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Economy of Kiribati vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kiribati has a GDP of $349M compared to $1.04T for Switzerland, ranking 192/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $27.8M in government debt (7.95% of GDP), compared to $411B (39.4% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Kiribati vs Switzerland GDP by year

Kiribati
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Switzerland
2025 $349,227,254 $1,043,529,899,251
2024 $343,153,235 $969,919,786,395
2023 $291,657,338 $928,435,275,852
2022 $271,214,375 $858,479,038,994
2021 $285,451,584 $840,710,023,481
2020 $220,909,307 $756,096,180,222
2019 $216,891,541 $736,384,764,157
2018 $233,859,230 $740,766,531,454
2017 $223,029,865 $706,660,443,624
2016 $206,467,819 $698,607,778,795
2015 $191,559,399 $706,199,008,879
2014 $200,287,282 $741,168,119,617
2013 $201,730,861 $718,748,402,260
2012 $207,001,546 $697,882,536,677
2011 $195,970,140 $727,231,637,102
2010 $165,458,433 $609,999,593,542
2009 $140,177,384 $563,659,557,945
2008 $147,017,895 $574,703,945,157
2007 $138,054,946 $498,993,845,385
2006 $112,338,353 $448,364,681,767
2005 $113,895,437 $424,511,048,024
2004 $104,085,892 $409,012,909,530
2003 $96,105,619 $366,563,952,625
2002 $74,743,869 $313,930,961,761
2001 $64,935,850 $290,160,142,214
2000 $74,910,527 $282,327,351,966
1999 $77,323,978 $301,911,268,140
1998 $74,905,706 $306,907,741,068
1997 $80,205,807 $298,868,250,534
1996 $81,456,854 $345,373,647,249
1995 $68,596,395 $358,152,520,085
1994 $67,055,334 $305,916,331,798
1993 $58,953,596 $276,339,744,180
1992 $61,491,369 $284,139,428,246
1991 $41,247,792 $272,953,645,746
1990 $36,534,295 $269,768,238,555
1989 $37,645,319 $211,241,694,480
1988 $38,278,810 $218,788,504,066
1987 $29,554,413 $202,238,567,597
1986 $25,993,009 $161,487,171,049
1985 $26,126,615 $112,652,623,418
1984 $34,394,167 $111,104,641,869
1983 $31,000,546 $116,361,728,836
1982 $32,742,713 $116,776,899,473
1981 $35,267,489 $113,936,168,924
1980 $33,157,723 $124,404,609,417
1979 $34,466,197 $116,702,524,208
1978 $36,563,965 $103,821,687,919
1977 $31,335,459 $74,237,819,014
1976 $33,246,817 $69,508,364,538
1975 $44,547,454 $66,452,559,176
1974 $69,256,489 $57,963,469,607
1973 $25,645,040 $50,296,651,921
1972 $15,314,346 $37,399,508,287
1971 $12,356,134 $30,492,832,676
1970 $11,560,877 $25,374,750,743
1969 - $22,780,211,812
1968 - $21,024,203,656
1967 - $19,689,329,510
1966 - $18,290,928,227
1965 - $17,033,079,428
1964 - $16,071,715,835
1963 - $14,499,109,270
1962 - $13,185,384,691
1961 - $11,889,851,950
1960 - $10,569,129,806

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

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Switzerland by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,559 - $114,769 -
2024 $2,551 $3,702 $107,702 $96,498
2023 $2,201 $3,486 $104,450 $95,142
2022 $2,079 $3,329 $97,809 $94,421
2021 $2,224 $3,020 $96,583 $81,001
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $87,530 $72,998
2019 $1,750 $2,763 $85,873 $73,732
2018 $1,916 $2,672 $87,002 $70,689
2017 $1,854 $2,562 $83,610 $68,194
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $83,432 $67,351
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $85,265 $65,265
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $90,512 $63,417
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $88,851 $61,656
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $87,270 $59,441
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $91,910 $57,494
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $77,956 $54,426
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $72,788 $52,999
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $75,148 $53,809
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $66,082 $50,928
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $59,910 $46,266
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $57,080 $41,525
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $55,350 $40,171
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $49,947 $38,732
2002 $810 $1,605 $43,094 $38,705
2001 $719 $1,591 $40,134 $37,819
2000 $845 $1,638 $39,298 $36,703
1999 $887 $1,526 $42,261 $34,743
1998 $874 $1,593 $43,166 $33,860
1997 $953 $1,535 $42,160 $32,736
1996 $986 $1,519 $48,838 $31,509
1995 $844 $1,518 $50,869 $30,842
1994 $838 $1,469 $43,741 $30,265
1993 $748 $1,431 $39,828 $29,495
1992 $792 $1,421 $41,327 $29,113
1991 $540 $1,139 $40,140 $28,792
1990 $488 $1,192 $40,171 $28,461
1989 $515 - $31,780 -
1988 $536 - $33,183 -
1987 $424 - $30,899 -
1986 $382 - $24,828 -
1985 $393 - $17,411 -
1984 $527 - $17,247 -
1983 $483 - $18,128 -
1982 $519 - $18,271 -
1981 $568 - $17,931 -
1980 $542 - $19,686 -
1979 $573 - $18,541 -
1978 $611 - $16,528 -
1977 $520 - $11,819 -
1976 $548 - $11,029 -
1975 $730 - $10,484 -
1974 $1,131 - $9,140 -
1973 $422 - $7,974 -
1972 $256.2 - $5,973 -
1971 $210.7 - $4,908 -
1970 $201 - $4,105 -
1969 - - $3,712 -
1968 - - $3,465 -
1967 - - $3,286 -
1966 - - $3,091 -
1965 - - $2,908 -
1964 - - $2,776 -
1963 - - $2,546 -
1962 - - $2,366 -
1961 - - $2,188 -
1960 - - $1,984 -

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

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,559, ranking 152/197, compared to $114,769 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$349M
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
192/197
2025
20/197
2025
GDP growth
4.22%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,559
2025
$114,769
2025
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$27.8M
2025
$411B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.95%
2025
39.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$203.4
2025
$45,239
2025
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2025
12/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,170
2026
$89,347
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.51T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
944,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2026
Income share by richest 10%
20.9%
2023
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4.4%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
88.2%
2025
31.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
6.5%
2024-2025
0.15%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
4.84%
2025
Population
139471
9155878

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 88.2% 7.95% 31.2% 39.4%
2024 86.1% 8.9% 31.3% 40.5%
2023 94.4% 11.3% 30.9% 37.3%
2022 87.2% 16.2% 30.5% 35.9%
2021 84% 17.3% 33.4% 39.7%
2020 102.2% 21% 36.3% 42.4%
2019 108.3% 18.5% 31.3% 38.8%
2018 108.8% 19% 31.1% 39%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 31.9% 41.1%
2016 99% 21.2% 31.9% 40.3%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 31.9% 41.4%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 31.5% 41.2%
2013 78% 8.86% 32% 41.2%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 31.1% 41.9%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 31% 41.2%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 30.9% 40.7%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 31.2% 42.4%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 29.6% 44.2%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 29% 44%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 30.1% 47.7%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 31.9% 54.1%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 32.6% 57.1%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 32.8% 56.2%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 33.6% 56.9%
2001 101.3% 17% 31.2% 50.5%
2000 66% 12.7% 31.9% 51.7%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 32.8% 52%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 32.3% 55.3%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 32.5% 52.9%
1996 68.4% 11% 32.5% 50.6%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 32% 49.3%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 32% 46.4%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 31.9% 43.7%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 30.8% 38.9%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 29% 34.6%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 27.2% 32.8%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

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/switzerland | CC BY

In 2025, Kiribati's government spending was $308M, accounting for 88.2% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $326B, or 31.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.95% in Kiribati and 39.4% in Switzerland, ranking 182/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Switzerland
2025 -14.5% 0.45%
2024 -14.1% 0.53%
2023 1.81% 0.12%
2022 -18.2% 1.15%
2021 -10.8% -0.28%
2020 3.57% -2.96%
2019 10.8% 1.31%
2018 5.18% 1.26%
2017 34.1% 1.11%
2016 20.1% 0.23%
2015 42.5% 0.54%
2014 35% -0.24%
2013 11.8% -0.42%
2012 -5.43% 0.23%
2011 -17.6% 0.67%
2010 -7.8% 0.35%
2009 -8.56% 0.49%
2008 -15.8% 1.91%
2007 -12.5% 1.55%
2006 -12.3% 0.83%
2005 -9.96% -0.64%
2004 -19.2% -1.37%
2003 -8.93% -1.34%
2002 3.13% -1.72%
2001 -10.9% 0.2%
2000 -0.03% 0.28%
1999 -1.81% -1.55%
1998 14.6% -1.29%
1997 5.92% -2.3%
1996 -20.2% -1.98%
1995 -5.14% -1.83%
1994 0.74% -2.55%
1993 6.27% -3.1%
1992 0.79% -2.92%
1991 3.87% -1.82%
1990 -4.62% -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $4.71B, or 0.45% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.42% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Switzerland
2025 6.5% 0.15%
2024 2.5% 1.06%
2023 9.3% 2.14%
2022 5.3% 2.84%
2021 2.1% 0.58%
2020 2.6% -0.73%
2019 -1.8% 0.36%
2018 0.6% 0.94%
2017 0.4% 0.53%
2016 1.9% -0.43%
2015 0.6% -1.14%
2014 2.1% -0.01%
2013 -1.5% -0.22%
2012 -3% -0.69%
2011 1.5% 0.23%
2010 -3.9% 0.69%
2009 9.8% -0.48%
2008 13.7% 2.43%
2007 3.6% 0.73%
2006 -1% 1.06%
2005 -0.4% 1.17%
2004 -0.7% 0.8%
2003 1.6% 0.64%
2002 3.2% 0.64%
2001 6% 0.99%
2000 0.4% 1.56%
1999 1.8% 0.81%
1998 3.7% 0.02%
1997 2.6% 0.52%

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/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.4%, compared with 0.59% in Switzerland. In 2025, inflation was 6.5% in Kiribati and 0.15% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Kiribati
Export category Export value
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $63K
Chemicals & pharma $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Kiribati Switzerland
Current account balance
-$61.3M
2025
$72.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
77/190
2025
11/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-17.6%
2025
+6.98%
2025
Goods imports
$270M
2025
$508B
2025
Goods exports
$17.3M
2025
$617B
2025
Service imports
$110M
2025
$214B
2025
Service exports
$8.63M
2025
$195B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
97.6%
2024
69.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
4.52%
2024
78.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Switzerland
Economic freedom 50.8 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 2/197
Property rights 69.6 94.4
Government integrity 50.5 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 98.3
Tax burden 72.6 70.9
Government spending 0 69.5
Fiscal health 19.8 97.2
Business freedom 60.2 86.3
Labor freedom 65.3 60
Monetary freedom 76.7 82.3
Trade freedom 80 87
Investment freedom 30 85
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Switzerland
2026 50.8 83.7
2025 50.9 83.7
2024 51.3 83
2023 58.8 83.8
2022 59.2 84.2
2021 44.4 81.9
2020 45.2 82
2019 47.3 81.9
2018 50.8 81.7
2017 50.9 81.5
2016 46.2 81
2015 46.4 80.5
2014 46.3 81.6
2013 45.9 81
2012 46.9 81.1
2011 44.8 81.9
2010 43.7 81.1
2009 45.7 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 - 76
2000 - 76.8
1999 - 79.1
1998 - 79
1997 - 78.6
1996 - 76.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
70.3%
2024
71.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
25%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$537M
2025
$1T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,080
2025
$101,690
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.08T
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
4/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.14M
2025
$37.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
29.5%
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/switzerland | 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 (1899–1989, 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 (2021–2025, 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.