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Economy of Kiribati vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kiribati has a GDP of $349M compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 192/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $27.8M in government debt (7.95% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Kiribati vs Norway GDP by year

Kiribati
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Norway
2025 $349,227,254 $530,755,719,439
2024 $343,153,235 $500,886,328,034
2023 $291,657,338 $502,197,633,323
2022 $271,214,375 $617,321,834,099
2021 $285,451,584 $521,592,200,233
2020 $220,909,307 $382,252,517,922
2019 $216,891,541 $424,244,886,364
2018 $233,859,230 $454,588,871,811
2017 $223,029,865 $415,673,181,543
2016 $206,467,819 $383,284,047,619
2015 $191,559,399 $400,669,174,331
2014 $200,287,282 $515,829,568,897
2013 $201,730,861 $540,132,255,319
2012 $207,001,546 $525,082,939,407
2011 $195,970,140 $512,868,581,628
2010 $165,458,433 $440,132,138,425
2009 $140,177,384 $395,664,488,017
2008 $147,017,895 $472,060,283,688
2007 $138,054,946 $407,813,774,161
2006 $112,338,353 $349,773,283,645
2005 $113,895,437 $311,417,306,946
2004 $104,085,892 $265,662,977,688
2003 $96,105,619 $229,192,678,173
2002 $74,743,869 $195,359,978,957
2001 $64,935,850 $173,590,978,347
2000 $74,910,527 $170,620,327,660
1999 $77,323,978 $161,304,620,987
1998 $74,905,706 $152,955,958,172
1997 $80,205,807 $160,013,571,974
1996 $81,456,854 $162,427,517,132
1995 $68,596,395 $151,083,627,983
1994 $67,055,334 $126,324,387,894
1993 $58,953,596 $119,841,699,440
1992 $61,491,369 $129,998,873,602
1991 $41,247,792 $121,149,331,318
1990 $36,534,295 $119,344,377,526
1989 $37,645,319 $102,226,808,603
1988 $38,278,810 $101,497,621,605
1987 $29,554,413 $93,913,320,965
1986 $25,993,009 $78,438,205,742
1985 $26,126,615 $65,211,464,198
1984 $34,394,167 $61,866,078,539
1983 $31,000,546 $61,417,685,434
1982 $32,742,713 $62,453,362,256
1981 $35,267,489 $63,392,804,251
1980 $33,157,723 $64,176,789,764
1979 $34,466,197 $52,935,763,512
1978 $36,563,965 $46,355,988,784
1977 $31,335,459 $41,362,637,363
1976 $33,246,817 $35,815,449,464
1975 $44,547,454 $32,742,543,381
1974 $69,256,489 $27,033,413,362
1973 $25,645,040 $22,433,660,550
1972 $15,314,346 $17,283,931,878
1971 $12,356,134 $14,523,306,736
1970 $11,560,877 $12,753,503,479
1969 - $11,083,505,596
1968 - $10,178,705,992
1967 - $9,532,076,026
1966 - $8,712,528,095
1965 - $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

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

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Norway by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,559 - $94,594 -
2024 $2,551 $3,702 $89,889 $102,038
2023 $2,201 $3,486 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $2,079 $3,329 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $2,224 $3,020 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $1,750 $2,763 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $1,916 $2,672 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $1,854 $2,562 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $810 $1,605 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $719 $1,591 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $845 $1,638 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $887 $1,526 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $874 $1,593 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $953 $1,535 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $986 $1,519 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $844 $1,518 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $838 $1,469 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $748 $1,431 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $792 $1,421 $30,328 $20,623
1991 $540 $1,139 $28,427 $19,580
1990 $488 $1,192 $28,137 $18,461
1989 $515 - $24,185 -
1988 $536 - $24,112 -
1987 $424 - $22,430 -
1986 $382 - $18,822 -
1985 $393 - $15,704 -
1984 $527 - $14,943 -
1983 $483 - $14,877 -
1982 $519 - $15,178 -
1981 $568 - $15,463 -
1980 $542 - $15,708 -
1979 $573 - $12,998 -
1978 $611 - $11,421 -
1977 $520 - $10,230 -
1976 $548 - $8,896 -
1975 $730 - $8,171 -
1974 $1,131 - $6,783 -
1973 $422 - $5,664 -
1972 $256.2 - $4,395 -
1971 $210.7 - $3,721 -
1970 $201 - $3,291 -
1969 - - $2,881 -
1968 - - $2,667 -
1967 - - $2,519 -
1966 - - $2,321 -
1965 - - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

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

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,559, ranking 152/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Norway
Gross domestic product
$349M
2025
$531B
2025
GDP rank
192/197
2025
32/197
2025
GDP growth
4.22%
2024-2025
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,559
2025
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2025
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
7/197
2024
Government debt
$27.8M
2025
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.95%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$203.4
2025
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2025
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,170
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10%
20.9%
2023
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4.4%
2023
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
88.2%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
6.5%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
4.5%
2025
Population
139471
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 88.2% 7.95% 49.6% 45%
2024 86.1% 8.9% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 94.4% 11.3% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 87.2% 16.2% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 84% 17.3% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 102.2% 21% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 108.3% 18.5% 48.4% 39%
2018 108.8% 19% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 99% 21.2% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 44% 28.8%
2013 78% 8.86% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 46.3% 34%
2001 101.3% 17% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 66% 12.7% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 46.7% 25.1%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 48.2% 23.8%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 45.9% 26%
1996 68.4% 11% 47.4% 28.6%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 49.6% 32.9%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 49.7% 51%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 50.5% 54%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 51.6% 45.3%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 50.3% 39.5%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 49.1% 29.1%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kiribati's government spending was $308M, accounting for 88.2% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.95% in Kiribati and 45% in Norway, ranking 182/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Norway
2025 -14.5% 9.34%
2024 -14.1% 12.8%
2023 1.81% 15.9%
2022 -18.2% 24.7%
2021 -10.8% 9.93%
2020 3.57% -2.46%
2019 10.8% 6.28%
2018 5.18% 7.56%
2017 34.1% 4.79%
2016 20.1% 3.91%
2015 42.5% 5.8%
2014 35% 8.34%
2013 11.8% 10.3%
2012 -5.43% 13.4%
2011 -17.6% 13%
2010 -7.8% 10.6%
2009 -8.56% 10%
2008 -15.8% 18.3%
2007 -12.5% 16.8%
2006 -12.3% 17.7%
2005 -9.96% 14.7%
2004 -19.2% 10.8%
2003 -8.93% 7.21%
2002 3.13% 9.05%
2001 -10.9% 13.2%
2000 -0.03% 15.1%
1999 -1.81% 5.75%
1998 14.6% 3.09%
1997 5.92% 7.41%
1996 -20.2% 6.05%
1995 -5.14% 2.98%
1994 0.74% 0.04%
1993 6.27% -1.65%
1992 0.79% -2.08%
1991 3.87% -0.12%
1990 -4.62% 1.96%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kiribati's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $50.6M, equivalent to 14.5% of GDP. This compares to Norway's surplus of $49.6B, or 9.34% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.62% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Norway
2025 6.5% 3.06%
2024 2.5% 3.15%
2023 9.3% 5.52%
2022 5.3% 5.76%
2021 2.1% 3.48%
2020 2.6% 1.29%
2019 -1.8% 2.17%
2018 0.6% 2.76%
2017 0.4% 1.88%
2016 1.9% 3.55%
2015 0.6% 2.17%
2014 2.1% 2.04%
2013 -1.5% 2.12%
2012 -3% 0.7%
2011 1.5% 1.28%
2010 -3.9% 2.42%
2009 9.8% 2.2%
2008 13.7% 3.75%
2007 3.6% 0.71%
2006 -1% 2.33%
2005 -0.4% 1.53%
2004 -0.7% 0.45%
2003 1.6% 2.49%
2002 3.2% 1.29%
2001 6% 3%
2000 0.4% 3.09%
1999 1.8% 2.37%
1998 3.7% 2.25%
1997 2.6% 2.57%

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/kiribati/norway | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.4%, compared with 2.46% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was 6.5% in Kiribati and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Kiribati
Export category Export value
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.54M
Raw materials & minerals $49K

Balance of trade

Kiribati Norway
Current account balance
-$61.3M
2025
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
77/190
2025
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-17.6%
2025
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$270M
2025
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$17.3M
2025
$177B
2025
Service imports
$110M
2025
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$8.63M
2025
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
97.6%
2024
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
4.52%
2024
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Norway
Economic freedom 50.8 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 9/197
Property rights 69.6 99.6
Government integrity 50.5 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 96.4
Tax burden 72.6 63.3
Government spending 0 42
Fiscal health 19.8 96.4
Business freedom 60.2 91.2
Labor freedom 65.3 69.3
Monetary freedom 76.7 72.4
Trade freedom 80 85.6
Investment freedom 30 75
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Norway
2026 50.8 78.8
2025 50.9 78.3
2024 51.3 77.5
2023 58.8 76.9
2022 59.2 76.9
2021 44.4 73.4
2020 45.2 73.4
2019 47.3 73
2018 50.8 74.3
2017 50.9 74
2016 46.2 70.8
2015 46.4 71.8
2014 46.3 70.9
2013 45.9 70.5
2012 46.9 68.8
2011 44.8 70.3
2010 43.7 69.4
2009 45.7 70.2
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 67.9
2005 - 64.5
2004 - 66.2
2003 - 67.2
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 67.1
2000 - 70.1
1999 - 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Norway
Services, % of GDP
70.3%
2024
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$537M
2025
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,080
2025
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.14M
2025
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$5.62B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
23.2%
2025

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/kiribati/norway | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.

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.