One in four Kiribati households were affected by natural disasters in the past year—with strong winds and heavy rain causing damage to homes, livelihoods and essential services, according to a report from the Kiribati National Statistics Office supported by the Pacific Community (SPC).
New information on natural disasters and climate change launched this week provides the most comprehensive picture to date of how climate-related events are affecting I-Kiribati, according to Kiribati National Statistics Office who worked on the report with the Pacific Community (SPC).
The report draws on data from the 2023–2024 household income and expenditure survey. It shows:
- A quarter (25%) of households reported being impacted by at least one natural disaster.
- Estimated economic losses total $1.25 million (AUD), with housing and agriculture most affected.
- Three-fifths (60%) of affected households experienced damage to their homes—mostly due to strong winds and heavy rain.
- A quarter (26%) of households affected by disasters reported agricultural losses, with drought the leading cause.
- One in 10 (10%) of households affected by disasters experienced health issues linked to climate events, including extreme heat and flooding.
- Nearly 4,000 people were temporarily relocated due to natural disasters.
Data for development and decision-making
The report was launched this week at a national ‘Power of Data’ event, hosted by Kiribati National Statistics Office, bringing together government officials, civil society leaders and development partners to explore how statistics can inform national development.
The two-day dialogue spans social, economic and environmental themes. Kiribati’s Republic Statistician, Ms Aritita Tekaieti, said the data in this report highlight both the scale of the challenge and the importance of evidence-based planning.
“By collecting and sharing this data, we are equipping our communities and leaders with the information they need to build resilience and protect our future,” she said.
“In sharing insights and connections across climate change and other thematic areas, we’re building a stronger foundation for inclusive, sustainable development in our country.”
Kiribati and its Pacific partners
Kiribati is the first country in the Pacific to roll out a new household survey module focused on climate change and natural disasters. The module—developed by SPC’s Statistics for Development Division and backed by a World Bank statistics investment—is designed to quickly and efficiently capture how climate events are affecting people’s lives with a short number of questions that can be added to a range of existing household surveys.
The Danish Government has also provided support to Pacific countries, including Kiribati, for household surveys relating to climate change-related loss and damage.
As first off the mark, the Kiribati experience has served as a field test for the module, and the survey is now being updated based on lessons learnt from this implementation—meaning Kiribati is helping to improve future data collection across all Pacific countries.
Looking ahead
Ms Evelyn Wareham, Deputy Director of SPC’s Statistics for Development Division in Tarawa this week for the ‘Power of Data’ event, said the report is grounded in the need for data to drive action.
“These statistics give voice to the lived experiences of I-Kiribati communities and provide a foundation for smart policy responses by the Kiribati Government,” Ms Wareham said.
“Understanding the impacts of climate change and natural disasters at the detailed household level allows policymakers to make more targeted decisions related to the everyday experiences of people.
“I commend the Kiribati National Statistics Office for their work on this week’s launch event and policy dialogue, because we cannot address what we do not measure,” she said.
For more information on this story, contact Mr Ben Campion, Communications Adviser, Statistics for Development Division, Pacific Community (SPC).