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Economy of Nauru vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a GDP of $163M compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 195/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nauru has $28.3M in government debt (17.4% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Nauru vs Yemen GDP by year

Nauru
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nauru Yemen
2024 $162,588,621 -
2023 $151,435,610 -
2022 $152,373,434 -
2021 $175,390,281 -
2020 $124,685,688 -
2019 $125,160,116 -
2018 $130,995,566 $21,606,160,663
2017 $109,355,639 $26,842,229,045
2016 $97,541,943 $31,317,825,274
2015 $84,863,441 $42,444,490,074
2014 $99,149,244 $43,228,585,321
2013 $94,385,015 $40,415,233,436
2012 $101,055,723 $35,401,331,610
2011 $65,071,880 $32,726,417,878
2010 $47,562,845 $30,906,749,533
2009 $44,176,246 $25,130,278,213
2008 $37,602,265 $26,910,855,807
2007 $22,766,972 $21,650,528,674
2006 $29,200,359 $19,063,143,370
2005 $30,070,666 $16,731,566,717
2004 $30,587,566 $13,867,634,371
2003 $24,778,160 $11,777,532,662
2002 $21,017,424 $10,693,430,511
2001 $22,613,288 $9,852,990,693
2000 $26,930,980 $9,679,316,770
1999 $27,328,613 $7,639,325,296
1998 $29,664,451 $6,322,175,566
1997 $37,331,507 $6,838,298,531
1996 $37,458,801 $6,496,163,616
1995 $39,969,706 $12,796,345,679
1994 $39,742,511 $28,019,483,764
1993 $43,542,088 $21,736,802,664
1992 $51,133,123 $17,959,367,194
1991 $52,533,789 $14,665,445,462
1990 $55,572,376 $12,643,821,569
1989 $53,736,786 -
1988 $45,931,134 -
1987 $40,118,410 -
1986 $39,939,391 -
1985 $41,548,741 -
1984 $47,363,231 -
1983 $48,439,093 -
1982 $52,877,742 -
1981 $51,689,637 -
1980 $46,947,124 -
1979 $44,431,330 -
1978 $41,754,147 -
1977 $40,444,702 -
1976 $40,287,427 -
1975 $40,106,776 -
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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Nauru vs Yemen by year

Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nauru Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,609 $14,173 - -
2023 $12,752 $13,732 - -
2022 $12,912 $13,245 - -
2021 $14,979 $12,112 - -
2020 $10,709 $10,811 - -
2019 $10,802 $10,555 - -
2018 $11,414 $9,657 $634 -
2017 $9,657 $9,650 $811 -
2016 $8,748 $10,281 $975 -
2015 $7,747 $9,955 $1,362 -
2014 $9,230 $9,726 $1,430 -
2013 $8,975 $8,429 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $9,843 $8,153 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $6,444 $6,544 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $4,736 $5,620 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $4,411 $5,568 $969 $3,411
2008 $3,757 $5,863 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $2,272 $4,789 $890 $3,294
2006 $2,910 $5,975 $810 $3,205
2005 $2,992 $5,336 $734 $3,113
2004 $3,041 $5,169 $628 $2,949
2003 $2,463 $5,261 $549 $2,844
2002 $2,085 $5,132 $513 $2,768
2001 $2,232 $5,587 $487 $2,702
2000 $2,649 $5,838 $493 $2,624
1999 $2,683 $6,118 $401 $2,492
1998 $2,909 $6,450 $343 $2,442
1997 $3,661 $7,231 $383 $2,351
1996 $3,679 $7,818 $375 $2,268
1995 $3,932 $8,726 $764 $2,201
1994 $3,921 $9,308 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $4,310 $9,513 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $5,103 $11,167 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $5,333 $13,265 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $5,776 $16,215 $910 $1,742
1989 $5,723 - - -
1988 $5,012 - - -
1987 $4,485 - - -
1986 $4,569 - - -
1985 $4,859 - - -
1984 $5,654 - - -
1983 $5,896 - - -
1982 $6,577 - - -
1981 $6,594 - - -
1980 $6,138 - - -
1979 $5,950 - - -
1978 $5,721 - - -
1977 $5,646 - - -
1976 $5,703 - - -
1975 $5,740 - - -
1974 $5,199 - - -
1973 $3,864 - - -
1972 $3,191 - - -
1971 $2,811 - - -
1970 $2,619 - - -

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

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

Nauru's GDP per capita is $13,609, ranking 74/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Nauru Yemen
Gross domestic product
$163M
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
195/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
1.39%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
74/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
119/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
113/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.3%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
13.5%
2014
Population
12125
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nauru
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nauru Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 122.1% 17.4% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 118.1% 20.5% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 134.8% 22.4% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 93% 20.5% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 109.4% 56.3% 10.6% 87%
2019 106% 59.6% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 90.8% 71.1% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 102.3% 78% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 96% 86.3% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 85.4% 113% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 61.3% 147.7% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 66% 166.9% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 46% 157.3% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 44.7% 236.8% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 73.8% 298.9% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 68% 295.6% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 - - 41.2% 36.4%
2007 - - 40.3% 40.4%
2006 - - 37.4% 40.8%
2005 - - 36.8% 43.8%
2004 - - 34.2% 52.1%
2003 - - 35.3% 56.8%
2002 - - 30.8% 57.8%
2001 - - 30.5% 60.6%
2000 - - 31.7% 60.8%
1999 - - 28.2% 96.1%
1998 - - 34.3% 110.6%
1997 - - 34.2% 74.2%
1996 - - 30.7% 114.9%
1995 - - 24.1% 84.1%
1994 - - 25.2% 73.3%
1993 - - 25.8% 76.7%
1992 - - 24.6% 78%
1991 - - 24.7% 82.7%
1990 - - 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nauru's government spending was $199M, accounting for 122.1% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 17.4% in Nauru and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 176/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nauru

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nauru Yemen
2024 29.8% -2.48%
2023 19.4% -5.63%
2022 24.3% -2.15%
2021 44.5% -0.89%
2020 42.8% -4.3%
2019 31% -5.89%
2018 29.6% -7.85%
2017 16.2% -4.9%
2016 18.9% -8.51%
2015 10.7% -8.75%
2014 29.6% -4.14%
2013 1.71% -6.9%
2012 8.12% -6.32%
2011 2.73% -4.51%
2010 0.09% -4.06%
2009 0.37% -10.2%
2008 - -4.53%
2007 - -7.18%
2006 - 1.19%
2005 - -1.82%
2004 - -2.15%
2003 - -4.2%
2002 - -0.56%
2001 - 2.79%
2000 - 6.09%
1999 - 0.06%
1998 - -7.77%
1997 - -1.5%
1996 - -0.92%
1995 - -5.74%
1994 - -14%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -10.9%
1991 - -5.76%
1990 - -10.3%

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

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

In 2018, Nauru's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $38.7M, equivalent to 29.6% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 10 years, Nauru recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Nauru posted an annual surplus equal to 11.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.61% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nauru

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nauru Yemen
2024 9.3% 33.9%
2023 4.8% 0.9%
2022 1.1% 29.5%
2021 2% 31.5%
2020 0.9% 21.7%
2019 4.1% 15.7%
2018 1.1% 33.6%
2017 4.5% 30.4%
2016 8.1% 21.3%
2015 9.8% 22%
2014 0.3% 8.2%
2013 -1.1% 11%
2012 0.3% 9.9%
2011 -3.4% 19.5%
2010 -2% 11.2%
2009 22.4% 3.7%
2008 1% 19%
2007 5.6% 7.9%
2006 19.3% 10.8%
2005 8.7% 9.9%
2004 - 12.5%
2003 - 10.8%
2002 - 12.2%
2001 - 11.9%
2000 - 11%
1999 - 7.9%
1998 - 11.5%
1997 - 4.6%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, Nauru has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.84%, compared with 17.6% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 9.3% in Nauru and 33.9% in Yemen.

Balance of trade

Nauru Yemen
Current account balance
$9.73M
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
75/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.98%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$92.7M
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$25.5M
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$88.2M
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$64.6M
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Nauru Yemen
Economic freedom 60 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 97/197 138/197
Property rights n/a 3.5
Government integrity n/a 6.2
Judicial effectiveness n/a 9.9
Tax burden n/a 93.7
Government spending n/a 0
Fiscal health n/a 71.2
Business freedom n/a 31.3
Labor freedom n/a 31.2
Monetary freedom n/a 48.1
Trade freedom n/a 67.4
Investment freedom n/a 50
Financial freedom n/a 30

Other economic metrics

Nauru Yemen
Services, % of GDP n/a
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP n/a
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP n/a
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,970
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking n/a
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$4.51M
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$5.85M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.34M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2015–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

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.