Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely.
The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future.
Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.
4% (2017 est.)
10.4% (2016 est.)
2.8% (2015 est.)
5.1% (2017 est.)
8.2% (2016 est.)
$145 million (2019 est.)
$145 million (2018 est.)
$137 million (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
$114 million (2017 est.)
$11,583 (2019 est.)
$11,471 (2018 est.)
$10,667 (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2015 US dollars
agriculture: 6.1% (2009 est.)
industry: 33% (2009 est.)
services: 60.8% (2009 est.)
household consumption: 98% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 37.6% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 42.2% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -89.1% (2016 est.)
coconuts, tropical fruit, vegetables, pork, eggs, pig offals, pig fat, poultry, papayas, cabbages
phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products
N/A
N/A
note: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation
23% (2011 est.)
90% (2004 est.)
N/A
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
revenues: 103 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 113.4 million (2017 est.)
90.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
-9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
62% of GDP (2017 est.)
65% of GDP (2016 est.)
1 July - 30 June
$5 million (2017 est.)
$2 million (2016 est.)
$125 million (2013 est.)
$110.3 million (2012 est.)
Thailand 34%, Australia 16%, United States 13%, South Korea 10%, Philippines 9%, Japan 7%, France 5% (2019)
fish, calcium phosphates, low-voltage protection equipment, air conditioners, leather apparel (2019)
$64.9 million (2016 est.)
$143.1 million (2013 est.)
Taiwan 52%, Australia 28% (2019)
refined petroleum, construction vehicles, tug boats, poultry meats, cars (2019)
$33.3 million (2004 est.)
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3452 (2016 est.)
1.3452 (2015 est.)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
NOTE: The information regarding Nauru on this page is re-published from the 2021 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nauru 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nauru 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.
This page was last modified 16 Dec 23, Copyright © 2023 ITA all rights reserved.