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Economy of Kiribati vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $42.9B for Nepal, ranking 192/197 and 101/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $20.7B (48.3% of GDP) in Nepal.

Kiribati vs Nepal GDP by year

Kiribati
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Nepal
2024 $307,862,564 $42,914,268,287
2023 $288,610,748 $41,047,772,331
2022 $270,040,453 $41,182,939,601
2021 $285,259,881 $36,924,841,394
2020 $220,898,020 $33,433,659,301
2019 $216,985,388 $34,186,180,699
2018 $233,514,717 $33,111,525,237
2017 $222,875,736 $28,971,588,940
2016 $206,467,819 $24,524,109,484
2015 $191,559,399 $24,360,801,287
2014 $200,287,282 $22,731,612,922
2013 $201,730,861 $22,162,204,925
2012 $207,001,546 $21,703,100,877
2011 $195,970,140 $21,573,872,421
2010 $165,458,433 $16,002,656,434
2009 $140,177,384 $12,854,985,464
2008 $147,017,895 $12,545,438,605
2007 $138,054,946 $10,325,618,017
2006 $112,338,353 $9,043,715,356
2005 $113,895,437 $8,130,258,378
2004 $104,085,892 $7,273,938,315
2003 $96,105,619 $6,330,473,097
2002 $74,743,869 $6,050,875,807
2001 $64,935,850 $6,007,055,042
2000 $74,910,527 $5,494,252,208
1999 $77,323,978 $5,033,642,384
1998 $74,905,706 $4,856,255,044
1997 $80,205,807 $4,918,691,917
1996 $81,456,854 $4,521,580,381
1995 $68,596,395 $4,401,104,418
1994 $67,055,334 $4,066,775,510
1993 $58,953,596 $3,660,041,667
1992 $61,491,369 $3,401,211,581
1991 $41,247,792 $3,921,476,085
1990 $36,534,295 $3,627,560,239
1989 $37,645,319 $3,525,225,787
1988 $38,278,810 $3,487,009,748
1987 $29,554,413 $2,957,255,380
1986 $25,993,009 $2,850,782,044
1985 $26,126,615 $2,619,913,956
1984 $34,394,167 $2,581,207,388
1983 $31,000,546 $2,447,174,803
1982 $32,742,713 $2,395,423,742
1981 $35,267,489 $2,275,583,317
1980 $33,157,723 $1,945,916,583
1979 $34,466,197 $1,851,250,008
1978 $36,563,965 $1,604,162,497
1977 $31,335,459 $1,382,400,000
1976 $33,246,817 $1,452,788,985
1975 $44,547,454 $1,575,789,254
1974 $69,256,489 $1,217,953,547
1973 $25,645,040 $972,101,725
1972 $15,314,346 $1,024,098,400
1971 $12,356,134 $882,765,472
1970 $11,560,877 $865,975,309
1969 - $788,641,965
1968 - $772,231,387
1967 - $841,974,025
1966 - $906,811,944
1965 - $735,267,082
1964 - $496,098,775
1963 - $496,947,904
1962 - $574,091,101
1961 - $531,959,562
1960 - $508,334,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Nepal by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $1,447 $5,737
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $877 $2,976
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $876 $2,957
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $821 $2,901
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $803 $2,658
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $788 $2,466
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $786 $2,248
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $585 $2,139
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $473 $2,029
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $465 $1,942
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $385 $1,809
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $340 $1,718
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $309 $1,628
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $810 $1,605 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $719 $1,591 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $845 $1,638 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $887 $1,526 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $874 $1,593 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $953 $1,535 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $986 $1,519 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $844 $1,518 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $838 $1,469 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $748 $1,431 $172.8 $952
1992 $792 $1,421 $165 $920
1991 $540 $1,139 $195.7 $889
1990 $488 $1,192 $185.8 $830
1989 $515 - $185 -
1988 $536 - $187.1 -
1987 $424 - $162 -
1986 $382 - $159.5 -
1985 $393 - $149.9 -
1984 $527 - $151.1 -
1983 $483 - $146.6 -
1982 $519 - $147 -
1981 $568 - $142.9 -
1980 $542 - $125.1 -
1979 $573 - $121.9 -
1978 $611 - $108.1 -
1977 $520 - $95.3 -
1976 $548 - $102.5 -
1975 $730 - $113.6 -
1974 $1,131 - $89.8 -
1973 $422 - $73.2 -
1972 $256.2 - $78.8 -
1971 $210.7 - $69.5 -
1970 $201 - $69.6 -
1969 - - $64.8 -
1968 - - $64.9 -
1967 - - $72.3 -
1966 - - $79.5 -
1965 - - $65.8 -
1964 - - $45.3 -
1963 - - $46.3 -
1962 - - $54.6 -
1961 - - $51.6 -
1960 - - $50.2 -

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

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $1,447 in Nepal, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Nepal
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$42.9B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
101/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
3.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$1,447
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$20.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
48.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$700
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
154/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$2,170
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
22.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
4.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
10.7%
2017
Population
139020
29596762

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 22.1% 48.3%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 25.1% 47%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 84% 17.3% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 102.2% 21% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 108.3% 19% 27.1% 34%
2018 108.8% 19% 28% 31.1%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 23.6% 25%
2016 99% 21.2% 19% 25%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 78% 8.86% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 17% 39.5%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 12% 45.1%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 12% 53%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 13% 51.8%
2001 101.3% 17% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 66% 12.7% 11.4% 50.8%
1999 77.6% 11.8% - -
1998 74.7% 9.81% - -
1997 70.9% 10.7% - -
1996 68.4% 11% - -
1995 69.6% 12.3% - -
1994 54.6% 12.3% - -
1993 55.3% 10.9% - -
1992 65.9% 7.31% - -
1991 82.1% 8.43% - -
1990 105.5% 7.72% - -

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

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.5B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 48.3% in Nepal, ranking 180/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Nepal
2024 -22% -2.76%
2023 0.13% -5.81%
2022 -18.3% -3.12%
2021 -10.8% -3.98%
2020 3.57% -7.47%
2019 10.8% -4.27%
2018 5.18% -5.83%
2017 34.1% -2.69%
2016 20.1% 1.2%
2015 42.5% 0.46%
2014 35% 1.36%
2013 11.8% 1.57%
2012 -5.43% -1.18%
2011 -17.6% -0.72%
2010 -7.8% -0.67%
2009 -8.56% -2.24%
2008 -15.8% -0.29%
2007 -12.5% -0.67%
2006 -12.3% 0.24%
2005 -9.96% 0.24%
2004 -19.2% -0.14%
2003 -8.93% -0.34%
2002 3.13% -2.46%
2001 -10.9% -2.35%
2000 -0.03% -1.48%
1999 -1.81% -
1998 14.6% -
1997 5.92% -
1996 -20.2% -
1995 -5.14% -
1994 0.74% -
1993 6.27% -
1992 0.79% -
1991 3.87% -
1990 -4.62% -

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

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $67.7M, equivalent to 22% of GDP. This compares to Nepal's deficit of $1.19B, or 2.76% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.74% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Nepal
2024 2.5% 4.69%
2023 9.3% 7.12%
2022 5.3% 7.67%
2021 2.1% 4.13%
2020 2.6% 5.06%
2019 -1.8% 5.57%
2018 0.6% 4.41%
2017 0.4% 2.78%
2016 1.9% 8.79%
2015 0.6% 7.87%
2014 2.1% 8.36%
2013 -1.5% 9.04%
2012 -3% 9.46%
2011 1.5% 9.23%
2010 -3.9% 9.33%
2009 9.8% 11.1%
2008 13.7% 9.91%
2007 3.6% 2.27%
2006 -1% 6.92%
2005 -0.4% 6.84%
2004 -0.7% 2.84%
2003 1.6% 5.71%
2002 3.2% 3.03%
2001 6% 2.69%
2000 0.4% 2.48%
1999 1.8% 7.45%
1998 3.7% 11.2%
1997 2.6% 4.01%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.43% in Nepal. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 4.69% in Nepal.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Nepal
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
50/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
7.62%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Nepal
Economic freedom 50.8 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 144/197
Property rights 69.6 38.8
Government integrity 50.5 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 42.9
Tax burden 72.6 84.3
Government spending 0 82.1
Fiscal health 19.8 71
Business freedom 60.2 60.8
Labor freedom 65.3 48.2
Monetary freedom 76.7 69.4
Trade freedom 80 58.6
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Nepal
2026 50.8 52.9
2025 50.9 52.5
2024 51.3 52.1
2023 58.8 51.4
2022 59.2 49.7
2021 44.4 50.7
2020 45.2 54.2
2019 47.3 53.8
2018 50.8 54.1
2017 50.9 55.1
2016 46.2 50.9
2015 46.4 51.3
2014 46.3 50.1
2013 45.9 50.4
2012 46.9 50.2
2011 44.8 50.1
2010 43.7 52.7
2009 45.7 53.2
2008 - 54.1
2007 - 54.4
2006 - 53.7
2005 - 51.4
2004 - 51.2
2003 - 51.5
2002 - 52.3
2001 - 51.6
2000 - 51.3
1999 - 53.1
1998 - 53.5
1997 - 53.6
1996 - 50.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Nepal
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
55.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
11.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
21.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$5,830
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$12.5B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
74/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
30.4%
2024

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/kiribati/nepal | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.