Skip to content

Economy of Nauru vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 195/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Nauru vs Thailand GDP by year

Nauru
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Thailand
2024 $162,588,621 $526,517,658,842
2023 $151,435,610 $515,906,283,941
2022 $152,373,434 $495,644,697,588
2021 $175,390,281 $506,194,668,790
2020 $124,685,688 $500,461,898,480
2019 $125,160,116 $543,976,691,794
2018 $130,995,566 $506,754,208,404
2017 $109,355,639 $456,356,813,537
2016 $97,541,943 $413,366,349,748
2015 $84,863,441 $401,296,238,228
2014 $99,149,244 $407,339,040,198
2013 $94,385,015 $420,333,654,593
2012 $101,055,723 $397,558,325,279
2011 $65,071,880 $370,818,739,624
2010 $47,562,845 $341,104,766,329
2009 $44,176,246 $281,710,630,187
2008 $37,602,265 $291,382,982,431
2007 $22,766,972 $262,942,621,455
2006 $29,200,359 $221,758,296,022
2005 $30,070,666 $189,318,408,469
2004 $30,587,566 $172,895,685,155
2003 $24,778,160 $152,280,615,246
2002 $21,017,424 $134,300,904,400
2001 $22,613,288 $120,296,476,180
2000 $26,930,980 $126,392,224,254
1999 $27,328,613 $126,669,211,779
1998 $29,664,451 $113,675,596,788
1997 $37,331,507 $150,180,456,566
1996 $37,458,801 $183,035,237,429
1995 $39,969,706 $169,278,916,593
1994 $39,742,511 $146,683,778,959
1993 $43,542,088 $128,889,262,951
1992 $51,133,123 $111,452,746,518
1991 $52,533,789 $98,234,714,971
1990 $55,572,376 $85,343,190,719
1989 $53,736,786 $72,250,748,100
1988 $45,931,134 $61,667,253,471
1987 $40,118,410 $50,535,446,555
1986 $39,939,391 $43,096,773,981
1985 $41,548,741 $38,900,711,333
1984 $47,363,231 $41,797,647,776
1983 $48,439,093 $40,042,798,388
1982 $52,877,742 $36,589,772,404
1981 $51,689,637 $34,846,039,194
1980 $46,947,124 $32,353,514,989
1979 $44,431,330 $27,371,650,825
1978 $41,754,147 $24,006,566,637
1977 $40,444,702 $19,779,312,261
1976 $40,287,427 $16,985,208,648
1975 $40,106,776 $14,882,770,594
1974 $35,994,511 $13,702,998,512
1973 $26,529,817 $10,838,587,358
1972 $21,734,269 $8,177,873,151
1971 $19,009,433 $7,375,000,024
1970 $17,570,366 $7,086,538,438
1969 - $6,695,336,567
1968 - $6,081,009,428
1967 - $5,638,461,442
1966 - $5,279,230,817
1965 - $4,388,937,649
1964 - $3,889,129,942
1963 - $3,540,403,457
1962 - $3,308,912,797
1961 - $3,034,037,811
1960 - $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Thailand by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $5,723 - $1,342 -
1988 $5,012 - $1,164 -
1987 $4,485 - $970 -
1986 $4,569 - $842 -
1985 $4,859 - $774 -
1984 $5,654 - $847 -
1983 $5,896 - $827 -
1982 $6,577 - $770 -
1981 $6,594 - $748 -
1980 $6,138 - $709 -
1979 $5,950 - $612 -
1978 $5,721 - $548 -
1977 $5,646 - $462 -
1976 $5,703 - $405 -
1975 $5,740 - $364 -
1974 $5,199 - $343 -
1973 $3,864 - $278.3 -
1972 $3,191 - $215.6 -
1971 $2,811 - $199.7 -
1970 $2,619 - $197.1 -
1969 - - $191.4 -
1968 - - $178.8 -
1967 - - $170.7 -
1966 - - $164.5 -
1965 - - $140.9 -
1964 - - $128.6 -
1963 - - $120.7 -
1962 - - $116.2 -
1961 - - $109.7 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Nauru Thailand
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
195/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
0.78%
2024
Population
12125
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 93% 20.5% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 106% 59.6% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 102.3% 78% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 96% 86.3% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 85.4% 113% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 66% 166.9% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 46% 157.3% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 22% 39.8%
2009 68% 295.6% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 - - 19.2% 34.9%
2007 - - 20% 36%
2006 - - 18.7% 39.2%
2005 - - 19.6% 45.5%
2004 - - 19.3% 46.3%
2003 - - 18.3% 47.5%
2002 - - 25.7% 54.9%
2001 - - 20.8% 57.5%
2000 - - 19.3% 57.8%
1999 - - 26.5% 56.6%
1998 - - 23.9% 49.9%
1997 - - 21.6% 40.5%
1996 - - 18% 15.2%
1995 - - 17.2% 5.12%
1994 - - 16% 6.69%
1993 - - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 - - 17% 14.1%
1990 - - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 176/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Thailand
2024 29.8% -1.29%
2023 19.4% -1.98%
2022 24.3% -4.61%
2021 44.5% -6.74%
2020 42.8% -4.47%
2019 31% 0.43%
2018 29.6% 0.2%
2017 16.2% -0.42%
2016 18.9% 0.41%
2015 10.7% 0.19%
2014 29.6% -0.7%
2013 1.71% 0.6%
2012 8.12% -0.86%
2011 2.73% 0.09%
2010 0.09% -1.07%
2009 0.37% -2.21%
2008 - 0.8%
2007 - 0.22%
2006 - 1.87%
2005 - 2.17%
2004 - 1.11%
2003 - 1.98%
2002 - -6.72%
2001 - -1.77%
2000 - -1.79%
1999 - -9.02%
1998 - -6.29%
1997 - -1.68%
1996 - 2.75%
1995 - 3.05%
1994 - 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 19.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.4% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Thailand
2024 9.3% 1.37%
2023 4.8% 8.48%
2022 1.1% -1.61%
2021 2% 1.23%
2020 0.9% -0.85%
2019 4.1% 0.71%
2018 1.1% 1.06%
2017 4.5% 0.67%
2016 8.1% 0.19%
2015 9.8% -0.9%
2014 0.3% 1.9%
2013 -1.1% 2.18%
2012 0.3% 3.01%
2011 -3.4% 3.81%
2010 -2% 3.25%
2009 22.4% -0.85%
2008 1% 5.47%
2007 5.6% 2.24%
2006 19.3% 4.64%
2005 8.7% 4.54%
2004 - 2.76%
2003 - 1.8%
2002 - 0.7%
2001 - 1.63%
2000 - 1.59%
1999 - 0.28%
1998 - 7.99%
1997 - 5.63%

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/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 2.03% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Nauru
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $143M
Machinery & equipment $31K
Metals $4K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.19M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $333K
Raw materials & minerals $113K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Raw agricultural goods $21K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Wood & paper products $6K
Metals $3K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Nauru Thailand
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Thailand
Economic freedom 60 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 88/197
Property rights n/a 41.8
Government integrity n/a 38.9
Judicial effectiveness n/a 35
Tax burden n/a 80.8
Government spending n/a 83.6
Fiscal health n/a 81
Business freedom n/a 69.9
Labor freedom n/a 56.4
Monetary freedom n/a 73.3
Trade freedom n/a 70.2
Investment freedom n/a 55
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

Nauru Thailand
Services, % of GDP n/a
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.6%
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/thailand | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.

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

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.