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Economy of Nauru vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 195/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Nauru vs Nigeria GDP by year

Nauru
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Nigeria
2024 $162,588,621 $252,261,880,141
2023 $151,435,610 $487,387,801,881
2022 $152,373,434 $646,950,257,578
2021 $175,390,281 $609,147,716,973
2020 $124,685,688 $598,586,817,819
2019 $125,160,116 $668,219,992,691
2018 $130,995,566 $421,739,251,509
2017 $109,355,639 $375,745,731,053
2016 $97,541,943 $404,649,125,252
2015 $84,863,441 $493,026,682,801
2014 $99,149,244 $574,183,763,412
2013 $94,385,015 $520,117,180,314
2012 $101,055,723 $463,971,018,239
2011 $65,071,880 $414,466,676,831
2010 $47,562,845 $366,990,417,129
2009 $44,176,246 $295,008,835,381
2008 $37,602,265 $339,476,276,258
2007 $22,766,972 $278,260,846,800
2006 $29,200,359 $238,454,997,161
2005 $30,070,666 $175,670,569,969
2004 $30,587,566 $135,764,731,646
2003 $24,778,160 $104,738,954,264
2002 $21,017,424 $95,054,059,303
2001 $22,613,288 $73,557,840,064
2000 $26,930,980 $69,171,451,627
1999 $27,328,613 $59,145,077,039
1998 $29,664,451 $218,416,200,673
1997 $37,331,507 $200,850,397,618
1996 $37,458,801 $185,730,236,700
1995 $39,969,706 $140,919,776,986
1994 $39,742,511 $80,399,613,064
1993 $43,542,088 $56,721,051,402
1992 $51,133,123 $52,058,181,854
1991 $52,533,789 $59,526,833,412
1990 $55,572,376 $54,035,795,388
1989 $53,736,786 $44,003,061,108
1988 $45,931,134 $49,648,470,440
1987 $40,118,410 $52,676,041,931
1986 $39,939,391 $54,805,852,581
1985 $41,548,741 $73,745,821,158
1984 $47,363,231 $73,484,359,521
1983 $48,439,093 $97,094,911,792
1982 $52,877,742 $142,769,363,314
1981 $51,689,637 $164,475,209,516
1980 $46,947,124 $64,201,788,123
1979 $44,431,330 $47,259,911,894
1978 $41,754,147 $36,527,862,209
1977 $40,444,702 $36,035,407,725
1976 $40,287,427 $36,308,883,249
1975 $40,106,776 $27,778,934,625
1974 $35,994,511 $24,846,641,318
1973 $26,529,817 $15,162,871,287
1972 $21,734,269 $12,274,416,018
1971 $19,009,433 $9,181,769,912
1970 $17,570,366 $12,546,094,982
1969 - $6,634,317,346
1968 - $5,200,997,920
1967 - $5,203,237,919
1966 - $6,366,917,453
1965 - $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Nigeria by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $962 $4,381
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $763 $4,015
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $712 $3,770
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $566 $3,309
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $547 $3,139
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $481 $3,002
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $745 $2,853
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $540 $2,921
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $509 $2,991
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $597 $2,870
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $556 $2,840
1989 $5,723 - $465 -
1988 $5,012 - $540 -
1987 $4,485 - $588 -
1986 $4,569 - $628 -
1985 $4,859 - $869 -
1984 $5,654 - $890 -
1983 $5,896 - $1,207 -
1982 $6,577 - $1,822 -
1981 $6,594 - $2,162 -
1980 $6,138 - $870 -
1979 $5,950 - $661 -
1978 $5,721 - $527 -
1977 $5,646 - $536 -
1976 $5,703 - $556 -
1975 $5,740 - $438 -
1974 $5,199 - $403 -
1973 $3,864 - $252.4 -
1972 $3,191 - $209.5 -
1971 $2,811 - $160.5 -
1970 $2,619 - $224.5 -
1969 - - $121.4 -
1968 - - $97.3 -
1967 - - $99.5 -
1966 - - $124.4 -
1965 - - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Nauru Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
195/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
3.45%
2024
Population
12125
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 93% 20.5% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 106% 59.6% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 102.3% 78% 8.51% 18%
2016 96% 86.3% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 85.4% 113% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 66% 166.9% 10% 13%
2012 46% 157.3% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 68% 295.6% 11% 6.12%
2008 - - 10.2% 5.17%
2007 - - 12.9% 5.76%
2006 - - 8.75% 6.68%
2005 - - 12.6% 13.4%
2004 - - 13% 25.2%
2003 - - 16.5% 29.9%
2002 - - 13.8% 30.7%
2001 - - 21.9% 37.7%
2000 - - 17.6% 40.9%
1999 - - 14.9% 46.1%
1998 - - 11.2% 15.8%
1997 - - 9.68% 17.1%
1996 - - 7.87% 17.9%
1995 - - 8.87% 24.2%
1994 - - 12.1% 39.7%
1993 - - 20% 50.4%
1992 - - 15.9% 49.8%
1991 - - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 - - 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 176/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Nigeria
2024 29.8% -1.57%
2023 19.4% -3.12%
2022 24.3% -4%
2021 44.5% -3.97%
2020 42.8% -4.03%
2019 31% -3.31%
2018 29.6% -3.06%
2017 16.2% -3.85%
2016 18.9% -3.3%
2015 10.7% -2.7%
2014 29.6% -1.72%
2013 1.71% -1.89%
2012 8.12% -0.09%
2011 2.73% 0.31%
2010 0.09% -2.96%
2009 0.37% -3.78%
2008 - 4.05%
2007 - -0.79%
2006 - 6.22%
2005 - 3.49%
2004 - 3.9%
2003 - -1.56%
2002 - 0.95%
2001 - -2.29%
2000 - 2.89%
1999 - -1.39%
1998 - -3.47%
1997 - 1.14%
1996 - 3.37%
1995 - 2.52%
1994 - -2.96%
1993 - -6.07%
1992 - 0.94%
1991 - -1.18%
1990 - -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.69% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Nigeria
2024 9.3% 33.2%
2023 4.8% 24.7%
2022 1.1% 18.8%
2021 2% 17%
2020 0.9% 13.2%
2019 4.1% 11.4%
2018 1.1% 12.1%
2017 4.5% 16.5%
2016 8.1% 15.7%
2015 9.8% 9.01%
2014 0.3% 8.05%
2013 -1.1% 8.5%
2012 0.3% 12.2%
2011 -3.4% 10.8%
2010 -2% 13.7%
2009 22.4% 12.5%
2008 1% 11.6%
2007 5.6% 5.39%
2006 19.3% 8.23%
2005 8.7% 17.9%
2004 - 15%
2003 - 14%
2002 - 12.9%
2001 - 18.9%
2000 - 6.93%
1999 - 6.62%
1998 - 10%
1997 - 8.53%

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/nigeria | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 14% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Nauru
Export category Export value
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.57M

Balance of trade

Nauru Nigeria
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Nigeria
Economic freedom 60 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 132/197
Property rights n/a 29.7
Government integrity n/a 23.5
Judicial effectiveness n/a 34.4
Tax burden n/a 84.6
Government spending n/a 96.3
Fiscal health n/a 83.5
Business freedom n/a 50.3
Labor freedom n/a 75.4
Monetary freedom n/a 56.1
Trade freedom n/a 64.4
Investment freedom n/a 30
Financial freedom n/a 30

Other economic metrics

Nauru Nigeria
Services, % of GDP n/a
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
56.2%
2023

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/nigeria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2021, 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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.