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Economy of Jamaica vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $349M for Kiribati, ranking 125/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $27.8M (7.95% of GDP) in Kiribati.

Jamaica vs Kiribati GDP by year

Jamaica
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Kiribati
2025 $22,704,903,218 $349,227,254
2024 $22,014,429,051 $343,153,235
2023 $21,418,797,833 $291,657,338
2022 $18,813,516,805 $271,214,375
2021 $15,963,885,376 $285,451,584
2020 $15,000,214,216 $220,909,307
2019 $17,026,269,263 $216,891,541
2018 $16,855,447,986 $233,859,230
2017 $15,783,583,237 $223,029,865
2016 $14,898,999,754 $206,467,819
2015 $14,963,589,916 $191,559,399
2014 $13,899,217,680 $200,287,282
2013 $14,264,205,153 $201,730,861
2012 $14,807,086,556 $207,001,546
2011 $14,444,661,522 $195,970,140
2010 $13,220,549,908 $165,458,433
2009 $12,120,458,115 $140,177,384
2008 $13,709,401,520 $147,017,895
2007 $12,799,600,047 $138,054,946
2006 $11,930,179,090 $112,338,353
2005 $11,243,865,778 $113,895,437
2004 $10,174,664,854 $104,085,892
2003 $9,430,234,811 $96,105,619
2002 $9,719,009,495 $74,743,869
2001 $9,194,727,831 $64,935,850
2000 $9,005,064,475 $74,910,527
1999 $8,887,057,997 $77,323,978
1998 $8,787,195,622 $74,905,706
1997 $8,400,041,724 $80,205,807
1996 $7,393,891,921 $81,456,854
1995 $6,577,520,643 $68,596,395
1994 $5,452,558,947 $67,055,334
1993 $5,440,075,676 $58,953,596
1992 $3,535,460,090 $61,491,369
1991 $4,106,207,649 $41,247,792
1990 $4,592,208,087 $36,534,295
1989 $4,404,937,853 $37,645,319
1988 $3,828,342,820 $38,278,810
1987 $3,287,007,322 $29,554,413
1986 $2,754,549,582 $25,993,009
1985 $2,100,239,019 $26,126,615
1984 $2,373,564,549 $34,394,167
1983 $3,619,262,277 $31,000,546
1982 $3,293,496,312 $32,742,713
1981 $2,979,027,966 $35,267,489
1980 $2,679,379,372 $33,157,723
1979 $2,425,064,229 $34,466,197
1978 $2,644,527,822 $36,563,965
1977 $3,249,733,140 $31,335,459
1976 $2,966,042,856 $33,246,817
1975 $2,860,442,750 $44,547,454
1974 $2,375,122,375 $69,256,489
1973 $1,905,917,553 $25,645,040
1972 $1,875,146,587 $15,314,346
1971 $1,539,861,816 $12,356,134
1970 $1,404,720,442 $11,560,877
1969 $1,191,239,047 -
1968 $1,083,839,133 -
1967 $1,148,014,311 -
1966 $1,096,759,561 -
1965 $972,159,611 -
1964 $897,949,001 -
1963 $826,706,669 -
1962 $777,727,689 -
1961 $748,043,501 -
1960 $699,064,380 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Kiribati by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $2,559 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $2,551 $3,702
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $2,201 $3,486
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $2,079 $3,329
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $2,224 $3,020
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $1,750 $2,763
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $1,916 $2,672
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $1,854 $2,562
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $810 $1,605
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $719 $1,591
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $845 $1,638
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $887 $1,526
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $874 $1,593
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $953 $1,535
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $986 $1,519
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $844 $1,518
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $838 $1,469
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $748 $1,431
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $792 $1,421
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $540 $1,139
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $488 $1,192
1989 $1,865 - $515 -
1988 $1,632 - $536 -
1987 $1,411 - $424 -
1986 $1,191 - $382 -
1985 $917 - $393 -
1984 $1,048 - $527 -
1983 $1,619 - $483 -
1982 $1,494 - $519 -
1981 $1,370 - $568 -
1980 $1,249 - $542 -
1979 $1,144 - $573 -
1978 $1,262 - $611 -
1977 $1,569 - $520 -
1976 $1,450 - $548 -
1975 $1,417 - $730 -
1974 $1,193 - $1,131 -
1973 $972 - $422 -
1972 $971 - $256.2 -
1971 $809 - $210.7 -
1970 $748 - $201 -
1969 $642 - - -
1968 $591 - - -
1967 $633 - - -
1966 $612 - - -
1965 $549 - - -
1964 $514 - - -
1963 $480 - - -
1962 $458 - - -
1961 $447 - - -
1960 $424 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $2,559 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$349M
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
192/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
4.22%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$2,559
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
152/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$27.8M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
7.95%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$203.4
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
181/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$2,170
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
20.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
4.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
88.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
6.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
2.79%
2023
Population
2834177
139471

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 88.2% 7.95%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 86.1% 8.9%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 94.4% 11.3%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 87.2% 16.2%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 84% 17.3%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 102.2% 21%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 108.3% 18.5%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 108.8% 19%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 99% 21.2%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 78% 8.86%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 101.3% 17%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 66% 12.7%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 27.9% 75.6% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 27.6% 74.4% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 27.4% 70.2% 68.4% 11%
1995 22.1% 85.2% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 19.9% 90.4% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 19.6% 106.2% 55.3% 10.9%
1992 18.2% 100.4% 65.9% 7.31%
1991 19.9% 175.1% 82.1% 8.43%
1990 22.6% 128.8% 105.5% 7.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $308M, or 88.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 7.95% in Kiribati, ranking 62/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Kiribati
2025 -3.77% -14.5%
2024 0.22% -14.1%
2023 0.04% 1.81%
2022 0.26% -18.2%
2021 0.84% -10.8%
2020 -2.87% 3.57%
2019 0.85% 10.8%
2018 1.1% 5.18%
2017 0.42% 34.1%
2016 -0.18% 20.1%
2015 -0.28% 42.5%
2014 -0.48% 35%
2013 0.12% 11.8%
2012 -3.97% -5.43%
2011 -6.24% -17.6%
2010 -6.17% -7.8%
2009 -10.8% -8.56%
2008 -7.32% -15.8%
2007 -3.7% -12.5%
2006 -4.74% -12.3%
2005 -3.22% -9.96%
2004 -4.56% -19.2%
2003 -5.42% -8.93%
2002 -6.55% 3.13%
2001 -4.77% -10.9%
2000 -0.78% -0.03%
1999 -3.41% -1.81%
1998 -5.73% 14.6%
1997 -6.39% 5.92%
1996 -5.25% -20.2%
1995 1.53% -5.14%
1994 2.4% 0.74%
1993 2.37% 6.27%
1992 2.83% 0.79%
1991 3.14% 3.87%
1990 2.06% -4.62%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $856M, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to Kiribati's deficit of $50.6M, or 14.5% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Kiribati
2025 4% 6.5%
2024 5.41% 2.5%
2023 6.47% 9.3%
2022 10.3% 5.3%
2021 5.86% 2.1%
2020 5.23% 2.6%
2019 3.91% -1.8%
2018 3.74% 0.6%
2017 4.38% 0.4%
2016 2.35% 1.9%
2015 3.69% 0.6%
2014 8.27% 2.1%
2013 9.34% -1.5%
2012 6.87% -3%
2011 7.56% 1.5%
2010 12.6% -3.9%
2009 9.59% 9.8%
2008 22% 13.7%
2007 9.24% 3.6%
2006 8.56% -1%
2005 15.1% -0.4%
2004 13.6% -0.7%
2003 10.1% 1.6%
2002 7.08% 3.2%
2001 6.8% 6%
2000 8.17% 0.4%
1999 5.95% 1.8%
1998 8.63% 3.7%
1997 9.66% 2.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.08%, compared with 2.4% in Kiribati. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 6.5% in Kiribati.

Balance of trade

Jamaica Kiribati
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$61.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
77/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-17.6%
2025
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$270M
2025
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$17.3M
2025
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$110M
2025
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$8.63M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
97.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
4.52%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Kiribati
Economic freedom 68.2 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 158/197
Property rights 66.8 69.6
Government integrity 49.4 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 54.6
Tax burden 76.3 72.6
Government spending 76 0
Fiscal health 92.2 19.8
Business freedom 68.5 60.2
Labor freedom 59.2 65.3
Monetary freedom 74.2 76.7
Trade freedom 70.4 80
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Kiribati
2026 68.2 50.8
2025 68.7 50.9
2024 68.1 51.3
2023 68.1 58.8
2022 67.4 59.2
2021 69 44.4
2020 68.5 45.2
2019 68.6 47.3
2018 69.1 50.8
2017 69.5 50.9
2016 67.5 46.2
2015 67.7 46.4
2014 66.7 46.3
2013 66.8 45.9
2012 65.1 46.9
2011 65.7 44.8
2010 65.5 43.7
2009 65.2 45.7
2008 65.7 -
2007 65.5 -
2006 66.4 -
2005 67 -
2004 66.7 -
2003 67 -
2002 61.7 -
2001 63.7 -
2000 65.5 -
1999 64.7 -
1998 67.1 -
1997 67.7 -
1996 66.7 -
1995 64.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, 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

Jamaica Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
70.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
23.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$537M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$6,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$4.14M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$16.4K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
29.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.