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Economy of Nauru vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nauru has a GDP of $176M compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 195/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $25.8M in government debt (14.6% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Nauru vs Qatar GDP by year

Nauru
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Qatar
2025 $176,040,044 $215,559,615,385
2024 $167,833,415 $216,294,505,495
2023 $161,531,317 $213,002,809,341
2022 $180,671,357 $235,709,325,714
2021 $149,268,324 $179,732,009,560
2020 $124,685,688 $144,411,363,352
2019 $125,160,116 $176,371,267,692
2018 $130,995,566 $183,334,953,819
2017 $109,355,639 $161,099,122,225
2016 $97,541,943 $151,732,181,868
2015 $84,863,441 $161,739,955,577
2014 $99,149,244 $206,224,598,571
2013 $94,385,015 $198,727,642,967
2012 $101,055,723 $186,833,502,363
2011 $65,071,880 $167,775,274,725
2010 $47,562,845 $125,122,252,747
2009 $44,176,246 $97,798,351,648
2008 $37,602,265 $115,269,780,220
2007 $22,766,972 $79,711,813,187
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 $10,255,494,505
1997 $37,331,507 $11,297,802,198
1996 $37,458,801 $9,059,340,659
1995 $39,969,706 $8,137,912,088
1994 $39,742,511 $7,374,450,549
1993 $43,542,088 $7,156,593,407
1992 $51,133,123 $7,646,153,846
1991 $52,533,789 $6,883,516,484
1990 $55,572,376 $7,360,439,560
1989 $53,736,786 $6,487,912,088
1988 $45,931,134 $6,038,186,813
1987 $40,118,410 $5,446,428,571
1986 $39,939,391 $5,053,021,978
1985 $41,548,741 $6,153,296,703
1984 $47,363,231 $6,870,329,670
1983 $48,439,093 $6,484,890,110
1982 $52,877,742 $7,611,263,736
1981 $51,689,637 $8,672,527,473
1980 $46,947,124 $7,837,915,956
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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $14,640 - $72,525 -
2024 $14,048 $14,173 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $13,603 $13,732 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $15,310 $13,245 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $12,748 $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 $77,387 $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 - $19,749 -
1983 $5,896 - $19,669 -
1982 $6,577 - $24,431 -
1981 $6,594 - $29,543 -
1980 $6,138 - $28,407 -
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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $14,640, ranking 74/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. 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
$176M
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
195/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,640
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$25.8M
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,145
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
118/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,187
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
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
128.7%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
6.1%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
0.1%
2024
Population
12139
3058826

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
2025 128.7% 14.6% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 118.4% 16.9% 26% 41.3%
2023 111% 19.2% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 113.8% 18.9% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 109.5% 24.2% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nauru's government spending was $227M, accounting for 128.7% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.6% in Nauru and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 176/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Qatar
2025 3.51% -1%
2024 28.9% 0.71%
2023 18.2% 5.51%
2022 20.5% 10.4%
2021 52.4% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 18.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.97% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Qatar
2025 6.1% 0.6%
2024 9.3% 1.2%
2023 4.8% 3.1%
2022 1.1% 5%
2021 2% 2.3%
2020 0.9% -2.5%
2019 4.1% -0.9%
2018 1.1% 0.1%
2017 4.5% 0.6%
2016 8.1% 2.7%
2015 9.8% 0.9%
2014 0.3% 4.2%
2013 -1.1% 3.1%
2012 0.3% 1.8%
2011 -3.4% 2%
2010 -2% -2.4%
2009 22.4% -4.9%
2008 1% 15.1%
2007 5.6% 13.7%
2006 19.3% 11.7%
2005 8.7% 9%
2004 - 6.8%
2003 - 2.3%
2002 - 0.2%
2001 - 1.7%
2000 - 1.6%
1999 - 2.2%
1998 - 2.9%
1997 - 2.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 21 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.9%, compared with 3.16% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 6.1% in Nauru and 0.6% 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
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.8%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
103.7%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.8%
2025
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
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP n/a
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$249M
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,200
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$311M
2025
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 (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2021, 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.