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Economy of Eritrea vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 179/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Eritrea vs Nauru GDP by year

Eritrea
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Nauru
2024 - $162,588,621
2023 - $151,435,610
2022 - $152,373,434
2021 - $175,390,281
2020 - $124,685,688
2019 - $125,160,116
2018 - $130,995,566
2017 - $109,355,639
2016 - $97,541,943
2015 - $84,863,441
2014 - $99,149,244
2013 - $94,385,015
2012 - $101,055,723
2011 $2,065,001,626 $65,071,880
2010 $1,589,515,447 $47,562,845
2009 $1,856,695,551 $44,176,246
2008 $1,380,188,800 $37,602,265
2007 $1,317,974,491 $22,766,972
2006 $1,211,161,880 $29,200,359
2005 $1,098,424,686 $30,070,666
2004 $1,109,054,005 $30,587,566
2003 $870,248,268 $24,778,160
2002 $729,321,680 $21,017,424
2001 $752,371,689 $22,613,288
2000 $706,370,816 $26,930,980
1999 $688,918,537 $27,328,613
1998 $745,523,117 $29,664,451
1997 $686,490,090 $37,331,507
1996 $693,535,954 $37,458,801
1995 $578,015,625 $39,969,706
1994 $531,688,312 $39,742,511
1993 $467,872,715 $43,542,088
1992 $477,101,652 $51,133,123
1991 - $52,533,789
1990 - $55,572,376
1989 - $53,736,786
1988 - $45,931,134
1987 - $40,118,410
1986 - $39,939,391
1985 - $41,548,741
1984 - $47,363,231
1983 - $48,439,093
1982 - $52,877,742
1981 - $51,689,637
1980 - $46,947,124
1979 - $44,431,330
1978 - $41,754,147
1977 - $40,444,702
1976 - $40,287,427
1975 - $40,106,776
1974 - $35,994,511
1973 - $26,529,817
1972 - $21,734,269
1971 - $19,009,433
1970 - $17,570,366

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Nauru by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,609 $14,173
2023 - - $12,752 $13,732
2022 - - $12,912 $13,245
2021 - - $14,979 $12,112
2020 - - $10,709 $10,811
2019 - - $10,802 $10,555
2018 - - $11,414 $9,657
2017 - - $9,657 $9,650
2016 - - $8,748 $10,281
2015 - - $7,747 $9,955
2014 - - $9,230 $9,726
2013 - - $8,975 $8,429
2012 - - $9,843 $8,153
2011 $689 $1,742 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $540 $1,599 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $643 $1,577 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $490 $1,547 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $480 $1,727 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $448 $1,682 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $413 $1,674 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $427 $1,621 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $305 $1,702 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $325 $1,684 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $314 $1,558 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $311 $1,597 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $342 $1,598 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $319 $1,573 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $326 $1,449 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $5,103 $11,167
1991 - - $5,333 $13,265
1990 - - $5,776 $16,215
1989 - - $5,723 -
1988 - - $5,012 -
1987 - - $4,485 -
1986 - - $4,569 -
1985 - - $4,859 -
1984 - - $5,654 -
1983 - - $5,896 -
1982 - - $6,577 -
1981 - - $6,594 -
1980 - - $6,138 -
1979 - - $5,950 -
1978 - - $5,721 -
1977 - - $5,646 -
1976 - - $5,703 -
1975 - - $5,740 -
1974 - - $5,199 -
1973 - - $3,864 -
1972 - - $3,191 -
1971 - - $2,811 -
1970 - - $2,619 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Nauru
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$163M
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
195/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
119/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$8,783
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
9.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
5.06%
2021
Population
3700586
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 122.1% 17.4%
2023 - - 118.1% 20.5%
2022 - - 134.8% 22.4%
2021 - - 93% 20.5%
2020 - - 109.4% 56.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 106% 59.6%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 102.3% 78%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 96% 86.3%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 85.4% 113%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 66% 166.9%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 46% 157.3%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 68% 295.6%
2008 69.4% 259.7% - -
2007 51.2% 201.3% - -
2006 50.5% 199% - -
2005 76.6% 205.4% - -
2004 57.1% 193.5% - -
2003 58.1% 264% - -
2002 60.1% 243.4% - -
2001 59.5% 238.6% - -
2000 84.7% 219.1% - -
1999 106.1% - - -
1998 88% - - -
1997 60.1% - - -
1996 68.6% - - -
1995 81.2% - - -
1994 50.4% - - -
1993 67.2% - - -
1992 32.7% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 2/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Nauru
2024 - 29.8%
2023 - 19.4%
2022 - 24.3%
2021 - 44.5%
2020 - 42.8%
2019 2.72% 31%
2018 5.22% 29.6%
2017 -5.74% 16.2%
2016 -1.44% 18.9%
2015 -2.77% 10.7%
2014 -0.12% 29.6%
2013 -7.62% 1.71%
2012 -5.21% 8.12%
2011 -5.5% 2.73%
2010 -16.5% 0.09%
2009 -22.2% 0.37%
2008 -38% -
2007 -19.8% -
2006 -15.5% -
2005 -31% -
2004 -7.65% -
2003 6.23% -
2002 -13.3% -
2001 -9.62% -
2000 -25.4% -
1999 -59.7% -
1998 -40.3% -
1997 -5.65% -
1996 -18.4% -
1995 -22.9% -
1994 8.69% -
1993 4.22% -
1992 6.85% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2011, Eritrea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $114M, equivalent to 5.5% of GDP. This compares to Nauru's surplus of $1.78M, or 2.73% of GDP.

Over the past 3 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 14.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.06% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Nauru
2024 - 9.3%
2023 - 4.8%
2022 - 1.1%
2021 - 2%
2020 - 0.9%
2019 1.3% 4.1%
2018 -14.4% 1.1%
2017 -13.3% 4.5%
2016 -5.6% 8.1%
2015 28.5% 9.8%
2014 8.4% 0.3%
2013 6.3% -1.1%
2012 6% 0.3%
2011 5.9% -3.4%
2010 10.3% -2%
2009 33.9% 22.4%
2008 22.2% 1%
2007 9.4% 5.6%
2006 7.7% 19.3%
2005 12.5% 8.7%
2004 25.1% -
2003 22.7% -
2002 16.9% -
2001 14.6% -
2000 19.9% -
1999 8.4% -
1998 9.5% -
1997 3.7% -

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

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

Over the past 15 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.94%, compared with 5.25% in Nauru. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 9.3% in Nauru.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Nauru
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Nauru
Economic freedom 39.6 60
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 97/197
Property rights 4.8 n/a
Government integrity 10.9 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 n/a
Tax burden 80.3 n/a
Government spending 62.3 n/a
Fiscal health 69 n/a
Business freedom 30.7 n/a
Labor freedom 43.4 n/a
Monetary freedom 80 n/a
Trade freedom 68.4 n/a
Investment freedom 0 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Nauru
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
n/a
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
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/eritrea/nauru | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.