Skip to content

Economy of Kenya vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kenya has a GDP of $136B compared to $577B for Thailand, ranking 62/197 and 30/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $94.3B in government debt (69.3% of GDP), compared to $373B (64.7% of GDP) in Thailand.

Kenya vs Thailand GDP by year

Kenya
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Thailand
2025 $135,941,278,879 $577,009,981,112
2024 $120,397,537,850 $529,385,520,942
2023 $107,500,884,685 $517,013,369,475
2022 $114,448,978,153 $495,691,837,308
2021 $109,703,658,905 $506,049,783,825
2020 $100,657,505,751 $500,274,927,779
2019 $100,378,436,207 $543,976,691,794
2018 $92,202,979,985 $506,754,208,404
2017 $82,036,510,877 $456,356,813,537
2016 $74,815,144,164 $413,366,349,748
2015 $70,120,446,897 $401,296,238,228
2014 $68,285,796,514 $407,339,040,198
2013 $61,671,440,408 $420,333,654,593
2012 $56,396,704,672 $397,558,325,279
2011 $46,869,473,151 $370,818,739,624
2010 $45,405,615,064 $341,104,766,329
2009 $42,347,217,913 $281,710,630,187
2008 $35,895,153,328 $291,382,982,431
2007 $31,958,195,182 $262,942,621,455
2006 $25,825,512,284 $221,758,296,022
2005 $18,737,895,513 $189,318,408,469
2004 $16,095,337,094 $172,895,685,155
2003 $14,904,517,650 $152,280,615,246
2002 $13,147,736,899 $134,300,904,400
2001 $12,986,007,426 $120,296,476,180
2000 $12,705,350,098 $126,392,224,254
1999 $12,896,010,459 $126,669,211,779
1998 $14,093,998,844 $113,675,596,788
1997 $13,115,764,358 $150,180,456,566
1996 $12,045,865,396 $183,035,237,429
1995 $9,046,320,255 $169,278,916,593
1994 $7,148,148,564 $146,683,778,959
1993 $5,751,786,643 $128,889,262,951
1992 $8,209,120,763 $111,452,746,518
1991 $8,151,488,783 $98,234,714,971
1990 $8,572,359,038 $85,343,190,719
1989 $8,283,114,514 $72,250,748,100
1988 $8,355,380,879 $61,667,253,471
1987 $7,970,820,369 $50,535,446,555
1986 $7,239,126,568 $43,096,773,981
1985 $6,135,034,214 $38,900,711,333
1984 $6,191,437,070 $41,797,647,776
1983 $5,979,198,314 $40,042,798,388
1982 $6,431,579,357 $36,589,772,404
1981 $6,854,491,706 $34,846,039,194
1980 $7,265,315,820 $32,353,514,989
1979 $6,234,391,113 $27,371,650,825
1978 $5,303,735,111 $24,006,566,637
1977 $4,494,378,764 $19,779,312,261
1976 $3,474,542,392 $16,985,208,648
1975 $3,259,345,083 $14,882,770,594
1974 $2,969,958,812 $13,702,998,512
1973 $2,509,001,324 $10,838,587,358
1972 $2,107,279,157 $8,177,873,151
1971 $1,778,391,289 $7,375,000,024
1970 $1,603,447,359 $7,086,538,438
1969 $1,458,379,417 $6,695,336,567
1968 $1,353,295,459 $6,081,009,428
1967 $1,232,559,507 $5,638,461,442
1966 $1,164,519,674 $5,279,230,817
1965 $997,919,321 $4,388,937,649
1964 $998,759,334 $3,889,129,942
1963 $926,589,349 $3,540,403,457
1962 $868,111,401 $3,308,912,797
1961 $792,959,473 $3,034,037,811
1960 $791,265,459 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Thailand by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,363 - $8,057 -
2024 $2,133 $6,644 $7,387 $24,712
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $7,211 $23,519
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $6,910 $22,243
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $7,055 $20,243
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $6,983 $19,164
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $916 $2,459 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $840 $2,481 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $700 $2,330 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $523 $2,189 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $464 $2,066 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $443 $1,975 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $403 $1,940 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $411 $1,961 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $415 $1,907 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $434 $1,910 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $488 $1,895 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $467 $1,865 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $441 $1,875 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $340 $1,818 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $229 $1,723 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $337 $1,728 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $345 $1,756 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $374 $1,729 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $374 - $1,342 -
1988 $391 - $1,164 -
1987 $387 - $970 -
1986 $364 - $842 -
1985 $320 - $774 -
1984 $334 - $847 -
1983 $335 - $827 -
1982 $374 - $770 -
1981 $413 - $748 -
1980 $454 - $709 -
1979 $403 - $612 -
1978 $355 - $548 -
1977 $311 - $462 -
1976 $248.9 - $405 -
1975 $241.2 - $364 -
1974 $227.2 - $343 -
1973 $198.6 - $278.3 -
1972 $172.6 - $215.6 -
1971 $150.9 - $199.7 -
1970 $141 - $197.1 -
1969 $133.3 - $191.4 -
1968 $128.7 - $178.8 -
1967 $121.9 - $170.7 -
1966 $119.8 - $164.5 -
1965 $106.9 - $140.9 -
1964 $111.3 - $128.6 -
1963 $107.4 - $120.7 -
1962 $104.6 - $116.2 -
1961 $99.3 - $109.7 -
1960 $102.8 - $102.8 -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,363, ranking 154/197, compared to $8,057 in Thailand, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Kenya Thailand
Gross domestic product
$136B
2025
$577B
2025
GDP rank
62/197
2025
30/197
2025
GDP growth
4.63%
2024-2025
2.44%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,363
2025
$8,057
2025
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$94.3B
2025
$373B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
69.3%
2025
64.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,638
2025
$5,211
2025
Government debt per person rank
126/185
2025
83/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,538
2026
$7,438
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.8B
2025
$512B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2022
26%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
23%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.07%
2024-2025
-0.13%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
8.75%
2026
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
0.6%
2025
Population
59218766
71565981

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 69.3% 23% 64.7%
2024 23.2% 67.3% 22.6% 62.9%
2023 22.6% 73.4% 22.7% 62.2%
2022 23.1% 67.8% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 24% 68.2% 26.8% 58.4%
2020 24.8% 68% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 21.6% 41.8%
2016 25.3% 50.4% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 22% 39.8%
2009 20.3% 36% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 20% 36%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 16% 43.8% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 15.7% 42% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 15.6% 36% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 18% 15.2%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 18.8% 57% 16% 6.69%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 16.4% 43% 17% 14.1%
1990 17.2% 37.6% 16.6% 18%
1989 16.3% 33.4% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 15.9% 33.9% 15.1% 30.3%
1987 15.5% 36.3% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 15.3% 31.3% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 15.6% 28.8% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 14.9% 25.6% 19.3% 30.6%
1983 14.6% 26.1% 19.5% 28.9%
1982 16.2% 26.9% 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government spending was $32.6B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $133B, or 23% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 69.3% in Kenya and 64.7% in Thailand, ranking 59/185 and 67/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Thailand
2025 -6.41% -1.91%
2024 -5.74% -1.29%
2023 -5.61% -1.91%
2022 -6.01% -4.61%
2021 -7.2% -6.72%
2020 -8.13% -4.47%
2019 -7.4% 0.43%
2018 -6.91% 0.2%
2017 -7.37% -0.51%
2016 -7.45% 0.41%
2015 -6.68% 0.19%
2014 -5.75% -0.7%
2013 -5.25% 0.6%
2012 -5.29% -0.86%
2011 -3.64% 0.09%
2010 -3.67% -1.07%
2009 -3.12% -2.21%
2008 -1.95% 0.8%
2007 -0.95% 0.22%
2006 -0.43% 1.87%
2005 -0.19% 2.17%
2004 0.5% 1.11%
2003 -0.73% 1.98%
2002 -1.29% -6.72%
2001 -0.53% -1.77%
2000 0.38% -1.79%
1999 0.84% -9.02%
1998 -0.03% -6.29%
1997 -0.91% -1.68%
1996 -0.49% 2.75%
1995 -0.23% 3.05%
1994 -4.14% 2.78%
1993 -8.57% 6.67%
1992 -8.28% -0.18%
1991 -6.56% 1.6%
1990 -3.28% 1.41%
1989 -2.39% 0.16%
1988 -1.97% 0.58%
1987 -2.27% -2.38%
1986 -2.98% -4.32%
1985 -3.05% -5.11%
1984 -2.55% -3.85%
1983 -2.17% -4.02%
1982 -3.07% -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $11B, or 1.91% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.15% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Thailand
2025 4.07% -0.13%
2024 4.49% 0.4%
2023 7.67% 1.23%
2022 7.66% 6.08%
2021 6.11% 1.23%
2020 5.41% -0.85%
2019 5.24% 0.71%
2018 4.69% 1.07%
2017 8.01% 0.66%
2016 6.3% 0.19%
2015 6.58% -0.9%
2014 6.88% 1.89%
2013 5.72% 2.19%
2012 9.38% 3.01%
2011 14% 3.81%
2010 3.96% 3.25%
2009 9.23% -0.85%
2008 26.2% 5.47%
2007 9.76% 2.24%
2006 14.5% 4.64%
2005 10.3% 4.54%
2004 11.6% 2.76%
2003 9.82% 1.8%
2002 1.96% 0.7%
2001 5.74% 1.63%
2000 9.98% 1.59%
1999 5.74% 0.28%
1998 6.72% 7.99%
1997 11.4% 5.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.25%, compared with 2.15% in Thailand. In 2025, inflation was 4.07% in Kenya and -0.13% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $17.1M
Raw agricultural goods $3.24M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.15M
Animal & marine products $483K
Textiles & consumer goods $374K
Metals $238K
Machinery & equipment $232K
Wood & paper products $102K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $87K
Chemicals & pharma $40K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $94.1M
Raw materials & minerals $38.3M
Raw agricultural goods $30.1M
Chemicals & pharma $22.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.72M
Metals $4.18M
Miscellaneous $1.09M
Wood & paper products $694K
Precious metals & jewellery $229K

Balance of trade

Kenya Thailand
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
$15.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
20/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
+2.76%
2025
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$312B
2025
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$335B
2025
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$77.2B
2025
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$76.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
67.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
71.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Thailand
Economic freedom 55.5 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 88/197
Property rights 40.2 41.8
Government integrity 32.7 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 47 35
Tax burden 76.3 80.8
Government spending 84.1 83.6
Fiscal health 36.2 81
Business freedom 61.5 69.9
Labor freedom 56.5 56.4
Monetary freedom 75.1 73.3
Trade freedom 52 70.2
Investment freedom 55 55
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Thailand
2026 55.5 62.2
2025 54.8 60.6
2024 53.6 59
2023 52.5 60.6
2022 52.6 63.2
2021 54.9 69.7
2020 55.3 69.4
2019 55.1 68.3
2018 54.7 67.1
2017 53.5 66.2
2016 57.5 63.9
2015 55.6 62.4
2014 57.1 63.3
2013 55.9 64.1
2012 57.5 64.9
2011 57.4 64.7
2010 57.5 64.1
2009 58.7 63
2008 59.3 62.3
2007 59.6 63.5
2006 59.7 63.3
2005 57.9 62.5
2004 57.7 63.7
2003 58.6 65.8
2002 58.2 69.1
2001 57.6 68.9
2000 59.7 66.6
1999 58.2 66.9
1998 58.4 67.3
1997 60.1 66.1
1996 56.4 71
1995 54.5 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kenya Thailand
Services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
60.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
31.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
8.75%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$127B
2025
$551B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,910
2025
$25,570
2025
Total reserves including gold
$12.4B
2025
$282B
2025
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2025
15/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$9.51B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.82%
2024
3.51%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2025
22.1%
2025

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/thailand | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1948–1997, 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 (2024–2025, 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.