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Economy of Kiribati vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 192/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Kiribati vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Kiribati
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Nicaragua
2024 $307,862,564 $19,693,982,968
2023 $288,610,748 $17,805,842,284
2022 $270,040,453 $15,634,572,502
2021 $285,259,881 $14,209,020,362
2020 $220,898,020 $12,726,422,432
2019 $216,985,388 $12,699,023,614
2018 $233,514,717 $13,025,221,974
2017 $222,875,736 $13,785,893,007
2016 $206,467,819 $13,286,093,388
2015 $191,559,399 $12,756,696,261
2014 $200,287,282 $11,880,438,824
2013 $201,730,861 $10,982,988,249
2012 $207,001,546 $10,532,017,232
2011 $195,970,140 $9,774,329,333
2010 $165,458,433 $8,758,602,233
2009 $140,177,384 $8,298,702,489
2008 $147,017,895 $8,496,967,597
2007 $138,054,946 $7,423,375,015
2006 $112,338,353 $6,763,672,381
2005 $113,895,437 $6,321,324,279
2004 $104,085,892 $5,792,932,838
2003 $96,105,619 $5,322,228,351
2002 $74,743,869 $5,223,727,303
2001 $64,935,850 $5,351,752,034
2000 $74,910,527 $5,109,587,050
1999 $77,323,978 $4,856,026,259
1998 $74,905,706 $4,635,347,386
1997 $80,205,807 $4,389,973,490
1996 $81,456,854 $4,308,351,903
1995 $68,596,395 $4,140,470,000
1994 $67,055,334 $3,863,185,119
1993 $58,953,596 $1,756,454,248
1992 $61,491,369 $1,792,800,000
1991 $41,247,792 $1,488,804,124
1990 $36,534,295 $1,009,455,484
1989 $37,645,319 $1,013,184,756
1988 $38,278,810 $2,630,900,096
1987 $29,554,413 $3,851,200,118
1986 $25,993,009 $2,885,799,994
1985 $26,126,615 $2,683,699,935
1984 $34,394,167 $3,117,599,872
1983 $31,000,546 $2,753,100,058
1982 $32,742,713 $2,454,499,872
1981 $35,267,489 $2,474,700,227
1980 $33,157,723 $2,144,300,006
1979 $34,466,197 $1,567,599,982
1978 $36,563,965 $2,127,699,979
1977 $31,335,459 $2,226,999,874
1976 $33,246,817 $1,836,899,999
1975 $44,547,454 $1,581,599,959
1974 $69,256,489 $1,521,400,012
1973 $25,645,040 $1,092,900,015
1972 $15,314,346 $878,570,045
1971 $12,356,134 $828,569,953
1970 $11,560,877 $778,569,939
1969 - $750,000,003
1968 - $692,859,985
1967 - $657,140,011
1966 - $607,140,010
1965 - $564,290,020
1964 - $347,119,918
1963 - $297,324,163
1962 - $269,283,804
1961 - $244,144,237
1960 - $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Nicaragua by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $810 $1,605 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $719 $1,591 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $845 $1,638 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $887 $1,526 $980 $2,672
1998 $874 $1,593 $949 $2,497
1997 $953 $1,535 $913 $2,418
1996 $986 $1,519 $911 $2,325
1995 $844 $1,518 $892 $2,187
1994 $838 $1,469 $849 $2,064
1993 $748 $1,431 $394 $1,998
1992 $792 $1,421 $411 $2,003
1991 $540 $1,139 $350 $1,995
1990 $488 $1,192 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $515 - $249.2 -
1988 $536 - $662 -
1987 $424 - $992 -
1986 $382 - $761 -
1985 $393 - $724 -
1984 $527 - $861 -
1983 $483 - $780 -
1982 $519 - $714 -
1981 $568 - $740 -
1980 $542 - $659 -
1979 $573 - $495 -
1978 $611 - $691 -
1977 $520 - $744 -
1976 $548 - $633 -
1975 $730 - $561 -
1974 $1,131 - $557 -
1973 $422 - $413 -
1972 $256.2 - $341 -
1971 $210.7 - $331 -
1970 $201 - $321 -
1969 - - $319 -
1968 - - $304 -
1967 - - $297.9 -
1966 - - $284 -
1965 - - $272.3 -
1964 - - $172.7 -
1963 - - $152.5 -
1962 - - $142.3 -
1961 - - $132.9 -
1960 - - $127.5 -

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

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$2,318
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
5.2%
2018
Population
139020
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 26% 42.3%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 84% 17.3% 30% 48.4%
2020 102.2% 21% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 108.3% 19% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 108.8% 19% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 99% 21.2% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 78% 8.86% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 21.9% 26%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 20.8% 84%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 101.3% 17% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 66% 12.7% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 68.4% 11% 18% -
1995 69.6% 12.3% 17.7% -
1994 54.6% 12.3% 18.4% -
1993 55.3% 10.9% 18.4% -
1992 65.9% 7.31% 18.4% -
1991 82.1% 8.43% 16.8% -
1990 105.5% 7.72% 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 180/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Nicaragua
2024 -22% 2.48%
2023 0.13% 2.31%
2022 -18.3% 0.65%
2021 -10.8% -1.26%
2020 3.57% -2.57%
2019 10.8% -1.12%
2018 5.18% -4.35%
2017 34.1% -1.75%
2016 20.1% -1.92%
2015 42.5% -1.64%
2014 35% -0.89%
2013 11.8% -0.3%
2012 -5.43% 0.22%
2011 -17.6% 0.59%
2010 -7.8% 0.69%
2009 -8.56% -0.9%
2008 -15.8% 0.27%
2007 -12.5% 1.88%
2006 -12.3% 1.36%
2005 -9.96% 1.72%
2004 -19.2% 1.69%
2003 -8.93% 1.3%
2002 3.13% 2.07%
2001 -10.9% 0.34%
2000 -0.03% 2.15%
1999 -1.81% -6.86%
1998 14.6% -2.88%
1997 5.92% -3.31%
1996 -20.2% -5%
1995 -5.14% -4.62%
1994 0.74% -5.79%
1993 6.27% -4.66%
1992 0.79% -3.8%
1991 3.87% -3.45%
1990 -4.62% -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.5% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Nicaragua
2024 2.5% 4.6%
2023 9.3% 8.4%
2022 5.3% 10.5%
2021 2.1% 4.9%
2020 2.6% 3.7%
2019 -1.8% 5.4%
2018 0.6% 4.9%
2017 0.4% 3.9%
2016 1.9% 3.5%
2015 0.6% 4%
2014 2.1% 6%
2013 -1.5% 7.1%
2012 -3% 7.2%
2011 1.5% 8.1%
2010 -3.9% 5.5%
2009 9.8% 3.7%
2008 13.7% 19.8%
2007 3.6% 11.1%
2006 -1% 9.1%
2005 -0.4% 9.6%
2004 -0.7% 8.5%
2003 1.6% 5.3%
2002 3.2% 3.8%
2001 6% 7.4%
2000 0.4% 11.5%
1999 1.8% 11.2%
1998 3.7% 13%
1997 2.6% 9.2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Nicaragua
Economic freedom 50.8 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 139/197
Property rights 69.6 23.8
Government integrity 50.5 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 8.8
Tax burden 72.6 74.5
Government spending 0 77.7
Fiscal health 19.8 96.9
Business freedom 60.2 54.4
Labor freedom 65.3 47.3
Monetary freedom 76.7 69.4
Trade freedom 80 67
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Nicaragua
2026 50.8 53.6
2025 50.9 54
2024 51.3 53.4
2023 58.8 54.9
2022 59.2 54.8
2021 44.4 56.3
2020 45.2 57.2
2019 47.3 57.7
2018 50.8 58.9
2017 50.9 59.2
2016 46.2 58.6
2015 46.4 57.6
2014 46.3 58.4
2013 45.9 56.6
2012 46.9 57.9
2011 44.8 58.8
2010 43.7 58.3
2009 45.7 59.8
2008 - 60.8
2007 - 62.7
2006 - 63.8
2005 - 62.5
2004 - 61.4
2003 - 62.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 58
2000 - 56.9
1999 - 54
1998 - 53.8
1997 - 53.3
1996 - 54.1
1995 - 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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 (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.