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Economy of Papua New Guinea vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 110/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Papua New Guinea vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
2024 $31,800,428,266 -
2023 $30,816,367,067 $62,280,312
2022 $31,653,185,953 $59,065,982
2021 $26,109,413,521 $60,196,406
2020 $23,848,447,850 $51,746,594
2019 $24,750,626,030 $54,123,199
2018 $24,109,780,708 $48,015,260
2017 $22,742,699,138 $45,276,595
2016 $20,758,876,953 $41,629,064
2015 $21,723,437,010 $36,811,936
2014 $23,210,823,987 $38,760,983
2013 $21,261,338,065 $38,615,891
2012 $21,295,168,666 $39,345,579
2011 $17,985,138,066 $39,196,957
2010 $14,250,786,675 $32,105,408
2009 $11,619,456,449 $28,076,984
2008 $11,670,892,801 $31,874,435
2007 $9,545,028,944 $28,450,169
2006 $8,354,911,041 $24,096,875
2005 $4,865,892,972 $22,909,980
2004 $3,927,157,867 $22,798,275
2003 $3,536,411,824 $19,456,338
2002 $2,999,511,040 $16,842,673
2001 $3,081,024,212 $13,964,732
2000 $3,521,339,699 $15,073,976
1999 $3,477,038,204 $14,800,503
1998 $3,789,443,015 $13,795,146
1997 $4,936,615,299 $13,734,210
1996 $5,155,311,077 $13,338,597
1995 $4,636,057,476 $11,922,614
1994 $5,502,786,070 $11,772,611
1993 $4,974,550,286 $10,414,400
1992 $4,377,980,510 $10,535,028
1991 $3,787,394,958 $10,127,314
1990 $3,219,729,083 $9,542,901
1989 $3,546,472,566 $8,454,523
1988 $3,656,177,881 $7,011,059
1987 $3,143,851,794 $5,020,513
1986 $2,647,995,602 $4,574,706
1985 $2,423,339,172 $3,862,852
1984 $2,552,662,617 $4,481,978
1983 $2,562,351,551 $4,152,550
1982 $2,368,719,683 $4,118,945
1981 $2,498,190,847 $4,773,018
1980 $2,545,808,456 $4,206,128
1979 $2,293,760,511 $4,065,659
1978 $1,947,878,831 $3,798,782
1977 $1,640,746,619 $3,669,420
1976 $1,511,843,235 $3,919,072
1975 $1,356,603,608 $4,014,748
1974 $1,467,417,672 $4,122,329
1973 $1,299,079,410 $3,411,915
1972 $858,761,926 $2,968,458
1971 $717,750,278 $2,716,990
1970 $645,568,215 $2,585,956
1969 $551,263,864 -
1968 $485,184,190 -
1967 $441,728,183 -
1966 $390,992,063 -
1965 $344,176,055 -
1964 $305,312,049 -
1963 $275,968,044 -
1962 $261,184,042 -
1961 $244,832,039 -
1960 $230,496,037 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tuvalu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Tuvalu by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 - -
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $744 $2,322 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $621 $2,187 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $577 $2,142 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $506 $2,125 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $538 $2,168 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $636 $2,196 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $650 $2,280 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $733 $2,285 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $990 $2,432 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $998 $2,436 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $942 $1,869 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $826 $1,703 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $934 - $976 -
1988 $985 - $823 -
1987 $865 - $600 -
1986 $745 - $557 -
1985 $697 - $480 -
1984 $750 - $567 -
1983 $769 - $533 -
1982 $726 - $537 -
1981 $781 - $634 -
1980 $813 - $571 -
1979 $748 - $566 -
1978 $648 - $546 -
1977 $558 - $549 -
1976 $525 - $612 -
1975 $482 - $656 -
1974 $533 - $708 -
1973 $483 - $601 -
1972 $327 - $522 -
1971 $279.7 - $478 -
1970 $257.6 - $457 -
1969 $225.3 - - -
1968 $202.9 - - -
1967 $189 - - -
1966 $171.1 - - -
1965 $153.9 - - -
1964 $139.5 - - -
1963 $128.9 - - -
1962 $124.7 - - -
1961 $119.7 - - -
1960 $115.5 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tuvalu | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
110/197
2024
196/197
2023
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$4,233
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
7.32%
2022
Population
11002753
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 22% 52.6% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 106.4% 12%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 100% 20.6%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 18% 22.2% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 19.4% 26% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 74.1% -
2003 18.7% 40.4% - -
2002 20.8% 48.4% - -
2001 21.6% 47.7% - -
2000 20.5% 42.3% - -
1999 21.4% 41.8% - -
1998 20% 45.7% - -
1997 20.6% 43.9% - -
1996 17.6% 37.8% - -
1995 17.1% 36.6% - -
1994 19.3% 40.1% - -
1993 23.5% 30% - -
1992 22.8% 30.4% - -
1991 22.4% - - -
1990 24.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 100/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
2024 -3.23% -8.23%
2023 -4.34% 15.3%
2022 -5.25% -14.6%
2021 -6.84% -13.3%
2020 -8.85% 13.7%
2019 -4.98% -1.07%
2018 -2.58% 30.3%
2017 -2.47% 2.09%
2016 -4.75% 27.5%
2015 -4.55% 14.7%
2014 -6.27% 3.26%
2013 -6.87% 26%
2012 -1.19% 9.58%
2011 2.22% -8.8%
2010 3.06% -23.4%
2009 -5.48% -13.5%
2008 2.73% -17.2%
2007 6.9% -18.6%
2006 5.34% -36.8%
2005 2.85% -12.8%
2004 2.03% -3.6%
2003 0.19% -
2002 -1.75% -
2001 -1.33% -
2000 0.3% -
1999 -1.94% -
1998 -0.16% -
1997 0.67% -
1996 2.05% -
1995 1.08% -
1994 -1.01% -
1993 -4.9% -
1992 -4.33% -
1991 -0.62% -
1990 -2.04% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2023, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.34B, equivalent to 4.34% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
2024 0.6% 1.2%
2023 2.3% 7.2%
2022 5.25% 12.2%
2021 4.48% 6.7%
2020 4.87% 1.6%
2019 3.93% 3.5%
2018 4.37% 2.2%
2017 5.42% 4.1%
2016 6.67% 3.5%
2015 6% 3.1%
2014 5.22% 1.1%
2013 4.96% 2%
2012 4.54% 1.4%
2011 4.44% 0.5%
2010 6.01% -1.9%
2009 6.92% -0.3%
2008 10.8% 10.4%
2007 0.91% 2.3%
2006 2.37% 4.2%
2005 1.78% 3.2%
2004 2.16% 2.4%
2003 14.7% 2.9%
2002 11.8% 5.1%
2001 9.3% 1.5%
2000 15.6% -
1999 14.9% -
1998 13.6% -
1997 3.96% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/tuvalu | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.41%, compared with 3.34% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.31M
Tuvalu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$184K
2022
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
Economic freedom 54.3 60
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 99/197
Property rights 45 n/a
Government integrity 30.8 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 n/a
Tax burden 70.9 n/a
Government spending 86.1 n/a
Fiscal health 65.3 n/a
Business freedom 34.2 n/a
Labor freedom 65.1 n/a
Monetary freedom 77.4 n/a
Trade freedom 80.2 n/a
Investment freedom 25 n/a
Financial freedom 30 n/a

Other economic metrics

Papua New Guinea Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$8,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
n/a

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/papua-new-guinea/tuvalu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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 (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.