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Economy of Kenya vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a GDP of $120B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 64/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $81B in government debt (67.3% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Kenya vs Pakistan GDP by year

Kenya
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Pakistan
2024 $120,339,557,906 $371,570,000,121
2023 $107,500,884,685 $336,686,348,609
2022 $114,448,978,153 $374,890,295,667
2021 $109,703,658,905 $348,516,647,445
2020 $100,657,505,751 $300,425,609,818
2019 $100,378,436,207 $320,909,472,771
2018 $92,202,979,985 $356,128,166,705
2017 $82,036,510,877 $339,205,534,861
2016 $74,815,144,164 $313,630,000,130
2015 $70,120,446,897 $299,963,590,535
2014 $68,285,796,514 $271,390,474,858
2013 $61,671,440,408 $258,657,231,672
2012 $56,396,704,672 $250,106,966,105
2011 $46,869,473,151 $230,586,581,060
2010 $45,405,615,064 $196,709,621,850
2009 $42,347,217,913 $187,337,783,856
2008 $35,895,153,328 $202,203,748,584
2007 $31,958,195,182 $184,140,869,997
2006 $25,825,512,284 $161,871,385,506
2005 $18,737,895,513 $145,208,562,961
2004 $16,095,337,094 $132,216,048,339
2003 $14,904,517,650 $112,371,913,741
2002 $13,147,736,899 $97,923,302,809
2001 $12,986,007,426 $97,145,618,480
2000 $12,705,350,098 $99,484,802,345
1999 $12,896,010,459 $62,973,857,069
1998 $14,093,998,844 $62,191,955,814
1997 $13,115,764,358 $62,433,340,468
1996 $12,045,865,396 $63,320,170,084
1995 $9,046,320,255 $60,636,071,684
1994 $7,148,148,564 $52,293,470,813
1993 $5,751,786,643 $51,809,999,353
1992 $8,209,120,763 $48,884,671,947
1991 $8,151,488,783 $45,625,336,680
1990 $8,572,359,038 $40,010,423,970
1989 $8,283,114,514 $40,171,106,279
1988 $8,355,380,879 $38,472,742,808
1987 $7,970,820,369 $33,351,529,275
1986 $7,239,126,568 $31,899,070,056
1985 $6,135,034,214 $31,144,920,844
1984 $6,191,437,070 $31,151,825,467
1983 $5,979,198,314 $28,691,889,764
1982 $6,431,579,357 $30,725,971,564
1981 $6,854,491,706 $28,100,606,061
1980 $7,265,315,820 $23,654,444,444
1979 $6,234,391,113 $19,688,383,838
1978 $5,303,735,111 $17,811,515,152
1977 $4,494,378,764 $15,126,060,606
1976 $3,474,542,392 $13,168,080,808
1975 $3,259,345,083 $11,230,606,061
1974 $2,969,958,812 $8,899,191,919
1973 $2,509,001,324 $6,383,429,490
1972 $2,107,279,157 $9,415,016,360
1971 $1,778,391,289 $10,665,896,682
1970 $1,603,447,359 $10,027,509,450
1969 $1,458,379,417 $8,683,116,338
1968 $1,353,295,459 $8,041,999,160
1967 $1,232,559,507 $7,464,510,710
1966 $1,164,519,674 $6,561,108,778
1965 $997,919,321 $5,929,231,415
1964 $998,759,334 $5,204,955,901
1963 $926,589,349 $4,630,827,383
1962 $868,111,401 $4,310,163,797
1961 $792,959,473 $4,118,647,627
1960 $791,265,459 $3,749,265,015

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/pakistan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Pakistan by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,132 $6,644 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $987 $3,786
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $964 $3,777
2008 $916 $2,459 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $840 $2,481 $998 $3,672
2006 $700 $2,330 $901 $3,515
2005 $523 $2,189 $828 $3,293
2004 $464 $2,066 $772 $3,048
2003 $443 $1,975 $672 $2,822
2002 $403 $1,940 $600 $2,688
2001 $411 $1,961 $610 $2,644
2000 $415 $1,907 $642 $2,565
1999 $434 $1,910 $418 $2,475
1998 $488 $1,895 $424 $2,419
1997 $467 $1,865 $438 $2,398
1996 $441 $1,875 $457 $2,401
1995 $340 $1,818 $451 $2,315
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $400 $2,224
1993 $229 $1,723 $408 $2,160
1992 $337 $1,728 $396 $2,132
1991 $345 $1,756 $380 $1,992
1990 $374 $1,729 $344 $1,895
1989 $374 - $358 -
1988 $391 - $354 -
1987 $387 - $317 -
1986 $364 - $314 -
1985 $320 - $317 -
1984 $334 - $327 -
1983 $335 - $311 -
1982 $374 - $345 -
1981 $413 - $328 -
1980 $454 - $287.4 -
1979 $403 - $249.2 -
1978 $355 - $233.4 -
1977 $311 - $204.7 -
1976 $248.9 - $183.9 -
1975 $241.2 - $161.7 -
1974 $227.2 - $132 -
1973 $198.6 - $97.5 -
1972 $172.6 - $148.1 -
1971 $150.9 - $172.5 -
1970 $141 - $166.7 -
1969 $133.3 - $148.5 -
1968 $128.7 - $141.6 -
1967 $121.9 - $135.2 -
1966 $119.8 - $122.2 -
1965 $106.9 - $113.6 -
1964 $111.3 - $102.5 -
1963 $107.4 - $93.7 -
1962 $104.6 - $89.5 -
1961 $99.3 - $87.8 -
1960 $102.8 - $82 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/pakistan | CC BY

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,132, ranking 154/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Kenya Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
64/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
4.72%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$81B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.49%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
6.96%
2025
Population
58955623
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.3% 67.3% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 22.7% 73.4% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 23.2% 67.8% 20% 77.3%
2021 24% 68.2% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 24.8% 68% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 25.4% 50.4% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 20.3% 36% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 18% 49.5%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 13% 47.9%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 16% 43.8% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 15.7% 42% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 15.6% 36% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 15% 52.5%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 14% 52.3%
1994 18.8% 57% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 17% 57.9%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 16.4% 43% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 17.2% 37.6% 23.9% 48.3%
1989 16.3% 33.4% 26.1% 46.6%
1988 15.9% 33.9% 27.9% 45%
1987 15.5% 36.3% 29.5% 44.4%
1986 15.3% 31.3% 27.6% 43.1%
1985 15.6% 28.8% 28.3% 37%
1984 14.9% 25.6% 25.4% 33.4%
1983 14.6% 26.1% 24.8% 33.6%
1982 16.2% 26.9% 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/pakistan | CC BY

In 2024, Kenya's government spending was $28B, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.3% in Kenya and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 64/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Pakistan
2024 -5.77% -6.81%
2023 -5.71% -7.76%
2022 -6.06% -7.84%
2021 -7.2% -6.04%
2020 -8.13% -7.03%
2019 -7.42% -7.79%
2018 -6.94% -5.67%
2017 -7.4% -5.17%
2016 -7.47% -3.92%
2015 -6.68% -4.74%
2014 -5.75% -4.37%
2013 -5.25% -7.48%
2012 -5.29% -7.74%
2011 -3.64% -6.23%
2010 -3.67% -5.42%
2009 -3.12% -4.53%
2008 -1.95% -5.94%
2007 -0.95% -4.23%
2006 -0.43% -2.79%
2005 -0.19% -2.29%
2004 0.5% -1.29%
2003 -0.73% -0.12%
2002 -1.29% -2.64%
2001 -0.53% -2.45%
2000 0.38% -3.21%
1999 0.84% -3.07%
1998 -0.03% -4.46%
1997 -0.91% -3.87%
1996 -0.49% -4.33%
1995 -0.23% -3.9%
1994 -4.14% -3.63%
1993 -8.57% -5.53%
1992 -8.28% -11.3%
1991 -6.56% -10.8%
1990 -3.28% -11.9%
1989 -2.39% -7.01%
1988 -1.97% -9.35%
1987 -2.27% -11.7%
1986 -2.98% -9.79%
1985 -3.05% -10.6%
1984 -2.55% -8.9%
1983 -2.17% -7.55%
1982 -3.07% -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/pakistan | CC BY

In 2024, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.94B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 40 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.03% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Pakistan
2024 4.49% 12.6%
2023 7.67% 30.8%
2022 7.66% 19.9%
2021 6.11% 9.5%
2020 5.41% 9.74%
2019 5.24% 10.6%
2018 4.69% 5.08%
2017 8.01% 4.09%
2016 6.3% 3.77%
2015 6.58% 2.53%
2014 6.88% 7.19%
2013 5.72% 7.69%
2012 9.38% 9.68%
2011 14% 11.9%
2010 3.96% 12.9%
2009 9.23% 13.6%
2008 26.2% 20.3%
2007 9.76% 7.6%
2006 14.5% 7.92%
2005 10.3% 9.06%
2004 11.6% 7.44%
2003 9.82% 2.91%
2002 1.96% 3.29%
2001 5.74% 3.15%
2000 9.98% 4.37%
1999 5.74% 4.14%
1998 6.72% 6.23%
1997 11.4% 11.4%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/pakistan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.39%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 4.49% in Kenya and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $564M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.18M
Raw materials & minerals $1.81M
Animal & marine products $1.54M
Chemicals & pharma $963K
Wood & paper products $241K
Metals $164K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $145K
Machinery & equipment $89K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $266M
Textiles & consumer goods $112M
Chemicals & pharma $17M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.03M
Machinery & equipment $6.59M
Wood & paper products $5.18M
Raw materials & minerals $4.66M
Miscellaneous $2.73M
Metals $1.16M
Weapons & explosives $517K

Balance of trade

Kenya Pakistan
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Pakistan
Economic freedom 55.5 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 168/197
Property rights 40.2 25.7
Government integrity 32.7 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 47 27.6
Tax burden 76.3 78.2
Government spending 84.1 88.5
Fiscal health 36.2 10.1
Business freedom 61.5 54.4
Labor freedom 56.5 51.7
Monetary freedom 75.1 54.1
Trade freedom 52 70.4
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Pakistan
2026 55.5 48.9
2025 54.8 49.1
2024 53.6 49.5
2023 52.5 49.4
2022 52.6 48.8
2021 54.9 51.7
2020 55.3 54.8
2019 55.1 55
2018 54.7 54.4
2017 53.5 52.8
2016 57.5 55.9
2015 55.6 55.6
2014 57.1 55.2
2013 55.9 55.1
2012 57.5 54.7
2011 57.4 55.1
2010 57.5 55.2
2009 58.7 57
2008 59.3 55.6
2007 59.6 57.2
2006 59.7 57.9
2005 57.9 53.3
2004 57.7 54.9
2003 58.6 55
2002 58.2 55.8
2001 57.6 56
2000 59.7 56.4
1999 58.2 53
1998 58.4 53.2
1997 60.1 56
1996 56.4 58.4
1995 54.5 57.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/pakistan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kenya Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,540
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
75/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.79%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
13.2%
2024

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/kenya/pakistan | 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 (1950–1997, 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 (2023–2024, 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.