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Nauru economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank

Nauru ranked 195/197 by economy size with a GDP of $176M and 74/197 by GDP per capita at $14,640. Nauru has $25.8M in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 14.6%.

In 2025, Nauru made up 0.0001% of the world's economy, compared to 0.0006% in 1970.

Nauru GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2025 $176,040,044 2.14%
2024 $167,833,415 1.45%
2023 $161,531,317 -0.72%
2022 $180,671,357 0%
2021 $149,268,324 7.75%
2020 $124,685,688 1.57%
2019 $125,160,116 8.55%
2018 $130,995,566 -0.85%
2017 $109,355,639 -6.35%
2016 $97,541,943 4.13%
2015 $84,863,441 3.42%
2014 $99,149,244 15.8%
2013 $94,385,015 4.12%
2012 $101,055,723 24.4%
2011 $65,071,880 14.7%
2010 $47,562,845 0%
2009 $44,176,246 -5.56%
2008 $37,602,265 20%
2007 $22,766,972 -22.1%
2006 $29,200,359 8.45%
2005 $30,070,666 0%
2004 $30,587,566 -4.31%
2003 $24,778,160 0.28%
2002 $21,017,424 -9.97%
2001 $22,613,288 -6.76%
2000 $26,930,980 -6.86%
1999 $27,328,613 -6.57%
1998 $29,664,451 -11.8%
1997 $37,331,507 -8.95%
1996 $37,458,801 -11.9%
1995 $39,969,706 -7.92%
1994 $39,742,511 -3.87%
1993 $43,542,088 -16.1%
1992 $51,133,123 -16.3%
1991 $52,533,789 -19%
1990 $55,572,376 -2.82%
1989 $53,736,786 -2.82%
1988 $45,931,134 -2.82%
1987 $40,118,410 -2.82%
1986 $39,939,391 -2.82%
1985 $41,548,741 -2.82%
1984 $47,363,231 -2.82%
1983 $48,439,093 -2.82%
1982 $52,877,742 -2.82%
1981 $51,689,637 -2.82%
1980 $46,947,124 -2.82%
1979 $44,431,330 -2.82%
1978 $41,754,147 -2.82%
1977 $40,444,702 -2.82%
1976 $40,287,427 -2.82%
1975 $40,106,776 2.9%
1974 $35,994,511 2.9%
1973 $26,529,817 2.9%
1972 $21,734,269 2.9%
1971 $19,009,433 2.9%
1970 $17,570,366 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY

Nauru GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,640 -
2024 $14,048 $14,173
2023 $13,603 $13,732
2022 $15,310 $13,245
2021 $12,748 $12,112
2020 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $5,723 -
1988 $5,012 -
1987 $4,485 -
1986 $4,569 -
1985 $4,859 -
1984 $5,654 -
1983 $5,896 -
1982 $6,577 -
1981 $6,594 -
1980 $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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY

Nauru has a GDP per capita of $14,640, ranking 74/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $14,173, ranking 119/197, and a median annual after tax income of $9,187, ranking 81/197.

Nauru GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 179 65 -
2024 189 69 110
2023 191 70 113
2022 191 64 111
2021 191 66 110
2020 192 65 112
2019 192 69 116
2018 193 68 117
2017 193 74 117
2016 193 75 112
2015 194 79 112
2014 194 74 114
2013 194 77 119
2012 194 73 119
2011 195 92 127
2010 195 102 128
2009 195 98 129
2008 194 113 128
2007 194 126 130
2006 193 108 119
2005 192 99 117
2004 192 91 114
2003 192 93 108
2002 192 96 106
2001 192 86 104
2000 192 82 99
1999 190 80 90
1998 190 78 83
1997 190 72 71
1996 188 66 64
1995 188 62 57
1994 185 55 50
1993 184 52 48
1992 183 50 43
1991 181 50 37
1990 180 48 30
1989 164 44 -
1988 164 44 -
1987 162 44 -
1986 157 39 -
1985 157 37 -
1984 153 36 -
1983 151 36 -
1982 150 33 -
1981 150 32 -
1980 151 33 -
1979 142 31 -
1978 140 29 -
1977 140 27 -
1976 135 24 -
1975 136 23 -
1974 135 24 -
1973 135 24 -
1972 136 21 -
1971 136 20 -
1970 135 19 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2025 Nauru is ranked 179th out of 179 by GDP (up from 192nd), 65th by GDP per capita (up from 82nd), and 110th by GDP per capita PPP (down from 99th).

Economic indicators

Nauru Rank
Gross domestic product
$176M
2025
195/197
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
133/194
GDP per capita
$14,640
2025
74/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
119/197
Government debt
$25.8M
2025
184/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
176/185
Government debt per person
$2,145
2025
118/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,187
2026
81/197
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
111/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
41/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
128.7%
2025
1/195
Consumer prices inflation
6.1%
2024-2025
40/195
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
103/196
Population
12139
195/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2025 128.7% 14.6% 3.51%
2024 118.4% 16.9% 28.9%
2023 111% 19.2% 18.2%
2022 113.8% 18.9% 20.5%
2021 109.5% 24.2% 52.4%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 42.8%
2019 106% 59.6% 31%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 29.6%
2017 102.3% 78% 16.2%
2016 96% 86.3% 18.9%
2015 85.4% 113% 10.7%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 29.6%
2013 66% 166.9% 1.71%
2012 46% 157.3% 8.12%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 2.73%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 0.09%
2009 68% 295.6% 0.37%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY

This chart shows Nauru's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of them, with an average annual surplus equal to 18.5% of GDP. In 2025, government spending reached $227M (128.7% of GDP), with a surplus of 3.51%.

The national debt reached $25.8M, ranking 184th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 14.6%, ranking 176th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2025 6.1%
2024 9.3%
2023 4.8%
2022 1.1%
2021 2%
2020 0.9%
2019 4.1%
2018 1.1%
2017 4.5%
2016 8.1%
2015 9.8%
2014 0.3%
2013 -1.1%
2012 0.3%
2011 -3.4%
2010 -2%
2009 22.4%
2008 1%
2007 5.6%
2006 19.3%
2005 8.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has had an average annual inflation rate of 4.71%. In 2025, inflation was 6.1%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Nauru Rank
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
69/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.8%
2024
28/190
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
188/189
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
184/189
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
184/189
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
177/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
103.7%
2025
6/182
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.8%
2025
37/193

Nauru top 10 trading partners

Nauru's biggest trading partner accounting for 44.2% of all exports and imports is Thailand, with a trade balance between the two of +$131M: Nauru exports $131M worth of goods and services to Thailand and imports $301K.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Nauru.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 Thailand $131M 44.2% $131M $301K Animal & marine products Processed food, beverages & tobacco
2 China $65.1M 21.9% $42K $65.1M Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment
3 Australia $37.6M 12.7% $3.74M $33.9M Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
4 Philippines $13.9M 4.69% $12M $1.88M Animal & marine products Machinery & equipment
5 Senegal $9.54M 3.21% $9.54M $0 Raw agricultural goods Animal & marine products
6 Japan $7.16M 2.41% $2.75M $4.42M Animal & marine products Machinery & equipment
7 Fiji $5.94M 2% $16K $5.92M Miscellaneous Raw agricultural goods
8 France $3.8M 1.28% $3.79M $5K Textiles & consumer goods Machinery & equipment
9 New Zealand $2.87M 0.97% $609K $2.26M Chemicals & pharma Machinery & equipment
10 Singapore $2.29M 0.77% $585K $1.71M Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Nauru Rank
Animal & marine products $148M 97/192
Government & miscellaneous services $16.2M 140/187
Business & finance services $14.7M 170/189
Raw materials & minerals $5.41M 171/193
Machinery & equipment $5.37M 176/193
Textiles & consumer goods $4.97M 158/193
Transport & tourism services $2.18M 191/191
Chemicals & pharma $1.35M 172/193
Metals $306K 184/192
Raw agricultural goods $245K 180/193

Top 10 imports

Nauru Rank
Machinery & equipment $76.9M 183/193
Transport & tourism services $52.8M 186/191
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.4M 192/193
Textiles & consumer goods $6.15M 191/193
Government & miscellaneous services $6.01M 162/187
Chemicals & pharma $4.81M 191/193
Miscellaneous $4.67M 171/193
Animal & marine products $4.61M 191/193
Raw materials & minerals $4.38M 191/193
Metals $3.68M 190/193

Economic freedom indices

Nauru Rank
Economic freedom 60 97/197

Other economic metrics

Nauru Rank
GNI, Atlas method
$249M
2025
193/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,200
2025
92/191
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
42/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
172/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
170/193

Compare Nauru vs other countries

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/nauru | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.