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Economy of Nauru vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nauru has a GDP of $176M compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 195/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $25.8M in government debt (14.6% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Nauru vs Tonga GDP by year

Nauru
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Tonga
2025 $176,040,044 $679,218,219
2024 $167,833,415 $647,488,244
2023 $161,531,317 $591,139,734
2022 $180,671,357 $556,514,556
2021 $149,268,324 $519,306,339
2020 $124,685,688 $506,571,487
2019 $125,160,116 $506,031,248
2018 $130,995,566 $493,530,767
2017 $109,355,639 $459,976,847
2016 $97,541,943 $420,828,255
2015 $84,863,441 $437,525,539
2014 $99,149,244 $440,997,735
2013 $94,385,015 $451,788,498
2012 $101,055,723 $471,122,971
2011 $65,071,880 $414,143,828
2010 $47,562,845 $366,887,375
2009 $44,176,246 $312,415,028
2008 $37,602,265 $344,438,844
2007 $22,766,972 $298,519,623
2006 $29,200,359 $292,232,703
2005 $30,070,666 $261,823,805
2004 $30,587,566 $230,678,011
2003 $24,778,160 $202,246,591
2002 $21,017,424 $182,764,281
2001 $22,613,288 $181,117,230
2000 $26,930,980 $204,848,488
1999 $27,328,613 $199,208,718
1998 $29,664,451 $191,504,893
1997 $37,331,507 $214,991,452
1996 $37,458,801 $222,100,576
1995 $39,969,706 $208,871,666
1994 $39,742,511 $195,990,986
1993 $43,542,088 $138,489,884
1992 $51,133,123 $137,066,291
1991 $52,533,789 $132,201,141
1990 $55,572,376 $113,563,822
1989 $53,736,786 $106,344,855
1988 $45,931,134 $106,657,267
1987 $40,118,410 $81,667,133
1986 $39,939,391 $68,195,856
1985 $41,548,741 $60,058,663
1984 $47,363,231 $64,248,355
1983 $48,439,093 $60,863,964
1982 $52,877,742 $62,068,161
1981 $51,689,637 $62,242,013
1980 $46,947,124 $53,260,077
1979 $44,431,330 $44,667,002
1978 $41,754,147 $41,567,472
1977 $40,444,702 $34,139,388
1976 $40,287,427 $30,036,417
1975 $40,106,776 $32,506,742
1974 $35,994,511 -
1973 $26,529,817 -
1972 $21,734,269 -
1971 $19,009,433 -
1970 $17,570,366 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Tonga by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,640 - $6,547 -
2024 $14,048 $14,173 $6,215 -
2023 $13,603 $13,732 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $15,310 $13,245 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $12,748 $12,112 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $5,723 - $1,070 -
1988 $5,012 - $1,078 -
1987 $4,485 - $830 -
1986 $4,569 - $696 -
1985 $4,859 - $613 -
1984 $5,654 - $656 -
1983 $5,896 - $621 -
1982 $6,577 - $633 -
1981 $6,594 - $636 -
1980 $6,138 - $545 -
1979 $5,950 - $458 -
1978 $5,721 - $428 -
1977 $5,646 - $353 -
1976 $5,703 - $315 -
1975 $5,740 - $349 -
1974 $5,199 - - -
1973 $3,864 - - -
1972 $3,191 - - -
1971 $2,811 - - -
1970 $2,619 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $14,640, ranking 74/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Nauru Tonga
Gross domestic product
$176M
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
195/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,640
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$25.8M
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,145
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
118/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,187
2026
$4,104
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
128.7%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
6.1%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
1.65%
2023
Population
12139
103283

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 128.7% 14.6% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 118.4% 16.9% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 111% 19.2% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 113.8% 18.9% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 109.5% 24.2% 44.5% 43%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 106% 59.6% 39% 41.8%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 39.3% 45.5%
2017 102.3% 78% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 96% 86.3% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 85.4% 113% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 66% 166.9% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 46% 157.3% 32% 60%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 68% 295.6% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 - - 24% 34%
2007 - - 23.2% 37.8%
2006 - - 25.6% 39.6%
2005 - - 19.8% 43.3%
2004 - - 19.3% 52.2%
2003 - - 20% 56.2%
2002 - - 21.3% 60.7%
2001 - - 19.1% 53.4%
2000 - - 20% 43.6%
1999 - - 18.8% 38.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nauru's government spending was $227M, accounting for 128.7% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.6% in Nauru and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 176/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Tonga
2025 3.51% 4.86%
2024 28.9% 3.6%
2023 18.2% 5.28%
2022 20.5% -0.09%
2021 52.4% -0.87%
2020 42.8% 5.15%
2019 31% 3.2%
2018 29.6% 2.9%
2017 16.2% 3.58%
2016 18.9% 1.47%
2015 10.7% -2.75%
2014 29.6% 6.38%
2013 1.71% -1.3%
2012 8.12% -1.74%
2011 2.73% -6.02%
2010 0.09% -1.22%
2009 0.37% 6.85%
2008 - 2.14%
2007 - 5.39%
2006 - 1.34%
2005 - 4.23%
2004 - 4.23%
2003 - 2.37%
2002 - 2.59%
2001 - 2.23%
2000 - 1.35%
1999 - 1.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nauru/tonga | 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 Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 18.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.72% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Tonga
2025 6.1% 5.59%
2024 9.3% 3.18%
2023 4.8% 6.35%
2022 1.1% 11%
2021 2% 5.64%
2020 0.9% -0.35%
2019 4.1% 1.18%
2018 1.1% 5.03%
2017 4.5% 7.52%
2016 8.1% 2.58%
2015 9.8% -1.05%
2014 0.3% 2.51%
2013 -1.1% 0.78%
2012 0.3% 1.15%
2011 -3.4% 6.27%
2010 -2% 3.53%
2009 22.4% 1.43%
2008 1% 10.4%
2007 5.6% 5.84%
2006 19.3% 6.15%
2005 8.7% 8.67%
2004 - 11%
2003 - 11.6%
2002 - 10.4%
2001 - 8.29%
2000 - 6.33%
1999 - 4.46%
1998 - 3.27%
1997 - 2.12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 21 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.9%, compared with 4.45% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was 6.1% in Nauru and 5.59% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Nauru Tonga
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.8%
2024
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
103.7%
2025
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.8%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Tonga
Economic freedom 60 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 107/197
Property rights n/a 71.1
Government integrity n/a 45.1
Judicial effectiveness n/a 64.9
Tax burden n/a 85.6
Government spending n/a 31
Fiscal health n/a 97.3
Business freedom n/a 59.2
Labor freedom n/a 55.9
Monetary freedom n/a 61
Trade freedom n/a 75.4
Investment freedom n/a 40
Financial freedom n/a 20

Other economic metrics

Nauru Tonga
Services, % of GDP n/a
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$249M
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,200
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
26.4%
2024

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/tonga | 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 (1999–2025, 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)

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.