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Economy of China vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 2/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

China vs Nauru GDP by year

China
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Nauru
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $162,588,621
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $151,435,610
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $152,373,434
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $175,390,281
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $124,685,688
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $125,160,116
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $130,995,566
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $109,355,639
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $97,541,943
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $84,863,441
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $99,149,244
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $94,385,015
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $101,055,723
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $65,071,880
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $47,562,845
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $44,176,246
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $37,602,265
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $22,766,972
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $29,200,359
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $30,070,666
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $30,587,566
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $24,778,160
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $21,017,424
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $22,613,288
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $26,930,980
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $27,328,613
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $29,664,451
1997 $967,753,570,435 $37,331,507
1996 $868,523,936,530 $37,458,801
1995 $738,190,896,228 $39,969,706
1994 $566,929,539,493 $39,742,511
1993 $446,557,291,212 $43,542,088
1992 $428,502,354,788 $51,133,123
1991 $384,510,452,962 $52,533,789
1990 $361,560,229,446 $55,572,376
1989 $348,380,566,802 $53,736,786
1988 $312,888,888,889 $45,931,134
1987 $273,455,156,951 $40,118,410
1986 $301,310,144,928 $39,939,391
1985 $310,064,625,850 $41,548,741
1984 $260,442,857,143 $47,363,231
1983 $231,130,268,199 $48,439,093
1982 $205,480,916,031 $52,877,742
1981 $196,218,253,968 $51,689,637
1980 $191,487,500,000 $46,947,124
1979 $178,573,913,043 $44,431,330
1978 $149,788,617,886 $41,754,147
1977 $175,226,595,860 $40,444,702
1976 $154,196,810,059 $40,287,427
1975 $163,687,619,736 $40,106,776
1974 $144,418,433,058 $35,994,511
1973 $138,764,340,892 $26,529,817
1972 $113,871,930,714 $21,734,269
1971 $99,959,013,880 $19,009,433
1970 $92,752,930,873 $17,570,366
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/nauru | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Nauru by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $969 $2,964 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $881 $2,690 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $835 $2,483 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $787 $2,297 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $713 $2,088 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $613 $1,884 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $476 $1,680 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $379 $1,471 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $368 $1,276 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $334 $1,105 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $319 $991 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $311 - $5,723 -
1988 $284 - $5,012 -
1987 $252.3 - $4,485 -
1986 $282.4 - $4,569 -
1985 $295 - $4,859 -
1984 $251.2 - $5,654 -
1983 $225.9 - $5,896 -
1982 $203.7 - $6,577 -
1981 $197.4 - $6,594 -
1980 $195.1 - $6,138 -
1979 $184.3 - $5,950 -
1978 $156.7 - $5,721 -
1977 $185.7 - $5,646 -
1976 $165.7 - $5,703 -
1975 $178.6 - $5,740 -
1974 $160.4 - $5,199 -
1973 $157.3 - $3,864 -
1972 $132.1 - $3,191 -
1971 $118.8 - $2,811 -
1970 $113.3 - $2,619 -
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/nauru | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

China Nauru
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$8,783
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
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
5.06%
2021
Population
1402578808
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 32.7% 82% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 93% 20.5%
2020 34.8% 69% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 106% 59.6%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 32% 53.9% 102.3% 78%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 96% 86.3%
2015 31% 40.8% 85.4% 113%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 66% 166.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 46% 157.3%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 25.2% 34% 68% 295.6%
2008 22.2% 26.7% - -
2007 17.9% 28.7% - -
2006 18.1% 25.2% - -
2005 18% 25.9% - -
2004 17.6% 26% - -
2003 18% 26.4% - -
2002 18.2% 25.6% - -
2001 17.2% 24.3% - -
2000 16.1% 22.7% - -
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
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/nauru | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 34/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Nauru
2024 -7.34% 29.8%
2023 -6.71% 19.4%
2022 -7.32% 24.3%
2021 -5.9% 44.5%
2020 -9.56% 42.8%
2019 -6% 31%
2018 -4.2% 29.6%
2017 -3.34% 16.2%
2016 -3.33% 18.9%
2015 -2.5% 10.7%
2014 -0.67% 29.6%
2013 -0.82% 1.71%
2012 -0.3% 8.12%
2011 -0.1% 2.73%
2010 -0.36% 0.09%
2009 -1.72% 0.37%
2008 -0.02% -
2007 0.06% -
2006 -1.13% -
2005 -1.38% -
2004 -1.49% -
2003 -2.36% -
2002 -2.84% -
2001 -2.56% -
2000 -2.81% -
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
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/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.76% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Nauru
2024 0.2% 9.3%
2023 0.2% 4.8%
2022 2% 1.1%
2021 0.9% 2%
2020 2.5% 0.9%
2019 2.9% 4.1%
2018 2.1% 1.1%
2017 1.6% 4.5%
2016 2% 8.1%
2015 1.5% 9.8%
2014 2% 0.3%
2013 2.7% -1.1%
2012 2.6% 0.3%
2011 5.4% -3.4%
2010 3.3% -2%
2009 -0.7% 22.4%
2008 5.9% 1%
2007 4.7% 5.6%
2006 1.5% 19.3%
2005 1.8% 8.7%
2004 3.9% -
2003 1.1% -
2002 -0.8% -
2001 0.7% -
2000 0.4% -
1999 -1.4% -
1998 -0.8% -
1997 2.8% -

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

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

Over the past 20 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.26%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 9.3% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.59M
Raw materials & minerals $2.32M
Metals $934K
Chemicals & pharma $821K
Textiles & consumer goods $816K
Wood & paper products $70K
Miscellaneous $23K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Nauru
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $8.5M
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K

Balance of trade

China Nauru
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Nauru
Economic freedom 48.3 60
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 97/197
Property rights 40.9 n/a
Government integrity 42.3 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 n/a
Tax burden 69.3 n/a
Government spending 67.8 n/a
Fiscal health 4.4 n/a
Business freedom 68.7 n/a
Labor freedom 57.9 n/a
Monetary freedom 76.1 n/a
Trade freedom 73.4 n/a
Investment freedom 20 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

China Nauru
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
n/a

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/nauru | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.