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Economy of Bangladesh vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bangladesh has a GDP of $456B compared to $157B for Kuwait, ranking 38/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $192B in government debt (42% of GDP), compared to $22.9B (14.6% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Bangladesh vs Kuwait GDP by year

Bangladesh
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Kuwait
2025 $456,319,229,256 $157,209,026,926
2024 $450,119,432,069 $160,903,106,639
2023 $437,415,333,018 $165,462,656,227
2022 $460,131,689,083 $183,502,046,694
2021 $416,271,647,911 $148,350,671,489
2020 $373,979,442,362 $111,045,470,606
2019 $351,231,654,604 $140,856,394,861
2018 $321,362,752,442 $138,646,316,351
2017 $293,732,446,625 $120,687,539,806
2016 $265,224,515,675 $109,406,674,125
2015 $195,146,608,978 $114,585,555,689
2014 $172,886,611,654 $162,650,450,685
2013 $149,998,957,434 $174,168,116,535
2012 $133,310,747,603 $174,047,662,680
2011 $128,607,482,310 $154,039,231,246
2010 $115,275,540,051 $115,416,245,242
2009 $102,475,158,191 $105,968,691,905
2008 $91,636,997,371 $147,379,737,230
2007 $79,611,644,975 $114,634,043,362
2006 $71,795,736,172 $101,557,330,723
2005 $69,476,001,239 $80,798,630,137
2004 $65,108,544,250 $59,439,090,601
2003 $60,158,929,188 $47,874,582,232
2002 $54,724,081,491 $38,135,788,414
2001 $53,991,289,844 $34,889,559,870
2000 $53,369,787,319 $37,718,743,480
1999 $51,270,569,884 $30,122,365,849
1998 $49,984,559,471 $25,943,705,784
1997 $48,244,309,133 $30,350,190,704
1996 $46,438,484,108 $31,492,373,309
1995 $37,939,748,769 $27,186,980,647
1994 $33,768,660,883 $24,848,483,838
1993 $33,166,519,418 $23,941,391,391
1992 $31,708,874,594 $19,858,555,215
1991 $30,957,483,950 $11,009,993,703
1990 $31,598,340,778 $18,427,777,778
1989 $28,781,715,189 $24,313,855,653
1988 $26,579,005,558 $20,690,322,153
1987 $24,298,032,258 $22,368,704,134
1986 $21,774,033,333 $17,903,989,745
1985 $22,278,423,077 $21,445,970,614
1984 $18,920,840,000 $21,700,082,753
1983 $17,609,048,822 $20,871,081,080
1982 $18,525,399,202 $21,577,153,356
1981 $20,249,694,002 $25,058,020,338
1980 $18,138,049,096 $28,638,868,356
1979 $15,565,480,322 $24,749,063,922
1978 $13,281,767,143 $15,503,557,496
1977 $9,651,149,302 $14,137,406,741
1976 $10,117,113,333 $13,132,252,802
1975 $19,448,348,073 $12,022,811,621
1974 $12,512,460,520 $13,006,948,296
1973 $8,086,725,729 $5,408,804,607
1972 $6,288,245,867 $4,450,537,925
1971 $8,751,843,188 $3,880,392,195
1970 $8,992,722,167 $2,873,638,851
1969 $8,471,006,438 $2,769,198,892
1968 $7,483,685,771 $2,662,798,935
1967 $7,253,575,688 $2,441,599,023
1966 $6,439,687,854 $2,391,199,044
1965 $5,906,636,792 $2,097,199,161
1964 $5,386,054,833 $2,071,668,533
1963 $5,319,458,563 $1,900,895,857
1962 $5,081,413,542 $1,828,107,503
1961 $4,817,580,375 -
1960 $4,274,894,083 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Kuwait by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,597 - $32,312 -
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $32,856 $52,444
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $34,092 $53,025
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $958 $3,691 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $860 $3,434 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $837 $3,051 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $757 $2,834 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $679 $2,675 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $613 $2,555 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $538 $2,388 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $490 $2,195 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $480 $2,020 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $456 $1,862 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $427 $1,746 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $394 $1,659 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $395 $1,598 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $397 $1,512 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $388 $1,430 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $386 $1,373 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $379 $1,315 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $372 $1,261 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $309 $1,206 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $272.1 $987 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $283.1 $941 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $263 - $10,965 -
1988 $247.9 - $9,692 -
1987 $231.5 - $10,896 -
1986 $212.1 - $9,077 -
1985 $222.2 - $11,322 -
1984 $193.4 - $11,919 -
1983 $184.7 - $11,965 -
1982 $199.6 - $12,979 -
1981 $224.2 - $15,825 -
1980 $206.1 - $19,032 -
1979 $181.1 - $17,386 -
1978 $158.3 - $11,567 -
1977 $117.9 - $11,238 -
1976 $126.7 - $11,141 -
1975 $249.8 - $10,882 -
1974 $165 - $12,527 -
1973 $109.7 - $5,532 -
1972 $87.8 - $4,836 -
1971 $124.5 - $4,486 -
1970 $130.2 - $3,552 -
1969 $125.9 - $3,695 -
1968 $114.4 - $3,872 -
1967 $114.2 - $3,887 -
1966 $104.4 - $4,176 -
1965 $98.6 - $4,024 -
1964 $92.6 - $4,379 -
1963 $94.1 - $4,445 -
1962 $92.6 - $4,748 -
1961 $90.4 - - -
1960 $82.5 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,597, ranking 151/197, compared to $32,312 in Kuwait, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$456B
2025
$157B
2025
GDP rank
38/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
2.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,597
2025
$32,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$192B
2025
$22.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,092
2025
$4,714
2025
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2025
87/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,829
2026
$24,940
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$26.2B
2025
$172B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
10.9%
2025
50.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
10%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
2.16%
2016
Population
178936470
4981316

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 10.9% 42% 50.1% 14.6%
2024 12% 41% 48% 2.91%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 13% 37.9% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 13.6% 32% 50.2% 10.5%
2018 13% 29.6% 51% 14.3%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 54% 9.88%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 55.3% 4.6%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 45% 3.43%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 38.1% 3.6%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 39.6% 4.64%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 45.4% 6.16%
2009 10.6% 33% 42.8% 6.65%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 40.8% 5.38%
2007 9.63% 35% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 32.2% 7.79%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 28.7% 10.2%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 35.2% 13.9%
2003 10.2% 37% 38% 17.2%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 42.5% 21.3%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 41.2% 23%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 29.7% 21.4%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 44.3% 25.5%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 51.4% 25.6%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 43.5% 24.3%
1996 9.79% 31% 42.5% 26.5%
1995 10.5% 32.9% 51.7% 34.9%
1994 10% 35.5% 57.5% 37.7%
1993 9.74% 34.1% 58% 28.8%
1992 8.8% 33.1% 77.4% 27.9%
1991 8.86% 31.8% 208.1% 45.3%
1990 9.14% 31.5% 122.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

In 2025, Bangladesh's government spending was $49.6B, accounting for 10.9% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $78.8B, or 50.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42% in Bangladesh and 14.6% in Kuwait, ranking 124/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Kuwait
2025 -2.93% 28.4%
2024 -3.7% 26%
2023 -4.39% 28.2%
2022 -4.53% 30%
2021 -3.56% 9.99%
2020 -4.84% 0.16%
2019 -5.41% 13%
2018 -4.07% 17.6%
2017 -4.17% 15.3%
2016 -3.16% 12.8%
2015 -3.29% 16.3%
2014 -2.62% 29.8%
2013 -2.86% 40.4%
2012 -2.56% 40.5%
2011 -2.96% 38.6%
2010 -2.23% 31.7%
2009 -2.68% 31.1%
2008 -3.36% 21.2%
2007 -1.86% 36.9%
2006 -2.15% 27.8%
2005 -2.4% 38.8%
2004 -2.21% 32.3%
2003 -1.96% 27%
2002 -2.3% 30.9%
2001 -3.44% 44.9%
2000 -2.5% 52.3%
1999 -1.35% 28%
1998 -2.2% 19.4%
1997 -1.94% 29.4%
1996 -2.01% 24.2%
1995 -0.38% 11.7%
1994 0.03% 1.71%
1993 0.43% -3.2%
1992 0.36% -28%
1991 0.44% -144.5%
1990 -0.15% -49.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

In 2025, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.4B, equivalent to 2.93% of GDP. This compares to Kuwait's surplus of $44.6B, or 28.4% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to surplus of 17% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Kuwait
2025 10% 2.36%
2024 9.7% 2.9%
2023 9% 3.64%
2022 6.1% 3.98%
2021 5.6% 3.42%
2020 5.6% 2.1%
2019 5.5% 1.09%
2018 5.8% 0.54%
2017 5.4% 2.17%
2016 5.9% 3.2%
2015 6.4% 3.27%
2014 7.3% 2.91%
2013 6.8% 2.68%
2012 8.9% 3.26%
2011 8.8% 4.84%
2010 7.3% 4.5%
2009 6.7% 4.61%
2008 9.9% 10.6%
2007 7.2% 5.48%
2006 7.2% 3.06%
2005 6.5% 4.14%
2004 8.1% 1.25%
2003 3.9% 0.96%
2002 2.4% 0.89%
2001 1.8% 1.3%
2000 3.6% 1.81%
1999 8.9% 2.99%
1998 6.7% 0.13%
1997 2.7% 0.68%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.54%, compared with 2.92% in Kuwait. In 2025, inflation was 10% in Bangladesh and 2.36% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $11.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.24M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.33M
Machinery & equipment $3.3M
Animal & marine products $1.52M
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Metals $23K
Miscellaneous $15K
Wood & paper products $14K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $10.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $845K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $840K
Metals $413K
Textiles & consumer goods $273K
Wood & paper products $161K
Miscellaneous $138K
Machinery & equipment $90K
Raw materials & minerals $53K
Animal & marine products $4K

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Kuwait
Current account balance
-$239M
2025
$35.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
93/190
2025
16/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.05%
2025
+22.7%
2025
Goods imports
$66B
2025
$37.5B
2025
Goods exports
$43.8B
2025
$70.7B
2025
Service imports
$14.7B
2025
$29.6B
2025
Service exports
$8.42B
2025
$12.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
38.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
55.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bangladesh Kuwait
Economic freedom 54.8 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 100/197
Property rights 32.1 42
Government integrity 22.7 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 43.4
Tax burden 79.9 97.7
Government spending 95.3 36.2
Fiscal health 68.4 99.9
Business freedom 52.7 57.4
Labor freedom 50.5 49.2
Monetary freedom 65.8 68.7
Trade freedom 63 75.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Kuwait
2026 54.8 59.9
2025 54.7 59.9
2024 54.4 58.5
2023 54.4 56.7
2022 52.7 58.3
2021 56.5 64.1
2020 56.4 63.2
2019 55.6 60.8
2018 55.1 62.2
2017 55 65.1
2016 53.3 62.7
2015 53.9 62.5
2014 54.1 62.3
2013 52.6 63.1
2012 53.2 62.5
2011 53 64.9
2010 51.1 67.7
2009 47.5 65.6
2008 44.2 68.1
2007 46.7 66.4
2006 52.9 66.5
2005 47.5 64.6
2004 50 63.6
2003 49.3 66.7
2002 51.9 65.4
2001 51.2 68.2
2000 48.9 69.7
1999 50 69.5
1998 52 66.3
1997 49.9 64.8
1996 51.1 66.1
1995 40.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bangladesh Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
52.1%
2025
59.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
34%
2025
54.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.4%
2025
0.53%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$499B
2025
$201B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,710
2025
$64,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$28.6B
2025
$51.7B
2025
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2025
47/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.84B
2025
$2.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.28B
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
15.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/kuwait | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.