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Economy of Nauru vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 195/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Nauru vs Qatar GDP by year

Nauru
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Qatar
2024 $162,588,621 $219,162,637,363
2023 $151,435,610 $217,308,516,484
2022 $152,373,434 $235,709,340,659
2021 $175,390,281 $179,732,142,857
2020 $124,685,688 $144,411,538,462
2019 $125,160,116 $176,371,428,571
2018 $130,995,566 $183,335,164,835
2017 $109,355,639 $161,099,175,824
2016 $97,541,943 $151,732,142,857
2015 $84,863,441 $161,739,835,165
2014 $99,149,244 $206,224,725,275
2013 $94,385,015 $198,727,747,253
2012 $101,055,723 $186,833,516,484
2011 $65,071,880 $167,775,274,725
2010 $47,562,845 $123,627,197,802
2009 $44,176,246 $97,798,351,648
2008 $37,602,265 $115,270,054,945
2007 $22,766,972 $79,712,087,912
2006 $29,200,359 $60,882,142,857
2005 $30,070,666 $44,530,494,505
2004 $30,587,566 $31,734,065,934
2003 $24,778,160 $23,533,791,209
2002 $21,017,424 $19,363,736,264
2001 $22,613,288 $17,538,461,538
2000 $26,930,980 $17,759,890,110
1999 $27,328,613 $12,393,131,868
1998 $29,664,451 $10,255,495,027
1997 $37,331,507 $11,297,802,115
1996 $37,458,801 $9,059,340,385
1995 $39,969,706 $8,137,911,978
1994 $39,742,511 $7,374,450,769
1993 $43,542,088 $7,156,593,654
1992 $51,133,123 $7,646,153,984
1991 $52,533,789 $6,883,516,484
1990 $55,572,376 $7,360,439,423
1989 $53,736,786 $6,487,912,088
1988 $45,931,134 $6,038,187,033
1987 $40,118,410 $5,446,428,681
1986 $39,939,391 $5,053,021,951
1985 $41,548,741 $6,153,296,456
1984 $47,363,231 $6,704,395,824
1983 $48,439,093 $6,467,582,308
1982 $52,877,742 $7,596,703,214
1981 $51,689,637 $8,661,263,764
1980 $46,947,124 $7,829,165,262
1979 $44,431,330 $5,632,962,997
1978 $41,754,147 $4,052,000,413
1977 $40,444,702 $3,617,564,638
1976 $40,287,427 $3,284,273,987
1975 $40,106,776 $2,512,773,166
1974 $35,994,511 $2,401,403,227
1973 $26,529,817 $793,885,560
1972 $21,734,269 $510,262,500
1971 $19,009,433 $387,703,106
1970 $17,570,366 $301,791,302

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Qatar by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $5,723 - $15,243 -
1988 $5,012 - $14,682 -
1987 $4,485 - $13,719 -
1986 $4,569 - $13,213 -
1985 $4,859 - $16,815 -
1984 $5,654 - $19,272 -
1983 $5,896 - $19,616 -
1982 $6,577 - $24,385 -
1981 $6,594 - $29,505 -
1980 $6,138 - $28,375 -
1979 $5,950 - $21,777 -
1978 $5,721 - $16,757 -
1977 $5,646 - $16,058 -
1976 $5,703 - $15,710 -
1975 $5,740 - $13,014 -
1974 $5,199 - $13,540 -
1973 $3,864 - $4,905 -
1972 $3,191 - $3,483 -
1971 $2,811 - $2,952 -
1970 $2,619 - $2,594 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Nauru Qatar
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
195/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
0.13%
2022
Population
12125
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 26% 41.2%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 93% 20.5% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 106% 59.6% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 102.3% 78% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 96% 86.3% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 85.4% 113% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 66% 166.9% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 46% 157.3% 31% 32.1%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 32% 30.4%
2009 68% 295.6% 36.4% 36%
2008 - - 23.5% 11.4%
2007 - - 29.5% 9.37%
2006 - - 29.5% 13.9%
2005 - - 29% 19.1%
2004 - - 29.9% 30.1%
2003 - - 28.5% 38.8%
2002 - - 31.6% 47.7%
2001 - - 32.1% 59.2%
2000 - - 29.8% 51.6%
1999 - - 42.4% 81.8%
1998 - - 55.1% 76.6%
1997 - - 47.6% 54.4%
1996 - - 55.2% 57.8%
1995 - - 52.2% 50.2%
1994 - - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 - - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 - - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 - - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 - - 50% 12.6%

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

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 176/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Qatar
2024 29.8% 0.69%
2023 19.4% 5.56%
2022 24.3% 10.4%
2021 44.5% 0.24%
2020 42.8% -2.13%
2019 31% 1%
2018 29.6% 2.26%
2017 16.2% -6.82%
2016 18.9% -9.2%
2015 10.7% 18.4%
2014 29.6% 13.4%
2013 1.71% 19.3%
2012 8.12% 8.55%
2011 2.73% 5.24%
2010 0.09% 4.6%
2009 0.37% 14.1%
2008 - 9.49%
2007 - 10.3%
2006 - 8.39%
2005 - 9.8%
2004 - 17.7%
2003 - 6.71%
2002 - 7.89%
2001 - 4.48%
2000 - 4.62%
1999 - -4.35%
1998 - -7%
1997 - -9.4%
1996 - -8.73%
1995 - -5.78%
1994 - -11.8%
1993 - -9.53%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -2.57%
1990 - 3.23%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 3 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 5.35% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Qatar
2024 9.3% 1.27%
2023 4.8% 3.03%
2022 1.1% 5%
2021 2% 2.3%
2020 0.9% -2.54%
2019 4.1% -0.67%
2018 1.1% 0.26%
2017 4.5% 0.39%
2016 8.1% 2.68%
2015 9.8% 1.81%
2014 0.3% 3.35%
2013 -1.1% 3.22%
2012 0.3% 2.32%
2011 -3.4% 1.14%
2010 -2% -2.43%
2009 22.4% -4.86%
2008 1% 15.1%
2007 5.6% 13.8%
2006 19.3% 11.8%
2005 8.7% 8.81%
2004 - 6.8%
2003 - 2.26%
2002 - 0.24%
2001 - 1.47%
2000 - 1.65%
1999 - 2.18%
1998 - 2.95%
1997 - 4.83%

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/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 3.29% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Nauru
Export category Export value
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $56K

Balance of trade

Nauru Qatar
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Qatar
Economic freedom 60 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 37/197
Property rights n/a 66.2
Government integrity n/a 53.5
Judicial effectiveness n/a 41.5
Tax burden n/a 99.9
Government spending n/a 79.9
Fiscal health n/a 96.6
Business freedom n/a 68
Labor freedom n/a 58.5
Monetary freedom n/a 76
Trade freedom n/a 81.8
Investment freedom n/a 60
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

Nauru Qatar
Services, % of GDP n/a
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, 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.

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.