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Economy of Marshall Islands vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Marshall Islands has a GDP of $308M compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 194/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Marshall Islands has $36.3M in government debt (11.8% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Marshall Islands vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Marshall Islands
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
2025 $308,000,000 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $285,000,000 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $264,000,000 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $258,723,500 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $261,245,500 $982,661,066,667
2020 $241,800,000 $767,951,200,000
2019 $232,900,000 $888,890,133,333
2018 $220,000,000 $886,564,800,000
2017 $213,700,000 $741,266,133,333
2016 $201,800,000 $689,279,466,667
2015 $183,700,000 $693,414,400,000
2014 $186,000,000 $787,153,066,667
2013 $186,400,000 $769,755,733,333
2012 $180,700,000 $751,921,333,333
2011 $172,300,000 $680,660,800,000
2010 $161,100,000 $528,207,466,667
2009 $151,200,000 $429,097,866,667
2008 $146,600,000 $519,796,800,000
2007 $150,500,000 $415,964,509,673
2006 $143,200,000 $376,900,133,511
2005 $138,000,000 $328,459,608,764
2004 $132,900,000 $258,742,133,333
2003 $131,128,500 $215,807,733,333
2002 $131,960,000 $189,605,866,667
2001 $122,406,100 $184,137,600,000
2000 $114,838,500 $189,514,933,333
1999 $113,352,100 $161,717,066,667
1998 $112,070,100 $146,775,466,667
1997 $109,884,700 $165,963,684,913
1996 $110,858,000 $158,662,483,311
1995 $120,230,000 $143,343,124,166
1994 $108,071,000 $135,174,899,866
1993 $99,461,000 $132,967,957,276
1992 $91,063,000 $137,087,850,467
1991 $82,507,000 $132,223,230,975
1990 $78,476,000 $117,630,173,565
1989 $72,798,000 $95,344,459,279
1988 $70,688,000 $88,256,074,766
1987 $62,983,000 $85,695,861,148
1986 $55,989,000 $86,961,922,765
1985 $43,879,000 $103,897,846,494
1984 $45,144,000 $119,624,858,116
1983 $41,749,000 $129,171,635,311
1982 $34,918,000 $153,240,313,858
1981 $31,020,000 $184,291,360,139
1980 $26,710,653 $164,539,660,725
1979 $25,545,346 $111,858,444,786
1978 $22,209,370 $80,266,516,687
1977 $20,210,069 $74,188,986,586
1976 $18,153,647 $64,005,665,722
1975 $16,691,301 $46,773,208,643
1974 $15,217,532 $45,412,957,746
1973 $11,607,366 $14,947,435,499
1972 $9,973,652 $9,664,267,087
1971 $9,116,810 $7,184,806,909
1970 $8,408,486 $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Marshall Islands vs Saudi Arabia by year

Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,489 - $34,537 -
2024 $7,590 $8,195 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $6,799 $7,549 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $6,456 $7,431 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $6,315 $6,768 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $5,662 $6,137 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $5,292 $6,045 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $4,858 $5,232 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $4,593 $4,719 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $4,230 $4,366 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $3,764 $4,125 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $3,735 $3,931 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $3,678 $3,845 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $3,514 $3,590 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $3,319 $3,537 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $3,095 $3,473 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $2,907 $3,253 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $2,818 $3,118 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $2,892 $3,309 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $2,754 $3,110 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $2,659 $3,017 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $2,566 $2,880 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $2,539 $2,824 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $2,566 $2,825 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $2,394 $2,700 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $2,265 $2,490 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $2,258 $2,400 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $2,254 $2,422 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $2,231 $2,434 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $2,273 $2,583 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $2,491 $2,858 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $2,265 $2,617 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $2,112 $2,452 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $1,963 $2,293 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $1,811 $2,131 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $1,758 $2,102 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $1,670 - $9,414 -
1988 $1,670 - $9,165 -
1987 $1,543 - $9,386 -
1986 $1,425 - $10,078 -
1985 $1,162 - $12,745 -
1984 $1,245 - $15,541 -
1983 $1,199 - $17,810 -
1982 $1,046 - $22,454 -
1981 $969 - $28,703 -
1980 $868 - $27,206 -
1979 $859 - $19,612 -
1978 $771 - $14,914 -
1977 $724 - $14,595 -
1976 $672 - $13,313 -
1975 $638 - $10,266 -
1974 $602 - $10,503 -
1973 $472 - $3,640 -
1972 $416 - $2,474 -
1971 $390 - $1,929 -
1970 $373 - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Marshall Islands' GDP per capita is $8,489, ranking 95/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$308M
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
194/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
2.28%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,489
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,195
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
139/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$36.3M
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
11.8%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,000
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
144/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,308
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.5%
2019
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2019
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
65.3%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
9.82%
2021
3.24%
2025
Population
35039
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 65.3% 11.8% 29% 31.7%
2024 70.9% 14.2% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 67.5% 18.2% 28.3% 23%
2022 65.8% 19.6% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 69.2% 19.9% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 67.8% 21.7% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 65.5% 25.1% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 60.5% 24.7% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 63.7% 26.5% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 56.8% 29.2% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 56.3% 33.9% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 49.2% 34.9% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 55% 33.4% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 53.2% 37.6% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 55.9% 35.9% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 59.2% 38.8% 33% 8.43%
2009 63.1% 41.2% 37.1% 14%
2008 64.3% 44.1% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 67.2% 42.2% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 61.2% 44.4% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 85.3% 45.8% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 54.5% 46.8% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 52.9% 43.7% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 55.2% 37.2% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 58.8% 32.7% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 56.5% 27.3% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 48.7% 26.1% 30.3% 103%
1998 50.5% 18.1% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 55% 8.73% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 - - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 - - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 - - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 - - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 - - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, the Marshall Islands' government spending was $201M, accounting for 65.3% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 11.8% in the Marshall Islands and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 180/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Marshall Islands

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
2025 1.35% -5.77%
2024 2.62% -2.46%
2023 1.01% -1.77%
2022 0.51% 2.24%
2021 0.18% -1.99%
2020 2.54% -10.2%
2019 -1.8% -3.96%
2018 2.55% -5.21%
2017 4.38% -8.57%
2016 3.88% -13.2%
2015 2.81% -14.9%
2014 3.2% -3.4%
2013 -0.23% 5.47%
2012 -0.76% 11.7%
2011 2.13% 11.4%
2010 3.51% 4.39%
2009 1.51% -5.38%
2008 3.68% 29.8%
2007 0.27% 11.8%
2006 0.24% 20.8%
2005 -22.3% 18%
2004 -1.6% 9.72%
2003 10.5% 1.2%
2002 5.12% -5.91%
2001 7.83% -3.91%
2000 7.84% 3.18%
1999 9.01% -5.99%
1998 13.5% -8.88%
1997 7.91% -2.51%
1996 - -3.25%
1995 - -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, the Marshall Islands' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.17M, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, the Marshall Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, the Marshall Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.88% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Marshall Islands

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
2025 5.5% 2.08%
2024 5.2% 1.69%
2023 7.4% 2.33%
2022 2.8% 2.47%
2021 2.2% 3.06%
2020 -0.7% 3.37%
2019 -0.1% -1.19%
2018 0.8% 2.47%
2017 0.1% -0.83%
2016 -1.5% 2.05%
2015 -2.2% 1.22%
2014 1.1% 2.24%
2013 1.9% 3.51%
2012 4.3% 2.87%
2011 5.4% 5.83%
2010 1.8% 5.34%
2009 0.5% 5.06%
2008 14.7% 9.87%
2007 2.6% 4.17%
2006 5.3% 2.21%
2005 3.5% 0.48%
2004 2% 0.52%
2003 - 0.61%
2002 - 0.25%
2001 - -1.12%
2000 - -1.12%
1999 - -1.33%
1998 - -0.37%
1997 - 0.06%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, the Marshall Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.85%, compared with 2.76% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 5.5% in the Marshall Islands and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Marshall Islands
Export category Export value
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $115M
Textiles & consumer goods $92K
Chemicals & pharma $71K

Balance of trade

Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$62.3M
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
67/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+21.9%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$173M
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$101M
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$64.2M
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$21.1M
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.9%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 58 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 113/197 65/197
Property rights n/a 51.4
Government integrity n/a 52.7
Judicial effectiveness n/a 38.2
Tax burden n/a 99.2
Government spending n/a 77
Fiscal health n/a 97.9
Business freedom n/a 71.2
Labor freedom n/a 41.8
Monetary freedom n/a 81.2
Trade freedom n/a 73.8
Investment freedom n/a 50
Financial freedom n/a 50

Other economic metrics

Marshall Islands Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
68.2%
2024
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$352M
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,590
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$13.4M
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.4M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$27.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.2%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
31.6%
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/marshall-islands/saudi-arabia | 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 (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.