Kiribati
Profiled in Tarawa · Oceania and the Pacific
Thirty-three atolls scattered across three and a half million square kilometres of Pacific, straddling the equator and the date line, and among the most exposed nations on earth to sea-level rise.
Cost of living
What a month costs
The Australian dollar is legal tender. Everything is shipped in, which makes South Tarawa expensive despite very low local incomes.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Tarawa
- Battle of Tarawa sitesJapanese gun emplacements and wrecks at Betio.
- KiritimatiVast atoll with saltwater flats and seabird colonies.
- Te UmanibongThe Kiribati cultural centre and museum on Tarawa.
- Phoenix Islands Protected AreaOne of the world's largest marine reserves, a UNESCO site.
- Betio CausewayRoad link along the South Tarawa atoll chain.
- AmboVillage and parliament complex on Tarawa.
- BuarikiNorthern end of Tarawa atoll.
- Equator and date line crossingKiribati is the first country to see each new day.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Christmas Island (Kiritimati)The world's largest coral atoll, a bonefishing destination.
- AbaiangTraditional atoll north of Tarawa.
- BetioSite of the 1943 Battle of Tarawa.
- North TarawaQuieter villages reached by causeway and boat.
- ButaritariGreen northern atoll with wartime remains.
Residency
Residence follows work permits, and there is no investor route. Kiribati faces existential sea-level risk and has purchased land in Fiji as a contingency.
Tax
Personal rates reach 35% and the corporate rate is 30%. The Australian dollar is legal tender. Fishing licence revenue and the Revenue Equalisation Reserve Fund dominate public finances.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Kiribati tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby
More of Oceania and the Pacific
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to live in Kiribati?
About $1,300 a month for one person and $2,800 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $600, and a casual meal costs about $12. The Australian dollar is legal tender. Everything is shipped in, which makes South Tarawa expensive despite very low local incomes.
Is Kiribati safe, and what is healthcare like?
In our index safety scores 6 out of 10 and healthcare 2 out of 10, where 10 is best.
What language and currency are used in Kiribati?
Gilbertese and English. The currency is Australian dollar (AUD).
What is the capital of Kiribati?
Tarawa.
How can a foreigner get residency in Kiribati?
Residence follows work permits, and there is no investor route. Kiribati faces existential sea-level risk and has purchased land in Fiji as a contingency.
What taxes does Kiribati charge?
Personal rates reach 35% and the corporate rate is 30%. The Australian dollar is legal tender. Fishing licence revenue and the Revenue Equalisation Reserve Fund dominate public finances.