Demographics of Nauru

{{Short description|none}}

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox place demographics

| place = Nauru

| image = Population of Nauru.svg

| caption = Graph of the population of Nauru, 1886–2011

| size_of_population = 11,680 (2021)

| demortality = 44.0 (2011)

| fertility = 3.51 (2020-21)

| net_migration = 84 (2009)

| age_0–14_years = 38% (2021)

| age 1.8% (2014 {{abbr|est.|estimate}})

| total_mf_ratio = 0.91 males/female (2014 {{abbr|est.|estimate}})

| sr_at_birth = 0.84 males/female (2014 {{abbr|est.|estimate}})

| sr_under_15 = 0.79 males/female (2014 {{abbr|est.|estimate}})

| sr_15–64_years = 1.00 males/female (2014 {{abbr|est.|estimate}})

| sr_65_years_over = 0.78 males/female (2014 {{abbr|est.|estimate}})

| nation = noun Nauruan(s), adj. Nauruan

| major_ethnic = Nauruan (92.1%)

| minor_ethnic = Kiribati (2.4%), Fiji (2.2%), Australia (1.2%)

| official = Nauruan, English

|density=554|life=63.9|life_male=60.9|life_female=67.1}}

The demographics of Nauru, an island country in the Pacific Ocean, are known through national censuses, which have been analysed by various statistical bureaus since the 1920s. The Nauru Bureau of Statistics have conducted this task since 1977—the first census since Nauru gained independence in 1968. The most recent census of Nauru was on 30 October 2021, when population had reached 11,680 people. The population density is {{convert|554|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|inhabitants |inhabitants|}}, and the overall life expectancy is 63.9 years. The population rose steadily from the 1960s until 2006 when the Government of Nauru repatriated thousands of Tuvaluan and I-Kiribati workers from the country. Since 1992, Nauru's birth rate has exceeded its death rate; the natural growth rate is positive. In terms of age structure, the population is dominated by the 15–59-year-old segment (57%). The median age of the population is 21.6, and the estimated gender ratio of the population is 101.8 males per 100 females.

Nauru is inhabited mostly by Nauruans (92.1%), while minorities include those from Kiribati (2.4%), Fiji (2.2%), Australia (1.2%) and other (2.1%).{{Cite book |url=https://spccfpstore1.blob.core.windows.net/digitallibrary-docs/files/17/17393b49917952d43c970aad4eb0ef39.pdf?sv=2015-12-11&sr=b&sig=FgjhbNsba9qp0l%2FoX74oNtOVDUyooKe9JY6j7BY%2BHa0%3D&se=2024-05-13T09%3A58%3A24Z&sp=r&rscc=public%2C%20max-age%3D864000%2C%20max-stale%3D86400&rsct=application%2Fpdf&rscd=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Nauru_2021_Population_and_Housing_Census_Analytical_report.pdf%22 |title=NAURU 2021 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS - ANALYTICAL REPORT |publisher=Pacific Community (SPC) and Government of the Republic of Nauru (Nauru) |year=2023 |isbn=978-982-00-1510-4 |location=SPC’s Headquarters, B.P. D5, 98 848, Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia |publication-place=New Caledonia |publication-date=2023 |page=49 |language=English |ref=2021 Census}} The demographic history of Nauru is marked by several migrations: the area was first inhabited by Micronesian people about 3,000 years ago. The first European to find the island was John Fearn in 1798. Then, the country was annexed by Germany in 1888. The next major population change was when Japanese occupied the island during World War II in 1942. During this time, the Japanese deported several thousands of Nauruans to other islands. In the 1960s, the country gained independence, where the percentage of Nauruans started to increase. The most recent demographic switch was in the 2000s, when the government repatriated several groups of non-Nauruans from the country.

The Nauruan language is the official language of Nauru, but English is often used in the country. Nauruan is declared as the primary language of 95.3% of the population. The 2011 census revealed that 66.0% of the population spoke English and 11.9% another language. The main religions of Nauru are Nauru Congregational Church (35.71%) and Roman Catholic (32.96%). The literacy rate in Nauru is 96.5%. The proportion of the country's population aged 15 and over attaining academic degrees is one of the lowest in the world, reaching 7.9% in 2011. An estimated 10.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on education. Nauru has a universal health care system, and in 2012, an estimated 7.5% of its GDP was spent on healthcare. Nauru has the highest obesity ranking in the world; 97 per cent of men and 93 per cent of women are obese. In 2006, the average net monthly income was A$2,597 (A${{Inflation|AU|2597|2006|r=0}} in 2014). The most significant sources of employment are phosphate mining, banking industries, and various coconut products. In 2011, the unemployment rate was 23%. The 2011 census enumerated 1,647 total households, averaging 6.0 persons per house. Average urbanisation rate in Nauru is 100%.

Population

{{Historical populations

|title = Historical population of Nauru

|align = right

|cols=2

|percentages = pagr

|footnote = 1 Estimate

|source = The Centre for Independent Studies,{{Harvnb|Hughes|2004|p=2}} Nauru Bureau of Statistics{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=7}}

|1886 |1294

|1921 |2066

|1933 |2641

|1947 |2855

|1954 |3473

|1961 |4613

|1966 |6057

|1977 |6966

|1983 |7674

|1992 |9919

|2002 |10065

|2006 |9233

|2011 |10084

|20131|10293

|2021|11,680}}

With a population of under twelve thousand in 2021, Nauru ranks around 193rd in the world by population.{{cite web|url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/ |title=Nauru Stats at a Glance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731074147/http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/ |archive-date=31 July 2014 |publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics |access-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=dead}} Its population density is {{convert|478|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|inhabitants |inhabitants|}}. The overall life expectancy in Nauru at birth is 59.7 years. The total fertility rate of 3.70 children per mother is one of the highest in the Oceania. The United Nations projects the population will stay around 10,000 in the 2020s,{{cite web|url=http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/unpp/panel_population.htm |title=Population |work=World Population Prospectus |publisher=United Nations |year=2012 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821062620/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/unpp/panel_population.htm |archive-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=dead}} and the Nauru Bureau of Statistics estimates the population will increase to 20,000 in 2038.{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=164}}

In Nauru's history, there have been six major demographics changes. The island was first inhabited by Micronesian people roughly 3,000 years ago.{{Cite report | url=http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722013720/http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/nauru-eng.pdf | archive-date=22 July 2011 | title=First National Report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): Nauru | publisher=United Nations | year=2003 | access-date=29 June 2014 | page=11}} The first European to find the island was John Fearn in 1798. In 1888, the country was annexed by Germany. The next demographic change came when Japanese occupied the island during World War II in the 1940s.{{Cite news|last=Shenon |first=Philip |date=10 December 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/10/world/a-pacific-island-nation-is-stripped-of-everything.html |title=A Pacific Island Nation is Stripped of Everything |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810081037/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/10/world/a-pacific-island-nation-is-stripped-of-everything.html |archive-date=10 August 2014 |url-status=dead}} During this time, the Japanese deported several thousands of Nauruans to other islands.{{Cite journal | last=Bogart | first=Charles | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012031555/http://cdsg.org/reprint%20PDFs/CDSGNnov08.pdf | archive-date=12 October 2013 | url=http://cdsg.org/reprint%20PDFs/CDSGNnov08.pdf | title=Death Off Nauru | journal=The CDS Newsletter | publisher=The Coast Defense Study Group | year=2008 | access-date=17 July 2014}} The next major demographic change was in the 1960s; the country gained independence, and the percentage of Nauruans started to increase.{{Cite journal | last=Davidson | first=JW | year=2008 | title=The Republic of Nauru | journal=The Journal of Pacific History | pages=145–150 | volume=3 | issue=1 | doi=10.1080/00223346808572131}} The last major demographic change was in 2006 when the Government of Nauru repatriated almost all of the remaining Tuvaluan and I-Kiribati workers, following large scale reduction from the Republic of Nauru Phosphate Corporation (RONPhos) and government workers.{{Cite report | author=Asian Development Bank | url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/CERs/NAU/CER-NAU-2007.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607064452/http://www.adb.org/Documents/CERs/NAU/CER-NAU-2007.pdf | archive-date=7 June 2011 | title=Country Economic Report: Nauru | publisher=Asian Development Bank | access-date=29 June 2014 | year=2007 | pages=2–3}} The census of 2006 stated 9,233 people were in Nauru: down 2.13% per year from the previous census of 2002.

From 2002 to 2011, there has been negative net migration, with an annual 109 net emigrants from 2006 to 2011.{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=50}} In 2009 there were 1,820 arrivals and 1,736 departures, for a positive rate of 84 immigrants. This was the first time since collecting data in 2002, there was a positive rate. Data on arrivals and departures collected by the Nauruan Customs and Immigration Office is not available, so specific immigration data is unavailable.{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=48}} As of the 2011 census, 57% of the population over 15 years old were legally or de facto married, 35% were never married, while 7% were either widowed, separated, or divorced.{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=52}} There are 1,647 households in Nauru, making an average household size of 6.0 persons per household.{{cite web | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/index.php/population-censuses | title=Population Census of 2011 | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | access-date=29 June 2014}}

Nauru is one of the most Westernized regions of the South Pacific.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nauru|title=Nauru {{!}} Land, People, Culture, Economy, Society, & History|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}

=Structure of the population=

{{Hidden begin

|title= Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2016): {{Cite web |title=UNSD — Demographic and Social Statistics |url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/products/dyb/#statistics |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=unstats.un.org}}

|titlestyle = background:#EEBC35;

}}

class="wikitable"
width="80pt"|Age Group

! width="80pt"|Male

! width="80pt"|Female

! width="80pt"|Total

! width="80pt"|%

align="right" | Total

| align="right" | 5 547

| align="right" | 5 467

| align="right" | 11 014

| align="right" | 100

align="right" | 0–4

| align="right" | 839

| align="right" | 806

| align="right" | 1 645

| align="right" | 14.94

align="right" | 5–9

| align="right" | 854

| align="right" | 725

| align="right" | 1 579

| align="right" | 14.34

align="right" | 10–14

| align="right" | 562

| align="right" | 579

| align="right" | 1 142

| align="right" | 10.37

align="right" | 15–19

| align="right" | 525

| align="right" | 488

| align="right" | 1 012

| align="right" | 9.19

align="right" | 20–24

| align="right" | 434

| align="right" | 402

| align="right" | 836

| align="right" | 7.59

align="right" | 25–29

| align="right" | 461

| align="right" | 468

| align="right" | 930

| align="right" | 8.44

align="right" | 30–34

| align="right" | 444

| align="right" | 457

| align="right" | 900

| align="right" | 8.17

align="right" | 35–39

| align="right" | 377

| align="right" | 346

| align="right" | 723

| align="right" | 6.56

align="right" | 40–44

| align="right" | 277

| align="right" | 285

| align="right" | 562

| align="right" | 5.10

align="right" | 45–49

| align="right" | 220

| align="right" | 223

| align="right" | 443

| align="right" | 4.02

align="right" | 50–54

| align="right" | 212

| align="right" | 240

| align="right" | 452

| align="right" | 4.10

align="right" | 55–59

| align="right" | 152

| align="right" | 190

| align="right" | 343

| align="right" | 3.11

align="right" | 60–64

| align="right" | 110

| align="right" | 131

| align="right" | 242

| align="right" | 2.20

align="right" | 65–69

| align="right" | 50

| align="right" | 77

| align="right" | 127

| align="right" | 1.15

align="right" | 70–74

| align="right" | 15

| align="right" | 25

| align="right" | 40

| align="right" | 0.36

align="right" | 75–79

| align="right" | 15

| align="right" | 24

| align="right" | 39

| align="right" | 0.35

align="right" | 80+

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

width="50"|Age group

! width="80pt"|Male

! width="80"|Female

! width="80"|Total

! width="50"|Percent

align="right" | 0–14

| align="right" | 2 255

| align="right" | 2 110

| align="right" | 4 365

| align="right" | 39.63

align="right" | 15–64

| align="right" | 3 212

| align="right" | 3 231

| align="right" | 6 443

| align="right" | 58.50

align="right" | 65+

| align="right" | 80

| align="right" | 126

| align="right" | 206

| align="right" | 1.87

{{Hidden end}}

Vital statistics

For births, deaths, and fertility rates, the Nauru Bureau of Statistics was used.{{cite web | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=190&Itemid=265#births-summary | title=Vital Statistics – Births/Fertility | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | access-date=14 July 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=189&Itemid=266#mortality-summary | title=Vital Statistics – Deaths/Mortality | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | access-date=14 July 2014}}{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2002|p=94}} For population, the United States Census Bureau's mid-year estimated were used.{{cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/region.php?N=Results&T=6&A=separate&RT=0&Y=1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013&R=-1&C=NR | title=Midyear Population and Density – Custom Region – Nauru | publisher=United States Census Bureau | access-date=25 July 2014}} If a cell is shaded light green, it indicates the estimate from The World Factbook.{{cite web|url=http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/nauru/index.html |title=Nauru – 2014, CIA World Factbook |publisher=Theodora.com |access-date=29 July 2014}} In 2013, the number of births (366) and birth rate (38.8) was the second-highest during this period. In 2011, the total fertility rate of 4.2 was the highest since 1992 (4.5). Since 2009, there has been a natural change of at least 200 inhabitants—the first since the reparations of the population in 2006.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+ Vital statistics of Nauru, 1992–2013
scope="row" | Year

! scope="row" | Population

! scope="row" | Live births

! scope="row" | Deaths

! scope="row" | Natural Change

! scope="row" | Crude birth rate (per 1000)

! scope="row" | Crude death rate (per 1000)

! scope="row" | Natural Change (per 1000)

! scope="row" | {{Tooltip|TFR|Total fertility rate, the number of children per woman}}

scope="col" | 1992

| 9,826

| 331

| 64

| 267

| {{Decimals|33.686138815387746794219417870955|1}}

| {{Decimals|6.513331976389171585589253002239|1}}

| {{Decimals|27.172806838998575208630164868716|1}}

| 4.5

scope="col" | 1993

| 9,823

| 320

| 70

| 250

| {{Decimals|32.576605924870202585768095286572|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.1261325460653568156367708439377|1}}

| {{Decimals|25.450473378804845770131324442635|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| 2.1

scope="col" | 1994

| 9,824

| 335

| 53

| 282

| {{Decimals|34.100162866449511400651465798046|1}}

| {{Decimals|5.3949511400651465798045602605863|1}}

| {{Decimals|28.705211726384364820846905537459|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|2.20|1}}

scope="col" | 1995

| 9,821

| 309

| 71

| 238

| {{Decimals|31.463191121067101109866612361267|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.2294063740963242032379594745953|1}}

| {{Decimals|24.233784746970776906628652886671|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|2.08|1}}

scope="col" | 1996

| 9,830

| 371

| 82

| 289

| {{Decimals|37.741607324516785350966429298067|1}}

| {{Decimals|8.3418107833163784333672431332655|1}}

| {{Decimals|29.399796541200406917599186164802|1}}

|

scope="col" | 1997

| 9,868

| 356

| 97

| 259

| {{Decimals|36.076205918119173084718281313336|1}}

| {{Decimals|9.8297527361167409809485204702067|1}}

| {{Decimals|25.942440210782326712606404539927|1}}

| 4.1

scope="col" | 1998

| 9,885

| 304

| 97

| 207

| {{Decimals|30.753667172483560950935761254426|1}}

| {{Decimals|9.8128477491148204350025290844714|1}}

| {{Decimals|20.940819423368740515933232169954|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|2.08|1}}

scope="col" | 1999

| 9,874

| 306

| 82

| 224

| {{Decimals|30.990480048612517723313753291473|1}}

| {{Decimals|8.3046384443994328539598946728783|1}}

| {{Decimals|22.685841604213084869353858618594|1}}

|

scope="col" | 2000

| 9,861

| 311

| 70

| 241

| {{Decimals|31.538383531082040361018152317209|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.0986715343271473481391339620728|1}}

| {{Decimals|24.439711996754893012879018355136|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|3.71|1}}

scope="col" | 2001

| 9,890

| 325

| 123

| 202

| {{Decimals|32.861476238624873609706774519717|1}}

| {{Decimals|12.436804853387259858442871587462|1}}

| {{Decimals|20.424671385237613751263902932255|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|3.61|1}}

scope="col" | 2002

| 9,916

| 314

| 92

| 222

| {{Decimals|31.665994352561516740621218233159|1}}

| {{Decimals|9.277934651068979427188382412263|1}}

| {{Decimals|22.388059701492537313432835820896|1}}

| 3.0

scope="col" | 2003

| 9,926

| 212

| 76

| 136

| {{Decimals|21.35804956679427765464436832561|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.656659278662099536570622607294|1}}

| {{Decimals|13.701390288132178118073745718316|1}}

| 2.5

scope="col" | 2004

| 9,969

| 253

| 75

| 178

| {{Decimals|25.378673889056073828869495435851|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.5233222991272946133012338248571|1}}

| {{Decimals|17.855351589928779215568261610994|1}}

| 3.1

scope="col" | 2005

| 10,014

| 194

| 80

| 114

| {{Decimals|19.372877970840822848012782105053|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.9888156580786898342320750948672|1}}

| {{Decimals|11.384062|1}}

| 2.4

scope="col" | 2006

| 9,565

| 190

| 88

| 102

| {{Decimals|19.864087820177731312075274438055|1}}

| {{Decimals|9.2002090956612650287506534239415|1}}

| {{Decimals|10.663878724516466283324621014114|1}}

| 2.3

scope="col" | 2007

| 9,115

| 171

| 74

| 97

| {{Decimals|18.760285244103126714207350521119|1}}

| {{Decimals|8.1184860120680197476686780032913|1}}

| {{Decimals|10.641799232035106966538672517828|1}}

| 2.1

scope="col" | 2008

| 9,162

| 206

| 84

| 122

| {{Decimals|22.484173761187513643309321108928|1}}

| {{Decimals|9.1683038637851997380484610347086|1}}

| {{Decimals|13.31586989740231390526086007422|1}}

| 2.5

scope="col" | 2009

| 9,213

| 273

| 57

| 216

| {{Decimals|29.632041680234451318788668186259|1}}

| {{Decimals|6.1869098013676326929338977531749|1}}

| {{Decimals|23.445131878866818625854770433084|1}}

| 3.2

scope="col" | 2010

| 9,267

| 322

| 69

| 253

| {{Decimals|34.746951548505449444264594798748|1}}

| {{Decimals|7.4457753318225963094852703140175|1}}

| {{Decimals|27.301176216682853134779324484731|1}}

| 3.7

scope="col" | 2011

| 9,322

| 370

| 75

| 295

| {{Decimals|39.691053422012443681613387685046|1}}

| {{Decimals|8.0454838017592791246513623685904|1}}

| {{Decimals|31.645569620253164556962025316456|1}}

| 4.2

scope="col" | 2012

| 9,378

| 319

|

|

| {{Decimals|34.015781616549370867988910215398|1}}

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|5.97|1}}

|

| style="background:#3f3;"| {{Decimals|3.03|1}}

scope="col" | 2013

| 9,434

| 366

|

|

| {{Decimals|38.795844816620733517065931736273|1}}

|

|

2011-2021 data from NAURU 2021 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS - ANALYTICAL REPORT{{Cite web | url=https://sbs.gov.ws/documents/census/2021/Factsheet-Samoa-PHC2021SBS_21112022_v4FINAL.pdf | title=Nauru 2021 population and housing Census - Analytical report | access-date=2024-04-06 | archive-date=2024-04-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406043742/https://spccfpstore1.blob.core.windows.net/digitallibrary-docs/files/17/17393b49917952d43c970aad4eb0ef39.pdf?sv=2015-12-11&sr=b&sig=Zys5RVTofQPoy2XHnstDZVOoNpZQ3qVNg40ZmZLeXbU%3D&se=2024-10-03T04%3A04%3A04Z&sp=r&rscc=public%2C%20max-age%3D864000%2C%20max-stale%3D86400&rsct=application%2Fpdf&rscd=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Nauru_2021_Population_and_Housing_Census_Analytical_report.pdf%22}}

class="wikitable sortable"
width="70"|Year

! width="70"|Population

! width="70"|Live births

! width="70"|Deaths

! width="70"|Natural Change

!Crude birth rate (per 1000)

!Crude death rate (per 1000)

!Natural Change (per 1000)

! width="70" |Total Fertility Rate

align="right" | 2011

| align="right" | 9,945

| align="right" | 427

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 4.86

align="right" | 2012

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 378

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 4.32

align="right" | 2013

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 353

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 3.94

align="right" | 2014

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 350

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 3.93

align="right" | 2015

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 371

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 4.11

align="right" | 2016

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 395

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 4.38

align="right" | 2017

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 380

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 4.19

align="right" | 2018

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 317

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 3.45

align="right" | 2019

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 283

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 3.03

align="right" | 2020

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 327

| align="right" |

| align="right" |

|

|

|

| align="right" | 3.47

align="right" | 2021

| align="right" | 11,680

| align="right" | 332

| align="right" | 74

| align="right" | 258

|

|

|

| align="right" | 3.41

Ethnic groups

Nauru, as of 2011, is mainly inhabited by Nauruans (94%), while the main minority groups include Fijians (1%), Chinese (1%), and Solomon Islanders (1%). This shows a major change from the previous major census of 2002, when Nauruans represented 75% of the population.{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=83}} According to the Constitution Nauru does not exclude any ethnic group to become a citizen.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" rowspan="2" | Ethnic group

! scope="col" colspan="2" | 2011

! scope="col" colspan="2" | 2006

! scope="col" colspan="2" | 2002

scope="col" | Number

! scope="col" | %

! scope="col" | Number

! scope="col" | %

! scope="col" | Number

! scope="col" | %

scope="row" | Nauruan

| 9,313 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 9313/9945*100}}|1}} || 9,547 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 9547/9968*100}}|1}} || 7,572 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 7572/10065*100}}|1}}

scope="row" | I-Kiribati

| 178 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 178/9945*100}}|1}} || 146 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 145/9968*100}}|1}} || 1,259 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 1259/10065*100}}|1}}

scope="row" | Chinese

| 145 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 145/9945*100}}|1}} || 61 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 61/9968*100}}|1}} || 463 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 463/10065*100}}|1}}

scope="row" | Other

| 309 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 309/9945*100}}|1}} || 214 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 214/9968*100}}|1}} || 771 || {{Decimals|{{#expr: 771/10065*100}}|1}}

scope="row" | Total

! 9,945

1009,96810010,065100
colspan="7" | Source: Nauru Bureau of Statistics{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2007|p=18}}

The recent sizable immigration event of Chinese people happened in 1993.{{cite book |last1= Lee |first1= Helen |last2= Tupai Francis |first2= Steve |date= 2009 |title= Migration and Transnationalism: Pacific Perspectives |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uWTz7LqyPYoC |location= Canberra |publisher= ANU Press |page= 107 |isbn= 9781921536915 |quote= In 1993, Chinese migrant families moved to Nauru to establish 83 small businesses attached to Nauruan houses to cater for the fast-food needs of the media and other followers of the South Pacific Forum meeting held that year on Nauru. Many had to return to China after the Forum, but a few stayed to join the Chinese community on Nauru to sell cooked rice to Naurans.}}

Languages

The Nauruan language is the official language of Nauru.{{Cite web |last=cia.gov |date=3 April 2024 |title=Nauru - the World Economic Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nauru/ |access-date=6 April 2024}} English is widely understood and is used for most government and commercial purposes,{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nauru/ |title=Nauru |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |work=The World Factbook |date=20 June 2014 |access-date=1 August 2014}} and is official.{{cite web|url=http://ronlaw.gov.nr/nauru_lpms/Links/LEGISLATIVE-DRAFTING%20MANUAL-Nauru.pdf|title=REPUBLIC OF NAURU Revenue Administration Act – Act No. 15 of 2014|access-date=28 January 2023|quote=All Bills are to be drafted in English, the official language of Nauru.}} According to the 2011 census, 95.3% of the population speaks Nauruan, 66.0% speak English, and 11.9% speak another language. Nauruan is an Austronesian language, however, no adequate written grammar of the language has been compiled, and its relationships to other Micronesian languages are not well understood.{{cite encyclopedia | last=Foster | first=Sophie | date=18 November 2013 | url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/406671/Nauru#ref513887 | title=Nauru | page=1 | encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica | access-date=17 July 2014}}

Religions

{{Main|Religion in Nauru}}

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Nauru, 2011{{cite web|url= https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nauru/|title= Australia-Oceania :: NAURU|date= 10 April 2023|publisher= CIA The World Factbook}}

|titlebar=#ddd

|left1=religion

|right1=percent

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Nauru Congregational|#e41a1c| 35.7}}

{{bar percent|Roman Catholic|#377eb8|33}}

{{bar percent|Assemblies of God|#4daf4a| 13}}

{{bar percent|Nauruan indigenous religion|#984ea3|9.5}}

{{bar percent|Baptist|#ff7f00|1.5}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|#a65628|3.7}}

}}

The main religions in Nauru are Nauru Congregational (35.71%), Roman Catholic (32.96%), Assemblies of God (12.98%), and Nauruan indigenous religion (9.50%). The biggest changes from 2002 to 2011 were an increase from 0 to 1,291 (Assemblies of God) and 1,417 to 282 (Other). Public holidays include New Year's Day (1 January), Independence Day (31 January), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday, Constitution Day (17 May), National Youth Day (25 September), Christmas Day, and Boxer Day.{{cite web | url=http://www.un.int/nauru/countryprofile.html | title=Nauru Country Profile | publisher=United Nations | access-date=21 July 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727070348/http://www.un.int/nauru/countryprofile.html | archive-date=27 July 2013}}

The indigenous religion was the predominant religion in Nauru before the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when foreign missionaries introduced Christianity to the island. It is still practised by 9.5% of the population, according to 2011 census. There are a few active Christian missionary organisations, including representatives of Anglicanism, Methodism, and Catholicism. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion;{{cite web | url=http://www.naurugov.nr/parliament-of-nauru/constitution-of-nauru.aspx | title=Constitution of Nauru | publisher=Nauru Government | access-date=21 July 2014}} however, the Government restricted this right in some circumstances. The government has restricted the religious practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Jehovah's Witnesses, most of whom are foreign workers employed by RONPhos.{{cite web | url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90147.htm | title=International Religious Freedom Report 2007 | date=14 September 2007 | publisher=United States Department of State | access-date=18 July 2014}}

Education

{{Main|Education in Nauru}}

File:Nauru Secondary School after receiving its $11 million Australian-funded refurbishment, April 2010. Photo- DFAT (12046385216).jpg

Literacy rate in Nauru, defined as "people who are currently enrolled in school and/or have reached at least grade 5 of primary education",{{Harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2011|p=74}} is 96.5%, as of 2011. There are 3,190 students and 104 teachers, as of 2013.{{cite web | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&Itemid=258#pre-school | title=Education Statistics | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | access-date=14 July 2014}} The 2011 census stated 4 percent of the population aged 15 years or older have a primary education, 91 percent have a secondary education, and 5 percent have a tertiary education. Education is based on the British system, which requires attendance from 5 to 16 years old. Students spend three years at preschool, six years of primary education, and four years of secondary school. Tertiary school is not required.{{cite web|url=http://www.icde.org/projects/regulatory_frameworks_for_distance_education/country_profiles/nauru/education_system/ |title=Education System |publisher=International Council for Open and Distance Education |access-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208035100/http://www.icde.org/projects/regulatory_frameworks_for_distance_education/country_profiles/nauru/education_system/ |archive-date=8 December 2013}} An estimated 10.7 percent of the GDP was spent on education in 1999.{{cite web | url=http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/countryreports/nauru/rapport_1.html | title=Nauru Report | publisher=UNESCO | access-date=18 July 2014}} As of 2013, there are five preschools, four primary schools, three secondary schools, and one tertiary school. The lone college, University of South Pacific, opened in the 1970s via distance courses, and in 1987 a campus was built on the island. It offers accounting, management, primary education, and English studies as majors.{{cite web | url=http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=usp_nauru_home | title=USP Nauru Campus | publisher=University of South Pacific | access-date=14 July 2014 | archive-date=20 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620073413/http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=usp_nauru_home | url-status=dead }}

The education system had a near-collapse in 2000–2005. During this time, exams were not held, teachers were not paid, and schools did not have enough funding to continue. As a result, over half of the schools closed. In 2009, the Australian Government partnered with the Nauruan Department of Education to help. This agreement resulted in a 5.7% increase in students, teachers with a degree increased from 30% to 93%, and over A$11 million was used to construct a new secondary school.{{cite web|url=http://aid.dfat.gov.au/countries/pacific/nauru/Pages/initiative-education-support.aspx |title=Nauru: Education Support |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223040056/http://aid.dfat.gov.au/countries/pacific/nauru/Pages/initiative-education-support.aspx |archive-date=23 February 2014}}

Health

{{Main article|Health in Nauru}}

A universal healthcare system is present in Nauru, which is provided to all citizens of Nauru without charge.{{Cite web |title=Nauru {{!}} Land, People, Culture, Economy, Society, & History {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nauru |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} There is only one hospital in Nauru, being the Republic of Nauru Hospital in Yaren, which offers basic surgical and medical care. However, patients who would need more advanced care would typically travel to Australian hospitals.{{Cite book |last=Boslaugh |first=Sarah E |title=Health Care Systems Around the World: A Comparative Guide |pages=332}} In 2012, an estimated 7.5% of its GDP was spent on healthcare.{{cite web | url=http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.country.country-NRU?lang=en | title=WHO Western Pacific Region: Nauru Statistics Summary (2002–present) | publisher=World Health Organization | access-date=2 July 2014}} In 2004, 149 physicians and 557 nurses per 100,000 people were present.{{cite web | url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Nauru.aspx | title=Nauru | publisher=Encyclopedia.com | access-date=28 July 2014}} Nauru has the world's highest obesity rate, with an obesity rate of 71.7%.{{cite news|last=Nishiyama|first=Takaaki|title=Nauru: An island plagued by obesity and diabetes|url=http://globe.asahi.com/feature/article/2012050200007.html|access-date=23 January 2013|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|date=27 May 2012|archive-date=13 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113151744/http://globe.asahi.com/feature/article/2012050200007.html|url-status=dead}} Nauru's population has a life expectancy of 66 years at birth, ranking it 169th in the world.{{Citation |title=Nauru |date=2022-08-30 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nauru/ |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en |access-date=2022-10-03}}

Economic indicators

{{Main|Economy of Nauru}}

File:Phosphate exports in Nauru, 1968-2001.svg

Net monthly income in 2006 averaged A$2,597 (A${{Inflation|AU|2597|2006|fmt=c}} in 2014{{Inflation-fn|AU}}). In the same year, gross monthly income averaged A$9,554 (A${{Inflation|AU|9554|2006|fmt=c}} in 2014{{Inflation-fn|AU}}). This was calculated during the mini-census of 2006, which featured 54.4% response rate of the population.{{harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2007|pp=8–10}} The income was calculated using the following factors: first job salary, subsistence, other business income, second job salary, services to other households, benefits, house gifts consumed and received, and other income.{{harvnb|Nauru Bureau of Statistics|2007|p=8}} Compared to other countries that use the Australian dollar—Kiribati, Australia, and Tuvalu—Nauru ranks number one in terms of income.{{Ref_label|AAA}} Since 2013, Nauru does not have a minimum wage.{{cite web | url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/220427.pdf | title=Nauru 2013 Human Rights Report | page=13 | publisher=United States Department of State | access-date=29 July 2014}}

Nauru's number of employed people has steadily risen and fallen. According to the 2011 census, there are 2,883 employed persons and 908 unemployed persons, making an unemployment rate of 23%. The Nauru Bureau of Statistics predicted the unemployment rate will decrease to 22% in FY2014/15.{{cite web | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=196&Itemid=279#lf-structure | title=Labour Force Projects 2014/15 | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | access-date=3 August 2014}} The gross domestic product of Nauru was A$69.55 million in 2009, an increase of 40% increase from 2008. The GDP is broken down into three categories: primary (18.7%—agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing, mining, and quarrying), secondary (36.5%—manufacturing, electric, gas, water, and construction), and tertiary (44.8%—trade, hotel, restaurants, and various services) industries.{{cite web | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/index.php?option=com_advlisting&view=download&fileId=52&Itemid=23 | title=Table 2.1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Economic Activity in Current Prices | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | access-date=17 July 2014}}

A majority of the population are employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation. A detention centre was closed in 2008, which caused the unemployment rate to rise to 30%, and approximately ten percent of the population relied on working at the centre.{{Cite news | last=La Canna | first=Xavier | date=7 February 2008 | url=http://news.theage.com.au/world/nauru-hit-by-detention-centre-closure-20080207-1qs6.html | title=Nauru 'Hit' by Detention Centre Closing | newspaper=The Age | access-date=7 July 2014}} The centre reopened in 2012{{cite web | url=http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/nauru/economy | title=Nauru: Economy | publisher=The Commonwealth | access-date=21 July 2014 | archive-date=8 August 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808121605/http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/nauru/economy | url-status=dead }} and currently serves 1,162 prisoners, as of May 2014.{{cite web | url=http://newsroom.customs.gov.au/channels/Operation-Sovereign-Borders/releases/operational-update-23-may | title=Fact Sheet: Operational Update 23 May 2014 | publisher=Australian Customs and Border Protection Service | date=23 May 2014 | access-date=17 July 2014 | archive-date=28 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528005618/http://newsroom.customs.gov.au/channels/Operation-Sovereign-Borders/releases/operational-update-23-may | url-status=dead }} During the 1990s, Nauru was famous for operating offshore banks, helping with money laundering. The United States State Department's International Narcotics Control Strategy Report estimated there were 400 offshore finance centres laundering an estimated $70 billion.{{Cite news | last=Seneviratne | first=Kalinga | url=http://www.atimes.com/oceania/BF29Ah01.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010411035156/http://www.atimes.com/oceania/BF29Ah01.html | url-status=unfit | archive-date=11 April 2001 | title=Pressure on Pacific to Stop Money-Laundering | newspaper=Asia Times Online | date=29 June 2000 | access-date=21 July 2014}}

Phosphate mining in Nauru originally made Nauru the richest per capita nation in the world.{{Cite news | last=Squires | first=Nick | date=15 March 2008 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7296832.stm | title=Nauru Seeks to Regain Lost Fortunes | newspaper=BBC News | access-date=21 July 2014}} In 1968, the Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust (NPRT) was created to invest profits from mining, so Nauru would have money after the mining was exhausted.{{Cite news | last=Seneviratne | first=Kalinga | date=26 May 1999 | url=http://www.atimes.com/oceania/AE26Ah01.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000925113247/http://atimes.com/oceania/AE26Ah01.html | url-status=unfit | archive-date=25 September 2000 | title=Nauru Turns to Dust | newspaper=Asia Times Online | access-date=21 July 2014}} The owners of the trust purchased a fleet of ships and aircraft, a brewery in the Solomon Islands, hotels around the world, and real estate in Australia, the United States and Britain, which caused the trust to go bankrupt.{{Cite news | last=Robinson | first=Natasha | date=25 October 2010 | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/resurgence-in-sight-but-nauru-remains-a-sitting-duck/story-fn6tcs23-1225942956682 | title=Resurgence in Sight but Nauru Remains 'A Sitting Duck{{'-}} | newspaper=The Australian | access-date=21 July 2014}} Phosphate exports peaked in 1973 with 2.3 million tonnes, but has decreased to 0.2 million tonnes in 2001.{{Harvnb|Hughes|2004|p=4}} In 2006, mining of a secondary layer of phosphate began.{{Cite web | url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Nauru.php | title=Nauru | publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs | date=9 December 2013 | access-date=11 August 2014}}

Notes

{{note|AAA|A}} {{Small|For Kiribati, the average annual income was reported as A$8,745, which was divided by 12 months to receive a monthly income.{{Cite report | last=Tiroa | first=Tekena | year=2006 | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/country/ki/stats/CensusSurveys/KI_Final%20HIES%20Report.pdf | title=Analytical Report on the 2006 Kiribati HIES | publisher=National Statistics Office Kiribati | access-date=6 July 2014 | page=15}} For Australia, the minimum (A$400) and maximum (A$599) average income was taken from the 2006 census and divided by two to receive the average weekly income; this amount was multiplied by 4.33 to receive the monthly income.{{cite web | url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/96e08af8f4178a45ca257306000d4fd4!OpenDocument | title=Census Provides an Updated Picture of the Average Australian | publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics | date=27 June 2007 | access-date=17 July 2014}} For Tuvalu, the 2005 monthly income was used with an inflation calculator to provide the 2006 value.{{Cite report | author=Tuvalu Government | year=2005 | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/country/tv/stats/Publication/Tuvalu%20HIES%20Report.pdf | title=Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HEIS) 2004/2005 | publisher=Tuvalu Government | access-date=6 July 2014 | page=35}}}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Sources

  • {{cite web|last=Hughes |first=Helen |year=2004 |url=http://www.cis.org.au/images/stories/issue-analysis/ia50.pdf |title=From Rags to Riches: What are Nauru's Options and how can Australia Help? |publisher=The Centre for Independent Studies |access-date=21 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729154414/http://www.cis.org.au/images/stories/issue-analysis/ia50.pdf |archive-date=29 July 2014}}
  • {{Cite report | author=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | url=https://www.spc.int/prism/country/nr/stats/Publication/Census/NR_Demog%20profile_FINAL-92-02.pdf | title=Demographic Profile of the Republic of Nauru, 1992–2002 | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | year=2002 | access-date=2 July 2014 | volume=Part 2}}
  • {{Cite report | author=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | url=https://www.spc.int/prism/country/nr/stats/Publication/Surveys/Nauru_HIES_Rpt_final.pdf | title=Nauru Household Income and Expenditure Survey Report 2006 | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | year=2007 | access-date=2 July 2014}}
  • {{Cite report | author=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | url=http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/PublicDocuments/Census/Nauru_2011_Census_Report_FINAL.pdf | title=National Report on Population and Housing: Census 2011 | publisher=Nauru Bureau of Statistics | year=2011 | access-date=27 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120203/http://www.spc.int/prism/nauru/PublicDocuments/Census/Nauru_2011_Census_Report_FINAL.pdf | archive-date=24 September 2015 | url-status=dead }}

{{Nauru topics}}

{{Oceania topic|Demographics of}}

Category:Society of Nauru