Nauru
p. 37 · Read in the full issue
THE island is, per capita, one of the rich est countries in the world. It is the only is land state that receives no aid, but actually gives some assistance to its neighbours.
Observers believe that aid may not be come necessary for Nauru if the returns from the country’s phosphate mining in dustry are invested wisely.
Nauru is a small, round island of just 24 square km and a population of around 7000. Its GNP is sloom, giving it a per capital income of $13,000.
While the phosphate lasts, Nauru will remain wealthy. However, the reserves of phosphate are rapidly being depleted and while the Government estimates there are 10 years of mining left, some observers be lieve the island could be worked out in less than three.
The country has few other prospects for development. The soil is poor and rainfall is irregular, limiting the prospects for agriculture.
A question mark hangs over the hus banding of the income from the phos phate mine, and according to ADAB, some technical financial assistance may be nec essary to prevent Nauru slipping from its self sufficient position.
Nauru is rated by ADAB as an “ Ex piring Resource Boom State”. (See our story on Nauru’s fight for compensation from Australian, NZ and British phosphate miners, on page 20.)
Nauru’s ravaged landscape.