The Tuvalu Central Statistics Division (CSD), with the assistance of a Technical Advisor from the IMF, compiled Tuvalu’s Balance of Payments (BoP) statistics for 2023.
CURRENT ACCOUNTS
Tuvalu’s current account recorded a strong surplus in 2023 of AU$30.4M, which was driven by stronger income flows. The primary and secondary income accounts continued to provide the largest positive contributions, while trade in goods and services remained in deficit due to high import dependence.
Current Account Trends:
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
The capital account maintained a modest surplus, reflecting lower project-related grants following the completion of major donor-funded infrastructure works in previous years.
Capital Account Trends:
NET LENDING/BORROWING
Overall, Tuvalu registered a net lending position of AU$33.0 million in 2023, compared with AU$8.1 million in 2022 and AU$33.9 million in 2021. This result indicates that Tuvalu consistently earned more from its external transactions than it spent abroad, reinforcing its position as a net creditor economy.
Net Lending/Borrowing Trends:
For more information, please click the button below to download the Tuvalu BoP Report 2023 and BoP Tables.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compilation for Tuvalu for the year 2024 was undertaken with the support of a technical assistance (TA) mission from the PFTAC. The mission was conducted from 22nd to 30th May 2025 by Mr. Michael Andrews, assisted the Tuvalu Central Statistics Division in updating and compiling national accounts estimates in both current and constant 2016 prices.
Tuvalu’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 3.1 percent in real terms in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of economic recovery following the pandemic-induced downturn between 2020 and 2022. Although output has surpassed A$60.7 million at constant 2016 prices, the economy remains below its pre-COVID-19 peak of A$66.1 million recorded in 2019. Growth in 2024 was mainly driven by Construction (+32%), Hotels and Restaurants (+172%), and Trade (+19%), while Public Administration and Agriculture recorded moderate declines. The Tuvalu economy continues to be largely public-sector-driven, with government and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) accounting for about half of total GDP. Private sector activity remains limited but is gradually expanding, particularly in construction, tourism, and other services.
Real GDP Trends
Figure 1 and 2 below illustrates the trend of Real GDP at constant 2016 prices and growth for the years from 2016 to 2024.
Sectoral Performance (at Constant 2016 prices)
Sector
Share of Real GDP (2024)
2024 Growth Rate
Key Observations
Primary (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing)
7.4 %
-6.3 %
Output declined, mainly due to reduced fishing activity and high operational costs.
The International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) provides information on Tuvalu’s exports, re-exports and imports of goods between Tuvalu, and the rest of the world. The administrative data used to compile the release is supplied by the Tuvalu Customs department through the online ASYCUDA system.
The Tuvalu CSD compiles the IMTS reports on a quarterly basis with the aim of providing users with reliable trade statistics that reflects Tuvalu’s trade performance, structural trends, and key trading partners in order to support evidence-based economic planning, policy formulation and monitoring.
Imports
The value of Imports fluctuated widely, showing strong dependence on seasonal procurement. The highest import was recorded in July 2024 while the lowest import was recorded in June 2025. This could be a reflection of irregular timing of major shipments. The figure below shows the top commodities with the greatest contribution to Tuvalu’s import from July 2024 to June 2025.
XV Base metals & articles thereof – increased by $1.32 M
IX Wood, cork & articles thereof & plaiting materials – increased by $0.45 M
X Wood pulp, paper & paperboard & articles thereof – increased by $0.12 M
XVI Machinery & mechanical & electrical appliances & parts thereof – decreased by $4.8 M
XX Miscellaneous manufactured articles – decreased by $1.7 M
XIII Articles of stone, plaster, cement, glass & ceramic products – decreased by $1.2 M
Exports
From July 2024 to June 2025, the highest export was recorded in April 2025 with approximately $87.3 thousands. Some of the top contributors to the performance of exports include V Mineral Products ( $51k) and XVI Machinery & mechanical & electrical appliances & parts thereof ($50k).
Balance of Trade
Tuvalu’s trade balance was consistently in deficit. The deepest monthly trade balance was recorded in July 2024 at $9.51 million deficit whereas in June 2025, Tuvalu’s trade balance decreased to $1.90 million deficit.
Trade Markets
Trade by Partner Country demonstrates a prominent trade link between Tuvalu and its Pacific neighboring countries – approximately 62% of Total Imports were from Australia (30%), Fiji (28%) and New Zealand(4%), comparably 71% of total exports were exported to Fiji.
For more information, click the buttons below to download the IMTS Report and IMTS Release Tables.
Migration statistics provide a significant insight for Tuvalu’s population estimates and projections.
Tuvalu’s Migration patterns have slowly risen compared to the previous year which could be resulted from additional flights to Tuvalu.
The figures below are a comparison of total arrivals and total departures from the first biannual 2025 compared to the first biannual of the previous year.
Visitors 2025
Visitors arrivals in Tuvalu are mainly from the three Pacific regional countries including Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Resident Departures 2025.
Two of the main reasons for Tuvalu resident departure include Family/Social and Government official trips.
For more information, click the buttons below to download the Migration 1st Biannual 2025 Report and Tables.
The Hardship in Tuvalu Report analyses the monetary poverty (or hardship) and inequality in Tuvalu using data that have been collected from the Tuvalu 2022 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES).
CSD wishes to thank its partners, staff, field workers, and most importantly, the households that were selected for the HIES component of the LFC 2022-23 for their willingness to participate in the survey.
The table below shows the Key Monetary Measures of living standards in Tuvalu.
Annual Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (2022, current local currency)
AUD 11,484
Mean (median) annual adult equivalent consumption
AUD 4,491 (AUD 3,887)
Basic Needs Poverty Line (BNPL)
AUD 2,668
Basic Needs Poverty Rate (BNPR)
21.5%
Gini Index
0.294
The Hardship in Tuvalu 2022-23 Report is now available for download below;
