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Economy of Nauru vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 195/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Nauru vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Nauru
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Saudi Arabia
2024 $162,588,621 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $151,435,610 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $152,373,434 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $175,390,281 $982,661,066,667
2020 $124,685,688 $767,951,200,000
2019 $125,160,116 $888,890,133,333
2018 $130,995,566 $886,564,800,000
2017 $109,355,639 $741,266,133,333
2016 $97,541,943 $689,279,466,667
2015 $84,863,441 $693,414,400,000
2014 $99,149,244 $787,153,066,667
2013 $94,385,015 $769,755,733,333
2012 $101,055,723 $751,921,333,333
2011 $65,071,880 $680,660,800,000
2010 $47,562,845 $528,207,466,667
2009 $44,176,246 $429,097,866,667
2008 $37,602,265 $519,796,800,000
2007 $22,766,972 $415,964,509,673
2006 $29,200,359 $376,900,133,511
2005 $30,070,666 $328,459,608,764
2004 $30,587,566 $258,742,133,333
2003 $24,778,160 $215,807,733,333
2002 $21,017,424 $189,605,866,667
2001 $22,613,288 $184,137,600,000
2000 $26,930,980 $189,514,933,333
1999 $27,328,613 $161,717,066,667
1998 $29,664,451 $146,775,466,667
1997 $37,331,507 $165,963,684,913
1996 $37,458,801 $158,662,483,311
1995 $39,969,706 $143,343,124,166
1994 $39,742,511 $135,174,899,866
1993 $43,542,088 $132,967,957,276
1992 $51,133,123 $137,087,850,467
1991 $52,533,789 $132,223,230,975
1990 $55,572,376 $117,630,173,565
1989 $53,736,786 $95,344,459,279
1988 $45,931,134 $88,256,074,766
1987 $40,118,410 $85,695,861,148
1986 $39,939,391 $86,961,922,765
1985 $41,548,741 $103,897,846,494
1984 $47,363,231 $119,624,858,116
1983 $48,439,093 $129,171,635,311
1982 $52,877,742 $153,240,313,858
1981 $51,689,637 $184,291,360,139
1980 $46,947,124 $164,539,660,725
1979 $44,431,330 $111,858,444,786
1978 $41,754,147 $80,266,516,687
1977 $40,444,702 $74,188,986,586
1976 $40,287,427 $64,005,665,722
1975 $40,106,776 $46,773,208,643
1974 $35,994,511 $45,412,957,746
1973 $26,529,817 $14,947,435,499
1972 $21,734,269 $9,664,267,087
1971 $19,009,433 $7,184,806,909
1970 $17,570,366 $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Saudi Arabia by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $5,723 - $9,414 -
1988 $5,012 - $9,165 -
1987 $4,485 - $9,386 -
1986 $4,569 - $10,078 -
1985 $4,859 - $12,745 -
1984 $5,654 - $15,541 -
1983 $5,896 - $17,810 -
1982 $6,577 - $22,454 -
1981 $6,594 - $28,703 -
1980 $6,138 - $27,206 -
1979 $5,950 - $19,612 -
1978 $5,721 - $14,914 -
1977 $5,646 - $14,595 -
1976 $5,703 - $13,313 -
1975 $5,740 - $10,266 -
1974 $5,199 - $10,503 -
1973 $3,864 - $3,640 -
1972 $3,191 - $2,474 -
1971 $2,811 - $1,929 -
1970 $2,619 - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Nauru Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
195/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
3.52%
2024
Population
12125
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 28.3% 23%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 93% 20.5% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 106% 59.6% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 102.3% 78% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 96% 86.3% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 85.4% 113% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 66% 166.9% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 46% 157.3% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 33% 8.43%
2009 68% 295.6% 37.1% 14%
2008 - - 26.7% 12.1%
2007 - - 29.5% 17.1%
2006 - - 27.3% 25.8%
2005 - - 28.2% 37.3%
2004 - - 31.1% 62.9%
2003 - - 33.1% 81.6%
2002 - - 35.9% 96.4%
2001 - - 36.9% 93.1%
2000 - - 33.1% 86.7%
1999 - - 30.3% 103%
1998 - - 34.5% 101.5%
1997 - - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 - - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 - - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 - - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 - - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 - - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 176/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Saudi Arabia
2024 29.8% -2.49%
2023 19.4% -1.77%
2022 24.3% 2.24%
2021 44.5% -1.99%
2020 42.8% -10.2%
2019 31% -3.96%
2018 29.6% -5.21%
2017 16.2% -8.57%
2016 18.9% -13.2%
2015 10.7% -14.9%
2014 29.6% -3.4%
2013 1.71% 5.47%
2012 8.12% 11.7%
2011 2.73% 11.4%
2010 0.09% 4.39%
2009 0.37% -5.38%
2008 - 29.8%
2007 - 11.8%
2006 - 20.8%
2005 - 18%
2004 - 9.72%
2003 - 1.2%
2002 - -5.91%
2001 - -3.91%
2000 - 3.18%
1999 - -5.99%
1998 - -8.88%
1997 - -2.51%
1996 - -3.25%
1995 - -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.25% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Saudi Arabia
2024 9.3% 1.69%
2023 4.8% 2.33%
2022 1.1% 2.47%
2021 2% 3.06%
2020 0.9% 3.37%
2019 4.1% -1.19%
2018 1.1% 2.47%
2017 4.5% -0.83%
2016 8.1% 2.05%
2015 9.8% 1.22%
2014 0.3% 2.24%
2013 -1.1% 3.51%
2012 0.3% 2.87%
2011 -3.4% 5.83%
2010 -2% 5.34%
2009 22.4% 5.06%
2008 1% 9.87%
2007 5.6% 4.17%
2006 19.3% 2.21%
2005 8.7% 0.48%
2004 - 0.52%
2003 - 0.61%
2002 - 0.25%
2001 - -1.12%
2000 - -1.12%
1999 - -1.33%
1998 - -0.37%
1997 - 0.06%

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 2.91% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Nauru
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $217K
Machinery & equipment $164K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Miscellaneous $2K
Metals $1K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Nauru Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 60 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 65/197
Property rights n/a 51.4
Government integrity n/a 52.7
Judicial effectiveness n/a 38.2
Tax burden n/a 99.2
Government spending n/a 77
Fiscal health n/a 97.9
Business freedom n/a 71.2
Labor freedom n/a 41.8
Monetary freedom n/a 81.2
Trade freedom n/a 73.8
Investment freedom n/a 50
Financial freedom n/a 50

Other economic metrics

Nauru Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP n/a
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.