Kiribati is a constitutional republic with an elected President and a Legislative Assembly of 42 members, of whom 40 are elected by universal adult suffrage, 1 is nominated by the Rabi Island Council and the Attorney General is a member ex officio. The 2003 elections, considered free and fair, gave the government party and independents 25 legislative seats. There are 2 women in the Legislative Assembly, including the Vice-President. The Legislative Assembly nominates presidential candidates from among its members. The President can hold office for a maximum of 3 terms of 4 years each. Nepotism is reported to be prevalent. The judiciary is independent.

Discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin or sex is prohibited. Only native I-Kiribati (Kiribati ancestry) may own land. Traditional village practice permits corporal punishment for criminal acts.

The country has a mixed economy with the government as owner and operator of most enterprises. Subsistence agriculture and fishing form the basis of the economy.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed. Citizens or the media are not guaranteed access to government information. High costs limit Internet access.

Primary education is compulsory, free and universal for ages 6 to 14. School attendance is not enforced, and estimates indicate that more than 50% of children attend school. Approximately 40% of primary school graduates pass a national examination to qualify for 3 years of subsidised lower secondary school and 4 years of senior secondary education. Other secondary students are charged fees. The number of secondary schools has increased from 10 to 13, of which 10 are run by church missions and 3 by government. Enrolment has increased in both primary and secondary schools as a result of additional teachers and more classrooms.

A 3-year programme begins at the age of 3 years.

Education is compulsory for ages 6 to 14. Primary school begins at age 6 and lasts 5 years. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 84% (50% female). There are 633 primary teachers (73% female). The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 25 : 1.

Secondary education begins at age 12 and lasts 6 years The NER is 70%. There are 622 secondary teachers, 312 (53% female) in lower secondary and 310 (45% female) in upper secondary education. The PTR is 23 : 1 in lower secondary and 14 : 1 in upper secondary schools.

The University of the South Pacific operates an extension Centre in Kiribati, while the government operates 2 tertiary institutions: the Tarawa Technical Institute and Kiribati Teachers College. 125 Kiribati students are studying overseas, in the USA (53), Australia (19), the UK (12) and Papua New Guinea (11).

Discrimination against persons with disabilities is not specifically prohibited, but reports do not indicate overt discrimination in education or in other state services. Little accommodation is available for persons with disabilities. The central hospital has a wing for persons with mental disabilities.

No violations of academic freedom are reported.

Discrimination based on sex is prohibited, but in traditional culture men are dominant, a custom that curtails the role of women in the economy. Women have full rights of inheritance as well as full and equal access to education. They now work in various occupations, including government and teaching positions. Data are not provided on the participation of women in the work force and on comparative wages. Violence against women is a serious problem, with alcohol abuse reportedly a factor. Prosecution is infrequent for cultural reasons. Sexual harassment is not prohibited in law.

The employment of children under age 14 is prohibited, while children aged 14 are banned from industrial employment and employment aboard ships. For ages 15 and above there are no restrictions.

Workers are free to form and join trade unions. 90% of the work force is employed in fishing or subsistence farming. The Kiribati Trade Union Congress (KTUC) has some 2,500 members. Public sector workers are not unionised, but teachers are members of an employee association. Collective bargaining takes place. The government sets wages in the public sector. Employees negotiate work conditions. The law provides for the right to strike, but strikes are rare.

Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited. There is no minimum wage and no legislatively prescribed work week. Public sector workers have a 36¼ hour work week.