FATF status

Nauru is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Nauru was undertaken in 2024. According to that Evaluation, Nauru was deemed Compliant for 19 and Largely Compliant for 18 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was deemed Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 of the Effectiveness ratings.

Nauru's economy has historically depended on phosphate mining, which peaked in the 1970s but has since declined due to resource exhaustion, leading to significant economic challenges and a high unemployment rate of approximately 23%. The country struggles to meet basic governmental functions due to mismanagement of its phosphate wealth and a reliance on imported necessities and external assistance.

Nauru's investment climate has been influenced by its past as a tax haven, prompting regulatory changes to enhance transparency. The government is actively working to attract foreign investment, particularly in sectors like sustainable energy and deep-sea mining, while facing challenges related to ongoing dependence on external aid and the need for economic reform.