open military service | Has no military | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| Sexual-orientation anti-discrimination law | Yes; Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2016 | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| Gender identity / expression law | No | current | Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country or territory | Reported |
| GDP (current US$) | $176,040,044 | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| GDP per capita (current US$) | $14,640 | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| GDP growth | 2.1% | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Inflation, consumer prices | -0.1% | 2012 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Income level | High income | current | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Life expectancy at birth | 62.3 years | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Fertility rate | 3.3 | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Urban population | 100.0% | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Individuals using the Internet | 83.0% | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Exports of goods and services | 61.8% | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Imports of goods and services | 103.7% | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Trade | 165.4% | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Adult literacy rate | 96.6% | 2023 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Secondary school enrolment, gross | 94.5% | 2025 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Government education expenditure | 5.8% | 2023 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Access to electricity | 100.0% | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Renewable energy consumption | 1.9% | 2022 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Current health expenditure | 18.2% | 2023 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Infant mortality rate | 7.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Forest area | 0.0% | 2023 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Mobile cellular subscriptions | 87.2 per 100 | 2022 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Fixed broadband subscriptions | 10.0 per 100 | 2022 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Secure Internet servers | 670 per million | 2024 | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Latitude | -0.5477° | current | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Longitude | 166.9209° | current | World Bank — World Development Indicators | Verified |
| Latitude (Wikidata) | -0.5275° | current | Wikidata | Reported |
| Longitude (Wikidata) | 166.9350° | current | Wikidata | Reported |
| Time zone | UTC+12:00, Pacific/Nauru | current | Wikidata | Reported |
Data attribution
Credits below are generated from sources actually used by this country profile. Source-specific terms take precedence.
- CIA World Factbook, final 2025 country profile (structured via factbook.json). Accessed September 20, 2026. U.S. Government public-domain data; retained as a reference source where a newer approved field is not available. Source · Terms/licence
- United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024; data access/processing via Our World in Data. Accessed September 20, 2026. Underlying UN dataset used under CC BY 3.0 IGO. Source · Terms/licence
- United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, World Population Prospects (WPP indicator 49) Accessed September 19, 2026. Used under CC BY 3.0 IGO; current-year WPP population values are presented as estimates/projections where applicable. Source · Terms/licence
- UNHCR Refugee Population Statistics Database. Accessed September 19, 2026. Used under CC BY 4.0 except where a dataset identifies a different source or licence. Source · Terms/licence
- Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Country-Year Dataset v16 (variables: availability) Accessed September 20, 2026. Used under CC BY-SA 4.0; V-Dem measures are expert-coded/modelled and no V-Dem endorsement is implied. Source · Terms/licence
- Wikidata structured data (CC0). Accessed September 20, 2026. Attribution is provided by Knelstrom for provenance although CC0 does not require it. Source · Terms/licence
- Wikipedia, “LGBTQ rights by country or territory” (source revision/data fields: Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Gender identity / expression law, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Open military service, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Recognition of same-sex relationships, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Same-sex adoption, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Same-sex marriage, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Same-sex sexual activity, Wikipedia revision 1374406645 — Sexual-orientation anti-discrimination law) Accessed September 20, 2026. Used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Knelstrom changes formatting and presents the imported material as a community-edited legal-status summary, not legal advice or a Knelstrom rights score. Source · Terms/licence
- World Bank, World Development Indicators (series: AG.LND.FRST.ZS, country_metadata, EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS, EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS, FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG, IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.BBND.P2, IT.NET.SECR.P6, IT.NET.USER.ZS, NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS, NE.IMP.GNFS.ZS, NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS, NY.GDP.MKTP.CD, NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG, NY.GDP.PCAP.CD, SE.ADT.LITR.ZS, SE.SEC.ENRR, SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS, SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS, SM.POP.ASYS.EO, SM.POP.NETM, SM.POP.RHCR.EO, SM.POP.TOTL, SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, SP.DYN.IMRT.IN, SP.DYN.LE00.IN, SP.DYN.TFRT.IN, SP.POP.TOTL, SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS) Accessed September 20, 2026. Data used under CC BY 4.0; Knelstrom presentation/formatting may differ from the source. Source · Terms/licence
Knelstrom does not imply endorsement by any listed data provider.
Last automated statistical refresh: 2026-09-20 02:10:29