Nauruan districts of Denigomodu and Nibok.
Of the island's 13,048 residents, 58% are Nauruan, 26% other Pacific Islanders, 8% Chinese and 8% Europeans.[20] The official language of Nauru is Nauruan, a distinct Pacific island language. English is widely spoken and is the language of government and commerce.
The main religion practised on the island is Christianity (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic). There is also a sizable Bahá'í population (10 percent of the population). The Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, the government restricts this right in some circumstances, and has restricted the practice of religion by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and members of Jehovah's Witnesses, most of whom are foreign workers employed by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation.[35]
An increased standard of living since independence has had some negative effects on the population. Nauruans are among the most obese people in the world, with 90% of adults overweight.[36] Nauru has the world's highest level of type 2 diabetes, with more than 40% of the population affected.[37] Other significant diet-related problems on Nauru include renal failure and heart disease. Life expectancy has fallen to 58.0 years for males and 65.0 years for females.[38]
Literacy on the island is 97%, education is compulsory for children from six to 15 years of age (Years 1–10), and two non-compulsory years are taught (Years 11 and 12).[39] There is a campus of the University of the South Pacific on the island; before the campus was built, students travelled to Australia for their university education.
