## Kiribati: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati

_IMF Staff Country Reports, May 15, 2026_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Kiribati: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kiribati](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2026/05/14/kiribati-2026-article-iv-consultation-press-release-staff-report-and-statement-by-the-576088)

## Other formats

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## Bibliographic details
- Published: May 15, 2026
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229045421.002

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### 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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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2026/05/14/kiribati-2026-article-iv-consultation-press-release-staff-report-and-statement-by-the-576088_