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Economy of Ghana vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $157B for Kuwait, ranking 69/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $22.9B (14.6% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Ghana vs Kuwait GDP by year

Ghana
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Kuwait
2025 $114,209,905,279 $157,209,026,926
2024 $83,288,585,604 $160,903,106,639
2023 $80,547,146,876 $165,462,656,227
2022 $73,919,003,212 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $3,257 - $32,312 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $32,856 $52,444
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $34,092 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $32,312 in Kuwait, ranking 41/197. 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
$114B
2025
$157B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
2.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$32,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$22.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$4,714
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
87/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$24,940
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
$172B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
50.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
2.16%
2016
Population
36032857
4981316

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
2025 17% 48.8% 50.1% 14.6%
2024 22% 70.3% 48% 2.91%
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% 50.2% 10.5%
2018 20.9% 62% 51% 14.3%
2017 17.6% 57% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 54% 9.88%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 55.3% 4.6%
2014 21% 50.1% 45% 3.43%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 38.1% 3.6%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 39.6% 4.64%
2010 19% 32.9% 45.4% 6.16%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 42.8% 6.65%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 40.8% 5.38%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 32.2% 7.79%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 28.7% 10.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 35.2% 13.9%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 38% 17.2%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 42.5% 21.3%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 41.2% 23%
2000 12% 74.5% 29.7% 21.4%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 44.3% 25.5%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 51.4% 25.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 43.5% 24.3%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 42.5% 26.5%
1995 13% 47.6% 51.7% 34.9%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 57.5% 37.7%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 58% 28.8%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 77.4% 27.9%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 208.1% 45.3%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 122.4% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $78.8B, or 50.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 14.6% in Kuwait, ranking 108/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Kuwait
2025 -1.35% 28.4%
2024 -6.23% 26%
2023 -3.37% 28.2%
2022 -11.8% 30%
2021 -12% 9.99%
2020 -17.4% 0.16%
2019 -7.52% 13%
2018 -6.79% 17.6%
2017 -3.97% 15.3%
2016 -6.75% 12.8%
2015 -4.01% 16.3%
2014 -7.81% 29.8%
2013 -9.12% 40.4%
2012 -8.36% 40.5%
2011 -5.47% 38.6%
2010 -7.13% 31.7%
2009 -5.05% 31.1%
2008 -5.56% 21.2%
2007 -4.91% 36.9%
2006 -3.11% 27.8%
2005 -1.87% 38.8%
2004 -2.02% 32.3%
2003 -1.99% 27%
2002 -2.73% 30.9%
2001 -3.64% 44.9%
2000 -3.98% 52.3%
1999 -5.64% 28%
1998 -5.27% 19.4%
1997 -6.14% 29.4%
1996 -5.61% 24.2%
1995 -4.52% 11.7%
1994 -4.99% 1.71%
1993 -5.39% -3.2%
1992 -4.5% -28%
1991 -1.47% -144.5%
1990 -1.93% -49.9%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.54B, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Kuwait's surplus of $44.6B, or 28.4% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.54% of GDP, compared to surplus of 17% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Kuwait
2025 14.2% 2.36%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 2.92% in Kuwait. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 2.36% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $636K
Raw agricultural goods $32K
Wood & paper products $22K
Metals $21K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Animal & marine products $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
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
$9.39B
2025
$35.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
16/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+22.7%
2025
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$37.5B
2025
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$70.7B
2025
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$29.6B
2025
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$12.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
38.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
55.8%
2024

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 2026-07-08).

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
42.9%
2025
59.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
54.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
0.53%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$201B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$64,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$51.7B
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
47/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$2.58B
2025
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
3.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
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/ghana/kuwait | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.