Religion in Kiribati

The 2020 census recorded 119,438 people in Kiribati. Roman Catholics accounted for 70,333 people, or 58.9%; the Kiribati Uniting Church (KUC) for 25,322, or 21.2%; the Kiribati Protestant Church (KPC) for 10,016, or 8.4%; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 6,720, or 5.6%; and Seventh-day Adventists for 2,542, or 2.1%. The Bahá’í community counted 2,454 people, or 2.1%, while the census recorded 102 Muslims and 120 people with no religion. Other smaller communities include Assemblies of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses, All Nations, United Pentecostal Church International, Church of God, Baptist and Te Ran communities. Local terms include Aro or Ekareria for a religious community, Taromauri for worship, mwaneaba for a meeting place and Te Atua for God. Ancestral or anti spiritual beliefs also exist alongside Christian practice. Churches and religious communities operate throughout island and village communities. The Catholic Church and KUC are major pastoral contact points; KUC also supports youth groups, Sunday schools, women’s work, seafarer missions, chaplaincy, vocational education and secondary schools. The Catholic Church has a stronger presence on the northern islands, while Protestant communities are more prominent on southern islands. The KUC emerged in 2014 from the integration of several Protestant churches, while the KPC and KUC now operate in parallel. Arorae and Tamana have a traditional one-church-only practice. Other faith groups may therefore rely on home worship, and public meetings or proselytising can require local agreement. Missionaries are generally active and permitted, but practical access depends on the island and community. The Constitution protects freedom of conscience, thought and religion, including the freedom to change religion and to manifest belief through worship, teaching, practice and observance. It also protects people from religious instruction or ceremonies imposed against their beliefs and from being required to take an oath contrary to their religion or belief. Restrictions may apply only where they are proportionate to defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or the rights of others. A religious group reaching at least 2% of the population according to the latest census is required to register. Applications go to the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Social Affairs and include the leader’s signature, five members’ signatures, the number of followers, the denomination and the proposed name. No legal consequence for non-registration has been reported. A 2023 report stated that KPC registration remained unresolved because of dispute or opposition, and no newer location-specific status was verified. Public schools are generally non-sectarian and secular under the Education Act 2013. Religious comparison may be taught, while religious education can be regulated separately. A teacher cannot be required to teach against their conscience, and a parent’s request for exemption from religious education must be respected. In 2023, no compulsory religious education was reported in public schools; several denominations could provide instruction, and pupils who opted out could attend a supervised study period. Religious communities may establish and fund their own schools and provide their own religious instruction. Denominational schools are especially documented at secondary level. The national public holidays for 2026 include Good Friday on 3 April, Easter Monday on 6 April, Gospel Day on 10 July and Christmas Day on 25 December. Gospel Day is a shared Christian and faith-based service involving churches and faith-based organisations. The President and government also promote interfaith unity, while churches contribute to peacebuilding, social work, youth activities, education and pastoral care. Baptisms, church weddings, funerals and bereavement support remain organised by denomination and local community. There is no verified nationwide religious procedure, fee schedule or deadline for these services. A local congregation, pastor or Catholic parish is usually the first contact; membership, preparation, appointment dates and costs need to be confirmed directly. Distance between islands, limited local services and one-church traditions can make access difficult. Religious events and services are not governed by one central state religion office.