Skip to content

Economy of Nauru vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 195/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Nauru vs Netherlands GDP by year

Nauru
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Netherlands
2024 $162,588,621 $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $151,435,610 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $152,373,434 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $175,390,281 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $124,685,688 $932,560,861,701
2019 $125,160,116 $928,903,005,576
2018 $130,995,566 $929,733,599,797
2017 $109,355,639 $848,233,537,846
2016 $97,541,943 $797,163,949,290
2015 $84,863,441 $775,743,675,303
2014 $99,149,244 $901,556,501,756
2013 $94,385,015 $883,951,539,007
2012 $101,055,723 $845,689,017,066
2011 $65,071,880 $913,140,741,333
2010 $47,562,845 $852,464,982,433
2009 $44,176,246 $878,954,223,140
2008 $37,602,265 $957,901,566,041
2007 $22,766,972 $853,499,460,873
2006 $29,200,359 $737,593,995,289
2005 $30,070,666 $688,133,699,636
2004 $30,587,566 $661,224,886,143
2003 $24,778,160 $582,435,617,082
2002 $21,017,424 $475,529,972,123
2001 $22,613,288 $432,536,219,669
2000 $26,930,980 $417,649,282,154
1999 $27,328,613 $447,778,514,140
1998 $29,664,451 $438,612,530,549
1997 $37,331,507 $417,506,211,882
1996 $37,458,801 $451,372,549,020
1995 $39,969,706 $452,967,334,614
1994 $39,742,511 $379,688,232,232
1993 $43,542,088 $354,070,495,966
1992 $51,133,123 $363,497,050,125
1991 $52,533,789 $327,982,316,124
1990 $55,572,376 $318,799,003,994
1989 $53,736,786 $258,716,904,292
1988 $45,931,134 $262,295,966,105
1987 $40,118,410 $245,406,949,521
1986 $39,939,391 $201,157,708,221
1985 $41,548,741 $144,057,523,222
1984 $47,363,231 $144,124,462,912
1983 $48,439,093 $153,671,294,109
1982 $52,877,742 $158,712,765,536
1981 $51,689,637 $164,375,775,854
1980 $46,947,124 $195,439,301,707
1979 $44,431,330 $179,933,827,310
1978 $41,754,147 $156,089,077,205
1977 $40,444,702 $127,203,923,857
1976 $40,287,427 $109,329,386,564
1975 $40,106,776 $100,397,061,694
1974 $35,994,511 $87,371,810,804
1973 $26,529,817 $71,946,639,603
1972 $21,734,269 $54,787,070,173
1971 $19,009,433 $44,644,730,576
1970 $17,570,366 $38,220,884,519
1969 - $34,086,038,090
1968 - $30,097,635,751
1967 - $27,143,828,099
1966 - $24,741,480,717
1965 - $22,721,869,808
1964 - $20,232,048,553
1963 - $17,193,744,109
1962 - $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Netherlands by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 $67,520 $86,174
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $23,939 $20,831
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $21,764 $20,177
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $21,322 $19,203
1989 $5,723 - $17,423 -
1988 $5,012 - $17,771 -
1987 $4,485 - $16,734 -
1986 $4,569 - $13,804 -
1985 $4,859 - $9,941 -
1984 $5,654 - $9,992 -
1983 $5,896 - $10,696 -
1982 $6,577 - $11,089 -
1981 $6,594 - $11,537 -
1980 $6,138 - $13,812 -
1979 $5,950 - $12,817 -
1978 $5,721 - $11,196 -
1977 $5,646 - $9,180 -
1976 $5,703 - $7,937 -
1975 $5,740 - $7,346 -
1974 $5,199 - $6,450 -
1973 $3,864 - $5,353 -
1972 $3,191 - $4,110 -
1971 $2,811 - $3,384 -
1970 $2,619 - $2,931 -
1969 - - $2,647 -
1968 - - $2,364 -
1967 - - $2,155 -
1966 - - $1,986 -
1965 - - $1,848 -
1964 - - $1,668 -
1963 - - $1,437 -
1962 - - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Nauru Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
195/197
2024
19/197
2024
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
11/197
2024
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
3.64%
2024
Population
12125
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 44% 45.9%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 93% 20.5% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 106% 59.6% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 102.3% 78% 42.8% 56%
2016 96% 86.3% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 85.4% 113% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 66% 166.9% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 46% 157.3% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 68% 295.6% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 - - 44.3% 54.4%
2007 - - 43.3% 42.7%
2006 - - 44% 45%
2005 - - 43.4% 49.6%
2004 - - 44.7% 50.1%
2003 - - 45.8% 49.8%
2002 - - 44.8% 48.7%
2001 - - 44.1% 49.4%
2000 - - 43.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 44.3% 58.6%
1998 - - 44.6% 62.7%
1997 - - 45.7% 65.7%
1996 - - 47.3% 71.2%
1995 - - 53.9% 73%
1994 - - 49.4% 73.5%
1993 - - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 - - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 176/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Netherlands
2024 29.8% -0.94%
2023 19.4% -0.37%
2022 24.3% 0.002%
2021 44.5% -2.26%
2020 42.8% -3.72%
2019 31% 1.91%
2018 29.6% 1.49%
2017 16.2% 1.35%
2016 18.9% 0.23%
2015 10.7% -1.84%
2014 29.6% -2.17%
2013 1.71% -2.87%
2012 8.12% -3.83%
2011 2.73% -4.42%
2010 0.09% -5.3%
2009 0.37% -5.06%
2008 - -0.06%
2007 - -0.16%
2006 - 0.04%
2005 - -0.51%
2004 - -1.82%
2003 - -3.19%
2002 - -2.23%
2001 - -0.47%
2000 - 1.14%
1999 - 0.28%
1998 - -1.34%
1997 - -1.6%
1996 - -1.91%
1995 - -8.72%
1994 - -3.53%
1993 - -3.13%
1992 - -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nauru's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $48.4M, equivalent to 29.8% of GDP. This compares to the Netherlands' deficit of $11.5B, or 0.94% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.74% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Netherlands
2024 9.3% 3.35%
2023 4.8% 3.84%
2022 1.1% 10%
2021 2% 2.68%
2020 0.9% 1.27%
2019 4.1% 2.63%
2018 1.1% 1.7%
2017 4.5% 1.38%
2016 8.1% 0.32%
2015 9.8% 0.6%
2014 0.3% 0.98%
2013 -1.1% 2.51%
2012 0.3% 2.46%
2011 -3.4% 2.34%
2010 -2% 1.28%
2009 22.4% 1.19%
2008 1% 2.49%
2007 5.6% 1.61%
2006 19.3% 1.1%
2005 8.7% 1.69%
2004 - 1.26%
2003 - 2.09%
2002 - 3.29%
2001 - 4.16%
2000 - 2.36%
1999 - 2.16%
1998 - 1.96%
1997 - 2.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 2.27% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Nauru
Export category Export value
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $140K
Animal & marine products $69K
Machinery & equipment $37K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30K
Raw agricultural goods $26K

Balance of trade

Nauru Netherlands
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$693B
2024
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$262B
2024
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Netherlands
Economic freedom 60 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 11/197
Property rights n/a 96
Government integrity n/a 86.8
Judicial effectiveness n/a 96.1
Tax burden n/a 54
Government spending n/a 42.2
Fiscal health n/a 95.9
Business freedom n/a 85
Labor freedom n/a 59.3
Monetary freedom n/a 77
Trade freedom n/a 79.4
Investment freedom n/a 90
Financial freedom n/a 80

Other economic metrics

Nauru Netherlands
Services, % of GDP n/a
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
19.7%
2024

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/nauru/netherlands | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.

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.