External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Kiribati
Kiribati: External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP was -93.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Kiribati, 1972–2024
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2024, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Kiribati stood at -93.1%.
That represents a change of up 1.8% on the previous year and down 16.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Kiribati peaked at 56.4% in 1974 and was at its lowest, -106.3%, in 1990.
That places Kiribati 191st out of 191 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Kiribati, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 5.8% | — |
| 1973 | 16.4% | +183.0% |
| 1974 | 56.4% | +242.9% |
| 1975 | 49.2% | -12.7% |
| 1976 | 25.6% | -48.0% |
| 1977 | 21.8% | -15.0% |
| 1978 | 10.8% | -50.6% |
| 1979 | 2.1% | -80.6% |
| 1980 | -2.0% | -196.3% |
| 1981 | -51.4% | +2450.2% |
| 1982 | -48.8% | -5.0% |
| 1983 | -39.0% | -20.1% |
| 1984 | -14.4% | -63.1% |
| 1985 | -20.8% | +44.4% |
| 1986 | -13.1% | -37.0% |
| 1987 | -91.7% | +600.4% |
| 1988 | -70.9% | -22.7% |
| 1989 | -78.7% | +10.9% |
| 1990 | -106.3% | +35.1% |
| 1991 | -84.3% | -20.6% |
| 1992 | -79.4% | -5.9% |
| 1993 | -65.9% | -17.0% |
| 1994 | -51.4% | -22.0% |
| 1995 | -68.4% | +33.0% |
| 1996 | -64.1% | -6.2% |
| 1997 | -60.5% | -5.6% |
| 1998 | -55.0% | -9.1% |
| 1999 | -67.4% | +22.5% |
| 2000 | -72.5% | +7.5% |
| 2001 | -79.6% | +9.9% |
| 2002 | -87.5% | +9.9% |
| 2003 | -71.3% | -18.5% |
| 2004 | -77.1% | +8.2% |
| 2005 | -95.3% | +23.7% |
| 2006 | -73.6% | -22.7% |
| 2007 | -65.3% | -11.4% |
| 2008 | -67.2% | +3.0% |
| 2009 | -69.4% | +3.2% |
| 2010 | -62.6% | -9.8% |
| 2011 | -67.1% | +7.2% |
| 2012 | -70.6% | +5.2% |
| 2013 | -74.9% | +6.0% |
| 2014 | -80.1% | +7.0% |
| 2015 | -82.0% | +2.3% |
| 2016 | -78.0% | -4.8% |
| 2017 | -74.0% | -5.2% |
| 2018 | -65.2% | -11.9% |
| 2019 | -68.4% | +4.9% |
| 2020 | -57.6% | -15.8% |
| 2021 | -66.9% | +16.2% |
| 2022 | -92.1% | +37.6% |
| 2023 | -94.8% | +2.9% |
| 2024 | -93.1% | -1.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 23.5% | 2.1% | 56.4% | 8 |
| 1980s | -43.1% | -91.7% | -2.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | -70.3% | -106.3% | -51.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | -75.9% | -95.3% | -65.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | -72.3% | -82.0% | -62.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | -80.9% | -94.8% | -57.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kiribati
More economy & growth data for Kiribati
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.6343 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.11 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 16,114 BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 0.1181 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.16 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -48.46 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0119 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 30.49 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- General government final consumption expenditure (current US$) 8.03 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Kiribati?
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Kiribati was -93.1% in 2024, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Kiribati?
- The highest recorded value was 56.4% in 1974.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Kiribati?
- The lowest recorded value was -106.3% in 1990.
- How does Kiribati rank for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp?
- Kiribati ranks 191st out of 191 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp rising or falling in Kiribati?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kiribati data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Exports of goods and services minus imports of goods and services divided by gross domestic product, expressed as a percentage.