In Kiribati, there are 3 units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands. There are no more districts, but a group that unites the Line and the Phoenix islands (ministry at London, Christmas). Each inhabited island has its own council (3 councils on Tarawa: Betio, South-Tarawa, North-Tarawa; 2 councils on Tabiteuea). Kiribati was divided into 6 districts until independence:

• Banaba
• Central Gilberts
• Line Islands
• Northern Gilberts
• Southern Gilberts
• Tarawa

Four of the former districts (including Tarawa) lie in the Gilbert Islands, where most of the islands' population lives. Only three of the Line Islands are inhabited, while the Phoenix Islands are uninhabited but Kanton and Orona (80 people) and have no representation. Banaba itself is sparsely inhabited now. There is also a representative non-elected of the Banabans relocated to Rabi Island in the nation of Fiji.

The 21 inhabited islands with councils are:-