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Economy of Fiji vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Fiji has a GDP of $5.97B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 161/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Fiji has $4.54B in government debt (76.2% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Fiji vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Fiji
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Fiji Papua New Guinea
2024 $5,968,125,909 $31,800,428,266
2023 $5,476,673,518 $30,816,367,067
2022 $4,977,861,886 $31,653,185,953
2021 $4,158,873,156 $26,109,413,521
2020 $4,227,719,873 $23,848,447,850
2019 $5,344,907,153 $24,750,626,030
2018 $5,581,425,327 $24,109,780,708
2017 $5,353,469,174 $22,742,699,138
2016 $4,930,213,644 $20,758,876,953
2015 $4,682,479,894 $21,723,437,010
2014 $4,857,104,769 $23,210,823,987
2013 $4,189,967,999 $21,261,338,065
2012 $3,972,028,104 $21,295,168,666
2011 $3,779,411,899 $17,985,138,066
2010 $3,140,166,713 $14,250,786,675
2009 $2,870,624,636 $11,619,456,449
2008 $3,523,185,920 $11,670,892,801
2007 $3,378,314,600 $9,545,028,944
2006 $3,076,305,453 $8,354,911,041
2005 $2,980,403,845 $4,865,892,972
2004 $2,708,078,477 $3,927,157,867
2003 $2,300,492,465 $3,536,411,824
2002 $1,833,279,985 $2,999,511,040
2001 $1,652,462,023 $3,081,024,212
2000 $1,678,219,508 $3,521,339,699
1999 $1,936,459,986 $3,477,038,204
1998 $1,653,146,717 $3,789,443,015
1997 $2,090,221,137 $4,936,615,299
1996 $2,128,696,644 $5,155,311,077
1995 $1,970,301,486 $4,636,057,476
1994 $1,825,732,093 $5,502,786,070
1993 $1,636,101,247 $4,974,550,286
1992 $1,532,411,039 $4,377,980,510
1991 $1,383,883,250 $3,787,394,958
1990 $1,337,017,559 $3,219,729,083
1989 $1,182,660,266 $3,546,472,566
1988 $1,110,009,523 $3,656,177,881
1987 $1,177,947,965 $3,143,851,794
1986 $1,290,267,340 $2,647,995,602
1985 $1,141,168,944 $2,423,339,172
1984 $1,178,000,678 $2,552,662,617
1983 $1,123,085,190 $2,562,351,551
1982 $1,194,059,943 $2,368,719,683
1981 $1,235,626,771 $2,498,190,847
1980 $1,202,618,816 $2,545,808,456
1979 $1,019,691,460 $2,293,760,511
1978 $829,267,889 $1,947,878,831
1977 $719,501,766 $1,640,746,619
1976 $694,540,806 $1,511,843,235
1975 $684,282,434 $1,356,603,608
1974 $558,587,097 $1,467,417,672
1973 $425,950,488 $1,299,079,410
1972 $316,656,649 $858,761,926
1971 $247,749,328 $717,750,278
1970 $219,878,482 $645,568,215
1969 $182,182,068 $551,263,864
1968 $166,952,937 $485,184,190
1967 $162,625,886 $441,728,183
1966 $150,603,926 $390,992,063
1965 $147,084,750 $344,176,055
1964 $140,032,741 $305,312,049
1963 $129,454,729 $275,968,044
1962 $122,906,435 $261,184,042
1961 $116,987,785 $244,832,039
1960 $112,328,422 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Fiji vs Papua New Guinea by year

Fiji
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Fiji Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,426 $15,450 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $5,926 $14,644 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $5,414 $12,982 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $4,537 $10,322 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $4,621 $10,716 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $5,842 $12,978 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $6,085 $12,984 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $5,827 $12,585 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $5,364 $11,766 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $5,098 $11,519 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $5,293 $10,516 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $4,572 $8,842 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $4,341 $8,204 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $4,140 $7,672 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $3,449 $7,339 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $3,164 $7,068 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $3,900 $7,154 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $3,763 $6,990 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $3,455 $6,921 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $3,378 $6,652 $744 $2,322
2004 $3,097 $6,463 $621 $2,187
2003 $2,656 $6,033 $577 $2,142
2002 $2,137 $5,914 $506 $2,125
2001 $1,945 $5,699 $538 $2,168
2000 $1,996 $5,521 $636 $2,196
1999 $2,328 $5,552 $650 $2,280
1998 $2,010 $5,090 $733 $2,285
1997 $2,574 $5,031 $990 $2,432
1996 $2,648 $5,109 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $2,467 $4,818 $998 $2,436
1994 $2,297 $4,627 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $2,070 $4,334 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $1,951 $4,172 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $1,775 $3,873 $942 $1,869
1990 $1,729 $3,882 $826 $1,703
1989 $1,543 - $934 -
1988 $1,463 - $985 -
1987 $1,569 - $865 -
1986 $1,745 - $745 -
1985 $1,577 - $697 -
1984 $1,667 - $750 -
1983 $1,628 - $769 -
1982 $1,773 - $726 -
1981 $1,879 - $781 -
1980 $1,873 - $813 -
1979 $1,627 - $748 -
1978 $1,355 - $648 -
1977 $1,204 - $558 -
1976 $1,186 - $525 -
1975 $1,188 - $482 -
1974 $984 - $533 -
1973 $762 - $483 -
1972 $575 - $327 -
1971 $458 - $279.7 -
1970 $414 - $257.6 -
1969 $350 - $225.3 -
1968 $327 - $202.9 -
1967 $326 - $189 -
1966 $310 - $171.1 -
1965 $311 - $153.9 -
1964 $306 - $139.5 -
1963 $291.4 - $128.9 -
1962 $285.5 - $124.7 -
1961 $280.3 - $119.7 -
1960 $277.4 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Fiji's GDP per capita is $6,426, ranking 108/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Fiji ranks 113th at $15,450, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Fiji Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$5.97B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
161/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
3.53%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,426
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,450
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
113/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$4.54B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76.2%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,893
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,964
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2019
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2019
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.51%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.25%
2020
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
938628
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Fiji
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Fiji Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.7% 76.2% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 28.8% 79.1% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 30.9% 83.3% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 36.7% 89% 22% 52.6%
2020 36.2% 72.9% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 30.8% 49.7% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 31.8% 44.8% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 27.3% 42.2% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 31.4% 43.6% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 29.8% 43% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 29.1% 44.5% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 25.1% 45.8% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 25.5% 47.7% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 25.3% 48.6% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 24.8% 51.8% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 26.2% 51.5% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 22.6% 47.5% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 23.3% 46% 18% 22.2%
2006 24.8% 49.2% 19.4% 26%
2005 23.3% 44% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 24% 44.5% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 25.8% 44.9% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 27.4% 43.4% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 26.4% 41% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 24.8% 36.9% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 23.2% 32.7% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 26.8% 36.6% 20% 45.7%
1997 29.1% 54.1% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 26.4% 48.8% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 23.2% 48.4% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 24.3% 47.6% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 25.7% 44.3% 23.5% 30%
1992 25.8% 42.2% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 - - 22.4% -
1990 - - 24.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Fiji's government spending was $1.77B, accounting for 29.7% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 76.2% in Fiji and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 47/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Fiji

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Fiji Papua New Guinea
2024 -3.36% -3.23%
2023 -6.82% -4.34%
2022 -11.2% -5.25%
2021 -14.6% -6.84%
2020 -9.24% -8.85%
2019 -3.67% -4.98%
2018 -4.72% -2.58%
2017 -2.22% -2.47%
2016 -5.58% -4.75%
2015 -3.8% -4.55%
2014 -3.36% -6.27%
2013 -0.08% -6.87%
2012 -0.67% -1.19%
2011 -0.69% 2.22%
2010 -1.26% 3.06%
2009 -2.76% -5.48%
2008 1.54% 2.73%
2007 0.35% 6.9%
2006 -0.74% 5.34%
2005 -1.14% 2.85%
2004 -0.95% 2.03%
2003 -3.34% 0.19%
2002 -3.58% -1.75%
2001 -4.4% -1.33%
2000 -1.37% 0.3%
1999 1.1% -1.94%
1998 5.21% -0.16%
1997 -4.48% 0.67%
1996 -3.35% 2.05%
1995 0.77% 1.08%
1994 -0.19% -1.01%
1993 -1.83% -4.9%
1992 -2.14% -4.33%
1991 - -0.62%
1990 - -2.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Fiji's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $201M, equivalent to 3.36% of GDP. This compares to Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Fiji recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Fiji posted an annual deficit equal to 2.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.63% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Fiji

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Fiji Papua New Guinea
2024 4.51% 0.6%
2023 2.34% 2.3%
2022 4.32% 5.25%
2021 0.16% 4.48%
2020 -2.6% 4.87%
2019 1.77% 3.93%
2018 4.08% 4.37%
2017 3.35% 5.42%
2016 3.86% 6.67%
2015 1.37% 6%
2014 0.52% 5.22%
2013 2.91% 4.96%
2012 3.42% 4.54%
2011 7.28% 4.44%
2010 3.69% 6.01%
2009 3.13% 6.92%
2008 7.73% 10.8%
2007 4.8% 0.91%
2006 2.49% 2.37%
2005 2.37% 1.78%
2004 2.83% 2.16%
2003 4.17% 14.7%
2002 0.76% 11.8%
2001 4.27% 9.3%
2000 1.09% 15.6%
1999 1.97% 14.9%
1998 5.71% 13.6%
1997 3.37% 3.96%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Fiji has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.06%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 4.51% in Fiji and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Fiji
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.04M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.64M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.34M
Chemicals & pharma $1.14M
Wood & paper products $522K
Raw materials & minerals $452K
Metals $347K
Miscellaneous $309K
Animal & marine products $57K
Raw agricultural goods $40K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $974K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $936K
Machinery & equipment $872K
Raw materials & minerals $483K
Chemicals & pharma $115K
Metals $105K
Precious metals & jewellery $91K
Weapons & explosives $46K
Miscellaneous $45K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K

Balance of trade

Fiji Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$866M
2022
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
120/190
2022
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-17.4%
2022
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$2.68B
2022
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$1.05B
2022
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$754M
2022
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.33B
2022
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.2%
2023
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57%
2023
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Fiji Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 59.5 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 103/197 134/197
Property rights 59.9 45
Government integrity 55.4 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 53.2 41.1
Tax burden 87.8 70.9
Government spending 70 86.1
Fiscal health 7.5 65.3
Business freedom 69.5 34.2
Labor freedom 66.9 65.1
Monetary freedom 72.4 77.4
Trade freedom 66.6 80.2
Investment freedom 55 25
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Fiji
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Fiji Papua New Guinea
2026 59.5 54.3
2025 59.1 52.5
2024 58 49.4
2023 58 51.7
2022 56.4 54.6
2021 62.2 58.9
2020 63.4 58.4
2019 62.2 58.4
2018 62 55.7
2017 63.4 50.9
2016 58.8 53.2
2015 59 53.1
2014 58.7 53.9
2013 57.2 53.6
2012 57.3 53.8
2011 60.4 52.6
2010 60.3 53.5
2009 61 54.8
2008 61.8 -
2007 60.8 -
2006 58.4 -
2005 58.2 -
2004 58 -
2003 54.7 -
2002 53.9 -
2001 53.7 57.2
2000 57.8 55.8
1999 58.4 56.3
1998 58.2 55.2
1997 58 56.7
1996 57.4 58.6
1995 54.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Fiji is 59.5, ranking 103/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Fiji Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
54.6%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.2%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$5.4B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,490
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.6B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
133/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$86.9M
2022
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$204M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.6M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.36%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31%
2020
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.7%
2023
20%
2004

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/fiji/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.