World Factbook
Nauru
Republic of Nauru
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with a narrow horizontal gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the left side meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the equator (the gold stripe), and the 12 points stand for the original tribes of Nauru; the star's white color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth
Capital
name
no official capital; government offices in the Yaren District
time difference
UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Constitution
history
effective 29 January 1968
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; amendments to constitutional articles, such as the republican form of government, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the executive and legislative branches, also require two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum
Country name
former
Pleasant Island
etymology
the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach"; the former name, Pleasant Island, came from British navigator John Frean, who visited in 1798
local long form
Republic of Nauru
local short form
Nauru
conventional long form
Republic of Nauru
conventional short form
Nauru
Independence
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
Legal system
mixed system of common law based on the English model and customary law
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
note
note: in 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in 2018, the government formed its own appeals court
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices)
subordinate courts
District Court, Family Court
judge selection and term of office
judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament
chief of state
President David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023)
election results
2025: David ADEAGN elected president (unopposed) 2023: David ADEAGN elected president over Delvin THOMA, 10-8
head of government
President David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023)
most recent election date
14 October 2025
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by Parliament for 3-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, white
Political parties
Nauru does not have formal political parties; alliances within the government are often formed based on extended family ties
Legislative branch
term in office
3 years
number of seats
19 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
Full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/11/2025
expected date of next election
October 2028
percentage of women in chamber
10.5%
National anthem(s)
title
"Nauru Bwiema" (Nauru, Our Homeland)
history
adopted 1968
lyrics/music
Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS
National symbol(s)
frigatebird, calophyllum flower
Administrative divisions
14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 937-0079
chancery
801 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone
[1] (212) 937-0074
chief of mission
Ambassador Lara Erab DANIEL (since 13 January 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
email address and website
nauru@onecommonwealth.org https://www.un.int/nauru/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction