Kiribati: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati
IMF Staff Country Reports, May 15, 2026
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- Kiribati: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati
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Bibliographic details
- Published: May 15, 2026
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229045421.002
Country context and development priorities
- Kiribati is pursuing an ambitious development agenda amid structural challenges due to its remoteness, limited landmass, and exposure to weather shocks.
- Government priorities:
- Accelerate growth by maximizing returns from its vast ocean territory.
- Enhance human development by improving health, education, and access to infrastructure.
Recent economic performance and drivers
- Growth has been resilient, supported by consumption and public investment projects.
- The government is primarily funded by fishing license revenues which have declined as a share of GDP.
Fiscal and external pressures
- The recent expansion of social benefits and subsidies, coupled with declining fishing license revenue, contributed to persistent fiscal and current account deficits.
- Persistent deficits might limit the ability to address new shocks and weigh on long‑term development and debt sustainability.
Policy implications and priorities highlighted
- Strengthen fiscal resilience by addressing the fiscal and current account deficits.
- Maximize returns from ocean resources to support government revenues.
- Prioritize improvements in health, education, and infrastructure to enhance human development.
Publication metadata and identifiers
- Publication date: May 15, 2026
- Pages: 86
- Volume: 2026
- Issue: 099
- Series: Country Report No. 2026/099
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229045421.002
- Stock No: 1KIREA2026001
- ISBN: 9798229045421
- ISSN: 1934-7685
- Subject: Debt sustainability, External debt, Public debt, Revenue administration
- Keywords: Debt sustainability, Global, government finance, Imf executive board, IMF headquarters, Kiribati authorities, Middle East, Pacific Islands, policy priority, sovereign wealth fund
Kiribati: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati (IMF Staff Country Reports 2026, 099).
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- 1kirea2026001