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Nauru - Society

KEY FACTS 2005

  • Birth rate: 25 per 1,000
  • Population per sq km: 469
  • Life expectancy: 63 years
  • Infant mortality: 25 per 1,000

Population: 10,000 (2007); 100% lives in urban areas; growth 2% p.a. 1970–90 and 2.5% p.a. 1990–2004; birth rate (2005) 25 per 1,000 people; life expectancy 63 years.

The indigenous people of Nauru are Micronesians. Increased population since the 1960s has put extreme pressure on the coastal fringe surrounding the island, which is currently the only space available for housing.

Religion: Mainly Christians (predominantly Protestants).

Language: Nauruan and English are spoken, but English is the usual written language.

Media: There is no daily newspaper. The Nauru Bulletin is published weekly in Nauruan and English by the government, and Central Star News and The Nauru Chronicle fortnightly. The Nauru Broadcasting Service, state-owned and non-commercial, was founded in 1968. Radio broadcasts are in English and Nauruan and include material from Radio Australia and the BBC. Since 1991, Nauru Television (NTV) has broadcast programmes from New Zealand via satellite and on video-tape. There are 300 internet users (2002).

Education: There are 11 years of compulsory education starting at age six. The school year starts in January. Scholarships are available for higher education overseas. Nauru is a partner in the regional University of the South Pacific, which has a centre in Nauru and its main campus in Suva, Fiji Islands.

Health: There is a high incidence of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. There is no malaria. Medical and dental treatment is free for all Nauruans and for government employees and their families. There are two hospitals, one for Nauruans and one provided by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation which is mainly for employees of the corporation. A pure water supply is provided by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation’s desalination plant. Infant mortality was 25 per 1,000 live births in 2005.

Communications: Country code 674. International calls can only be made through an operator. There is no mobile phone coverage in Nauru; only satellite mobiles can be used.

Internet access is available on the island and there is an internet cafe in Aiwo district. There is one post office on the island.

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Independence Day (31 January), Constitution Day (17 May), Angam Day (26 October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The word Angam means ‘homecoming’ and Angam Day commemorates the various times in history when the size of the Nauruan population has returned to 1,500, which is thought to be the minimum number necessary for survival.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Easter Monday.

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