ESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
Nauru does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a UN office
at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, New York 10017; telephone:
(212) 937-0074
consulate(s): Agana (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji
is accredited to Nauru

Flag description:
blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and
a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side;
the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator
(the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original
tribes of Nauru

Economy Nauru

Economy - overview:
Revenues of this tiny island have traditionally come from exports
of phosphates, but reserves are now depleted. Few other resources
exist with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia,
its former occupier and later major source of support. The
rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from
phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the
exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of
phosphate income have been invested in trust funds to help cushion
the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result
of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faces virtual
bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has called for a freeze on
wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments,
privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some
overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the
registration of offshore banks and corporations. In 2004 the
deterioration in housing, hospitals, and other capital plant
continued, and the cost to Australia of keeping the government and
economy afloat has substantially mounted. Few comprehensive
statistics on the Nauru economy exist, with estimates of Nauru's GDP
varying widely.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$60 million (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
NA

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA
industry: NA
services: NA

Labor force - by occupation:
employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education,
and transportation

Unemployment rate:
90% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line: