Growing food and incomes: Kiribati survey results shared today show average daily income at $12, nearly half of household spending going to food, and 15% of rural diets grown or reared at home.
Kiribati’s latest household income and expenditure survey shares insights into how I-Kiribati live, work, nourish themselves and stay connected, encompassing everything from household budgets to choices about education and health, transport, tech, cash transfers and international remittances.
Key findings from the Kiribati National Statistics Office–Pacific Community (SPC) joint report include that:
- The average I-Kiribati earns $12 (AUD) and spends $10 per day.
- Half of spending goes on food.
- Almost all households participate in some form of agricultural activity, such as rearing livestock, growing fruit or vegetables, fishing, making handicrafts or producing copra.
- About one-fifth (20% of the value) of in-house food consumption is home-grown or reared.
- Rice and sugar make up almost half of total dietary energy intake.
The 2023–24 survey interviewed more than 2,000 households. It is the fourth such survey conducted and the second to follow international best practice, enabling accurate comparisons over time.
Mr Michael Sharp, a welfare economist with SPC’s Statistics for Development Division, says that the total income and expenditure estimates of the survey are highly reliable at national, urban, rural and island-group level.
“The 2023–2024 household income and expenditure survey gives us a detailed view into how Kiribati households earn, spend and consume—not just in terms of money, but also through their own production and what economists call informal activity,” Mr Sharp explained.
“These data are essential for updating the consumer price index to reflect living costs. It also feeds directly into national accounts, where housing and ‘informal’ activities are major parts of GDP.
“Finally, it provides an evidence base for looking at welfare, food security, and access to key services like education, health and transport.”
Food facts
The food consumption data from the survey provide important information into the types of foods, and sources of food, that I-Kiribati eat.
Noncommunicable diseases linked to diet are important development challenges for Kiribati, resulting in poor health and early deaths—and, in turn, lower labour productivity and quality of life.
The foods most consumed in Kiribati households include rice, sugar, salt, oil and noodles. In fact, rice and sugar account for just under half of total dietary energy consumption among I-Kiribati.
Other findings include that:
- Almost half of the adult population is obese.
- Around 15% of children are stunted.
- Consumption of fruit and vegetables—a source of essential micronutrients and fibre for good health—is less than one-quarter of the recommended intake.
- Less than 15% of energy from I-Kiribati diets is sourced from foods that are classified as healthy.
- Diets in rural Kiribati are slightly healthier than those in urban Kiribati but still highly concentrated in foods that nutritional guidelines suggest you limit or avoid.
- I-Kiribati spend, on average, $5.60 per day on food, which is half of their total daily expenditure.
Commercialising copra
On the economic front, the copra report, from the same survey, shows that while the number of households producing copra remained stable since 2019, incomes have risen sharply.
The government’s decision to double the subsidy price—from $2 to $4 per kilogram—has pushed average monthly earnings for copra sellers from $234 to $342. In rural areas, copra now accounts for nearly 14% of total household income.
Data for decision-making
The household income and expenditure survey and associated reports were produced by the Kiribati National Statistics Office in collaboration with SPC, the World Bank, the International Labour Organization, and other partners.
They were launched at a ‘Power of Data’ event this week, spanning economic, social and environmental statistics. The two-day dialogue brings together public officials, civil society leaders and development partners to discuss data for policy response.
Kiribati Republic Statistician, Ms Aritita Tekaieti, launched the data at the event.
“This survey is a tool to measure progress and develop policy,” said Ms Tekaieti. “We now have robust evidence of how income, spending and nutrition are changing in households across Kiribati, to empower policymakers to respond.
“From a statistical perspective, to produce ten quality releases from a major household survey in under 12 months is extraordinary—this will serve Kiribati’s development for years to come.”
For more information on this story, contact Mr Ben Campion, Communications Adviser, Statistics for Development Division, Pacific Community (SPC).