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

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 192/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Kiribati vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Papua New Guinea
2024 $307,862,564 $31,800,428,266
2023 $288,610,748 $30,816,367,067
2022 $270,040,453 $31,653,185,953
2021 $285,259,881 $26,109,413,521
2020 $220,898,020 $23,848,447,850
2019 $216,985,388 $24,750,626,030
2018 $233,514,717 $24,109,780,708
2017 $222,875,736 $22,742,699,138
2016 $206,467,819 $20,758,876,953
2015 $191,559,399 $21,723,437,010
2014 $200,287,282 $23,210,823,987
2013 $201,730,861 $21,261,338,065
2012 $207,001,546 $21,295,168,666
2011 $195,970,140 $17,985,138,066
2010 $165,458,433 $14,250,786,675
2009 $140,177,384 $11,619,456,449
2008 $147,017,895 $11,670,892,801
2007 $138,054,946 $9,545,028,944
2006 $112,338,353 $8,354,911,041
2005 $113,895,437 $4,865,892,972
2004 $104,085,892 $3,927,157,867
2003 $96,105,619 $3,536,411,824
2002 $74,743,869 $2,999,511,040
2001 $64,935,850 $3,081,024,212
2000 $74,910,527 $3,521,339,699
1999 $77,323,978 $3,477,038,204
1998 $74,905,706 $3,789,443,015
1997 $80,205,807 $4,936,615,299
1996 $81,456,854 $5,155,311,077
1995 $68,596,395 $4,636,057,476
1994 $67,055,334 $5,502,786,070
1993 $58,953,596 $4,974,550,286
1992 $61,491,369 $4,377,980,510
1991 $41,247,792 $3,787,394,958
1990 $36,534,295 $3,219,729,083
1989 $37,645,319 $3,546,472,566
1988 $38,278,810 $3,656,177,881
1987 $29,554,413 $3,143,851,794
1986 $25,993,009 $2,647,995,602
1985 $26,126,615 $2,423,339,172
1984 $34,394,167 $2,552,662,617
1983 $31,000,546 $2,562,351,551
1982 $32,742,713 $2,368,719,683
1981 $35,267,489 $2,498,190,847
1980 $33,157,723 $2,545,808,456
1979 $34,466,197 $2,293,760,511
1978 $36,563,965 $1,947,878,831
1977 $31,335,459 $1,640,746,619
1976 $33,246,817 $1,511,843,235
1975 $44,547,454 $1,356,603,608
1974 $69,256,489 $1,467,417,672
1973 $25,645,040 $1,299,079,410
1972 $15,314,346 $858,761,926
1971 $12,356,134 $717,750,278
1970 $11,560,877 $645,568,215
1969 - $551,263,864
1968 - $485,184,190
1967 - $441,728,183
1966 - $390,992,063
1965 - $344,176,055
1964 - $305,312,049
1963 - $275,968,044
1962 - $261,184,042
1961 - $244,832,039
1960 - $230,496,037

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

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Papua New Guinea by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $744 $2,322
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $621 $2,187
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $577 $2,142
2002 $810 $1,605 $506 $2,125
2001 $719 $1,591 $538 $2,168
2000 $845 $1,638 $636 $2,196
1999 $887 $1,526 $650 $2,280
1998 $874 $1,593 $733 $2,285
1997 $953 $1,535 $990 $2,432
1996 $986 $1,519 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $844 $1,518 $998 $2,436
1994 $838 $1,469 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $748 $1,431 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $792 $1,421 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $540 $1,139 $942 $1,869
1990 $488 $1,192 $826 $1,703
1989 $515 - $934 -
1988 $536 - $985 -
1987 $424 - $865 -
1986 $382 - $745 -
1985 $393 - $697 -
1984 $527 - $750 -
1983 $483 - $769 -
1982 $519 - $726 -
1981 $568 - $781 -
1980 $542 - $813 -
1979 $573 - $748 -
1978 $611 - $648 -
1977 $520 - $558 -
1976 $548 - $525 -
1975 $730 - $482 -
1974 $1,131 - $533 -
1973 $422 - $483 -
1972 $256.2 - $327 -
1971 $210.7 - $279.7 -
1970 $201 - $257.6 -
1969 - - $225.3 -
1968 - - $202.9 -
1967 - - $189 -
1966 - - $171.1 -
1965 - - $153.9 -
1964 - - $139.5 -
1963 - - $128.9 -
1962 - - $124.7 -
1961 - - $119.7 -
1960 - - $115.5 -

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

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
2.69%
2022
Population
139020
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 84% 17.3% 22% 52.6%
2020 102.2% 21% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 108.3% 19% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 108.8% 19% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 99% 21.2% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 78% 8.86% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 18% 22.2%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 19.4% 26%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 101.3% 17% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 66% 12.7% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 20% 45.7%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 68.4% 11% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 23.5% 30%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 22.4% -
1990 105.5% 7.72% 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/kiribati/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 180/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Papua New Guinea
2024 -22% -3.23%
2023 0.13% -4.34%
2022 -18.3% -5.25%
2021 -10.8% -6.84%
2020 3.57% -8.85%
2019 10.8% -4.98%
2018 5.18% -2.58%
2017 34.1% -2.47%
2016 20.1% -4.75%
2015 42.5% -4.55%
2014 35% -6.27%
2013 11.8% -6.87%
2012 -5.43% -1.19%
2011 -17.6% 2.22%
2010 -7.8% 3.06%
2009 -8.56% -5.48%
2008 -15.8% 2.73%
2007 -12.5% 6.9%
2006 -12.3% 5.34%
2005 -9.96% 2.85%
2004 -19.2% 2.03%
2003 -8.93% 0.19%
2002 3.13% -1.75%
2001 -10.9% -1.33%
2000 -0.03% 0.3%
1999 -1.81% -1.94%
1998 14.6% -0.16%
1997 5.92% 0.67%
1996 -20.2% 2.05%
1995 -5.14% 1.08%
1994 0.74% -1.01%
1993 6.27% -4.9%
1992 0.79% -4.33%
1991 3.87% -0.62%
1990 -4.62% -2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Papua New Guinea
2024 2.5% 0.6%
2023 9.3% 2.3%
2022 5.3% 5.25%
2021 2.1% 4.48%
2020 2.6% 4.87%
2019 -1.8% 3.93%
2018 0.6% 4.37%
2017 0.4% 5.42%
2016 1.9% 6.67%
2015 0.6% 6%
2014 2.1% 5.22%
2013 -1.5% 4.96%
2012 -3% 4.54%
2011 1.5% 4.44%
2010 -3.9% 6.01%
2009 9.8% 6.92%
2008 13.7% 10.8%
2007 3.6% 0.91%
2006 -1% 2.37%
2005 -0.4% 1.78%
2004 -0.7% 2.16%
2003 1.6% 14.7%
2002 3.2% 11.8%
2001 6% 9.3%
2000 0.4% 15.6%
1999 1.8% 14.9%
1998 3.7% 13.6%
1997 2.6% 3.96%

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Kiribati
Export category Export value
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $230K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $95K
Weapons & explosives $11K

Balance of trade

Kiribati Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 50.8 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 134/197
Property rights 69.6 45
Government integrity 50.5 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 41.1
Tax burden 72.6 70.9
Government spending 0 86.1
Fiscal health 19.8 65.3
Business freedom 60.2 34.2
Labor freedom 65.3 65.1
Monetary freedom 76.7 77.4
Trade freedom 80 80.2
Investment freedom 30 25
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Papua New Guinea
2026 50.8 54.3
2025 50.9 52.5
2024 51.3 49.4
2023 58.8 51.7
2022 59.2 54.6
2021 44.4 58.9
2020 45.2 58.4
2019 47.3 58.4
2018 50.8 55.7
2017 50.9 50.9
2016 46.2 53.2
2015 46.4 53.1
2014 46.3 53.9
2013 45.9 53.6
2012 46.9 53.8
2011 44.8 52.6
2010 43.7 53.5
2009 45.7 54.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 57.2
2000 - 55.8
1999 - 56.3
1998 - 55.2
1997 - 56.7
1996 - 58.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, 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

Kiribati Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
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/kiribati/papua-new-guinea | 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. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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)

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.