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Economy of Marshall Islands vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Marshall Islands has a GDP of $290M compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 193/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Marshall Islands has $38.4M in government debt (13.2% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Marshall Islands vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Marshall Islands
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Marshall Islands Tuvalu
2024 $290,108,490 -
2023 $263,761,322 $62,280,312
2022 $258,723,511 $59,065,982
2021 $261,245,544 $60,196,406
2020 $241,800,000 $51,746,594
2019 $232,900,000 $54,123,199
2018 $220,000,000 $48,015,260
2017 $213,700,000 $45,276,595
2016 $201,800,000 $41,629,064
2015 $183,700,000 $36,811,936
2014 $186,000,000 $38,760,983
2013 $186,400,000 $38,615,891
2012 $180,700,000 $39,345,579
2011 $172,300,000 $39,196,957
2010 $161,100,000 $32,105,408
2009 $151,200,000 $28,076,984
2008 $146,600,000 $31,874,435
2007 $150,500,000 $28,450,169
2006 $143,200,000 $24,096,875
2005 $138,000,000 $22,909,980
2004 $132,900,000 $22,798,275
2003 $131,128,500 $19,456,338
2002 $131,960,000 $16,842,673
2001 $122,406,100 $13,964,732
2000 $114,838,500 $15,073,976
1999 $113,352,100 $14,800,503
1998 $112,070,100 $13,795,146
1997 $109,884,700 $13,734,210
1996 $110,858,000 $13,338,597
1995 $120,230,000 $11,922,614
1994 $108,071,000 $11,772,611
1993 $99,461,000 $10,414,400
1992 $91,063,000 $10,535,028
1991 $82,507,000 $10,127,314
1990 $78,476,000 $9,542,901
1989 $72,798,000 $8,454,523
1988 $70,688,000 $7,011,059
1987 $62,983,000 $5,020,513
1986 $55,989,000 $4,574,706
1985 $43,879,000 $3,862,852
1984 $45,144,000 $4,481,978
1983 $41,749,000 $4,152,550
1982 $34,918,000 $4,118,945
1981 $31,020,000 $4,773,018
1980 $26,710,653 $4,206,128
1979 $25,545,346 $4,065,659
1978 $22,209,370 $3,798,782
1977 $20,210,069 $3,669,420
1976 $18,153,647 $3,919,072
1975 $16,691,301 $4,014,748
1974 $15,217,532 $4,122,329
1973 $11,607,366 $3,411,915
1972 $9,973,652 $2,968,458
1971 $9,116,810 $2,716,990
1970 $8,408,486 $2,585,956

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/tuvalu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Marshall Islands vs Tuvalu by year

Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Marshall Islands Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,726 $8,195 - -
2023 $6,793 $7,549 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $6,456 $7,431 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $6,315 $6,768 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $5,662 $6,137 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $5,292 $6,045 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $4,858 $5,232 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $4,593 $4,719 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $4,230 $4,366 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $3,764 $4,125 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $3,735 $3,931 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $3,678 $3,845 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $3,514 $3,590 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $3,319 $3,537 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $3,095 $3,473 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $2,907 $3,253 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $2,818 $3,118 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $2,892 $3,309 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $2,754 $3,110 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $2,659 $3,017 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $2,566 $2,880 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $2,539 $2,824 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $2,566 $2,825 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $2,394 $2,700 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $2,265 $2,490 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $2,258 $2,400 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $2,254 $2,422 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $2,231 $2,434 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $2,273 $2,583 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $2,491 $2,858 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $2,265 $2,617 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $2,112 $2,452 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $1,963 $2,293 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $1,811 $2,131 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $1,758 $2,102 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $1,670 - $976 -
1988 $1,670 - $823 -
1987 $1,543 - $600 -
1986 $1,425 - $557 -
1985 $1,162 - $480 -
1984 $1,245 - $567 -
1983 $1,199 - $533 -
1982 $1,046 - $537 -
1981 $969 - $634 -
1980 $868 - $571 -
1979 $859 - $566 -
1978 $771 - $546 -
1977 $724 - $549 -
1976 $672 - $612 -
1975 $638 - $656 -
1974 $602 - $708 -
1973 $472 - $601 -
1972 $416 - $522 -
1971 $390 - $478 -
1970 $373 - $457 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/tuvalu | CC BY

The Marshall Islands' GDP per capita is $7,726, ranking 96/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Marshall Islands Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$290M
2024
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
193/197
2024
196/197
2023
GDP growth
2.5%
2023-2024
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$7,726
2024
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2024
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,195
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
139/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$38.4M
2024
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.2%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,022
2024
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2024
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,044
2026
$4,233
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.5%
2019
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2019
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.2%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
9.82%
2021
7.32%
2022
Population
35058
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Marshall Islands Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 71.6% 13.2% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 68.4% 18.2% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 67.7% 19.8% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 69.8% 20.1% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 67.8% 21.7% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 65.5% 25.1% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 60.5% 24.7% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 63.7% 26.5% 106.4% 12%
2016 56.8% 29.2% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 56.3% 33.9% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 49.2% 34.9% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 55% 33.4% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 53.2% 37.6% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 55.9% 35.9% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 59.2% 38.8% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 63.1% 41.2% 100% 20.6%
2008 64.3% 44.1% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 67.2% 42.2% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 61.2% 44.4% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 85.3% 45.8% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 54.5% 46.8% 74.1% -
2003 52.9% 43.7% - -
2002 55.2% 37.2% - -
2001 58.8% 32.7% - -
2000 56.5% 27.3% - -
1999 48.7% 26.1% - -
1998 50.5% 18.1% - -
1997 55% 8.73% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2024, the Marshall Islands' government spending was $208M, accounting for 71.6% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.2% in the Marshall Islands and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 179/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Marshall Islands

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Marshall Islands Tuvalu
2024 3.61% -8.23%
2023 1.14% 15.3%
2022 0.68% -14.6%
2021 0.18% -13.3%
2020 2.54% 13.7%
2019 -1.8% -1.07%
2018 2.55% 30.3%
2017 4.38% 2.09%
2016 3.88% 27.5%
2015 2.81% 14.7%
2014 3.2% 3.26%
2013 -0.23% 26%
2012 -0.76% 9.58%
2011 2.13% -8.8%
2010 3.51% -23.4%
2009 1.51% -13.5%
2008 3.68% -17.2%
2007 0.27% -18.6%
2006 0.24% -36.8%
2005 -22.3% -12.8%
2004 -1.6% -3.6%
2003 10.5% -
2002 5.12% -
2001 7.83% -
2000 7.84% -
1999 9.01% -
1998 13.5% -
1997 7.91% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2023, the Marshall Islands' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.01M, equivalent to 1.14% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, the Marshall Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, the Marshall Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 0.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Marshall Islands

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Marshall Islands Tuvalu
2024 5.2% 1.2%
2023 7.4% 7.2%
2022 2.8% 12.2%
2021 2.2% 6.7%
2020 -0.7% 1.6%
2019 -0.1% 3.5%
2018 0.8% 2.2%
2017 0.1% 4.1%
2016 -1.5% 3.5%
2015 -2.2% 3.1%
2014 1.1% 1.1%
2013 1.9% 2%
2012 4.3% 1.4%
2011 5.4% 0.5%
2010 1.8% -1.9%
2009 0.5% -0.3%
2008 14.7% 10.4%
2007 2.6% 2.3%
2006 5.3% 4.2%
2005 3.5% 3.2%
2004 2% 2.4%
2003 - 2.9%
2002 - 5.1%
2001 - 1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/tuvalu | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, the Marshall Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.72%, compared with 3.36% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 5.2% in the Marshall Islands and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

Marshall Islands Tuvalu
Current account balance
$76.3M
2021
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
70/190
2021
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.2%
2021
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$133M
2021
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$121M
2021
$184K
2022
Service imports
$73.1M
2021
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$9.44M
2021
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
81.7%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Marshall Islands Tuvalu
Economic freedom 58 60
Economic freedom ranking 113/197 99/197

Other economic metrics

Marshall Islands Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
67%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
13.2%
2024
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.6%
2024
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$319M
2024
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,680
2024
$8,320
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$499K
2021
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.7M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.2%
2019
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
n/a

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/tuvalu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  5. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  6. 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.