<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Kiribati<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> The country has few national resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Real GDP declined about 8% in 1987, as the fish catch fell sharply to only one-fourth the level of 1986 and copra production was hampered by repeated rains. Output rebounded strongly in 1988, with real GDP growing by 17%. The upturn in economic growth came from an increase in copra production and a good fish catch. Following the strong surge in output in 1988, GNP increased 1% in both 1989 and 1990.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—exchange rate conversion—$36.8 million (1990 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> 1.5% (1992 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $525 (1990 est.)
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> accounts for 23% of GDP (including fishing); copra and fish contribute about 65% to exports; subsistence farming predominates; food crops—taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; not self-sufficient in food
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>recipient:</hi> Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $273 million
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 Australian dollar ($A)=100 cents
<item><hi format=bold>Exchange rates:</hi> Australian dollars ($A) per US$1—1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)