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Economy of China vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $308M for Kiribati, ranking 2/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $30.5M (9.92% of GDP) in Kiribati.

China vs Kiribati GDP by year

China
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Kiribati
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $307,862,564
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $288,610,748
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $270,040,453
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $285,259,881
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $220,898,020
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $216,985,388
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $233,514,717
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $222,875,736
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $206,467,819
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $191,559,399
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $200,287,282
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $201,730,861
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $207,001,546
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $195,970,140
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $165,458,433
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $140,177,384
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $147,017,895
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $138,054,946
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $112,338,353
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $113,895,437
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $104,085,892
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $96,105,619
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $74,743,869
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $64,935,850
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $74,910,527
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $77,323,978
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $74,905,706
1997 $967,753,570,435 $80,205,807
1996 $868,523,936,530 $81,456,854
1995 $738,190,896,228 $68,596,395
1994 $566,929,539,493 $67,055,334
1993 $446,557,291,212 $58,953,596
1992 $428,502,354,788 $61,491,369
1991 $384,510,452,962 $41,247,792
1990 $361,560,229,446 $36,534,295
1989 $348,380,566,802 $37,645,319
1988 $312,888,888,889 $38,278,810
1987 $273,455,156,951 $29,554,413
1986 $301,310,144,928 $25,993,009
1985 $310,064,625,850 $26,126,615
1984 $260,442,857,143 $34,394,167
1983 $231,130,268,199 $31,000,546
1982 $205,480,916,031 $32,742,713
1981 $196,218,253,968 $35,267,489
1980 $191,487,500,000 $33,157,723
1979 $178,573,913,043 $34,466,197
1978 $149,788,617,886 $36,563,965
1977 $175,226,595,860 $31,335,459
1976 $154,196,810,059 $33,246,817
1975 $163,687,619,736 $44,547,454
1974 $144,418,433,058 $69,256,489
1973 $138,764,340,892 $25,645,040
1972 $113,871,930,714 $15,314,346
1971 $99,959,013,880 $12,356,134
1970 $92,752,930,873 $11,560,877
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Kiribati by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $2,289 $3,702
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $2,178 $3,486
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $2,070 $3,329
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $2,222 $3,020
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,751 $2,763
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,913 $2,672
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $1,853 $2,562
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $810 $1,605
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $719 $1,591
2000 $969 $2,964 $845 $1,638
1999 $881 $2,690 $887 $1,526
1998 $835 $2,483 $874 $1,593
1997 $787 $2,297 $953 $1,535
1996 $713 $2,088 $986 $1,519
1995 $613 $1,884 $844 $1,518
1994 $476 $1,680 $838 $1,469
1993 $379 $1,471 $748 $1,431
1992 $368 $1,276 $792 $1,421
1991 $334 $1,105 $540 $1,139
1990 $319 $991 $488 $1,192
1989 $311 - $515 -
1988 $284 - $536 -
1987 $252.3 - $424 -
1986 $282.4 - $382 -
1985 $295 - $393 -
1984 $251.2 - $527 -
1983 $225.9 - $483 -
1982 $203.7 - $519 -
1981 $197.4 - $568 -
1980 $195.1 - $542 -
1979 $184.3 - $573 -
1978 $156.7 - $611 -
1977 $185.7 - $520 -
1976 $165.7 - $548 -
1975 $178.6 - $730 -
1974 $160.4 - $1,131 -
1973 $157.3 - $422 -
1972 $132.1 - $256.2 -
1971 $118.8 - $210.7 -
1970 $113.3 - $201 -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $2,289 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

China Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$308M
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
192/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
5.27%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$2,289
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
152/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$30.5M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
9.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$226.9
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
181/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$1,967
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
22.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
98.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
2.79%
2023
Population
1402578808
139020

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 98.1% 9.92%
2023 32.7% 82% 95.3% 11.4%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 87.5% 16.3%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 84% 17.3%
2020 34.8% 69% 102.2% 21%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 108.3% 19%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 108.8% 19%
2017 32% 53.9% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 99% 21.2%
2015 31% 40.8% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 78% 8.86%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 25.2% 34% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 18% 25.9% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 17.6% 26% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 18% 26.4% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 101.3% 17%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 66% 12.7%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 11% 21.2% 68.4% 11%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 12.4% - 54.6% 12.3%
1993 13.4% - 55.3% 10.9%
1992 14.6% - 65.9% 7.31%
1991 16.5% - 82.1% 8.43%
1990 18.2% - 105.5% 7.72%
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $302M, or 98.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 9.92% in Kiribati, ranking 34/185 and 180/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Kiribati
2024 -7.34% -22%
2023 -6.71% 0.13%
2022 -7.32% -18.3%
2021 -5.9% -10.8%
2020 -9.56% 3.57%
2019 -6% 10.8%
2018 -4.2% 5.18%
2017 -3.34% 34.1%
2016 -3.33% 20.1%
2015 -2.5% 42.5%
2014 -0.67% 35%
2013 -0.82% 11.8%
2012 -0.3% -5.43%
2011 -0.1% -17.6%
2010 -0.36% -7.8%
2009 -1.72% -8.56%
2008 -0.02% -15.8%
2007 0.06% -12.5%
2006 -1.13% -12.3%
2005 -1.38% -9.96%
2004 -1.49% -19.2%
2003 -2.36% -8.93%
2002 -2.84% 3.13%
2001 -2.56% -10.9%
2000 -2.81% -0.03%
1999 -2.3% -1.81%
1998 -1.08% 14.6%
1997 -0.73% 5.92%
1996 -0.73% -20.2%
1995 -0.94% -5.14%
1994 -1.68% 0.74%
1993 -0.89% 6.27%
1992 -1.22% 0.79%
1991 -1.04% 3.87%
1990 -0.72% -4.62%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Kiribati's deficit of $67.7M, or 22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.38% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Kiribati
2024 0.2% 2.5%
2023 0.2% 9.3%
2022 2% 5.3%
2021 0.9% 2.1%
2020 2.5% 2.6%
2019 2.9% -1.8%
2018 2.1% 0.6%
2017 1.6% 0.4%
2016 2% 1.9%
2015 1.5% 0.6%
2014 2% 2.1%
2013 2.7% -1.5%
2012 2.6% -3%
2011 5.4% 1.5%
2010 3.3% -3.9%
2009 -0.7% 9.8%
2008 5.9% 13.7%
2007 4.7% 3.6%
2006 1.5% -1%
2005 1.8% -0.4%
2004 3.9% -0.7%
2003 1.1% 1.6%
2002 -0.8% 3.2%
2001 0.7% 6%
2000 0.4% 0.4%
1999 -1.4% 1.8%
1998 -0.8% 3.7%
1997 2.8% 2.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.25% in Kiribati. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 2.5% in Kiribati.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23.4M
Chemicals & pharma $6.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.37M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.5M
Raw materials & minerals $4.39M
Metals $3.9M
Raw agricultural goods $1.44M
Miscellaneous $1.35M
Wood & paper products $1.13M
Animal & marine products $50K
Kiribati
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $163K

Balance of trade

China Kiribati
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$59.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-19.3%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$227M
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$8.49M
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$108M
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$7M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
94.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
6.27%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

China Kiribati
Economic freedom 48.3 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 158/197
Property rights 40.9 69.6
Government integrity 42.3 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 54.6
Tax burden 69.3 72.6
Government spending 67.8 0
Fiscal health 4.4 19.8
Business freedom 68.7 60.2
Labor freedom 57.9 65.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 76.7
Trade freedom 73.4 80
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Kiribati
2026 48.3 50.8
2025 49 50.9
2024 48.5 51.3
2023 48.3 58.8
2022 48 59.2
2021 58.4 44.4
2020 59.5 45.2
2019 58.4 47.3
2018 57.8 50.8
2017 57.4 50.9
2016 52 46.2
2015 52.7 46.4
2014 52.5 46.3
2013 51.9 45.9
2012 51.2 46.9
2011 52 44.8
2010 51 43.7
2009 53.2 45.7
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 -
1999 54.8 -
1998 53.1 -
1997 51.7 -
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
67.1%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
11.5%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
27.2%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$493M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$6,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$8.06M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$16.4K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
25.8%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/kiribati | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.