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Economy of Libya vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Libya has a GDP of $48.1B compared to $176M for Nauru, ranking 100/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Nauru GDP by year

Libya
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Nauru
2025 $48,098,909,614 $176,040,044
2024 $48,487,151,215 $167,833,415
2023 $44,027,664,915 $161,531,317
2022 $43,246,297,922 $180,671,357
2021 $35,217,995,647 $149,268,324
2020 $46,854,285,441 $124,685,688
2019 $69,254,496,472 $125,160,116
2018 $76,686,029,772 $130,995,566
2017 $67,157,452,182 $109,355,639
2016 $49,912,073,701 $97,541,943
2015 $48,717,501,321 $84,863,441
2014 $57,372,355,592 $99,149,244
2013 $75,351,107,029 $94,385,015
2012 $92,540,938,129 $101,055,723
2011 $48,169,263,294 $65,071,880
2010 $75,380,825,062 $47,562,845
2009 $60,808,562,033 $44,176,246
2008 $86,710,767,415 $37,602,265
2007 $68,032,978,391 $22,766,972
2006 $60,094,231,607 $29,200,359
2005 $47,334,691,241 $30,070,666
2004 $33,122,307,692 $30,587,566
2003 $26,265,625,000 $24,778,160
2002 $20,481,889,764 $21,017,424
2001 $34,112,093,927 $22,613,288
2000 $38,270,954,138 $26,930,980
1999 $35,975,860,857 $27,328,613
1998 $27,251,301,398 $29,664,451
1997 $30,700,897,875 $37,331,507
1996 $27,884,615,385 $37,458,801
1995 $25,541,379,187 $39,969,706
1994 $28,610,549,763 $39,742,511
1993 $30,660,051,911 $43,542,088
1992 $33,887,047,909 $51,133,123
1991 $31,991,821,265 $52,533,789
1990 $28,904,183,602 $55,572,376
1989 $25,156,707,899 $53,736,786
1988 $24,308,959,591 $45,931,134
1987 $26,697,659,335 $40,118,410
1986 $24,180,400,959 $39,939,391
1985 $31,530,566,324 $41,548,741
1984 $29,476,109,153 $47,363,231
1983 $33,200,520,140 $48,439,093
1982 $33,760,146,991 $52,877,742
1981 $36,374,353,880 $51,689,637
1980 $40,953,924,949 $46,947,124
1979 $30,536,429,497 $44,431,330
1978 $22,136,422,643 $41,754,147
1977 $22,428,297,108 $40,444,702
1976 $19,096,943,017 $40,287,427
1975 $14,710,912,458 $40,106,776
1974 $15,112,543,717 $35,994,511
1973 $8,625,889,430 $26,529,817
1972 $6,299,395,544 $21,734,269
1971 $5,260,185,125 $19,009,433
1970 $4,601,649,451 $17,570,366
1969 $4,380,987,481 -
1968 $3,850,623,095 -
1967 $2,726,986,913 -
1966 $2,312,438,536 -
1965 $1,804,979,680 -
1964 $1,341,395,421 -
1963 $892,327,911 -
1962 $619,725,785 -
1961 $443,905,612 -
1960 $401,644,249 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Nauru by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,449 - $14,640 -
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $14,048 $14,173
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $13,603 $13,732
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $15,310 $13,245
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $12,748 $12,112
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $5,793 - $5,723 -
1988 $5,736 - $5,012 -
1987 $6,465 - $4,485 -
1986 $6,019 - $4,569 -
1985 $8,087 - $4,859 -
1984 $7,811 - $5,654 -
1983 $8,927 - $5,896 -
1982 $9,064 - $6,577 -
1981 $10,044 - $6,594 -
1980 $11,960 - $6,138 -
1979 $9,443 - $5,950 -
1978 $7,252 - $5,721 -
1977 $7,783 - $5,646 -
1976 $7,018 - $5,703 -
1975 $5,721 - $5,740 -
1974 $6,214 - $5,199 -
1973 $3,727 - $3,864 -
1972 $2,830 - $3,191 -
1971 $2,443 - $2,811 -
1970 $2,210 - $2,619 -
1969 $2,175 - - -
1968 $1,972 - - -
1967 $1,437 - - -
1966 $1,251 - - -
1965 $1,001 - - -
1964 $765 - - -
1963 $528 - - -
1962 $382 - - -
1961 $285.3 - - -
1960 $269 - - -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,449, ranking 112/197, compared to $14,640 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Libya Nauru
Gross domestic product
$48.1B
2025
$176M
2025
GDP rank
100/197
2025
195/197
2025
GDP growth
13.4%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$6,449
2025
$14,640
2025
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$25.8M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person n/a
$2,145
2025
Government debt per person rank n/a
118/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,426
2026
$9,187
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
102.3%
2025
128.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.84%
2024-2025
6.1%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
5.06%
2021
Population
7580693
12139

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Nauru
2025 -31.1% 3.51%
2024 -25.9% 28.9%
2023 -7.16% 18.2%
2022 23.6% 20.5%
2021 14.8% 52.4%
2020 -22.3% 42.8%
2019 11.9% 31%
2018 9.39% 29.6%
2017 -11.1% 16.2%
2016 -29.3% 18.9%
2015 -28.5% 10.7%
2014 -30.5% 29.6%
2013 -16.3% 1.71%
2012 24.6% 8.12%
2011 -11.5% 2.73%
2010 11.5% 0.09%
2009 -5.46% 0.37%
2008 27.7% -
2007 28.4% -
2006 29.1% -
2005 30.4% -
2004 11.3% -
2003 6.17% -
2002 6.99% -
2001 0.07% -
2000 13.6% -
1999 5.69% -
1998 -2.36% -
1997 -2.1% -
1996 11.3% -
1995 3.8% -
1994 -2.67% -
1993 -5.77% -
1992 0.11% -
1991 8.41% -
1990 3.36% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $14.9B, equivalent to 31.1% of GDP. This compares to Nauru's surplus of $6.19M, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Libya posted an annual deficit equal to 7.24% of GDP, compared to surplus of 18.5% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Nauru
2025 1.84% 6.1%
2024 2.13% 9.3%
2023 2.37% 4.8%
2022 4.51% 1.1%
2021 2.87% 2%
2020 1.45% 0.9%
2019 -2.16% 4.1%
2018 13.2% 1.1%
2017 25.8% 4.5%
2016 25.9% 8.1%
2015 10.4% 9.8%
2014 2.43% 0.3%
2013 2.61% -1.1%
2012 6.06% 0.3%
2011 15.5% -3.4%
2010 2.8% -2%
2009 2.46% 22.4%
2008 10.4% 1%
2007 6.25% 5.6%
2006 1.46% 19.3%
2005 2.65% 8.7%
2004 -2.2% -
2003 -2.19% -
2002 -9.8% -
2001 -8.81% -
2000 -2.9% -
1999 2.65% -
1998 3.71% -
1997 3.55% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 21 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.71%, compared with 4.9% in Nauru. In 2025, inflation was 1.84% in Libya and 6.1% in Nauru.

Balance of trade

Libya Nauru
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2023
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
+5.8%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.9%
2025
103.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.7%
2025
61.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Libya Nauru
Economic freedom 35.9 60
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 97/197
Property rights 6.3 n/a
Government integrity 10.3 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 n/a
Tax burden 95 n/a
Government spending 0 n/a
Fiscal health 19.9 n/a
Business freedom 32.4 n/a
Labor freedom 48.2 n/a
Monetary freedom 75.2 n/a
Trade freedom 80 n/a
Investment freedom 5 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

Libya Nauru
Services, % of GDP
26.9%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
73.2%
2025
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.5%
2025
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$54.1B
2025
$249M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,150
2025
$20,200
2025
Total reserves including gold
$105B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
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/libya/nauru | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2012–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, 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.

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.