Kiribati: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati

Kiribati is pursuing an ambitious development agenda amid structural challenges due to its remoteness, limited landmass, and exposure to weather shocks. The government priorities are to accelerate growth, by maximizing returns from its vast ocean territory, and to enhance human development, by improving health, education, and access to infrastructure. Growth has been resilient, supported by consumption and public investment projects. The government is primarily funded by fishing license revenues which have declined as a share of GDP. Coupled with the recent expansion of social benefits and subsidies, this contributed to persistent fiscal and current account deficits, which might limit the ability to address new shocks and weigh on long‑term development and debt sustainability.