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Economy of Ghana vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 80/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Ghana vs Kuwait GDP by year

Ghana
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Kuwait
2024 $82,308,110,386 $160,227,273,053
2023 $80,547,146,878 $165,384,407,116
2022 $73,919,003,210 $183,502,046,694
2021 $79,514,204,730 $148,350,671,489
2020 $70,008,243,860 $111,045,470,606
2019 $68,352,629,246 $140,856,394,861
2018 $67,259,353,966 $138,646,316,351
2017 $60,385,409,435 $120,687,539,806
2016 $56,144,179,398 $109,406,674,125
2015 $49,436,806,230 $114,585,555,689
2014 $54,678,533,806 $162,650,450,685
2013 $62,845,721,960 $174,168,116,535
2012 $41,271,701,061 $174,047,662,680
2011 $39,336,668,081 $154,039,231,246
2010 $32,197,655,567 $115,416,245,242
2009 $26,048,720,006 $105,968,691,905
2008 $28,679,383,241 $147,379,737,230
2007 $24,827,339,138 $114,634,043,362
2006 $20,885,037,597 $101,557,330,723
2005 $10,744,568,381 $80,798,630,137
2004 $8,881,417,907 $59,439,090,601
2003 $7,632,723,556 $47,874,582,232
2002 $6,166,197,848 $38,135,788,414
2001 $5,314,872,854 $34,889,559,870
2000 $4,982,850,662 $37,718,743,480
1999 $7,718,109,982 $30,122,365,849
1998 $7,482,069,162 $25,943,705,784
1997 $6,891,443,192 $30,350,190,704
1996 $6,932,991,739 $31,492,373,309
1995 $6,464,382,808 $27,186,980,647
1994 $5,446,383,727 $24,848,483,838
1993 $5,968,922,939 $23,941,391,391
1992 $6,416,103,926 $19,858,555,215
1991 $6,603,185,268 $11,009,993,703
1990 $5,889,106,573 $18,427,777,778
1989 $5,251,858,440 $24,313,855,653
1988 $5,197,765,032 $20,690,322,153
1987 $5,074,829,932 $22,368,704,134
1986 $5,735,677,434 $17,903,989,745
1985 $4,504,306,723 $21,445,970,614
1984 $4,412,279,843 $21,700,082,753
1983 $4,057,275,132 $20,871,081,080
1982 $4,035,994,398 $21,577,153,356
1981 $4,222,441,860 $25,058,020,338
1980 $4,445,228,216 $28,638,868,356
1979 $4,020,227,920 $24,749,063,922
1978 $3,662,478,185 $15,503,557,496
1977 $3,189,428,571 $14,137,406,741
1976 $2,765,254,237 $13,132,252,802
1975 $2,810,106,383 $12,022,811,621
1974 $2,894,409,938 $13,006,948,296
1973 $3,006,766,758 $5,408,804,607
1972 $2,112,293,280 $4,450,537,925
1971 $2,417,108,578 $3,880,392,195
1970 $2,215,028,588 $2,873,638,851
1969 $1,962,050,556 $2,769,198,892
1968 $1,666,909,518 $2,662,798,935
1967 $1,747,187,645 $2,441,599,023
1966 $2,126,300,672 $2,391,199,044
1965 $2,053,462,968 $2,097,199,161
1964 $1,731,296,200 $2,071,668,533
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,900,895,857
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,828,107,503
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Kuwait by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $906 $3,103 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $479 $2,904 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $406 $2,729 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $358 $2,584 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $403 $2,239 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $400 $2,167 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $378 $2,097 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $389 $2,026 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $372 $1,947 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $321 $1,875 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $360 $1,821 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $396 $1,739 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $418 $1,678 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $383 $1,581 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $350 - $10,965 -
1988 $355 - $9,692 -
1987 $355 - $10,896 -
1986 $411 - $9,077 -
1985 $330 - $11,322 -
1984 $330 - $11,919 -
1983 $311 - $11,965 -
1982 $319 - $12,979 -
1981 $344 - $15,825 -
1980 $372 - $19,032 -
1979 $347 - $17,386 -
1978 $326 - $11,567 -
1977 $292.3 - $11,238 -
1976 $261 - $11,141 -
1975 $273 - $10,882 -
1974 $289.4 - $12,527 -
1973 $310 - $5,532 -
1972 $223.8 - $4,836 -
1971 $263.4 - $4,486 -
1970 $248.2 - $3,552 -
1969 $225.8 - $3,695 -
1968 $196.7 - $3,872 -
1967 $211.2 - $3,887 -
1966 $263.3 - $4,176 -
1965 $260.5 - $4,024 -
1964 $225 - $4,379 -
1963 $205 - $4,445 -
1962 $188.4 - $4,748 -
1961 $181.9 - - -
1960 $174.9 - - -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Ghana Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
2.16%
2016
Population
35885254
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 20.9% 62% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 17.6% 57% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 21% 50.1% 45% 3.43%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 19% 32.9% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 41.4% 23%
2000 12% 74.5% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 13% 47.6% 52% 34.9%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 122.9% -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 57/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Kuwait
2024 -7.31% 23.8%
2023 -3.37% 28.2%
2022 -11.8% 30%
2021 -12% 9.98%
2020 -17.4% 0.14%
2019 -7.52% 13%
2018 -6.79% 17.5%
2017 -3.97% 15.3%
2016 -6.75% 13.1%
2015 -4.01% 16.6%
2014 -7.81% 30%
2013 -9.12% 40.6%
2012 -8.36% 40.7%
2011 -5.47% 38.8%
2010 -7.13% 31.9%
2009 -5.05% 31.3%
2008 -5.56% 21.3%
2007 -4.91% 37.1%
2006 -3.11% 28%
2005 -1.87% 38.9%
2004 -2.02% 32.5%
2003 -1.99% 27.2%
2002 -2.73% 31%
2001 -3.64% 45.2%
2000 -3.98% 52.5%
1999 -5.64% 28.2%
1998 -5.27% 19.5%
1997 -6.14% 29.5%
1996 -5.61% 24.3%
1995 -4.52% 11.7%
1994 -4.99% 1.76%
1993 -5.39% -3.12%
1992 -4.5% -28.1%
1991 -1.47% -145%
1990 -1.93% -50%
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -5.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.02B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Kuwait
2024 22.8% 2.9%
2023 38.1% 3.64%
2022 31.3% 3.98%
2021 9.97% 3.42%
2020 9.89% 2.1%
2019 7.14% 1.09%
2018 7.81% 0.54%
2017 12.4% 2.17%
2016 17.5% 3.2%
2015 17.1% 3.27%
2014 15.5% 2.91%
2013 11.7% 2.68%
2012 11.2% 3.26%
2011 8.73% 4.84%
2010 10.7% 4.5%
2009 19.2% 4.61%
2008 16.5% 10.6%
2007 10.7% 5.48%
2006 11.7% 3.06%
2005 15.4% 4.14%
2004 18% 1.25%
2003 29.8% 0.96%
2002 9.36% 0.89%
2001 41.5% 1.3%
2000 40.2% 1.81%
1999 4.87% 2.99%
1998 14.6% 0.13%
1997 27.9% 0.68%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $650K
Raw agricultural goods $37K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $32K
Metals $23K
Wood & paper products $23K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Animal & marine products $3K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $12.1M
Metals $428K
Raw materials & minerals $425K
Machinery & equipment $371K
Miscellaneous $88K
Textiles & consumer goods $52K

Balance of trade

Ghana Kuwait
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
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.

Ghana Kuwait
Economic freedom 57.3 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 100/197
Property rights 50.2 42
Government integrity 45.4 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 43.4
Tax burden 79.4 97.7
Government spending 84 36.2
Fiscal health 10.1 99.9
Business freedom 64.5 57.4
Labor freedom 54.9 49.2
Monetary freedom 56.7 68.7
Trade freedom 65.2 75.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Kuwait
2026 57.3 59.9
2025 56 59.9
2024 55.8 58.5
2023 58 56.7
2022 59.8 58.3
2021 59.2 64.1
2020 59.4 63.2
2019 57.5 60.8
2018 56 62.2
2017 56.2 65.1
2016 63 62.7
2015 63 62.5
2014 64.2 62.3
2013 61.3 63.1
2012 60.7 62.5
2011 59.4 64.9
2010 60.2 67.7
2009 58.1 65.6
2008 57 68.1
2007 57.6 66.4
2006 55.6 66.5
2005 56.5 64.6
2004 59.1 63.6
2003 58.2 66.7
2002 57.2 65.4
2001 58 68.2
2000 58.1 69.7
1999 57.9 69.5
1998 57 66.3
1997 56.7 64.8
1996 57.7 66.1
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, 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

Ghana Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
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/ghana/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.