Kiribati Country Report

Kiribati is an independent republic within the Commonwealth encompassing a group of widely dispersed islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The country has remained relatively stable since independence in 1979 and held regular parliamentary and presidential elections. Kiribati currently has no serious external or internal threats to its security. Levels of criminal activity are relatively low, but incidents of petty theft such as pick-pocketing and bag-snatching do occur. Demonstrations over local political and environmental issues do occur and typically draw less than a hundred participants but generally remain peaceful.

Travel on the islands can be difficult with many, including Tarawa, having poorly-maintained road networks and limited public transport. Travel between the islands is complicated by their geographically dispersed nature and scheduled direct flights are unavailable between the Gilbert and Line Islands. Medical facilities in the country are limited and many pharmaceuticals are unavailable.

Levels of criminal activity are relatively low in Kiribati but incidents of petty theft such as pick-pocketing and bag-snatching do occur. Violent crime is rare but lone female travelers are generally advised to exercise an increased level of caution, particularly at night. There are currently no serious external or internal threats to the country's security and no terrorist groups are known to target or operate on the islands. Demonstrations over local political and environmental issues do occur and typically draw less than a hundred participants but generally remain peaceful.

There are no safety concerns over air travel.

Roads in Tarawa and Kiritimati are poor. Although driving standards are generally reasonable, drink driving is a widespread problem, especially on weekends.

The ports are considered relatively efficient.

Electricity supply is limited to Tarawa, with other islands relying on solar power or diesel generators. Communications infrastructure is established on some islands but severely limited on others. Telecommunications, including Internet connections, are typically unreliable and expensive due to the country's remote location.

The country is considered both an unlikely sponsor of and unlikely target for cyber attacks; its defenses against such an attack are understood to be weak.

Kiribati has a harsh tropical climate. Temperatures range between 22C to 37C (71F to 99F) but average between 25C to 33C (77F to 91F). However, the climate varies between the geographically dispersed islands. The rainy season normally runs from November to April during which strong winds and heavy rain can affect the country, although the country's location close to the equator means that it does not normally experience tropical cyclones. Travel to and from outer islands may be temporarily disrupted by severe weather. Tsunamis may occur after a strong earthquake.

Basic development indicators for health, education, and life expectancy in Kiribati are among the poorest in the Pacific region. Medical facilities in the country are limited, with the main hospital being located in Tarawa. A number of small clinics are available on some other islands but these are generally staffed by nurses. Serious injuries or medical cases are likely to require evacuation to a country with more advanced medical facilities. There are significant shortages of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the country and many prescription and over-the-counter drugs are likely to be unavailable.

Kiribati is an independent republic within the Commonwealth encompassing a group of widely dispersed islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The country has remained relatively stable since independence in 1979 and held regular parliamentary and presidential elections. However, corruption remains a significant issue and nepotism is common.