people

Most of the people are Micronesian, with a small population of European descent. Each inhabited island has at least one school, some of which are sponsored and/or run by churches. The literacy rate is high, remaining over ninety percent among adults.

There are only sixteen doctors, but dispensaries are located on all inhabited islands and are staffed with medical officers. A radio network for medical use is in place. The only hospital is, of course, on Tarawa, and has a capacity of less than two hundred patients. All medical services are free and provided by the government. Tuberculosis, leprosy, dysentery and hepatitis are common. The life expectancy is approximately 53 years. Infant mortality runs between six and seven percent of live births.

About ninety-five percent of the population is Christian. They are almost equally split between the Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations, with the Catholics slightly in the majority. Other sects represented are the Baha'i, Seventh-Day-Adventists, Mormons and other smaller religious groups.

There has not been any kind of clan-based combat for three hundred years. Families take care of their own and will generously aid others, especially children, when needed.

introduction | history | geography | land | population | economy
government and politics | people | outlook | conclusion | references | appendix

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