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Economy of Nauru vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 195/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Nauru vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Nauru
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Tuvalu
2024 $162,588,621 -
2023 $151,435,610 $62,280,312
2022 $152,373,434 $59,065,982
2021 $175,390,281 $60,196,406
2020 $124,685,688 $51,746,594
2019 $125,160,116 $54,123,199
2018 $130,995,566 $48,015,260
2017 $109,355,639 $45,276,595
2016 $97,541,943 $41,629,064
2015 $84,863,441 $36,811,936
2014 $99,149,244 $38,760,983
2013 $94,385,015 $38,615,891
2012 $101,055,723 $39,345,579
2011 $65,071,880 $39,196,957
2010 $47,562,845 $32,105,408
2009 $44,176,246 $28,076,984
2008 $37,602,265 $31,874,435
2007 $22,766,972 $28,450,169
2006 $29,200,359 $24,096,875
2005 $30,070,666 $22,909,980
2004 $30,587,566 $22,798,275
2003 $24,778,160 $19,456,338
2002 $21,017,424 $16,842,673
2001 $22,613,288 $13,964,732
2000 $26,930,980 $15,073,976
1999 $27,328,613 $14,800,503
1998 $29,664,451 $13,795,146
1997 $37,331,507 $13,734,210
1996 $37,458,801 $13,338,597
1995 $39,969,706 $11,922,614
1994 $39,742,511 $11,772,611
1993 $43,542,088 $10,414,400
1992 $51,133,123 $10,535,028
1991 $52,533,789 $10,127,314
1990 $55,572,376 $9,542,901
1989 $53,736,786 $8,454,523
1988 $45,931,134 $7,011,059
1987 $40,118,410 $5,020,513
1986 $39,939,391 $4,574,706
1985 $41,548,741 $3,862,852
1984 $47,363,231 $4,481,978
1983 $48,439,093 $4,152,550
1982 $52,877,742 $4,118,945
1981 $51,689,637 $4,773,018
1980 $46,947,124 $4,206,128
1979 $44,431,330 $4,065,659
1978 $41,754,147 $3,798,782
1977 $40,444,702 $3,669,420
1976 $40,287,427 $3,919,072
1975 $40,106,776 $4,014,748
1974 $35,994,511 $4,122,329
1973 $26,529,817 $3,411,915
1972 $21,734,269 $2,968,458
1971 $19,009,433 $2,716,990
1970 $17,570,366 $2,585,956

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Tuvalu by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 - -
2023 $12,752 $13,732 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $12,912 $13,245 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $14,979 $12,112 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $10,709 $10,811 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $10,802 $10,555 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $5,723 - $976 -
1988 $5,012 - $823 -
1987 $4,485 - $600 -
1986 $4,569 - $557 -
1985 $4,859 - $480 -
1984 $5,654 - $567 -
1983 $5,896 - $533 -
1982 $6,577 - $537 -
1981 $6,594 - $634 -
1980 $6,138 - $571 -
1979 $5,950 - $566 -
1978 $5,721 - $546 -
1977 $5,646 - $549 -
1976 $5,703 - $612 -
1975 $5,740 - $656 -
1974 $5,199 - $708 -
1973 $3,864 - $601 -
1972 $3,191 - $522 -
1971 $2,811 - $478 -
1970 $2,619 - $457 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Nauru Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
195/197
2024
196/197
2023
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$4,233
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
7.32%
2022
Population
12125
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 93% 20.5% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 106% 59.6% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 102.3% 78% 106.4% 12%
2016 96% 86.3% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 85.4% 113% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 66% 166.9% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 46% 157.3% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 68% 295.6% 100% 20.6%
2008 - - 85.8% 19.8%
2007 - - 88.6% 32.4%
2006 - - 98.5% 37.5%
2005 - - 82.1% 37.4%
2004 - - 74.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 176/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Tuvalu
2024 29.8% -8.23%
2023 19.4% 15.3%
2022 24.3% -14.6%
2021 44.5% -13.3%
2020 42.8% 13.7%
2019 31% -1.07%
2018 29.6% 30.3%
2017 16.2% 2.09%
2016 18.9% 27.5%
2015 10.7% 14.7%
2014 29.6% 3.26%
2013 1.71% 26%
2012 8.12% 9.58%
2011 2.73% -8.8%
2010 0.09% -23.4%
2009 0.37% -13.5%
2008 - -17.2%
2007 - -18.6%
2006 - -36.8%
2005 - -12.8%
2004 - -3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Nauru's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $29.4M, equivalent to 19.4% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 15 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 18.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.52% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Tuvalu
2024 9.3% 1.2%
2023 4.8% 7.2%
2022 1.1% 12.2%
2021 2% 6.7%
2020 0.9% 1.6%
2019 4.1% 3.5%
2018 1.1% 2.2%
2017 4.5% 4.1%
2016 8.1% 3.5%
2015 9.8% 3.1%
2014 0.3% 1.1%
2013 -1.1% 2%
2012 0.3% 1.4%
2011 -3.4% 0.5%
2010 -2% -1.9%
2009 22.4% -0.3%
2008 1% 10.4%
2007 5.6% 2.3%
2006 19.3% 4.2%
2005 8.7% 3.2%
2004 - 2.4%
2003 - 2.9%
2002 - 5.1%
2001 - 1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 3.41% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

Nauru Tuvalu
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$184K
2022
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Tuvalu
Economic freedom 60 60
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 99/197

Other economic metrics

Nauru Tuvalu
Industry, % of GDP n/a
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$8,320
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
26.3%
2020

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/tuvalu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  5. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.