People & economy

Nauru: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Nauru: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

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Population & Geography

Population
12,704
#195 of 197 countries
Area
21 km²
#242 of 248 countries
Density
605.0 / km²
#21 of 245 countries

Nauru has a population of 12,704 spread across 21 km², giving it an average density of 605.0 people per km². This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Median Age
28.2
Life Expectancy
68.6 yrs
Literacy Rate
96.6%
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Nauru is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 93% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$12,752
Cost of Living
93% of US
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$12,600

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 2.3% of Nauru's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
2.3%
Air Passengers
39,104
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Nauru there are 1.27 doctors per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
1.27/1k
Hospital Beds
4.97/1k
Health Spend
$2292/person
Infant Mortality
8.3/1k
Immunization
98%
Safe Drinking Water
97.8%
Basic Sanitation
71.3%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Nauru, 82% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 87 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
81.7%
Mobile Subs
87/100
Broadband
10.0/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data