Kiribati Population
East Asia & Pacific · 187th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
139,052
The population of Kiribati is about 139,052 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 138 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.00% of the world's people.
Kiribati is ranked 187th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.43% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 183 thousand. That is 2.9 times its 1960 population of 47 thousand. Population density is 171 people per square kilometre. 63% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
138 thousand
Yearly change
+1.43%
World rank
187th
Share of world
0.00%
Density
171/km²
Land area
811 km²
Life expectancy
66.6 yrs
Births per woman
3.12
GDP per capita
$2,559
GDP
$0.3B
Population of Kiribati, 1960–2050
Kiribati population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 47,157 | — | 58 |
| 1970 | 57,510 | +2.04% | 71 |
| 1980 | 61,148 | +1.62% | 75 |
| 1990 | 74,855 | +2.34% | 92 |
| 2000 | 88,613 | +1.71% | 109 |
| 2010 | 108,704 | +2.10% | 134 |
| 2020 | 126,099 | +1.76% | 155 |
| 2024 | 134,518 | +1.50% | 166 |
| 2026proj. | 138,445 | +1.43% | 171 |
| 2030proj. | 146,126 | +1.32% | 180 |
| 2040proj. | 164,700 | +1.11% | 203 |
| 2050proj. | 182,621 | +0.95% | 225 |
Kiribati vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 1,284 times as many people as Kiribati. Bangladesh is 8.0 times more densely populated.
Kiribati population: questions and answers
What is the population of Kiribati in 2026?
About 138,445 (138 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Kiribati's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.43% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Kiribati?
About 171 people per km², with a land area of 811 km².
What will the population of Kiribati be in 2050?
About 183 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Kiribati?
South Tarawa.
What is the life expectancy in Kiribati?
66.6 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.