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Economy of Kiribati vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 192/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Kiribati vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Kiribati
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Solomon Islands
2024 $307,862,564 $1,583,964,704
2023 $288,610,748 $1,506,124,566
2022 $270,040,453 $1,466,670,930
2021 $285,259,881 $1,558,312,104
2020 $220,898,020 $1,536,143,428
2019 $216,985,388 $1,619,150,564
2018 $233,514,717 $1,615,473,250
2017 $222,875,736 $1,469,790,526
2016 $206,467,819 $1,379,486,291
2015 $191,559,399 $1,307,908,814
2014 $200,287,282 $1,335,576,763
2013 $201,730,861 $1,285,905,958
2012 $207,001,546 $1,185,217,634
2011 $195,970,140 $1,063,898,227
2010 $165,458,433 $898,128,551
2009 $140,177,384 $805,557,289
2008 $147,017,895 $776,335,523
2007 $138,054,946 $695,291,218
2006 $112,338,353 $617,257,458
2005 $113,895,437 $552,881,357
2004 $104,085,892 $468,000,121
2003 $96,105,619 $417,666,639
2002 $74,743,869 $346,406,739
2001 $64,935,850 $409,508,553
2000 $74,910,527 $419,842,674
1999 $77,323,978 $488,024,514
1998 $74,905,706 $457,579,840
1997 $80,205,807 $526,554,006
1996 $81,456,854 $510,586,430
1995 $68,596,395 $469,443,202
1994 $67,055,334 $402,837,005
1993 $58,953,596 $300,746,361
1992 $61,491,369 $269,034,596
1991 $41,247,792 $227,540,473
1990 $36,534,295 $214,877,667
1989 $37,645,319 $172,882,411
1988 $38,278,810 $176,494,394
1987 $29,554,413 $155,128,542
1986 $25,993,009 $147,620,048
1985 $26,126,615 $165,524,943
1984 $34,394,167 $181,570,474
1983 $31,000,546 $181,220,399
1982 $32,742,713 $192,902,019
1981 $35,267,489 $193,750,541
1980 $33,157,723 $182,852,107
1979 $34,466,197 $151,276,496
1978 $36,563,965 $111,027,427
1977 $31,335,459 $93,145,283
1976 $33,246,817 $83,100,834
1975 $44,547,454 $74,620,320
1974 $69,256,489 $84,539,332
1973 $25,645,040 $55,272,109
1972 $15,314,346 $40,606,712
1971 $12,356,134 $50,056,883
1970 $11,560,877 -
1969 - $28,606,411
1968 - $28,084,253
1967 - $25,203,524

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Solomon Islands by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $986 $1,556
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $896 $1,433
2002 $810 $1,605 $757 $1,344
2001 $719 $1,591 $912 $1,387
2000 $845 $1,638 $953 $1,503
1999 $887 $1,526 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $874 $1,593 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $953 $1,535 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $986 $1,519 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $844 $1,518 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $838 $1,469 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $748 $1,431 $829 $1,556
1992 $792 $1,421 $764 $1,505
1991 $540 $1,139 $666 $1,346
1990 $488 $1,192 $648 $1,266
1989 $515 - $538 -
1988 $536 - $567 -
1987 $424 - $515 -
1986 $382 - $506 -
1985 $393 - $586 -
1984 $527 - $665 -
1983 $483 - $686 -
1982 $519 - $756 -
1981 $568 - $786 -
1980 $542 - $768 -
1979 $573 - $658 -
1978 $611 - $500 -
1977 $520 - $434 -
1976 $548 - $401 -
1975 $730 - $372 -
1974 $1,131 - $433 -
1973 $422 - $291.3 -
1972 $256.2 - $219.5 -
1971 $210.7 - $277.1 -
1970 $201 - - -
1969 - - $165.9 -
1968 - - $166.9 -
1967 - - $153.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/solomon-islands | CC BY

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$1,776
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
0.69%
2013
Population
139020
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 84% 17.3% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 102.2% 21% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 108.3% 19% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 108.8% 19% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 99% 21.2% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 78% 8.86% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 27% 18.3%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 27% 28.9%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 23.7% 33%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 17% 44.7%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 101.3% 17% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 66% 12.7% 18.7% 44.3%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 18.7% 42%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 15.5% 39.5%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 19.3% 25.9%
1996 68.4% 11% 24.2% -
1995 69.6% 12.3% 24.7% -
1994 54.6% 12.3% 30.2% -
1993 55.3% 10.9% 33.2% -
1992 65.9% 7.31% 35.1% -
1991 82.1% 8.43% 39.4% -
1990 105.5% 7.72% 30% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 180/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Solomon Islands
2024 -22% -3.08%
2023 0.13% -3.81%
2022 -18.3% -2.51%
2021 -10.8% -1.86%
2020 3.57% -2.44%
2019 10.8% -1.52%
2018 5.18% 1.49%
2017 34.1% -2.27%
2016 20.1% -3.56%
2015 42.5% 0.81%
2014 35% 2.13%
2013 11.8% 3.57%
2012 -5.43% 4.63%
2011 -17.6% 6.22%
2010 -7.8% 6.02%
2009 -8.56% 2.35%
2008 -15.8% 1.94%
2007 -12.5% 15.3%
2006 -12.3% 13%
2005 -9.96% 13.4%
2004 -19.2% 17%
2003 -8.93% 10.6%
2002 3.13% -4.35%
2001 -10.9% -2.4%
2000 -0.03% -2.93%
1999 -1.81% -0.32%
1998 14.6% 5.04%
1997 5.92% 2.14%
1996 -20.2% 3.73%
1995 -5.14% 3.19%
1994 0.74% 4.33%
1993 6.27% 2.45%
1992 0.79% 4.13%
1991 3.87% 0.14%
1990 -4.62% 0.58%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/solomon-islands | 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 the Solomon Islands' deficit of $48.8M, or 3.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.66% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Solomon Islands
2024 2.5% 4.32%
2023 9.3% 5.89%
2022 5.3% 5.52%
2021 2.1% -0.12%
2020 2.6% 2.96%
2019 -1.8% 1.63%
2018 0.6% 3.46%
2017 0.4% 0.49%
2016 1.9% 0.51%
2015 0.6% -0.57%
2014 2.1% 5.17%
2013 -1.5% 5.39%
2012 -3% 5.91%
2011 1.5% 7.34%
2010 -3.9% 1.05%
2009 9.8% 7.09%
2008 13.7% 17.3%
2007 3.6% 7.67%
2006 -1% 11.2%
2005 -0.4% 7.33%
2004 -0.7% 6.99%
2003 1.6% 8.27%
2002 3.2% 10.9%
2001 6% 6.93%
2000 0.4% 7.89%
1999 1.8% 8.02%
1998 3.7% 12.4%
1997 2.6% 8.08%

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/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 6.04% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Top exports between countries

Kiribati
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $55K
Miscellaneous $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Solomon Islands
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $212K
Machinery & equipment $42K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K

Balance of trade

Kiribati Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 50.8 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 137/197
Property rights 69.6 55.8
Government integrity 50.5 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 59.1
Tax burden 72.6 71.3
Government spending 0 54.6
Fiscal health 19.8 83.3
Business freedom 60.2 52.3
Labor freedom 65.3 60.4
Monetary freedom 76.7 76.5
Trade freedom 80 43.6
Investment freedom 30 15
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Solomon Islands
2026 50.8 53.7
2025 50.9 56.3
2024 51.3 55
2023 58.8 56.9
2022 59.2 56.5
2021 44.4 56.5
2020 45.2 52.9
2019 47.3 54.6
2018 50.8 57.5
2017 50.9 55
2016 46.2 47
2015 46.4 47
2014 46.3 46.2
2013 45.9 45
2012 46.9 46.2
2011 44.8 45.9
2010 43.7 42.9
2009 45.7 46

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
19.5%
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, 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. TradeMap (2018–2021, 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.