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Economy of Nauru vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nauru has a GDP of $176M compared to $264B for New Zealand, ranking 195/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $25.8M in government debt (14.6% of GDP), compared to $145B (54.7% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Nauru vs New Zealand GDP by year

Nauru
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru New Zealand
2025 $176,040,044 $264,057,413,740
2024 $167,833,415 $261,497,198,364
2023 $161,531,317 $256,372,177,758
2022 $180,671,357 $249,723,029,451
2021 $149,268,324 $253,732,493,988
2020 $124,685,688 $213,318,129,989
2019 $125,160,116 $213,088,034,258
2018 $130,995,566 $211,726,161,989
2017 $109,355,639 $206,561,943,051
2016 $97,541,943 $188,980,351,891
2015 $84,863,441 $178,147,457,243
2014 $99,149,244 $201,435,445,068
2013 $94,385,015 $190,943,478,290
2012 $101,055,723 $176,508,049,114
2011 $65,071,880 $168,458,838,711
2010 $47,562,845 $146,887,902,524
2009 $44,176,246 $121,663,439,315
2008 $37,602,265 $133,437,126,590
2007 $22,766,972 $137,188,946,866
2006 $29,200,359 $111,538,810,713
2005 $30,070,666 $114,720,129,550
2004 $30,587,566 $103,905,210,084
2003 $24,778,160 $88,250,885,550
2002 $21,017,424 $66,627,729,311
2001 $22,613,288 $53,872,425,917
2000 $26,930,980 $52,623,281,957
1999 $27,328,613 $58,762,260,626
1998 $29,664,451 $56,227,169,851
1997 $37,331,507 $66,075,143,415
1996 $37,458,801 $70,140,835,299
1995 $39,969,706 $63,918,703,507
1994 $39,742,511 $55,314,732,279
1993 $43,542,088 $46,775,620,817
1992 $51,133,123 $41,649,829,860
1991 $52,533,789 $42,745,329,732
1990 $55,572,376 $45,495,129,385
1989 $53,736,786 $43,920,222,525
1988 $45,931,134 $45,176,811,594
1987 $40,118,410 $40,376,354,070
1986 $39,939,391 $30,604,668,357
1985 $41,548,741 $24,679,795,396
1984 $47,363,231 $21,665,975,319
1983 $48,439,093 $24,309,279,706
1982 $52,877,742 $24,164,603,059
1981 $51,689,637 $24,417,617,184
1980 $46,947,124 $23,244,547,385
1979 $44,431,330 $20,731,243,113
1978 $41,754,147 $18,530,518,395
1977 $40,444,702 $15,446,825,318
1976 $40,287,427 $13,604,832,424
1975 $40,106,776 $12,861,983,284
1974 $35,994,511 $13,940,981,798
1973 $26,529,817 $12,802,281,898
1972 $21,734,269 $9,567,331,065
1971 $19,009,433 $7,911,136,757
1970 $17,570,366 $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nauru vs New Zealand by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,640 - $49,591 -
2024 $14,048 $14,173 $49,432 $55,551
2023 $13,603 $13,732 $49,302 $54,697
2022 $15,310 $13,245 $49,142 $54,034
2021 $12,748 $12,112 $49,902 $48,249
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $42,055 $45,513
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $42,872 $45,278
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $43,204 $42,527
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $42,912 $42,244
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $40,088 $39,989
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $38,649 $37,513
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $44,600 $37,331
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $42,985 $36,263
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $40,042 $33,055
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $38,426 $32,739
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $13,663 $14,812
1989 $5,723 - $13,312 -
1988 $5,012 - $13,759 -
1987 $4,485 - $12,331 -
1986 $4,569 - $9,428 -
1985 $4,859 - $7,601 -
1984 $5,654 - $6,714 -
1983 $5,896 - $7,598 -
1982 $6,577 - $7,656 -
1981 $6,594 - $7,814 -
1980 $6,138 - $7,467 -
1979 $5,950 - $6,668 -
1978 $5,721 - $5,937 -
1977 $5,646 - $4,951 -
1976 $5,703 - $4,374 -
1975 $5,740 - $4,172 -
1974 $5,199 - $4,611 -
1973 $3,864 - $4,323 -
1972 $3,191 - $3,295 -
1971 $2,811 - $2,773 -
1970 $2,619 - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/new-zealand | CC BY

Nauru's GDP per capita is $14,640, ranking 74/197, compared to $49,591 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Nauru New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$176M
2025
$264B
2025
GDP rank
195/197
2025
53/197
2025
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
0.46%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,640
2025
$49,591
2025
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2025
26/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$25.8M
2025
$145B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
54.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,145
2025
$27,139
2025
Government debt per person rank
118/185
2025
27/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,187
2026
$36,222
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$103B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
128.7%
2025
41.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
6.1%
2024-2025
2.84%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
5.26%
2025
Population
12139
5380024

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 128.7% 14.6% 41.6% 54.7%
2024 118.4% 16.9% 41.7% 51.4%
2023 111% 19.2% 41% 47.3%
2022 113.8% 18.9% 41.7% 46.9%
2021 109.5% 24.2% 41.8% 47.5%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 41.9% 43.2%
2019 106% 59.6% 38.7% 31.8%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 102.3% 78% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 96% 86.3% 36.4% 33.4%
2015 85.4% 113% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 37.6% 34.2%
2013 66% 166.9% 38.6% 34.6%
2012 46% 157.3% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 42.3% 34.7%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 68% 295.6% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 - - 38.4% 19%
2007 - - 37% 16.3%
2006 - - 37.8% 18.4%
2005 - - 37.1% 20.8%
2004 - - 36.1% 22.5%
2003 - - 36.6% 24.7%
2002 - - 36.7% 26.4%
2001 - - 37.2% 28.2%
2000 - - 38.2% 30%
1999 - - 39.2% 32%
1998 - - 40.1% 34.5%
1997 - - 39.3% 34.6%
1996 - - 39.8% 37.3%
1995 - - 41.6% 43.5%
1994 - - 42.7% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.7% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.4% 58.7%
1991 - - 52.9% 58%
1990 - - 49.5% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, Nauru's government spending was $227M, accounting for 128.7% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $110B, or 41.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.6% in Nauru and 54.7% in New Zealand, ranking 176/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru New Zealand
2025 3.51% -3.86%
2024 28.9% -3.21%
2023 18.2% -3.22%
2022 20.5% -3.96%
2021 52.4% -3.35%
2020 42.8% -4.21%
2019 31% -2.44%
2018 29.6% 1.31%
2017 16.2% 1.38%
2016 18.9% 0.98%
2015 10.7% 0.37%
2014 29.6% -0.33%
2013 1.71% -1.28%
2012 8.12% -2.18%
2011 2.73% -4.94%
2010 0.09% -5.49%
2009 0.37% -1.8%
2008 - 1.48%
2007 - 3.6%
2006 - 4.62%
2005 - 5.13%
2004 - 4.49%
2003 - 3.69%
2002 - 2.56%
2001 - 1.29%
2000 - 0.18%
1999 - -1.1%
1998 - -0.47%
1997 - 1.24%
1996 - 2.58%
1995 - 3.7%
1994 - 2%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - -6.25%
1991 - -6.12%
1990 - -2.72%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, Nauru's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.19M, equivalent to 3.51% of GDP. This compares to New Zealand's deficit of $10.2B, or 3.86% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 18.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru New Zealand
2025 6.1% 2.84%
2024 9.3% 2.92%
2023 4.8% 5.73%
2022 1.1% 7.17%
2021 2% 3.94%
2020 0.9% 1.71%
2019 4.1% 1.62%
2018 1.1% 1.6%
2017 4.5% 1.85%
2016 8.1% 0.65%
2015 9.8% 0.29%
2014 0.3% 1.23%
2013 -1.1% 1.13%
2012 0.3% 1.06%
2011 -3.4% 4.03%
2010 -2% 2.3%
2009 22.4% 2.12%
2008 1% 3.96%
2007 5.6% 2.38%
2006 19.3% 3.37%
2005 8.7% 3.04%
2004 - 2.29%
2003 - 1.75%
2002 - 2.68%
2001 - 2.63%
2000 - 2.62%
1999 - -0.11%
1998 - 1.27%
1997 - 1.19%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.9%, compared with 2.62% in New Zealand. In 2025, inflation was 6.1% in Nauru and 2.84% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Nauru
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $607K
Machinery & equipment $3K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.33M
Raw materials & minerals $216K
Wood & paper products $205K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $159K
Textiles & consumer goods $144K
Chemicals & pharma $138K
Transport & tourism services $100K
Animal & marine products $51K
Raw agricultural goods $23K
Metals $14K

Balance of trade

Nauru New Zealand
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
-$9.56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
174/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.8%
2024
-3.62%
2025
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$48.2B
2025
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$47.2B
2025
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$20.3B
2025
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$19.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
103.7%
2025
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.8%
2025
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru New Zealand
Economic freedom 60 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 13/197
Property rights n/a 85.4
Government integrity n/a 90
Judicial effectiveness n/a 95.9
Tax burden n/a 66.1
Government spending n/a 48
Fiscal health n/a 72.2
Business freedom n/a 89.1
Labor freedom n/a 68.6
Monetary freedom n/a 77.4
Trade freedom n/a 90.6
Investment freedom n/a 70
Financial freedom n/a 80

Other economic metrics

Nauru New Zealand
Services, % of GDP n/a
68.2%
2023
Industry, % of GDP n/a
19.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
4.01%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$249M
2025
$248B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,200
2025
$53,600
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$28.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
59/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
-$3.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$882M
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
23.1%
2024

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/new-zealand | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.

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.