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Economy of Namibia vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 147/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Namibia vs Nauru GDP by year

Namibia
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Nauru
2024 $13,372,354,512 $162,588,621
2023 $12,408,271,449 $151,435,610
2022 $12,569,449,123 $152,373,434
2021 $12,402,486,184 $175,390,281
2020 $10,583,748,542 $124,685,688
2019 $12,541,928,303 $125,160,116
2018 $13,682,019,076 $130,995,566
2017 $12,895,153,371 $109,355,639
2016 $10,722,018,732 $97,541,943
2015 $11,335,161,084 $84,863,441
2014 $12,435,430,970 $99,149,244
2013 $12,043,307,277 $94,385,015
2012 $13,042,053,592 $101,055,723
2011 $12,523,359,441 $65,071,880
2010 $11,431,412,421 $47,562,845
2009 $8,938,847,189 $44,176,246
2008 $8,607,431,497 $37,602,265
2007 $8,839,536,476 $22,766,972
2006 $8,001,779,551 $29,200,359
2005 $7,248,374,838 $30,070,666
2004 $6,609,205,995 $30,587,566
2003 $4,926,439,384 $24,778,160
2002 $3,349,169,826 $21,017,424
2001 $3,557,341,215 $22,613,288
2000 $3,922,232,165 $26,930,980
1999 $3,868,551,730 $27,328,613
1998 $3,873,109,866 $29,664,451
1997 $4,154,989,950 $37,331,507
1996 $3,989,163,197 $37,458,801
1995 $3,978,514,206 $39,969,706
1994 $3,666,503,530 $39,742,511
1993 $3,251,188,833 $43,542,088
1992 $3,429,521,699 $51,133,123
1991 $2,996,869,281 $52,533,789
1990 $2,789,921,854 $55,572,376
1989 $2,535,135,798 $53,736,786
1988 $2,495,094,746 $45,931,134
1987 $2,300,068,217 $40,118,410
1986 $1,809,048,527 $39,939,391
1985 $1,608,237,350 $41,548,741
1984 $1,951,260,038 $47,363,231
1983 $2,297,400,688 $48,439,093
1982 $2,118,710,248 $52,877,742
1981 $2,249,908,578 $51,689,637
1980 $2,421,990,338 $46,947,124
1979 - $44,431,330
1978 - $41,754,147
1977 - $40,444,702
1976 - $40,287,427
1975 - $40,106,776
1974 - $35,994,511
1973 - $26,529,817
1972 - $21,734,269
1971 - $19,009,433
1970 - $17,570,366

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Nauru by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $1,967 - $5,723 -
1988 $2,063 - $5,012 -
1987 $1,969 - $4,485 -
1986 $1,599 - $4,569 -
1985 $1,466 - $4,859 -
1984 $1,830 - $5,654 -
1983 $2,214 - $5,896 -
1982 $2,097 - $6,577 -
1981 $2,267 - $6,594 -
1980 $2,468 - $6,138 -
1979 - - $5,950 -
1978 - - $5,721 -
1977 - - $5,646 -
1976 - - $5,703 -
1975 - - $5,740 -
1974 - - $5,199 -
1973 - - $3,864 -
1972 - - $3,191 -
1971 - - $2,811 -
1970 - - $2,619 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Namibia Nauru
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$8,783
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
5.06%
2021
Population
3173089
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 37% 67.2% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 93% 20.5%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 106% 59.6%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 102.3% 78%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 96% 86.3%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 85.4% 113%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 66% 166.9%
2012 35% 24.6% 46% 157.3%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 32% 15.9% 68% 295.6%
2008 28.4% 19.1% - -
2007 26.1% 19.4% - -
2006 27.4% 26.1% - -
2005 27.7% 26.9% - -
2004 28.4% 29.2% - -
2003 31.1% 27.1% - -
2002 29.8% 22.2% - -
2001 30.7% 24.4% - -
2000 30.1% 20.9% - -
1999 31.8% 21.8% - -
1998 31.3% 19.6% - -
1997 30.9% 17.7% - -
1996 30.4% 18.7% - -
1995 29.6% 18% - -
1994 28.7% 16.4% - -
1993 32.4% 17.2% - -
1992 32.8% 14.1% - -
1991 33% 11.8% - -
1990 30.2% 12.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 61/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Nauru
2024 -3.59% 29.8%
2023 -3.14% 19.4%
2022 -6.33% 24.3%
2021 -8.68% 44.5%
2020 -8.07% 42.8%
2019 -5.49% 31%
2018 -5.09% 29.6%
2017 -4.99% 16.2%
2016 -9.3% 18.9%
2015 -8.3% 10.7%
2014 -6.44% 29.6%
2013 -4.69% 1.71%
2012 -3.1% 8.12%
2011 -7.09% 2.73%
2010 -4.98% 0.09%
2009 -0.4% 0.37%
2008 3.48% -
2007 6.01% -
2006 3.41% -
2005 -0.31% -
2004 -2.67% -
2003 -4.47% -
2002 -1.38% -
2001 -2.01% -
2000 -0.79% -
1999 -1.88% -
1998 -2.76% -
1997 -2.38% -
1996 -3.7% -
1995 -1.74% -
1994 -0.57% -
1993 -2.73% -
1992 -2.55% -
1991 -1.59% -
1990 1.08% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.61% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Nauru
2024 4.2% 9.3%
2023 5.9% 4.8%
2022 6.1% 1.1%
2021 3.6% 2%
2020 2.2% 0.9%
2019 3.7% 4.1%
2018 4.3% 1.1%
2017 6.1% 4.5%
2016 6.7% 8.1%
2015 3.4% 9.8%
2014 5.3% 0.3%
2013 5.6% -1.1%
2012 6.7% 0.3%
2011 5% -3.4%
2010 4.9% -2%
2009 9.5% 22.4%
2008 9.1% 1%
2007 6.5% 5.6%
2006 5% 19.3%
2005 2.3% 8.7%
2004 4.1% -
2003 7.2% -
2002 12.7% -
2001 10.2% -
2000 10.2% -
1999 9.4% -
1998 6.6% -
1997 9.7% -

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

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

Over the past 20 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.31%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 9.3% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Nauru
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $15K

Balance of trade

Namibia Nauru
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Nauru
Economic freedom 60.2 60
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 97/197
Property rights 63.1 n/a
Government integrity 51.5 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 n/a
Tax burden 66.4 n/a
Government spending 57.1 n/a
Fiscal health 60.5 n/a
Business freedom 58 n/a
Labor freedom 62.7 n/a
Monetary freedom 76.1 n/a
Trade freedom 69.8 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Namibia Nauru
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/nauru | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.