Economy overview: Phosphate exports generate income for this tiny island, but their reserves should be depleted within 5-10 years. Phosphate production has been declining since 1993 as demand in traditional markets declines and the cost of extracting remaining reserves rises, making the industry less internationally competitive. Thanks to phosphates, the people of Nauru had one of the highest per capita incomes in the third world, the specific figures for GDP varied widely. Other resources are negligible, most of the necessary goods must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. Land reclamation from mining and the replacement of phosphate as a source of income are major long-term issues. A large share of the profits generated by phosphate mining placed in trust funds to mitigate the economic transition. The government also borrows heavily from trust funds to cover the budget deficit. To save money, the government is envisaging a wage freeze, downsizing of government services, the privatization of numerous state agencies and the closure of some overseas consulates. In recent years, Nauru has encouraged the registration of offshore banks and corporations, with tens of billions of dollars flowing through their accounts. There are not enough statistics on the economy of Nauru, so GDP estimates vary greatly. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $59 million (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: no data available. GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $5,000 (2000 est.). Composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: no data; industry: no data; service sector: no data. Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: -3.6% (1993). Labor force: Employment structure: phosphate mining, civil service, education, transport. Unemployment rate: 0%. Budget: revenues: $23.4 million; expenses: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures – NA (FY95-96). Economic sectors: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut processing. Growth in industrial production: no data available. Electricity generation: 30 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 100%; hydropower: 0%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 27.9 million kWh (1999) Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: coconuts. Export: $25.3 million (free on board, 1991) Export articles: phosphates. Export partners: Australia, New Zealand. Import: $21.1 million (s.i.f., 1991). Imports: foodstuffs, fuels, manufactured goods, building materials, machinery. Import partners: Australia, UK, New Zealand, Japan. External debt: $33.3 million Economic aid recipient: $2.25 million from Australia (FY96-97 est.). Economic aid donor: Currency: Australian dollar. Currency code: AUD. Exchange rate: AUD/USD – 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996). Fiscal year: July 1-June 30. §
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 2000 (1996). Mobile Cell Phones: 450 (1994). Telephone system: satisfactory local and international radiotelephony provided by Australia; internal: no data; international: satellite earth station 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 1, FM – 0, shortwave – 0 (1998). Radio receivers: 7,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997). TVs: 500 (1997). Internet country code: nr Internet service providers: 1 (2000). Number of users: no data.
Transport
Transport Railways: total: 5 km; note – used to transport phosphate from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast. Roads: total: 30 km; coated: 24 km; unpaved: 6 km (1998 est.). Ports and harbors: Nauru. Merchant fleet: none (2000 est.). Airports: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 1; from 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways:
Armed forces
Branches of the armed forces: no regular armed forces; Nauru Police Department. See militarynous.com to know more about Nauru Military. Total military manpower: men 15 to 49: 3,018 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 1,661 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: not available. Military spending as part of GDP: no data available. Military – note: Nauru does not have any defense forces; under an informal agreement, Australia is responsible for the defense of the island.
