I-Kiribati living with a disability are among the most vulnerable in the community as they are less likely to be employed, able to read and write, or have access to clean water and proper sanitation, according to a Kiribati National Statistics Office–SPC report.
A new national disability monograph shows that the prevalence of disability in Kiribati is on the rise, increasing by 2.1 percentage points over five years. The report from Kiribati National Statistics Office, supported by development partners including the Pacific Community (SPC), provides a snapshot of disability prevalence and inclusion across the country using data from the 2020 census.
Its findings show that 5.6% of people aged five and older have a disability. However, disability rates among those aged 50 and older are nearly four times higher (19.3%). Rural areas also show higher disability prevalence (6.4%) than urban centres (5.0%), reflecting broader disparities.
Differences in educational outcomes between disabled and non-disabled groups were also stark: nearly two in 10 (18.7%) children and youth with disabilities aged 5–24 have never attended school, compared to less than 1% for their non-disabled peers. Disabled person literacy rates were 73.1% compared to 95.6% for those without a disability.
Employment data revealed a similar picture: only 6.5% of people with disabilities were employees, compared to 24.0% for non-disabled persons. Nearly four in 10 (38.0%) of people with disabilities reported being unable to work at all.
Comparing disability statistics internationally
Kiribati’s work in disability statistics has been supported by the expertise of the Pacific Group on Disability Statistics, closely connected to the Washington Group on Disability Statistics. Both the Pacific and Washington Groups seek to create disability metrics comparable across countries.
Standard sets of questions have been drafted and tested that ask about everyday life and function, rather than using medical terms. This ‘Washington set’ can then be easily translated and used to contrast populations despite cultural, linguistic and economic differences.
Kiribati’s Republic Statistician, Ms Aritita Tekaieti, said that the disability data in the monograph are both challenging and critically important.
“Reliable, consistent statistics on disability are a well-known gap, which is why Kiribati has adopted the Washington question set and produced this monograph with support from our Pacific partners.
“The use of evidence-based information is essential for guiding social and economic policies, with the aim of improving the livelihood of persons with disabilities. It’s clear that achieving equality will be a significant challenge, with this population among the most marginalised in their communities.”
Pacific partnership on disability statistics
Improving inclusion of people with disabilities in data and decision-making is at the heart of a partnership between Pacific organisations. This new report is part of a multi-year project supported by the Australian Government, launched last year on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
SPC, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Pacific Disability Forum, UNICEF and the national statistics offices of Kiribati, Fiji and Samoa are leading a programme of initiatives through to 2026, aiming to address Pacific disability data gaps.
“Including the Washington question set in censuses and national surveys across the region is a good start—and key goal of the work coordinated by the Pacific Group”, says Ms Evelyn Wareham, Deputy Director of SPC’s Statistics for Development Division.
“When we ask the right questions—ones that are both internationally comparable and culturally relevant—we lay the foundation for data that drives informed policy and change,” Ms Wareham said.
The power of data for decision-making
Kiribati National Statistics Office is hosting a ‘Power of Data’ event this week to highlight how statistics can support country development. Spanning social, economic and environmental statistics, the two-day dialogue brings together public officials, civil society leaders and development partners to discuss data for policymaking and service improvement.
“Our policy dialogue and disability statistics benefit from the input of national stakeholders and regional partners across all the different areas of thematic expertise”, explained Ms Tekaieti.
“In thinking about the power of data, we must remember the principle ‘nothing about me without me’, because these numbers represent real people,” she said. “Accurate, inclusive statistics are the foundation for equality, dignity and opportunity.”
Read the Kiribati disability monograph (PDF)
For more information on this story, contact Mr Ben Campion, Communications Adviser, Statistics for Development Division, Pacific Community (SPC).