Kiribati is as an atoll nation spread over some 3.5 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. Physically, it has some of the world’s smallest islets, but also has - in Kiritimati (Christmas Island) - the world’s largest atoll. The nation is facing numerous economic, social, demographic and environmental challenges, but the greatest challenge is the tyranny of distance. The country has limited natural resources and, for those natural resources it does possess (e.g. fisheries), insufficient capacity to exploit them for maximum national benefit. GDP per capita is the lowest amongst the Pacific Island Forum group and the economic outlook is fragile. With limited exports and rising costs of imports the country runs a deep trade deficit16. The heavy dependence on imported staple foods (such as rice and flour), coupled with soaring global food prices is posing a serious threat to both food and nutrition security. Average annual household income is about A$8,700 and an estimated 46 per cent is spent on food, which constitutes the single largest expenditure group17. Increased urbanization on South Tarawa due to migration of population from the outer islands is accentuating social issues and environmental problems. A high priority for government therefore is to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities on the outer islands. Government is encouraging outer island growth focused on Kiritimati, with the objective of locating up to 20,000 people on the island. As a low low-lying atoll nation, adaptation to the impacts of climate change is being mainstreamed into national development policy.

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National Mid Term Priority Framework full report