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Economy of Gabon vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 127/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Gabon vs Kuwait GDP by year

Gabon
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Kuwait
2024 $20,895,684,426 $160,227,273,053
2023 $19,388,372,071 $165,384,407,116
2022 $20,440,655,695 $183,502,046,694
2021 $19,444,935,097 $148,350,671,489
2020 $15,342,236,164 $111,045,470,606
2019 $16,874,405,465 $140,856,394,861
2018 $16,867,326,402 $138,646,316,351
2017 $14,929,487,485 $120,687,539,806
2016 $14,023,890,265 $109,406,674,125
2015 $14,383,107,763 $114,585,555,689
2014 $18,203,966,896 $162,650,450,685
2013 $17,595,744,798 $174,168,116,535
2012 $17,170,464,016 $174,047,662,680
2011 $18,210,307,744 $154,039,231,246
2010 $14,372,593,020 $115,416,245,242
2009 $12,113,699,068 $105,968,691,905
2008 $15,571,348,344 $147,379,737,230
2007 $12,455,409,587 $114,634,043,362
2006 $10,327,598,306 $101,557,330,723
2005 $9,582,783,991 $80,798,630,137
2004 $7,770,219,008 $59,439,090,601
2003 $6,511,903,365 $47,874,582,232
2002 $5,335,451,100 $38,135,788,414
2001 $5,023,265,413 $34,889,559,870
2000 $5,080,483,629 $37,718,743,480
1999 $4,662,992,036 $30,122,365,849
1998 $4,483,417,310 $25,943,705,784
1997 $5,326,817,115 $30,350,190,704
1996 $5,694,040,003 $31,492,373,309
1995 $4,958,845,648 $27,186,980,647
1994 $4,190,819,344 $24,848,483,838
1993 $4,378,645,081 $23,941,391,391
1992 $5,592,390,827 $19,858,555,215
1991 $5,402,919,785 $11,009,993,703
1990 $5,952,293,765 $18,427,777,778
1989 $4,186,411,464 $24,313,855,653
1988 $3,834,503,376 $20,690,322,153
1987 $3,281,797,043 $22,368,704,134
1986 $3,403,638,189 $17,903,989,745
1985 $3,339,914,757 $21,445,970,614
1984 $3,561,451,561 $21,700,082,753
1983 $3,391,275,732 $20,871,081,080
1982 $3,618,007,841 $21,577,153,356
1981 $3,862,269,121 $25,058,020,338
1980 $4,279,637,942 $28,638,868,356
1979 $3,030,251,120 $24,749,063,922
1978 $2,389,479,272 $15,503,557,496
1977 $2,809,349,069 $14,137,406,741
1976 $3,009,409,974 $13,132,252,802
1975 $2,157,592,940 $12,022,811,621
1974 $1,544,216,002 $13,006,948,296
1973 $722,780,701 $5,408,804,607
1972 $430,508,359 $4,450,537,925
1971 $381,687,073 $3,880,392,195
1970 $323,802,476 $2,873,638,851
1969 $318,124,701 $2,769,198,892
1968 $294,468,564 $2,662,798,935
1967 $271,543,680 $2,441,599,023
1966 $245,849,781 $2,391,199,044
1965 $226,474,286 $2,097,199,161
1964 $215,679,855 $2,071,668,533
1963 $154,480,244 $1,900,895,857
1962 $182,796,536 $1,828,107,503
1961 $167,637,907 -
1960 $141,468,978 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Kuwait by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $4,374 - $10,965 -
1988 $4,119 - $9,692 -
1987 $3,624 - $10,896 -
1986 $3,865 - $9,077 -
1985 $3,898 - $11,322 -
1984 $4,273 - $11,919 -
1983 $4,182 - $11,965 -
1982 $4,584 - $12,979 -
1981 $5,026 - $15,825 -
1980 $5,718 - $19,032 -
1979 $4,155 - $17,386 -
1978 $3,360 - $11,567 -
1977 $4,048 - $11,238 -
1976 $4,441 - $11,141 -
1975 $3,258 - $10,882 -
1974 $2,384 - $12,527 -
1973 $1,140 - $5,532 -
1972 $693 - $4,836 -
1971 $627 - $4,486 -
1970 $543 - $3,552 -
1969 $545 - $3,695 -
1968 $515 - $3,872 -
1967 $482 - $3,887 -
1966 $443 - $4,176 -
1965 $415 - $4,024 -
1964 $400 - $4,379 -
1963 $290.7 - $4,445 -
1962 $348 - $4,748 -
1961 $323 - - -
1960 $276.1 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Gabon Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
2.16%
2016
Population
2663339
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 19.8% 83% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 45% 3.43%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 22.6% 26% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 27.8% 81% 41.4% 23%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 29.7% 57% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 52% 34.9%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 22.6% 90% 122.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 51/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Kuwait
2024 -3.84% 23.8%
2023 1.79% 28.2%
2022 -0.89% 30%
2021 -1.93% 9.98%
2020 -2.19% 0.14%
2019 2.13% 13%
2018 -0.21% 17.5%
2017 -1.7% 15.3%
2016 -4.71% 13.1%
2015 -1.12% 16.6%
2014 5.98% 30%
2013 -3.07% 40.6%
2012 6.2% 40.7%
2011 1.41% 38.8%
2010 2.7% 31.9%
2009 6.77% 31.3%
2008 11% 21.3%
2007 8.06% 37.1%
2006 8.67% 28%
2005 7.98% 38.9%
2004 6.99% 32.5%
2003 7.75% 27.2%
2002 3.72% 31%
2001 4.07% 45.2%
2000 11.1% 52.5%
1999 1.11% 28.2%
1998 -13.1% 19.5%
1997 1.41% 29.5%
1996 2.12% 24.3%
1995 2.64% 11.7%
1994 -1.53% 1.76%
1993 -5.35% -3.12%
1992 -4.9% -28.1%
1991 -2.03% -145%
1990 -3.83% -50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Kuwait
2024 1.17% 2.9%
2023 3.63% 3.64%
2022 4.23% 3.98%
2021 1.09% 3.42%
2020 1.35% 2.1%
2019 2.46% 1.09%
2018 4.75% 0.54%
2017 2.65% 2.17%
2016 2.11% 3.2%
2015 -0.34% 3.27%
2014 4.69% 2.91%
2013 0.51% 2.68%
2012 2.65% 3.26%
2011 1.26% 4.84%
2010 1.46% 4.5%
2009 1.89% 4.61%
2008 5.26% 10.6%
2007 5.03% 5.48%
2006 -1.41% 3.06%
2005 3.71% 4.14%
2004 0.41% 1.25%
2003 2.24% 0.96%
2002 0.04% 0.89%
2001 2.14% 1.3%
2000 0.5% 1.81%
1999 -1.94% 2.99%
1998 1.45% 0.13%
1997 3.97% 0.68%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $661K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Metals $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $419K
Raw materials & minerals $160K
Textiles & consumer goods $92K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Gabon Kuwait
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Kuwait
Economic freedom 56.6 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 100/197
Property rights 30 42
Government integrity 22.6 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 43.4
Tax burden 76.5 97.7
Government spending 85.5 36.2
Fiscal health 87.9 99.9
Business freedom 63.6 57.4
Labor freedom 55.4 49.2
Monetary freedom 80.9 68.7
Trade freedom 57.4 75.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Kuwait
2026 56.6 59.9
2025 56.3 59.9
2024 56.9 58.5
2023 56.1 56.7
2022 55.8 58.3
2021 58.1 64.1
2020 56.7 63.2
2019 56.3 60.8
2018 58 62.2
2017 58.6 65.1
2016 59 62.7
2015 58.3 62.5
2014 57.8 62.3
2013 57.8 63.1
2012 56.4 62.5
2011 56.7 64.9
2010 55.4 67.7
2009 55 65.6
2008 54.2 68.1
2007 54.8 66.4
2006 56.1 66.5
2005 54.8 64.6
2004 57.1 63.6
2003 58.7 66.7
2002 58 65.4
2001 55 68.2
2000 58.2 69.7
1999 60.5 69.5
1998 59.2 66.3
1997 58.8 64.8
1996 55.7 66.1
1995 57.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
17.7%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.