The currency used is Australian dollars, available in A$ 100,50,20,10,and 5. Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted which makes it easier to conduct financial transactions, though this may not be the case in outlying islands. The cost of a holiday/visit to Kiribati is higher than most other Pacific countries because nothing is produced on the islands so the cost of food and other items is more.
Kiribati's population was 103,058 in 2010. The vast majority (>90%) of people inhabit the Gilbert Islands, with more than 33% populating an area of about 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi) on South Tarawa. Until recently, the people of Kiribati mostly lived in villages with populations between 50 and 3,000 on the outer islands.
There are a total of 21 inhabited islands in Kiribati. Kiribati is divided into three island groups, including a group that unites the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands (ministry at London, Kiritimati) Island. The groups have no administrative function.