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Nauru vs Papua New Guinea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Nauru has a population of 11.9K (ranked 195/197), compared with 10.6M in Papua New Guinea (ranked 92/197). Nauru's land area is 7.72 sq mi versus 174,850 sq mi for Papua New Guinea (ranked 195th vs. 54th).

By GDP, Nauru ranks 195/197 ($163M) and Papua New Guinea ranks 110/197 ($31.8B). By GDP per capita, Nauru ranks 74/197 ($13,609), while Papua New Guinea ranks 140/197 ($3,007).

Main facts and rankings

Nauru Papua New Guinea
Population
12125
11002753
Population rank 195/197 89/197
GDP
$163M
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank 195/197 110/197
GDP per capita
$13,609
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank 74/197 140/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,173
2024
$4,875
2024
Government debt
$28.3M
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
17.4%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,367
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank 113/185 129/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,783
2026
$2,362
2026
Land area 7.72 sq mi 174,850 sq mi
Population density
1,568 ppl/mi²
2026
62.6 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.33
2023
3.1
2023
Median age
21.4 years
2024
23.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
62.6 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

Nauru and Papua New Guinea: Comparison Charts

Nauru and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP
Nauru

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP
Nauru Papua New Guinea
2024 $162,588,621 $31,800,428,266
2023 $151,435,610 $30,816,367,067
2022 $152,373,434 $31,653,185,953
2021 $175,390,281 $26,109,413,521
2020 $124,685,688 $23,848,447,850
2019 $125,160,116 $24,750,626,030
2018 $130,995,566 $24,109,780,708
2017 $109,355,639 $22,742,699,138
2016 $97,541,943 $20,758,876,953
2015 $84,863,441 $21,723,437,010
2014 $99,149,244 $23,210,823,987
2013 $94,385,015 $21,261,338,065
2012 $101,055,723 $21,295,168,666
2011 $65,071,880 $17,985,138,066
2010 $47,562,845 $14,250,786,675
2009 $44,176,246 $11,619,456,449
2008 $37,602,265 $11,670,892,801
2007 $22,766,972 $9,545,028,944
2006 $29,200,359 $8,354,911,041
2005 $30,070,666 $4,865,892,972
2004 $30,587,566 $3,927,157,867
2003 $24,778,160 $3,536,411,824
2002 $21,017,424 $2,999,511,040
2001 $22,613,288 $3,081,024,212
2000 $26,930,980 $3,521,339,699
1999 $27,328,613 $3,477,038,204
1998 $29,664,451 $3,789,443,015
1997 $37,331,507 $4,936,615,299
1996 $37,458,801 $5,155,311,077
1995 $39,969,706 $4,636,057,476
1994 $39,742,511 $5,502,786,070
1993 $43,542,088 $4,974,550,286
1992 $51,133,123 $4,377,980,510
1991 $52,533,789 $3,787,394,958
1990 $55,572,376 $3,219,729,083
1989 $53,736,786 $3,546,472,566
1988 $45,931,134 $3,656,177,881
1987 $40,118,410 $3,143,851,794
1986 $39,939,391 $2,647,995,602
1985 $41,548,741 $2,423,339,172
1984 $47,363,231 $2,552,662,617
1983 $48,439,093 $2,562,351,551
1982 $52,877,742 $2,368,719,683
1981 $51,689,637 $2,498,190,847
1980 $46,947,124 $2,545,808,456
1979 $44,431,330 $2,293,760,511
1978 $41,754,147 $1,947,878,831
1977 $40,444,702 $1,640,746,619
1976 $40,287,427 $1,511,843,235
1975 $40,106,776 $1,356,603,608
1974 $35,994,511 $1,467,417,672
1973 $26,529,817 $1,299,079,410
1972 $21,734,269 $858,761,926
1971 $19,009,433 $717,750,278
1970 $17,570,366 $645,568,215
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/facts/nauru/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nauru and Papua New Guinea economies compared

GDP per capita
Nauru

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Nauru Papua New Guinea
2024 $13,609 $3,007
2023 $12,752 $2,966
2022 $12,912 $3,102
2021 $14,979 $2,608
2020 $10,709 $2,430
2019 $10,802 $2,576
2018 $11,414 $2,566
2017 $9,657 $2,478
2016 $8,748 $2,316
2015 $7,747 $2,485
2014 $9,230 $2,723
2013 $8,975 $2,561
2012 $9,843 $2,635
2011 $6,444 $2,288
2010 $4,736 $1,867
2009 $4,411 $1,569
2008 $3,757 $1,625
2007 $2,272 $1,371
2006 $2,910 $1,238
2005 $2,992 $744
2004 $3,041 $621
2003 $2,463 $577
2002 $2,085 $506
2001 $2,232 $538
2000 $2,649 $636
1999 $2,683 $650
1998 $2,909 $733
1997 $3,661 $990
1996 $3,679 $1,071
1995 $3,932 $998
1994 $3,921 $1,228
1993 $4,310 $1,151
1992 $5,103 $1,051
1991 $5,333 $942
1990 $5,776 $826
1989 $5,723 $934
1988 $5,012 $985
1987 $4,485 $865
1986 $4,569 $745
1985 $4,859 $697
1984 $5,654 $750
1983 $5,896 $769
1982 $6,577 $726
1981 $6,594 $781
1980 $6,138 $813
1979 $5,950 $748
1978 $5,721 $648
1977 $5,646 $558
1976 $5,703 $525
1975 $5,740 $482
1974 $5,199 $533
1973 $3,864 $483
1972 $3,191 $327
1971 $2,811 $279.7
1970 $2,619 $257.6
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/facts/nauru/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nauru vs. Papua New Guinea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Nauru

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Nauru Papua New Guinea
2026 62.6 66.5
2025 62.4 66.4
2024 62.3 66.3
2023 62.1 66.1
2022 61.9 65.3
2021 61.3 64.4
2020 61.5 65.1
2019 61.4 65.3
2018 61.2 65.1
2017 61.1 64.9
2016 61 64.7
2015 60.9 64.5
2014 60.8 64.2
2013 60.7 63.9
2012 60.5 63.6
2011 60.3 63.4
2010 60.1 63.1
2009 59.9 62.8
2008 59.7 62.5
2007 59.5 62.2
2006 59.4 62
2005 59.4 61.9
2004 59.3 61.8
2003 59.4 61.7
2002 59.4 61.6
2001 59.5 61.6
2000 59.6 61.6
1999 59.7 61.5
1998 59.9 60.4
1997 60 61.3
1996 60.1 61.1
1995 60.1 60.9
1994 60 60.7
1993 59.8 60.5
1992 59.5 60.3
1991 59.3 59.9
1990 59.1 59.8
1989 58.9 59.6
1988 58.7 59.4
1987 58.6 59.2
1986 58.6 59
1985 58.6 58.8
1984 58.7 58.6
1983 58.7 58.3
1982 58.6 58.1
1981 58.6 57.8
1980 58.5 57.4
1979 58.4 57
1978 58.3 56.5
1977 58.1 56
1976 58.2 55.5
1975 58.3 55
1974 58.3 54.4
1973 58.4 53.9
1972 58.4 53.3
1971 58.4 52.6
1970 58.4 52.1
1969 58.4 51.5
1968 58.6 50.9
1967 58.6 50.2
1966 58.4 49.6
1965 58.3 48.9
1964 58.2 48.3
1963 58.1 47.7
1962 58 46.7
1961 58 46.4
1960 57.9 45.8
1959 57.9 45.1
1958 57.8 44.6
1957 57.7 43.9
1956 57.6 43.3
1955 57.5 42.6
1954 57.4 42
1953 57.2 41.3
1952 57 40.7
1951 56.8 35.5
1950 56.6 39.4

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/nauru/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nauru and Papua New Guinea population clocks and comparison

Population
Nauru

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Population
Nauru Papua New Guinea
2024 11,947 10,576,502
2023 11,875 10,389,635
2022 11,801 10,203,169
2021 11,709 10,012,896
2020 11,643 9,815,746
2019 11,587 9,609,010
2018 11,477 9,394,513
2017 11,324 9,178,714
2016 11,150 8,961,718
2015 10,954 8,743,246
2014 10,742 8,523,441
2013 10,517 8,302,698
2012 10,267 8,081,390
2011 10,098 7,859,346
2010 10,043 7,633,523
2009 10,016 7,406,438
2008 10,009 7,183,002
2007 10,020 6,963,345
2006 10,034 6,747,720
2005 10,049 6,535,905
2004 10,060 6,328,041
2003 10,059 6,123,997
2002 10,082 5,924,003
2001 10,130 5,728,435
2000 10,168 5,537,064
1999 10,187 5,349,333
1998 10,198 5,166,390
1997 10,197 4,987,883
1996 10,183 4,813,361
1995 10,165 4,644,278
1994 10,137 4,480,208
1993 10,102 4,320,872
1992 10,021 4,166,699
1991 9,850 4,021,837
1990 9,622 3,896,481
1989 9,390 3,796,078
1988 9,165 3,711,880
1987 8,946 3,632,543
1986 8,742 3,554,793
1985 8,551 3,478,936
1984 8,377 3,405,198
1983 8,216 3,333,633
1982 8,040 3,264,291
1981 7,839 3,197,019
1980 7,649 3,131,512
1979 7,468 3,067,341
1978 7,298 3,003,714
1977 7,163 2,940,327
1976 7,064 2,877,327
1975 6,987 2,814,820
1974 6,923 2,752,671
1973 6,866 2,690,629
1972 6,812 2,628,432
1971 6,762 2,566,421
1970 6,710 2,505,628
1969 6,581 2,446,927
1968 6,328 2,390,803
1967 6,135 2,337,532
1966 6,043 2,285,774
1965 5,832 2,235,820
1964 5,515 2,188,325
1963 5,226 2,141,376
1962 4,979 2,093,919
1961 4,774 2,046,127
1960 4,607 1,995,110

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nauru/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Nauru and Papua New Guinea

Fertility rate
Nauru

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nauru Papua New Guinea
2023 3.33 3.1
2022 3.38 3.17
2021 3.43 3.22
2020 3.47 3.27
2019 3.53 3.32
2018 3.68 3.38
2017 3.88 3.43
2016 4.03 3.5
2015 4.08 3.56
2014 4.09 3.63
2013 4.1 3.68
2012 4.12 3.75
2011 4.12 3.82
2010 4.02 3.88
2009 3.85 3.94
2008 3.67 4.01
2007 3.5 4.08
2006 3.4 4.15
2005 3.38 4.22
2004 3.38 4.28
2003 3.39 4.36
2002 3.4 4.42
2001 3.46 4.47
2000 3.54 4.53
1999 3.64 4.59
1998 3.68 4.63
1997 3.74 4.68
1996 3.78 4.73
1995 3.81 4.78
1994 3.84 4.87
1993 3.89 4.96
1992 3.95 5.03
1991 3.99 5.11
1990 4.02 5.18
1989 4.07 5.24
1988 4.11 5.3
1987 4.14 5.36
1986 4.15 5.42
1985 4.14 5.47
1984 4.11 5.51
1983 4.06 5.56
1982 3.99 5.59
1981 3.94 5.65
1980 3.88 5.71
1979 3.85 5.79
1978 3.84 5.88
1977 3.86 5.96
1976 3.9 6.02
1975 3.97 6.07
1974 4.07 6.11
1973 4.19 6.16
1972 4.36 6.2
1971 4.54 6.23
1970 4.74 6.25
1969 4.94 6.26
1968 5.14 6.25
1967 5.29 6.24
1966 5.41 6.23
1965 5.48 6.2
1964 5.47 6.19
1963 5.44 6.15
1962 5.42 6.14
1961 5.38 6.07
1960 5.34 6.02

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/nauru/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nauru and Papua New Guinea demographics compared

Median age
Nauru

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Median age, years
Nauru Papua New Guinea
2024 21.4 23.6
2023 21.5 23.4
2022 21.6 23.2
2021 21.7 23
2020 21.8 22.8
2019 21.9 22.6
2018 21.8 22.4
2017 21.6 22.2
2016 21.5 22
2015 21.4 21.9
2014 21.5 21.7
2013 21.6 21.5
2012 21.7 21.3
2011 21.8 21.2
2010 21.8 21
2009 21.8 20.9
2008 21.7 20.7
2007 21.5 20.6
2006 21.3 20.4
2005 21.2 20.3
2004 21 20.2
2003 20.8 20
2002 20.6 19.9
2001 20.4 19.9
2000 20.1 19.8
1999 19.8 19.7
1998 19.6 19.6
1997 19.5 19.5
1996 19.4 19.4
1995 19.3 19.2
1994 19.3 19.1
1993 19.3 19
1992 19.4 18.9
1991 19.7 18.8
1990 20.2 18.7
1989 20.8 18.6
1988 21.4 18.6
1987 22.1 18.5
1986 22.8 18.5
1985 23.7 18.4
1984 24.5 18.3
1983 25.2 18.3
1982 25.1 18.2
1981 24.7 18.1
1980 24.2 18
1979 23.6 17.8
1978 22.9 17.7
1977 22.1 17.5
1976 21.5 17.4
1975 21 17.3
1974 20.4 17.2
1973 19.8 17.2
1972 19.4 17.1
1971 19.1 17.2
1970 18.7 17.3
1969 18.9 17.4
1968 21.2 17.5
1967 22.9 17.6
1966 22.9 17.8
1965 23.1 17.9
1964 23.4 18
1963 23.7 18.1
1962 23.9 18.3
1961 24 18.4
1960 23.8 18.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/nauru/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Nauru Papua New Guinea
GNI, Atlas method
$244M
2024
$30.7B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
122.1%
2024
20.4%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.68%
2023
0.78%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP n/a
0.31%
2024
Armed forces personnel n/a
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+29.8%
2024
-3.23%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.06%
2021
2.69%
2022
Services, % of GDP n/a
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP n/a
37.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
60
2025
54.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.3%
2012
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2012
1.9%
2009
Listed domestic companies n/a
6
2016
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.9B
2023
Personal remittances received
$2.24M
2024
$3.87M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
39,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
2.32%
2018
0.04%
2018

Energy

Nauru Papua New Guinea
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
0 megatons
2024
5.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0 tons
2024
0.52 tons
2024
Renewable energy use share
1.9%
2022
54.6%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
9.82%
2021
40%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
35.3%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
100%
2023
20.5%
2023

Society

Nauru Papua New Guinea
% of world population
0.0001%
2024
0.13%
2024
Annual migration change
-122
2025
-284
2025
Urban population
100%
2024
15.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.9:49.1
2024
51.4:48.6
2024
Average male height
5.56 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Average female height
5.18 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
51.2
2026
37.6
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
56
2025
26
2025
Higher education index n/a
30
2026
Homicides per 100K people
0
2012
9.4
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
1
2025
12.6
2019
Visa free countries
89
2025
86
2025
Adult literacy rate
96.6%
2023
87.1%
2022
English speaking
96.7%
2023
70.4%
2023
People using the Internet
81.7%
2020
24.1%
2023

Health

Nauru Papua New Guinea
Government health expenditure per capita
$2,292
2023
$85.2
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.8
2023
$7.28
2023
Life expectancy
62.6 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
13.4%
2023
18.2%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
1.27
2015
0.06
2023
Age at first childbirth
22.1 years
2017
21.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
273
2023
189
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
8.9
2023
40.3
2023
Obesity rate
71.1%
2022
21.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
21.8%
2024
14.1%
2024
Air quality index
93
2026
91
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
48.3%
2022
39.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
2.79 liters
2020
1.13 liters
2020

Territory

Nauru Papua New Guinea
% of world land
0.00001%
2026
0.3%
2026
Land area per capita
646 sq mi
2024
16,532 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
1.54 sq mi
2026
5,425 sq mi
2026
Forest area
0 sq mi
2026
138,051 sq mi
2026
Roads length
18.6 mi
2002
5,809 mi
2011

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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