Skip to content

Economy of Liberia vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $176M for Nauru, ranking 162/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $25.8M (14.6% of GDP) in Nauru.

Liberia vs Nauru GDP by year

Liberia
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Nauru
2025 $5,245,938,900 $176,040,044
2024 $4,779,300,900 $167,833,415
2023 $4,390,000,000 $161,531,317
2022 $4,001,047,000 $180,671,357
2021 $3,513,049,500 $149,268,324
2020 $3,176,126,300 $124,685,688
2019 $3,319,596,500 $125,160,116
2018 $3,422,754,800 $130,995,566
2017 $3,390,703,400 $109,355,639
2016 $3,398,419,600 $97,541,943
2015 $3,227,075,700 $84,863,441
2014 $3,225,652,000 $99,149,244
2013 $3,177,198,100 $94,385,015
2012 $2,791,614,000 $101,055,723
2011 $2,398,000,000 $65,071,880
2010 $1,998,000,000 $47,562,845
2009 $1,768,000,000 $44,176,246
2008 $1,726,000,000 $37,602,265
2007 $1,373,000,000 $22,766,972
2006 $1,119,000,000 $29,200,359
2005 $949,000,000 $30,070,666
2004 $897,000,000 $30,587,566
2003 $748,000,000 $24,778,160
2002 $927,000,000 $21,017,424
2001 $906,000,000 $22,613,288
2000 $874,000,000 $26,930,980
1999 $441,800,000 $27,328,613
1998 $359,600,000 $29,664,451
1997 $295,900,000 $37,331,507
1996 $159,400,000 $37,458,801
1995 $134,800,000 $39,969,706
1994 $132,200,000 $39,742,511
1993 $160,400,000 $43,542,088
1992 $223,500,000 $51,133,123
1991 $348,000,000 $52,533,789
1990 $384,400,000 $55,572,376
1989 $786,300,000 $53,736,786
1988 $1,038,300,000 $45,931,134
1987 $972,800,000 $40,118,410
1986 $840,964,400 $39,939,391
1985 $851,296,100 $41,548,741
1984 $848,478,300 $47,363,231
1983 $823,374,900 $48,439,093
1982 $863,933,200 $52,877,742
1981 $846,514,500 $51,689,637
1980 $854,711,500 $46,947,124
1979 $814,067,900 $44,431,330
1978 $717,240,400 $41,754,147
1977 $673,010,600 $40,444,702
1976 $596,675,700 $40,287,427
1975 $577,549,300 $40,106,776
1974 $486,955,000 $35,994,511
1973 $386,968,300 $26,529,817
1972 $368,098,000 $21,734,269
1971 $341,543,100 $19,009,433
1970 $323,099,700 $17,570,366
1969 $306,961,800 -
1968 $276,820,700 -
1967 $261,024,300 -
1966 $244,459,500 -
1965 $229,260,800 -
1964 $218,929,100 -
1963 $200,229,600 -
1962 $191,861,800 -
1961 $183,920,900 -
1960 $190,495,600 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/nauru | CC BY

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Nauru by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $14,640 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $14,048 $14,173
2023 $799 $1,795 $13,603 $13,732
2022 $745 $1,692 $15,310 $13,245
2021 $668 $1,539 $12,748 $12,112
2020 $617 $1,660 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $658 $1,900 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $692 $1,800 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $699 $1,665 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $715 $1,490 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $693 $1,340 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $707 $1,419 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $711 $1,360 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $638 $1,157 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $568 $1,041 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $492 $980 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $448 $939 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $452 $915 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $374 $873 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $321 $815 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $287.5 $774 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $284.1 $745 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $239.8 $716 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $300 $987 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $298.5 $965 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $156.6 $762 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $134.7 $652 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $122.6 $548 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $74.4 $328 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $107.8 $497 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $177.9 $793 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $172.9 $787 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $312 - $5,723 -
1988 $424 - $5,012 -
1987 $409 - $4,485 -
1986 $364 - $4,569 -
1985 $380 - $4,859 -
1984 $390 - $5,654 -
1983 $391 - $5,896 -
1982 $422 - $6,577 -
1981 $426 - $6,594 -
1980 $443 - $6,138 -
1979 $435 - $5,950 -
1978 $394 - $5,721 -
1977 $381 - $5,646 -
1976 $347 - $5,703 -
1975 $346 - $5,740 -
1974 $299.4 - $5,199 -
1973 $244.4 - $3,864 -
1972 $238.6 - $3,191 -
1971 $227.1 - $2,811 -
1970 $220.3 - $2,619 -
1969 $214.7 - - -
1968 $198.6 - - -
1967 $192.2 - - -
1966 $184.6 - - -
1965 $177.6 - - -
1964 $173.9 - - -
1963 $163.1 - - -
1962 $160.3 - - -
1961 $157.5 - - -
1960 $167.2 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/nauru | CC BY

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $14,640 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Liberia Nauru
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$176M
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
195/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$14,640
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$25.8M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$2,145
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
118/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$9,187
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
128.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
6.1%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
5.06%
2021
Population
5916561
12139

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.4% 54.9% 128.7% 14.6%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 118.4% 16.9%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 111% 19.2%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 113.8% 18.9%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 109.5% 24.2%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 106% 59.6%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 102.3% 78%
2016 35.8% 28% 96% 86.3%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 85.4% 113%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 66% 166.9%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 46% 157.3%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 24% 132.2% 68% 295.6%
2008 21.8% 235.3% - -
2007 16.1% 367% - -
2006 10.6% 451% - -
2005 11.7% 488% - -
2004 12.1% 543% - -
2003 8.98% 600% - -
2002 12.7% 464% - -
2001 12.1% 465% - -
2000 14.5% 468% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/nauru | CC BY

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $227M, or 128.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 14.6% in Nauru, ranking 90/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Nauru
2025 -1.41% 3.51%
2024 -1.8% 28.9%
2023 -8.55% 18.2%
2022 -5.82% 20.5%
2021 -2.5% 52.4%
2020 -4.02% 42.8%
2019 -4.92% 31%
2018 -4.7% 29.6%
2017 -7.14% 16.2%
2016 -3.83% 18.9%
2015 -3.74% 10.7%
2014 -4.92% 29.6%
2013 1.29% 1.71%
2012 -2.86% 8.12%
2011 -4.39% 2.73%
2010 1.16% 0.09%
2009 -1.4% 0.37%
2008 -2.7% -
2007 2.28% -
2006 4.23% -
2005 -0.51% -
2004 -0.56% -
2003 0.36% -
2002 -1.57% -
2001 -0.94% -
2000 -0.08% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/nauru | CC BY

In 2025, Liberia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $74.2M, equivalent to 1.41% of GDP. This compares to Nauru's surplus of $6.19M, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 18.5% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Nauru
2025 8.3% 6.1%
2024 8.2% 9.3%
2023 10.1% 4.8%
2022 7.6% 1.1%
2021 7.8% 2%
2020 17% 0.9%
2019 27% 4.1%
2018 23.5% 1.1%
2017 12.4% 4.5%
2016 8.8% 8.1%
2015 7.7% 9.8%
2014 9.9% 0.3%
2013 7.6% -1.1%
2012 6.8% 0.3%
2011 8.5% -3.4%
2010 7.3% -2%
2009 7.4% 22.4%
2008 17.5% 1%
2007 11.4% 5.6%
2006 9.5% 19.3%
2005 6.9% 8.7%
2004 3.6% -
2003 10.3% -
2002 14.2% -
2001 12.1% -
2000 5.3% -
1999 2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/nauru | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11%, compared with 4.9% in Nauru. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 6.1% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Nauru
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Liberia Nauru
Current account balance
$120M
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
+5.8%
2024
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$253M
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
103.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
61.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Liberia Nauru
Economic freedom 49.8 60
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 97/197
Property rights 40.4 n/a
Government integrity 25.8 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 n/a
Tax burden 86.1 n/a
Government spending 79.5 n/a
Fiscal health 56.9 n/a
Business freedom 38 n/a
Labor freedom 43.4 n/a
Monetary freedom 71.4 n/a
Trade freedom 57.4 n/a
Investment freedom 55 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

Liberia Nauru
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$249M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$20,200
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
n/a

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/liberia/nauru | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.