Nauru ranked 195/197 by economy size with a GDP of $163M and 74/197 by GDP per capita at $13,609. Nauru has $28.3M in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 17.4%.
In 2024, Nauru made up 0.0001% of the world's economy, compared to 0.0006% in 1970.
Nauru GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $162,588,621 | 1.39% |
| 2023 | $151,435,610 | 0.7% |
| 2022 | $152,373,434 | 2.88% |
| 2021 | $175,390,281 | 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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY 
Nauru GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $13,609 | $14,173 |
| 2023 | $12,752 | $13,732 |
| 2022 | $12,912 | $13,245 |
| 2021 | $14,979 | $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY
Nauru has a GDP per capita of $13,609, 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 $8,783, ranking 83/197.
Nauru GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | 182 | 69 | 110 |
| 2023 | 191 | 73 | 113 |
| 2022 | 191 | 70 | 111 |
| 2021 | 191 | 61 | 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 | 63 | 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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2024 Nauru is ranked 182nd out of 182 by GDP (up from 192nd), 69th by GDP per capita (up from 82nd), and 110th by GDP per capita PPP (down from 99th).
Economic indicators
Nauru
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$163M
2024 |
195/197 |
| GDP growth |
1.39%
2023-2024 |
149/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$13,609
2024 |
74/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$14,173
2024 |
119/197 |
| Government debt |
$28.3M
2024 |
184/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
17.4%
2024 |
176/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,367
2024 |
113/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$8,783
2026 |
83/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
25.3%
2012 |
112/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.4%
2012 |
41/169 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
122.1%
2024 |
1/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
9.3%
2023-2024 |
31/195 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.06%
2021 |
103/196 |
| Population |
12125
|
195/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2024 | 122.1% | 17.4% | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 118.1% | 20.5% | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 134.8% | 22.4% | 24.3% |
| 2021 | 93% | 20.5% | 44.5% |
| 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 (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
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 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of them, with an average annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $199M (122.1% of GDP), with a surplus of 29.8%.
The national debt reached $28.3M, ranking 184th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 17.4%, ranking 176th.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 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 (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/nauru | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, Nauru has had an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%. In 2024, inflation was 9.3%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
Nauru
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$9.73M
2024 |
75/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+5.98%
2024 |
25/190 |
| 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 |
178/189 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
110.5%
2024 |
5/181 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
55.3%
2024 |
46/193 |
Nauru top 10 trading partners
Nauru's biggest trading partner accounting for 53.4% of all exports and imports is Thailand, with a trade balance between the two of +$141M: Nauru exports $143M worth of goods and services to Thailand and imports $1.57M.
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
|
$145M | 53.4% | $143M | $1.57M | Animal & marine products | Machinery & equipment |
| 2 |
Australia
|
$36.4M | 13.4% | $114K | $36.3M | Machinery & equipment | Machinery & equipment |
| 3 |
China
|
$20M | 7.38% | $8.53M | $11.5M | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 4 |
Philippines
|
$10M | 3.71% | $9.98M | $55K | Animal & marine products | Processed food, beverages & tobacco |
| 5 |
Senegal
|
$9.54M | 3.52% | $9.54M | $0 | Raw agricultural goods | Animal & marine products |
| 6 |
South Korea
|
$9M | 3.32% | $8.84M | $163K | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 7 |
Japan
|
$7.11M | 2.63% | $626K | $6.49M | Animal & marine products | Machinery & equipment |
| 8 |
New Zealand
|
$6.77M | 2.5% | $5.53M | $1.24M | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 9 |
Fiji
|
$5.17M | 1.91% | $54K | $5.12M | Processed food, beverages & tobacco | Raw agricultural goods |
| 10 |
United States
|
$3.24M | 1.2% | $2.32M | $917K | Textiles & consumer goods | Machinery & equipment |
Top 10 exports
|
Nauru
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Animal & marine products | $155M | 95/192 |
| Raw materials & minerals | $23.1M | 161/193 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $9.54M | 158/193 |
| Machinery & equipment | $9.08M | 165/193 |
| Business & finance services | $8.61M | 173/188 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $4.94M | 154/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $2.46M | 186/188 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $618K | 176/193 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $499K | 183/192 |
| Metals | $348K | 184/192 |
Top 10 imports
|
Nauru
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport & tourism services | $32.9M | 186/188 |
| Machinery & equipment | $28M | 190/193 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $10.1M | 191/193 |
| Miscellaneous | $4.67M | 169/193 |
| Animal & marine products | $4.53M | 192/193 |
| Raw materials & minerals | $4.08M | 192/193 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $3.97M | 191/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $3.93M | 191/193 |
| Metals | $3.73M | 190/193 |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $2.79M | 159/180 |
Economic freedom indices
|
Nauru
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 60 | 97/197 |
Other economic metrics
|
Nauru
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$244M
2024 |
193/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$21,970
2024 |
83/191 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$4.51M
2024 |
41/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$5.85M
2024 |
172/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$1.34M
2024 |
172/193 |
Compare Nauru vs other countries
GDP per capita map
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/nauru | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- 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.