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Economy of Kiribati vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 192/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Kiribati vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Kiribati
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Saint Lucia
2024 $307,862,564 $2,549,062,963
2023 $288,610,748 $2,430,166,667
2022 $270,040,453 $2,342,714,815
2021 $285,259,881 $1,867,185,185
2020 $220,898,020 $1,499,274,074
2019 $216,985,388 $2,095,344,444
2018 $233,514,717 $2,060,955,556
2017 $222,875,736 $1,998,503,704
2016 $206,467,819 $1,868,544,444
2015 $191,559,399 $1,807,640,741
2014 $200,287,282 $1,749,185,185
2013 $201,730,861 $1,660,392,593
2012 $207,001,546 $1,598,207,407
2011 $195,970,140 $1,568,370,370
2010 $165,458,433 $1,482,385,185
2009 $140,177,384 $1,401,507,889
2008 $147,017,895 $1,437,731,111
2007 $138,054,946 $1,336,088,815
2006 $112,338,353 $1,268,319,185
2005 $113,895,437 $1,135,555,556
2004 $104,085,892 $1,066,666,667
2003 $96,105,619 $987,407,407
2002 $74,743,869 $900,000,000
2001 $64,935,850 $892,592,593
2000 $74,910,527 $932,592,593
1999 $77,323,978 $921,851,852
1998 $74,905,706 $877,407,407
1997 $80,205,807 $805,925,926
1996 $81,456,854 $788,888,889
1995 $68,596,395 $762,962,963
1994 $67,055,334 $713,703,704
1993 $58,953,596 $684,814,815
1992 $61,491,369 $674,074,074
1991 $41,247,792 $613,703,704
1990 $36,534,295 $579,629,630
1989 $37,645,319 $486,666,667
1988 $38,278,810 $429,629,630
1987 $29,554,413 $375,555,556
1986 $25,993,009 $340,000,000
1985 $26,126,615 $284,444,444
1984 $34,394,167 $251,481,481
1983 $31,000,546 $197,037,037
1982 $32,742,713 $183,333,333
1981 $35,267,489 $194,444,444
1980 $33,157,723 $170,370,370
1979 $34,466,197 -
1978 $36,563,965 -
1977 $31,335,459 -
1976 $33,246,817 -
1975 $44,547,454 -
1974 $69,256,489 -
1973 $25,645,040 -
1972 $15,314,346 -
1971 $12,356,134 -
1970 $11,560,877 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Saint Lucia by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $810 $1,605 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $719 $1,591 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $845 $1,638 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $887 $1,526 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $874 $1,593 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $953 $1,535 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $986 $1,519 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $844 $1,518 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $838 $1,469 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $748 $1,431 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $792 $1,421 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $540 $1,139 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $488 $1,192 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $515 - $3,565 -
1988 $536 - $3,182 -
1987 $424 - $2,819 -
1986 $382 - $2,591 -
1985 $393 - $2,202 -
1984 $527 - $1,979 -
1983 $483 - $1,576 -
1982 $519 - $1,489 -
1981 $568 - $1,605 -
1980 $542 - $1,428 -
1979 $573 - - -
1978 $611 - - -
1977 $520 - - -
1976 $548 - - -
1975 $730 - - -
1974 $1,131 - - -
1973 $422 - - -
1972 $256.2 - - -
1971 $210.7 - - -
1970 $201 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/saint-lucia | CC BY

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
10.1%
2024
Population
139020
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 23% 74.4%
2021 84% 17.3% 27.4% 87%
2020 102.2% 21% 34.9% 100%
2019 108.3% 19% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 108.8% 19% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 99% 21.2% 23% 61.3%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 78% 8.86% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 28% 60.8%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 27% 55.2%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 26% 53%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 24.5% 51%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 26% 51.9%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 101.3% 17% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 66% 12.7% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 68.4% 11% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 21.8% 22.9%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 18.4% 22.2%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 18.4% 19.8%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 180/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Saint Lucia
2024 -22% -2.13%
2023 0.13% -3.09%
2022 -18.3% -1.67%
2021 -10.8% -5.1%
2020 3.57% -12%
2019 10.8% -3.51%
2018 5.18% -1.03%
2017 34.1% -1.14%
2016 20.1% -0.79%
2015 42.5% -2.35%
2014 35% -3.08%
2013 11.8% -4.84%
2012 -5.43% -7.62%
2011 -17.6% -5.38%
2010 -7.8% -4.17%
2009 -8.56% -2.67%
2008 -15.8% -0.72%
2007 -12.5% -1.62%
2006 -12.3% -5.07%
2005 -9.96% -6.18%
2004 -19.2% -2.63%
2003 -8.93% -3.23%
2002 3.13% -3.1%
2001 -10.9% -3.08%
2000 -0.03% -1.16%
1999 -1.81% 1.62%
1998 14.6% 2.25%
1997 5.92% -1.13%
1996 -20.2% -0.58%
1995 -5.14% -0.13%
1994 0.74% -0.02%
1993 6.27% -0.26%
1992 0.79% -0.66%
1991 3.87% -0.43%
1990 -4.62% 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Saint Lucia
2024 2.5% -0.11%
2023 9.3% 4.07%
2022 5.3% 6.38%
2021 2.1% 2.41%
2020 2.6% -1.76%
2019 -1.8% 0.54%
2018 0.6% 1.94%
2017 0.4% 0.1%
2016 1.9% -3.08%
2015 0.6% -0.98%
2014 2.1% 3.52%
2013 -1.5% 1.47%
2012 -3% 4.18%
2011 1.5% 2.77%
2010 -3.9% 3.25%
2009 9.8% -0.16%
2008 13.7% 5.55%
2007 3.6% 2.82%
2006 -1% 2.4%
2005 -0.4% 3.9%
2004 -0.7% 1.46%
2003 1.6% 1.03%
2002 3.2% -0.26%
2001 6% 5.31%
2000 0.4% 3.71%
1999 1.8% 3.5%
1998 3.7% 3.2%
1997 2.6% -0.006%

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 50.8 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 57/197
Property rights 69.6 64.3
Government integrity 50.5 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 77.3
Tax burden 72.6 77.7
Government spending 0 82.6
Fiscal health 19.8 80
Business freedom 60.2 71.9
Labor freedom 65.3 65.2
Monetary freedom 76.7 81
Trade freedom 80 60
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Saint Lucia
2026 50.8 67.5
2025 50.9 67
2024 51.3 62.2
2023 58.8 60.7
2022 59.2 64.3
2021 44.4 67.5
2020 45.2 68.2
2019 47.3 68.7
2018 50.8 67.6
2017 50.9 65
2016 46.2 70
2015 46.4 70.2
2014 46.3 70.7
2013 45.9 70.4
2012 46.9 71.3
2011 44.8 70.8
2010 43.7 70.5
2009 45.7 68.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.