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Economy of Kenya vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kenya has a GDP of $136B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 62/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $94.3B in government debt (69.3% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Kenya vs Qatar GDP by year

Kenya
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Qatar
2025 $135,941,278,879 $215,559,615,385
2024 $120,397,537,850 $216,294,505,495
2023 $107,500,884,685 $213,002,809,341
2022 $114,448,978,153 $235,709,325,714
2021 $109,703,658,905 $179,732,009,560
2020 $100,657,505,751 $144,411,363,352
2019 $100,378,436,207 $176,371,267,692
2018 $92,202,979,985 $183,334,953,819
2017 $82,036,510,877 $161,099,122,225
2016 $74,815,144,164 $151,732,181,868
2015 $70,120,446,897 $161,739,955,577
2014 $68,285,796,514 $206,224,598,571
2013 $61,671,440,408 $198,727,642,967
2012 $56,396,704,672 $186,833,502,363
2011 $46,869,473,151 $167,775,274,725
2010 $45,405,615,064 $125,122,252,747
2009 $42,347,217,913 $97,798,351,648
2008 $35,895,153,328 $115,269,780,220
2007 $31,958,195,182 $79,711,813,187
2006 $25,825,512,284 $60,882,142,857
2005 $18,737,895,513 $44,530,494,505
2004 $16,095,337,094 $31,734,065,934
2003 $14,904,517,650 $23,533,791,209
2002 $13,147,736,899 $19,363,736,264
2001 $12,986,007,426 $17,538,461,538
2000 $12,705,350,098 $17,759,890,110
1999 $12,896,010,459 $12,393,131,868
1998 $14,093,998,844 $10,255,494,505
1997 $13,115,764,358 $11,297,802,198
1996 $12,045,865,396 $9,059,340,659
1995 $9,046,320,255 $8,137,912,088
1994 $7,148,148,564 $7,374,450,549
1993 $5,751,786,643 $7,156,593,407
1992 $8,209,120,763 $7,646,153,846
1991 $8,151,488,783 $6,883,516,484
1990 $8,572,359,038 $7,360,439,560
1989 $8,283,114,514 $6,487,912,088
1988 $8,355,380,879 $6,038,186,813
1987 $7,970,820,369 $5,446,428,571
1986 $7,239,126,568 $5,053,021,978
1985 $6,135,034,214 $6,153,296,703
1984 $6,191,437,070 $6,870,329,670
1983 $5,979,198,314 $6,484,890,110
1982 $6,431,579,357 $7,611,263,736
1981 $6,854,491,706 $8,672,527,473
1980 $7,265,315,820 $7,837,915,956
1979 $6,234,391,113 $5,632,962,997
1978 $5,303,735,111 $4,052,000,413
1977 $4,494,378,764 $3,617,564,638
1976 $3,474,542,392 $3,284,273,987
1975 $3,259,345,083 $2,512,773,166
1974 $2,969,958,812 $2,401,403,227
1973 $2,509,001,324 $793,885,560
1972 $2,107,279,157 $510,262,500
1971 $1,778,391,289 $387,703,106
1970 $1,603,447,359 $301,791,302
1969 $1,458,379,417 -
1968 $1,353,295,459 -
1967 $1,232,559,507 -
1966 $1,164,519,674 -
1965 $997,919,321 -
1964 $998,759,334 -
1963 $926,589,349 -
1962 $868,111,401 -
1961 $792,959,473 -
1960 $791,265,459 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Qatar by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,363 - $72,525 -
2024 $2,133 $6,644 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $916 $2,459 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $840 $2,481 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $700 $2,330 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $523 $2,189 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $464 $2,066 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $443 $1,975 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $403 $1,940 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $411 $1,961 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $415 $1,907 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $434 $1,910 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $488 $1,895 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $467 $1,865 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $441 $1,875 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $340 $1,818 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $229 $1,723 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $337 $1,728 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $345 $1,756 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $374 $1,729 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $374 - $15,243 -
1988 $391 - $14,682 -
1987 $387 - $13,719 -
1986 $364 - $13,213 -
1985 $320 - $16,815 -
1984 $334 - $19,749 -
1983 $335 - $19,669 -
1982 $374 - $24,431 -
1981 $413 - $29,543 -
1980 $454 - $28,407 -
1979 $403 - $21,777 -
1978 $355 - $16,757 -
1977 $311 - $16,058 -
1976 $248.9 - $15,710 -
1975 $241.2 - $13,014 -
1974 $227.2 - $13,540 -
1973 $198.6 - $4,905 -
1972 $172.6 - $3,483 -
1971 $150.9 - $2,952 -
1970 $141 - $2,594 -
1969 $133.3 - - -
1968 $128.7 - - -
1967 $121.9 - - -
1966 $119.8 - - -
1965 $106.9 - - -
1964 $111.3 - - -
1963 $107.4 - - -
1962 $104.6 - - -
1961 $99.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,363, ranking 154/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Kenya Qatar
Gross domestic product
$136B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
62/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
4.63%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,363
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$94.3B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
69.3%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,638
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
126/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,538
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.8B
2025
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2022
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.07%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
8.75%
2026
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
0.1%
2024
Population
59218766
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 69.3% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 23.2% 67.3% 26% 41.3%
2023 22.6% 73.4% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 23.1% 67.8% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 24% 68.2% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 24.8% 68% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 25.3% 50.4% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 31% 32.1%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 32% 30.4%
2009 20.3% 36% 36.4% 36%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 29% 19.1%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 16% 43.8% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 15.7% 42% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 15.6% 36% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 18.8% 57% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 16.4% 43% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 17.2% 37.6% 50% 12.6%
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government spending was $32.6B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 69.3% in Kenya and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 59/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Qatar
2025 -6.41% -1%
2024 -5.74% 0.71%
2023 -5.61% 5.51%
2022 -6.01% 10.4%
2021 -7.2% 0.24%
2020 -8.13% -2.13%
2019 -7.4% 1%
2018 -6.91% 2.26%
2017 -7.37% -6.82%
2016 -7.45% -9.2%
2015 -6.68% 18.4%
2014 -5.75% 13.4%
2013 -5.25% 19.3%
2012 -5.29% 8.55%
2011 -3.64% 5.24%
2010 -3.67% 4.6%
2009 -3.12% 14.1%
2008 -1.95% 9.49%
2007 -0.95% 10.3%
2006 -0.43% 8.39%
2005 -0.19% 9.8%
2004 0.5% 17.7%
2003 -0.73% 6.71%
2002 -1.29% 7.89%
2001 -0.53% 4.48%
2000 0.38% 4.62%
1999 0.84% -4.35%
1998 -0.03% -7%
1997 -0.91% -9.4%
1996 -0.49% -8.73%
1995 -0.23% -5.78%
1994 -4.14% -11.8%
1993 -8.57% -9.53%
1992 -8.28% -2.74%
1991 -6.56% -2.57%
1990 -3.28% 3.23%
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $8.72B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.85% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Qatar
2025 4.07% 0.6%
2024 4.49% 1.2%
2023 7.67% 3.1%
2022 7.66% 5%
2021 6.11% 2.3%
2020 5.41% -2.5%
2019 5.24% -0.9%
2018 4.69% 0.1%
2017 8.01% 0.6%
2016 6.3% 2.7%
2015 6.58% 0.9%
2014 6.88% 4.2%
2013 5.72% 3.1%
2012 9.38% 1.8%
2011 14% 2%
2010 3.96% -2.4%
2009 9.23% -4.9%
2008 26.2% 15.1%
2007 9.76% 13.7%
2006 14.5% 11.7%
2005 10.3% 9%
2004 11.6% 6.8%
2003 9.82% 2.3%
2002 1.96% 0.2%
2001 5.74% 1.7%
2000 9.98% 1.6%
1999 5.74% 2.2%
1998 6.72% 2.9%
1997 11.4% 2.7%

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/kenya/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.25%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 4.07% in Kenya and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $16.6M
Raw materials & minerals $15.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.93M
Chemicals & pharma $458K
Machinery & equipment $329K
Animal & marine products $95K
Textiles & consumer goods $52K
Precious metals & jewellery $40K
Wood & paper products $6K
Metals $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $27.7M
Raw materials & minerals $5.03M
Metals $1.55M
Miscellaneous $228K
Machinery & equipment $201K
Textiles & consumer goods $143K
Wood & paper products $60K

Balance of trade

Kenya Qatar
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Qatar
Economic freedom 55.5 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 37/197
Property rights 40.2 66.2
Government integrity 32.7 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 47 41.5
Tax burden 76.3 99.9
Government spending 84.1 79.9
Fiscal health 36.2 96.6
Business freedom 61.5 68
Labor freedom 56.5 58.5
Monetary freedom 75.1 76
Trade freedom 52 81.8
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Qatar
2026 55.5 70.2
2025 54.8 70.2
2024 53.6 68.8
2023 52.5 68.6
2022 52.6 67.7
2021 54.9 72
2020 55.3 72.3
2019 55.1 72.6
2018 54.7 72.6
2017 53.5 73.1
2016 57.5 70.7
2015 55.6 70.8
2014 57.1 71.2
2013 55.9 71.3
2012 57.5 71.3
2011 57.4 70.5
2010 57.5 69
2009 58.7 65.8
2008 59.3 62.2
2007 59.6 62.9
2006 59.7 62.4
2005 57.9 63.5
2004 57.7 66.5
2003 58.6 65.9
2002 58.2 61.9
2001 57.6 60
2000 59.7 62
1999 58.2 62
1998 58.4 -
1997 60.1 -
1996 56.4 -
1995 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kenya Qatar
Services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$127B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,910
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$12.4B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/kenya/qatar | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.