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Economy of Nauru vs Taiwan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $802B for Taiwan, ranking 195/197 and 22/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $211B (26.3% of GDP) in Taiwan.

Nauru vs Taiwan GDP by year

Nauru
Taiwan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Taiwan
2024 $162,588,621 $801,529,000,000
2023 $151,435,610 $757,328,000,000
2022 $152,373,434 $765,529,000,000
2021 $175,390,281 $777,062,000,000
2020 $124,685,688 $676,935,000,000
2019 $125,160,116 $613,453,000,000
2018 $130,995,566 $610,744,000,000
2017 $109,355,639 $591,734,000,000
2016 $97,541,943 $543,002,000,000
2015 $84,863,441 $534,474,000,000
2014 $99,149,244 $535,332,000,000
2013 $94,385,015 $512,957,000,000
2012 $101,055,723 $495,536,000,000
2011 $65,071,880 $483,957,000,000
2010 $47,562,845 $444,245,000,000
2009 $44,176,246 $390,788,000,000
2008 $37,602,265 $415,824,000,000
2007 $22,766,972 $406,940,000,000
2006 $29,200,359 $386,492,000,000
2005 $30,070,666 $374,042,000,000
2004 $30,587,566 $346,881,000,000
2003 $24,778,160 $317,374,000,000
2002 $21,017,424 $307,429,000,000
2001 $22,613,288 $299,303,000,000
2000 $26,930,980 $330,725,000,000
1999 $27,328,613 $303,827,000,000
1998 $29,664,451 $279,926,000,000
1997 $37,331,507 $303,315,000,000
1996 $37,458,801 $292,473,000,000
1995 $39,969,706 $279,013,000,000
1994 $39,742,511 $256,213,000,000
1993 $43,542,088 $234,943,000,000
1992 $51,133,123 $222,947,000,000
1991 $52,533,789 $187,100,000,000
1990 $55,572,376 $166,392,000,000
1989 $53,736,786 $152,687,000,000
1988 $45,931,134 $126,378,000,000
1987 $40,118,410 $104,956,000,000
1986 $39,939,391 $78,347,000,000
1985 $41,548,741 $63,599,000,000
1984 $47,363,231 $61,036,000,000
1983 $48,439,093 $54,155,000,000
1982 $52,877,742 $49,540,000,000
1981 $51,689,637 $49,047,000,000
1980 $46,947,124 $42,292,000,000
1979 $44,431,330 $33,875,000,000
1978 $41,754,147 $27,373,000,000
1977 $40,444,702 $22,252,000,000
1976 $40,287,427 $18,988,000,000
1975 $40,106,776 $15,836,000,000
1974 $35,994,511 $14,739,000,000
1973 $26,529,817 $10,940,000,000
1972 $21,734,269 $8,063,000,000
1971 $19,009,433 $6,727,000,000
1970 $17,570,366 $5,785,000,000
1969 - $5,017,000,000
1968 - $4,325,000,000
1967 - $3,709,000,000
1966 - $3,207,000,000
1965 - $2,869,000,000
1964 - $2,592,000,000
1963 - $2,218,000,000
1962 - $1,960,000,000
1961 - $1,778,000,000
1960 - $1,743,000,000
1959 - $1,444,000,000
1958 - $1,836,000,000
1957 - $1,636,000,000
1956 - $1,399,000,000
1955 - $1,940,000,000
1954 - $1,628,000,000
1953 - $1,481,000,000
1952 - $1,677,000,000
1951 - $1,197,000,000

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Taiwan by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Taiwan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 $34,238 -
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $32,444 -
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $32,827 -
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $33,111 -
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $28,705 -
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $25,998 -
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $25,901 -
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $25,121 $50,500
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $23,091 -
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $22,780 $46,800
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $22,874 -
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $21,973 $39,600
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $21,295 $39,400
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $20,866 $38,200
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $19,197 $35,700
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $16,933 $32,000
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $18,081 $31,100
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $17,757 $30,100
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $16,934 $29,500
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $16,456 $27,500
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $15,317 $25,300
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $14,066 $23,400
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $13,686 $18,000
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $13,397 $17,200
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $14,908 $17,400
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $13,804 $16,100
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $12,820 -
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $14,020 -
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $13,641 -
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $13,119 -
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $12,150 -
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $11,242 -
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $10,768 -
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $9,125 -
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $8,205 -
1989 $5,723 - $7,613 -
1988 $5,012 - $6,370 -
1987 $4,485 - $5,350 -
1986 $4,569 - $4,036 -
1985 $4,859 - $3,314 -
1984 $5,654 - $3,224 -
1983 $5,896 - $2,903 -
1982 $6,577 - $2,699 -
1981 $6,594 - $2,720 -
1980 $6,138 - $2,389 -
1979 $5,950 - $1,950 -
1978 $5,721 - $1,606 -
1977 $5,646 - $1,330 -
1976 $5,703 - $1,158 -
1975 $5,740 - $985 -
1974 $5,199 - $934 -
1973 $3,864 - $706 -
1972 $3,191 - $530 -
1971 $2,811 - $451 -
1970 $2,619 - $397 -
1969 - - $357 -
1968 - - $319 -
1967 - - $280.8 -
1966 - - $249.1 -
1965 - - $229.3 -
1964 - - $213.6 -
1963 - - $188.6 -
1962 - - $172 -
1961 - - $161.2 -
1960 - - $163.4 -
1959 - - $140.4 -
1958 - - $185.1 -
1957 - - $170.5 -
1956 - - $150.6 -
1955 - - $216.3 -
1954 - - $188.3 -
1953 - - $177.7 -
1952 - - $208.4 -
1951 - - $154.3 -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $34,238 in Taiwan, ranking 35/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500.

Economic indicators

Nauru Taiwan
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$802B
2024
GDP rank
195/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
2.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$34,238
2024
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
35/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$50,500
2017
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
44/197
2017
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$211B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$9,020
2024
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
59/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$18,163
2026
Number of millionaires n/a
759,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
54
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
15.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
2.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
3.35%
2025
Population
12125
23229461

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Taiwan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Taiwan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 15.8% 26.3%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 17.1% 29%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 16% 29.5%
2021 93% 20.5% 15.4% 30.1%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 16.2% 32%
2019 106% 59.6% 15.3% 32.6%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 15.4% 33.8%
2017 102.3% 78% 15.4% 34.5%
2016 96% 86.3% 15.6% 35.4%
2015 85.4% 113% 15.5% 35.9%
2014 61.3% 147.7% - 37.5%
2013 66% 166.9% - 38.9%
2012 46% 157.3% - 39.2%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 18.3% 38.3%
2010 73.8% 298.9% - 36.9%
2009 68% 295.6% - 36.7%
2008 - - - 33.4%
2007 - - - 32.2%
2006 - - - 33.3%
2005 - - - 34.1%
2004 - - - 33.4%
2003 - - - 32.1%
2002 - - - 29.8%
2001 - - 22.5% 30.1%
2000 - - - 26.2%
1999 - - - 23.7%
1998 - - - 23.7%
1997 - - - 25%
1996 - - - -
1995 - - - -
1994 - - - -
1993 - - - -
1992 - - - -
1991 - - 25.4% -
1990 - - - -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - 23.6% -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - -
1976 - - 21.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Taiwan spent $127B, or 15.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 26.3% in Taiwan, ranking 176/185 and 160/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Taiwan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Taiwan
2024 29.8% 0.43%
2023 19.4% -0.61%
2022 24.3% 0.17%
2021 44.5% -0.18%
2020 42.8% -1.03%
2019 31% 0.11%
2018 29.6% 0.02%
2017 16.2% -0.14%
2016 18.9% -0.31%
2015 10.7% 0.1%
2014 29.6% -
2013 1.71% -
2012 8.12% -
2011 2.73% -2.15%
2010 0.09% -
2009 0.37% -
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -3.71%
2000 - -
1999 - -
1998 - -
1997 - -
1996 - -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -4.5%
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -0.78%
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - 1.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/taiwan | 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 Taiwan's surplus of $3.45B, or 0.43% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Taiwan ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.33% of GDP for Taiwan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Taiwan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Taiwan
2024 9.3% 2.2%
2023 4.8% 2.5%
2022 1.1% 2.9%
2021 2% 2%
2020 0.9% -0.2%
2019 4.1% 0.6%
2018 1.1% 1.4%
2017 4.5% 0.6%
2016 8.1% 1.4%
2015 9.8% -0.3%
2014 0.3% 1.2%
2013 -1.1% 0.8%
2012 0.3% 1.9%
2011 -3.4% 1.4%
2010 -2% 1%
2009 22.4% -0.9%
2008 1% 3.5%
2007 5.6% 1.8%
2006 19.3% 0.6%
2005 8.7% 2.3%
2004 - 1.6%
2003 - -0.3%
2002 - -0.2%
2001 - 0%
2000 - 1.2%
1999 - 0.2%
1998 - 1.7%
1997 - 0.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 1.34% in Taiwan. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 2.2% in Taiwan.

Balance of trade

Nauru Taiwan
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
$113B
2024
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
4/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
+14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
n/a
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
n/a
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
n/a
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
50.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
63.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Taiwan
Economic freedom 60 79.8
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 6/197
Property rights n/a 83.4
Government integrity n/a 74.3
Judicial effectiveness n/a 94.3
Tax burden n/a 78.9
Government spending n/a 90
Fiscal health n/a 92.9
Business freedom n/a 78.6
Labor freedom n/a 69
Monetary freedom n/a 80.3
Trade freedom n/a 86
Investment freedom n/a 70
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

Nauru Taiwan
Services, % of GDP n/a
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
39.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
1.47%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$832B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
n/a
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
1.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
26.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); National Statistics, Taiwan (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-09); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2025, retrieved 2026-02-09)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.