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Economy of Marshall Islands vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Marshall Islands has a GDP of $290M compared to $260B for New Zealand, ranking 193/197 and 52/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Marshall Islands has $38.4M in government debt (13.2% of GDP), compared to $131B (50.2% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Marshall Islands vs New Zealand GDP by year

Marshall Islands
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Marshall Islands New Zealand
2024 $290,108,490 $260,172,385,098
2023 $263,761,322 $255,194,972,673
2022 $258,723,511 $249,509,991,440
2021 $261,245,544 $253,977,931,815
2020 $241,800,000 $213,029,554,654
2019 $232,900,000 $213,006,341,102
2018 $220,000,000 $211,985,631,173
2017 $213,700,000 $206,745,969,246
2016 $201,800,000 $189,100,085,275
2015 $183,700,000 $178,224,167,088
2014 $186,000,000 $201,518,402,787
2013 $186,400,000 $191,012,364,177
2012 $180,700,000 $176,560,711,239
2011 $172,300,000 $168,484,908,960
2010 $161,100,000 $146,887,902,524
2009 $151,200,000 $121,663,439,315
2008 $146,600,000 $133,437,126,590
2007 $150,500,000 $137,188,946,866
2006 $143,200,000 $111,538,810,713
2005 $138,000,000 $114,720,129,550
2004 $132,900,000 $103,905,210,084
2003 $131,128,500 $88,250,885,550
2002 $131,960,000 $66,627,729,311
2001 $122,406,100 $53,872,425,917
2000 $114,838,500 $52,623,281,957
1999 $113,352,100 $58,762,260,626
1998 $112,070,100 $56,227,169,851
1997 $109,884,700 $66,075,143,415
1996 $110,858,000 $70,140,835,299
1995 $120,230,000 $63,918,703,507
1994 $108,071,000 $55,314,732,279
1993 $99,461,000 $46,775,620,817
1992 $91,063,000 $41,649,829,860
1991 $82,507,000 $42,745,329,732
1990 $78,476,000 $45,495,129,385
1989 $72,798,000 $43,920,222,525
1988 $70,688,000 $45,176,811,594
1987 $62,983,000 $40,376,354,070
1986 $55,989,000 $30,604,668,357
1985 $43,879,000 $24,679,795,396
1984 $45,144,000 $21,665,975,319
1983 $41,749,000 $24,309,279,706
1982 $34,918,000 $24,164,603,059
1981 $31,020,000 $24,417,617,184
1980 $26,710,653 $23,244,547,385
1979 $25,545,346 $20,731,243,113
1978 $22,209,370 $18,530,518,395
1977 $20,210,069 $15,446,825,318
1976 $18,153,647 $13,604,832,424
1975 $16,691,301 $12,861,983,284
1974 $15,217,532 $13,940,981,798
1973 $11,607,366 $12,802,281,898
1972 $9,973,652 $9,567,331,065
1971 $9,116,810 $7,911,136,757
1970 $8,408,486 $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Marshall Islands vs New Zealand by year

Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Marshall Islands New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,726 $8,195 $49,205 $55,551
2023 $6,793 $7,549 $49,076 $54,697
2022 $6,456 $7,431 $49,100 $54,034
2021 $6,315 $6,768 $49,950 $48,249
2020 $5,662 $6,137 $41,998 $45,513
2019 $5,292 $6,045 $42,856 $45,278
2018 $4,858 $5,232 $43,257 $42,527
2017 $4,593 $4,719 $42,950 $42,244
2016 $4,230 $4,366 $40,114 $39,989
2015 $3,764 $4,125 $38,665 $37,513
2014 $3,735 $3,931 $44,618 $37,331
2013 $3,678 $3,845 $43,000 $36,263
2012 $3,514 $3,590 $40,054 $33,055
2011 $3,319 $3,537 $38,432 $32,739
2010 $3,095 $3,473 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $2,907 $3,253 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $2,818 $3,118 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $2,892 $3,309 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $2,754 $3,110 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $2,659 $3,017 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $2,566 $2,880 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $2,539 $2,824 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $2,566 $2,825 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $2,394 $2,700 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $2,265 $2,490 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $2,258 $2,400 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $2,254 $2,422 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $2,231 $2,434 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $2,273 $2,583 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $2,491 $2,858 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $2,265 $2,617 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $2,112 $2,452 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $1,963 $2,293 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $1,811 $2,131 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $1,758 $2,102 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $1,670 - $13,312 -
1988 $1,670 - $13,759 -
1987 $1,543 - $12,331 -
1986 $1,425 - $9,428 -
1985 $1,162 - $7,601 -
1984 $1,245 - $6,714 -
1983 $1,199 - $7,598 -
1982 $1,046 - $7,656 -
1981 $969 - $7,814 -
1980 $868 - $7,467 -
1979 $859 - $6,668 -
1978 $771 - $5,937 -
1977 $724 - $4,951 -
1976 $672 - $4,374 -
1975 $638 - $4,172 -
1974 $602 - $4,611 -
1973 $472 - $4,323 -
1972 $416 - $3,295 -
1971 $390 - $2,773 -
1970 $373 - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/new-zealand | CC BY

The Marshall Islands' GDP per capita is $7,726, ranking 96/197, compared to $49,205 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Marshall Islands New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$290M
2024
$260B
2024
GDP rank
193/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP growth
2.5%
2023-2024
1.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,726
2024
$49,205
2024
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,195
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
139/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$38.4M
2024
$131B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.2%
2024
50.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,022
2024
$24,722
2024
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2024
28/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,044
2026
$37,758
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$92.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.5%
2019
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2019
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
41.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.2%
2023-2024
2.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
9.82%
2021
4.76%
2024
Population
35058
5374272

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Marshall Islands New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 71.6% 13.2% 41.9% 50.2%
2023 68.4% 18.2% 41.2% 46.9%
2022 67.7% 19.8% 41.8% 46.9%
2021 69.8% 20.1% 41.9% 47.5%
2020 67.8% 21.7% 42% 43.2%
2019 65.5% 25.1% 38.8% 31.8%
2018 60.5% 24.7% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 63.7% 26.5% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 56.8% 29.2% 36.4% 33.3%
2015 56.3% 33.9% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 49.2% 34.9% 37.7% 34.2%
2013 55% 33.4% 38.6% 34.5%
2012 53.2% 37.6% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 55.9% 35.9% 42.4% 34.7%
2010 59.2% 38.8% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 63.1% 41.2% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 64.3% 44.1% 38.5% 19%
2007 67.2% 42.2% 37.1% 16.3%
2006 61.2% 44.4% 37.9% 18.4%
2005 85.3% 45.8% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 54.5% 46.8% 36.2% 22.5%
2003 52.9% 43.7% 36.7% 24.7%
2002 55.2% 37.2% 36.8% 26.4%
2001 58.8% 32.7% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 56.5% 27.3% 38.3% 30%
1999 48.7% 26.1% 39.3% 32%
1998 50.5% 18.1% 40.1% 34.5%
1997 55% 8.73% 39.3% 34.6%
1996 - - 39.9% 37.3%
1995 - - 41.6% 43.5%
1994 - - 42.8% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.8% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.5% 58.7%
1991 - - 53% 58%
1990 - - 49.6% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, the Marshall Islands' government spending was $208M, accounting for 71.6% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $109B, or 41.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.2% in the Marshall Islands and 50.2% in New Zealand, ranking 179/185 and 107/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Marshall Islands

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Marshall Islands New Zealand
2024 3.61% -3.61%
2023 1.14% -3.54%
2022 0.68% -4.16%
2021 0.18% -3.5%
2020 2.54% -4.35%
2019 -1.8% -2.5%
2018 2.55% 1.27%
2017 4.38% 1.36%
2016 3.88% 0.98%
2015 2.81% 0.36%
2014 3.2% -0.34%
2013 -0.23% -1.29%
2012 -0.76% -2.19%
2011 2.13% -4.96%
2010 3.51% -5.51%
2009 1.51% -1.81%
2008 3.68% 1.47%
2007 0.27% 3.6%
2006 0.24% 4.62%
2005 -22.3% 5.13%
2004 -1.6% 4.49%
2003 10.5% 3.68%
2002 5.12% 2.55%
2001 7.83% 1.29%
2000 7.84% 0.17%
1999 9.01% -1.11%
1998 13.5% -0.48%
1997 7.91% 1.23%
1996 - 2.58%
1995 - 3.7%
1994 - 1.99%
1993 - -1.53%
1992 - -6.27%
1991 - -6.14%
1990 - -2.74%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, the Marshall Islands' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.5M, equivalent to 3.61% of GDP. This compares to New Zealand's deficit of $9.38B, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the Marshall Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, the Marshall Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.25% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Marshall Islands

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Marshall Islands New Zealand
2024 5.2% 2.92%
2023 7.4% 5.73%
2022 2.8% 7.17%
2021 2.2% 3.94%
2020 -0.7% 1.71%
2019 -0.1% 1.62%
2018 0.8% 1.6%
2017 0.1% 1.85%
2016 -1.5% 0.65%
2015 -2.2% 0.29%
2014 1.1% 1.23%
2013 1.9% 1.13%
2012 4.3% 1.06%
2011 5.4% 4.03%
2010 1.8% 2.3%
2009 0.5% 2.12%
2008 14.7% 3.96%
2007 2.6% 2.38%
2006 5.3% 3.37%
2005 3.5% 3.04%
2004 2% 2.29%
2003 - 1.75%
2002 - 2.68%
2001 - 2.63%
2000 - 2.62%
1999 - -0.11%
1998 - 1.27%
1997 - 1.19%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, the Marshall Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.72%, compared with 2.59% in New Zealand. In 2024, inflation was 5.2% in the Marshall Islands and 2.92% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Marshall Islands
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $25K
Machinery & equipment $11K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.68M
Wood & paper products $1.22M
Metals $1.09M
Chemicals & pharma $876K
Machinery & equipment $581K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $505K
Animal & marine products $404K
Textiles & consumer goods $214K
Raw agricultural goods $41K
Miscellaneous $10K

Balance of trade

Marshall Islands New Zealand
Current account balance
$76.3M
2021
-$12.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
70/190
2021
178/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.2%
2021
-4.65%
2024
Goods imports
$133M
2021
$47.3B
2024
Goods exports
$121M
2021
$43.3B
2024
Service imports
$73.1M
2021
$19.5B
2024
Service exports
$9.44M
2021
$18.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
81.7%
2024
26.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
24.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Marshall Islands New Zealand
Economic freedom 58 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 113/197 13/197
Property rights n/a 85.4
Government integrity n/a 90
Judicial effectiveness n/a 95.9
Tax burden n/a 66.1
Government spending n/a 48
Fiscal health n/a 72.2
Business freedom n/a 89.1
Labor freedom n/a 68.6
Monetary freedom n/a 77.4
Trade freedom n/a 90.6
Investment freedom n/a 70
Financial freedom n/a 80

Other economic metrics

Marshall Islands New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
67%
2024
67.4%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
13.2%
2024
19.6%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.6%
2024
4.57%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$319M
2024
$252B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,680
2024
$53,600
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$22.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
59/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$499K
2021
-$878M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.7M
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$882M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.2%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
22.5%
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/marshall-islands/new-zealand | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.

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.