Society of Nauru

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km: 511

Life expectancy: 66 years (est.)

Population: 10,000 (2015); the whole population is based in urban areas; growth 0.5 per cent p.a. 1990–2015; birth rate 27 per 1,000 people (est.); life expectancy 66 years (est.)

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

Religion: Mainly Christians (predominantly Protestants).

Media: There is no daily newspaper. The Bulletin is published weekly in Nauruan and English by the government, and Central Star News and The Nauru Chronicle fortnightly.

The Nauru Broadcasting Service provides public radio and TV services. Radio Nauru broadcasts in English and Nauruan and includes material from Radio Australia and the BBC, and Nauru Television includes programmes from Australia and New Zealand.

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