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Economy of Kiribati vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 192/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Kiribati vs Qatar GDP by year

Kiribati
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Qatar
2024 $307,862,564 $219,162,637,363
2023 $288,610,748 $217,308,516,484
2022 $270,040,453 $235,709,340,659
2021 $285,259,881 $179,732,142,857
2020 $220,898,020 $144,411,538,462
2019 $216,985,388 $176,371,428,571
2018 $233,514,717 $183,335,164,835
2017 $222,875,736 $161,099,175,824
2016 $206,467,819 $151,732,142,857
2015 $191,559,399 $161,739,835,165
2014 $200,287,282 $206,224,725,275
2013 $201,730,861 $198,727,747,253
2012 $207,001,546 $186,833,516,484
2011 $195,970,140 $167,775,274,725
2010 $165,458,433 $123,627,197,802
2009 $140,177,384 $97,798,351,648
2008 $147,017,895 $115,270,054,945
2007 $138,054,946 $79,712,087,912
2006 $112,338,353 $60,882,142,857
2005 $113,895,437 $44,530,494,505
2004 $104,085,892 $31,734,065,934
2003 $96,105,619 $23,533,791,209
2002 $74,743,869 $19,363,736,264
2001 $64,935,850 $17,538,461,538
2000 $74,910,527 $17,759,890,110
1999 $77,323,978 $12,393,131,868
1998 $74,905,706 $10,255,495,027
1997 $80,205,807 $11,297,802,115
1996 $81,456,854 $9,059,340,385
1995 $68,596,395 $8,137,911,978
1994 $67,055,334 $7,374,450,769
1993 $58,953,596 $7,156,593,654
1992 $61,491,369 $7,646,153,984
1991 $41,247,792 $6,883,516,484
1990 $36,534,295 $7,360,439,423
1989 $37,645,319 $6,487,912,088
1988 $38,278,810 $6,038,187,033
1987 $29,554,413 $5,446,428,681
1986 $25,993,009 $5,053,021,951
1985 $26,126,615 $6,153,296,456
1984 $34,394,167 $6,704,395,824
1983 $31,000,546 $6,467,582,308
1982 $32,742,713 $7,596,703,214
1981 $35,267,489 $8,661,263,764
1980 $33,157,723 $7,829,165,262
1979 $34,466,197 $5,632,962,997
1978 $36,563,965 $4,052,000,413
1977 $31,335,459 $3,617,564,638
1976 $33,246,817 $3,284,273,987
1975 $44,547,454 $2,512,773,166
1974 $69,256,489 $2,401,403,227
1973 $25,645,040 $793,885,560
1972 $15,314,346 $510,262,500
1971 $12,356,134 $387,703,106
1970 $11,560,877 $301,791,302

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Qatar by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $810 $1,605 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $719 $1,591 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $845 $1,638 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $887 $1,526 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $874 $1,593 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $953 $1,535 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $986 $1,519 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $844 $1,518 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $838 $1,469 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $748 $1,431 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $792 $1,421 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $540 $1,139 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $488 $1,192 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $515 - $15,243 -
1988 $536 - $14,682 -
1987 $424 - $13,719 -
1986 $382 - $13,213 -
1985 $393 - $16,815 -
1984 $527 - $19,272 -
1983 $483 - $19,616 -
1982 $519 - $24,385 -
1981 $568 - $29,505 -
1980 $542 - $28,375 -
1979 $573 - $21,777 -
1978 $611 - $16,757 -
1977 $520 - $16,058 -
1976 $548 - $15,710 -
1975 $730 - $13,014 -
1974 $1,131 - $13,540 -
1973 $422 - $4,905 -
1972 $256.2 - $3,483 -
1971 $210.7 - $2,952 -
1970 $201 - $2,594 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Qatar
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
0.13%
2022
Population
139020
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 26% 41.2%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 84% 17.3% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 102.2% 21% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 108.3% 19% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 108.8% 19% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 99% 21.2% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 78% 8.86% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 31% 32.1%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 32% 30.4%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 36.4% 36%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 29% 19.1%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 101.3% 17% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 66% 12.7% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 68.4% 11% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 50% 12.6%

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

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 180/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Qatar
2024 -22% 0.69%
2023 0.13% 5.56%
2022 -18.3% 10.4%
2021 -10.8% 0.24%
2020 3.57% -2.13%
2019 10.8% 1%
2018 5.18% 2.26%
2017 34.1% -6.82%
2016 20.1% -9.2%
2015 42.5% 18.4%
2014 35% 13.4%
2013 11.8% 19.3%
2012 -5.43% 8.55%
2011 -17.6% 5.24%
2010 -7.8% 4.6%
2009 -8.56% 14.1%
2008 -15.8% 9.49%
2007 -12.5% 10.3%
2006 -12.3% 8.39%
2005 -9.96% 9.8%
2004 -19.2% 17.7%
2003 -8.93% 6.71%
2002 3.13% 7.89%
2001 -10.9% 4.48%
2000 -0.03% 4.62%
1999 -1.81% -4.35%
1998 14.6% -7%
1997 5.92% -9.4%
1996 -20.2% -8.73%
1995 -5.14% -5.78%
1994 0.74% -11.8%
1993 6.27% -9.53%
1992 0.79% -2.74%
1991 3.87% -2.57%
1990 -4.62% 3.23%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Qatar
2024 2.5% 1.27%
2023 9.3% 3.03%
2022 5.3% 5%
2021 2.1% 2.3%
2020 2.6% -2.54%
2019 -1.8% -0.67%
2018 0.6% 0.26%
2017 0.4% 0.39%
2016 1.9% 2.68%
2015 0.6% 1.81%
2014 2.1% 3.35%
2013 -1.5% 3.22%
2012 -3% 2.32%
2011 1.5% 1.14%
2010 -3.9% -2.43%
2009 9.8% -4.86%
2008 13.7% 15.1%
2007 3.6% 13.8%
2006 -1% 11.8%
2005 -0.4% 8.81%
2004 -0.7% 6.8%
2003 1.6% 2.26%
2002 3.2% 0.24%
2001 6% 1.47%
2000 0.4% 1.65%
1999 1.8% 2.18%
1998 3.7% 2.95%
1997 2.6% 4.83%

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/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 1.27% in Qatar.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Qatar
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Qatar
Economic freedom 50.8 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 37/197
Property rights 69.6 66.2
Government integrity 50.5 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 41.5
Tax burden 72.6 99.9
Government spending 0 79.9
Fiscal health 19.8 96.6
Business freedom 60.2 68
Labor freedom 65.3 58.5
Monetary freedom 76.7 76
Trade freedom 80 81.8
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Qatar
2026 50.8 70.2
2025 50.9 70.2
2024 51.3 68.8
2023 58.8 68.6
2022 59.2 67.7
2021 44.4 72
2020 45.2 72.3
2019 47.3 72.6
2018 50.8 72.6
2017 50.9 73.1
2016 46.2 70.7
2015 46.4 70.8
2014 46.3 71.2
2013 45.9 71.3
2012 46.9 71.3
2011 44.8 70.5
2010 43.7 69
2009 45.7 65.8
2008 - 62.2
2007 - 62.9
2006 - 62.4
2005 - 63.5
2004 - 66.5
2003 - 65.9
2002 - 61.9
2001 - 60
2000 - 62
1999 - 62

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Qatar
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$1.56B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, 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.

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.