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Economy of Kiribati vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 192/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Kiribati vs United States GDP by year

Kiribati
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati United States
2024 $307,862,564 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $288,610,748 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $270,040,453 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $285,259,881 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $220,898,020 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $216,985,388 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $233,514,717 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $222,875,736 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $206,467,819 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $191,559,399 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $200,287,282 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $201,730,861 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $207,001,546 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $195,970,140 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $165,458,433 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $140,177,384 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $147,017,895 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $138,054,946 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $112,338,353 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $113,895,437 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $104,085,892 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $96,105,619 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $74,743,869 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $64,935,850 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $74,910,527 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $77,323,978 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $74,905,706 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $80,205,807 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $81,456,854 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $68,596,395 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $67,055,334 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $58,953,596 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $61,491,369 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $41,247,792 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $36,534,295 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $37,645,319 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $38,278,810 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $29,554,413 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $25,993,009 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $26,126,615 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $34,394,167 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $31,000,546 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $32,742,713 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $35,267,489 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $33,157,723 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $34,466,197 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $36,563,965 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $31,335,459 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $33,246,817 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $44,547,454 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $69,256,489 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $25,645,040 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $15,314,346 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $12,356,134 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $11,560,877 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs United States by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $810 $1,605 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $719 $1,591 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $845 $1,638 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $887 $1,526 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $874 $1,593 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $953 $1,535 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $986 $1,519 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $844 $1,518 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $838 $1,469 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $748 $1,431 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $792 $1,421 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $540 $1,139 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $488 $1,192 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $515 - $22,857 -
1988 $536 - $21,417 -
1987 $424 - $20,039 -
1986 $382 - $19,071 -
1985 $393 - $18,237 -
1984 $527 - $17,121 -
1983 $483 - $15,544 -
1982 $519 - $14,434 -
1981 $568 - $13,976 -
1980 $542 - $12,613 -
1979 $573 - $11,674 -
1978 $611 - $10,565 -
1977 $520 - $9,453 -
1976 $548 - $8,592 -
1975 $730 - $7,801 -
1974 $1,131 - $7,226 -
1973 $422 - $6,726 -
1972 $256.2 - $6,094 -
1971 $210.7 - $5,609 -
1970 $201 - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/united-states | CC BY

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Kiribati United States
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
4.02%
2024
Population
139020
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 84% 17.3% 43.2% 125%
2020 102.2% 21% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 108.3% 19% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 108.8% 19% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 99% 21.2% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 35% 105.4%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 78% 8.86% 35.8% 105%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 38.8% 100%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 34% 59%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 101.3% 17% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 66% 12.7% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 68.4% 11% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 35.7% 67.9%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 180/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati United States
2024 -22% -8.03%
2023 0.13% -7.8%
2022 -18.3% -3.72%
2021 -10.8% -11.4%
2020 3.57% -14.1%
2019 10.8% -5.81%
2018 5.18% -5.33%
2017 34.1% -4.79%
2016 20.1% -4.36%
2015 42.5% -3.53%
2014 35% -4.03%
2013 11.8% -4.56%
2012 -5.43% -8.11%
2011 -17.6% -9.72%
2010 -7.8% -11%
2009 -8.56% -13.2%
2008 -15.8% -6.61%
2007 -12.5% -2.91%
2006 -12.3% -2.04%
2005 -9.96% -3.07%
2004 -19.2% -4.24%
2003 -8.93% -4.77%
2002 3.13% -3.82%
2001 -10.9% -0.54%
2000 -0.03% 3.62%
1999 -1.81% 2.71%
1998 14.6% 2.18%
1997 5.92% 0.88%
1996 -20.2% -0.46%
1995 -5.14% -1.7%
1994 0.74% -2.05%
1993 6.27% -3.35%
1992 0.79% -3.98%
1991 3.87% -2.72%
1990 -4.62% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/united-states | 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 United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati United States
2024 2.5% 2.95%
2023 9.3% 4.12%
2022 5.3% 8%
2021 2.1% 4.7%
2020 2.6% 1.23%
2019 -1.8% 1.81%
2018 0.6% 2.44%
2017 0.4% 2.13%
2016 1.9% 1.26%
2015 0.6% 0.12%
2014 2.1% 1.62%
2013 -1.5% 1.46%
2012 -3% 2.07%
2011 1.5% 3.16%
2010 -3.9% 1.64%
2009 9.8% -0.36%
2008 13.7% 3.84%
2007 3.6% 2.85%
2006 -1% 3.23%
2005 -0.4% 3.39%
2004 -0.7% 2.68%
2003 1.6% 2.27%
2002 3.2% 1.59%
2001 6% 2.83%
2000 0.4% 3.38%
1999 1.8% 2.19%
1998 3.7% 1.55%
1997 2.6% 2.34%

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/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Kiribati
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $771K
Raw materials & minerals $92K
Textiles & consumer goods $88K
Chemicals & pharma $60K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Wood & paper products $1K
United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.24M
Raw materials & minerals $5.12M
Animal & marine products $1.91M
Miscellaneous $1.4M
Metals $315K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $265K
Chemicals & pharma $181K
Textiles & consumer goods $68K
Wood & paper products $21K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Kiribati United States
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati United States
Economic freedom 50.8 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 27/197
Property rights 69.6 91.6
Government integrity 50.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 76.4
Tax burden 72.6 75.3
Government spending 0 57.9
Fiscal health 19.8 18.5
Business freedom 60.2 88.6
Labor freedom 65.3 76.3
Monetary freedom 76.7 84.2
Trade freedom 80 67.6
Investment freedom 30 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati United States
2026 50.8 72.8
2025 50.9 70.2
2024 51.3 70.1
2023 58.8 70.6
2022 59.2 72.1
2021 44.4 74.8
2020 45.2 76.6
2019 47.3 76.8
2018 50.8 75.7
2017 50.9 75.1
2016 46.2 75.4
2015 46.4 76.2
2014 46.3 75.5
2013 45.9 76
2012 46.9 76.3
2011 44.8 77.8
2010 43.7 78
2009 45.7 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/kiribati/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kiribati United States
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
21.8%
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/united-states | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.