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Economy of Eswatini vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eswatini has a GDP of $4.86B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 162/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $1.93B in government debt (39.8% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Eswatini vs Nauru GDP by year

Eswatini
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini Nauru
2024 $4,858,885,841 $162,588,621
2023 $4,621,191,262 $151,435,610
2022 $4,746,660,274 $152,373,434
2021 $4,807,069,277 $175,390,281
2020 $4,134,677,810 $124,685,688
2019 $4,617,018,959 $125,160,116
2018 $4,643,751,059 $130,995,566
2017 $4,462,640,651 $109,355,639
2016 $3,722,306,117 $97,541,943
2015 $3,908,217,914 $84,863,441
2014 $4,285,065,665 $99,149,244
2013 $4,463,396,204 $94,385,015
2012 $4,747,813,067 $101,055,723
2011 $4,722,912,047 $65,071,880
2010 $4,360,714,359 $47,562,845
2009 $3,525,213,502 $44,176,246
2008 $3,235,921,171 $37,602,265
2007 $3,391,122,887 $22,766,972
2006 $3,215,307,901 $29,200,359
2005 $3,097,946,371 $30,070,666
2004 $2,710,331,785 $30,587,566
2003 $2,149,632,433 $24,778,160
2002 $1,393,945,031 $21,017,424
2001 $1,502,870,486 $22,613,288
2000 $1,697,161,558 $26,930,980
1999 $1,547,888,496 $27,328,613
1998 $1,576,908,856 $29,664,451
1997 $1,716,714,070 $37,331,507
1996 $1,602,741,834 $37,458,801
1995 $1,698,989,464 $39,969,706
1994 $1,419,294,254 $39,742,511
1993 $1,357,189,552 $43,542,088
1992 $1,284,759,928 $51,133,123
1991 $1,156,135,718 $52,533,789
1990 $1,114,694,041 $55,572,376
1989 $696,921,542 $53,736,786
1988 $692,026,455 $45,931,134
1987 $584,126,092 $40,118,410
1986 $449,140,318 $39,939,391
1985 $360,079,419 $41,548,741
1984 $494,483,409 $47,363,231
1983 $555,336,146 $48,439,093
1982 $537,568,059 $52,877,742
1981 $570,774,825 $51,689,637
1980 $541,976,853 $46,947,124
1979 $412,093,134 $44,431,330
1978 $340,630,085 $41,754,147
1977 $304,060,076 $40,444,702
1976 $272,550,068 $40,287,427
1975 $288,299,789 $40,106,776
1974 $264,320,941 $35,994,511
1973 $221,915,128 $26,529,817
1972 $146,736,479 $21,734,269
1971 $136,462,081 $19,009,433
1970 $112,139,955 $17,570,366
1969 $105,419,958 -
1968 $79,799,968 -
1967 $74,759,970 -
1966 $76,859,969 -
1965 $70,279,972 -
1964 $64,980,554 -
1963 $54,129,438 -
1962 $45,927,962 -
1961 $43,026,043 -
1960 $35,076,846 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs Nauru by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $832 - $5,723 -
1988 $865 - $5,012 -
1987 $765 - $4,485 -
1986 $611 - $4,569 -
1985 $510 - $4,859 -
1984 $726 - $5,654 -
1983 $843 - $5,896 -
1982 $843 - $6,577 -
1981 $925 - $6,594 -
1980 $908 - $6,138 -
1979 $714 - $5,950 -
1978 $610 - $5,721 -
1977 $563 - $5,646 -
1976 $521 - $5,703 -
1975 $568 - $5,740 -
1974 $536 - $5,199 -
1973 $463 - $3,864 -
1972 $315 - $3,191 -
1971 $301 - $2,811 -
1970 $254.2 - $2,619 -
1969 $245.2 - - -
1968 $190.4 - - -
1967 $182.8 - - -
1966 $192.7 - - -
1965 $181 - - -
1964 $171.6 - - -
1963 $146.4 - - -
1962 $127.1 - - -
1961 $121.8 - - -
1960 $101.6 - - -

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

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

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $3,910, ranking 131/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Eswatini Nauru
Gross domestic product
$4.86B
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
162/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,910
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$1.93B
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.8%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,554
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
130/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,913
2026
$8,783
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.3%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
9.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
34.6%
2023
5.06%
2021
Population
1273390
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.3% 39.8% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 32% 40% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 29.6% 40.5% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 30.1% 38.4% 93% 20.5%
2020 32.7% 38.2% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 32.9% 30.7% 106% 59.6%
2018 32.2% 27% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 33.9% 21.9% 102.3% 78%
2016 34.7% 20.5% 96% 86.3%
2015 35.3% 16.4% 85.4% 113%
2014 33.3% 14.3% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 29.4% 15.5% 66% 166.9%
2012 27.8% 15.2% 46% 157.3%
2011 26% 15.1% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 31.6% 14.5% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 34.5% 10.8% 68% 295.6%
2008 34.4% 15% - -
2007 31.2% 16.6% - -
2006 28.2% 15% - -
2005 29.7% 13.9% - -
2004 32% 15.5% - -
2003 26.4% 18% - -
2002 27.2% 17.6% - -
2001 26.4% 22.4% - -
2000 25.3% 18.7% - -
1999 26.5% 17.2% - -
1998 22.5% 15.9% - -
1997 21.2% 13% - -
1996 23.3% 12% - -
1995 20.5% 12.9% - -
1994 24.7% 13.8% - -
1993 24% 15.6% - -
1992 26% 16.6% - -
1991 20.3% 20.1% - -
1990 18.7% 20.4% - -
1989 15.8% 26.8% - -
1988 15.6% 27.5% - -
1987 17% 36.1% - -
1986 19.8% 44% - -
1985 22.3% 45.5% - -
1984 22.2% 29.7% - -
1983 23.2% 28.7% - -
1982 24% 29.2% - -
1981 23.8% 24.3% - -
1980 19.6% 27.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eswatini's government spending was $1.62B, accounting for 33.3% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.8% in Eswatini and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 134/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini Nauru
2024 -1.36% 29.8%
2023 -0.67% 19.4%
2022 -5.4% 24.3%
2021 -4.68% 44.5%
2020 -4.27% 42.8%
2019 -6.26% 31%
2018 -6.72% 29.6%
2017 -5.68% 16.2%
2016 -8.54% 18.9%
2015 -6.03% 10.7%
2014 -1.18% 29.6%
2013 0.59% 1.71%
2012 3.48% 8.12%
2011 -4.02% 2.73%
2010 -9.52% 0.09%
2009 -3.06% 0.37%
2008 1.63% -
2007 2.44% -
2006 8.88% -
2005 -1.7% -
2004 -4.1% -
2003 -2.15% -
2002 -3.78% -
2001 -2.31% -
2000 -1.22% -
1999 -1.27% -
1998 1.07% -
1997 2.11% -
1996 -1% -
1995 0.9% -
1994 -3.61% -
1993 -3.29% -
1992 -2.9% -
1991 3.4% -
1990 5.61% -
1989 5.82% -
1988 3.23% -
1987 2.03% -
1986 -2.41% -
1985 -1.33% -
1984 1.25% -
1983 -0.6% -
1982 0.11% -
1981 -4.29% -
1980 6.55% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eswatini's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.2M, equivalent to 1.36% of GDP. This compares to Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 3.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini Nauru
2024 - 9.3%
2023 - 4.8%
2022 - 1.1%
2021 - 2%
2020 - 0.9%
2019 2.6% 4.1%
2018 4.82% 1.1%
2017 6.22% 4.5%
2016 7.85% 8.1%
2015 4.95% 9.8%
2014 5.68% 0.3%
2013 5.62% -1.1%
2012 8.94% 0.3%
2011 6.11% -3.4%
2010 4.51% -2%
2009 7.45% 22.4%
2008 12.7% 1%
2007 8.08% 5.6%
2006 5.3% 19.3%
2005 4.77% 8.7%
2004 3.45% -
2003 7.29% -
2002 12% -
2001 5.94% -
2000 12.2% -
1999 6.09% -
1998 8.11% -
1997 7.13% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 15 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.37%, compared with 5.25% in Nauru. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and 9.3% in Nauru.

Balance of trade

Eswatini Nauru
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$542M
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$234M
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
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.

Eswatini Nauru
Economic freedom 57.5 60
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 97/197
Property rights 42.5 n/a
Government integrity 29.7 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 n/a
Tax burden 78.6 n/a
Government spending 71 n/a
Fiscal health 87.5 n/a
Business freedom 49.9 n/a
Labor freedom 55.2 n/a
Monetary freedom 76.8 n/a
Trade freedom 73.6 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Eswatini Nauru
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
34.7%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.48%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46B
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,760
2024
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$479M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
159/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
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/eswatini/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.