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Economy of Kenya vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kenya has a GDP of $136B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 62/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $94.3B in government debt (69.3% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Kenya vs Venezuela GDP by year

Kenya
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Venezuela
2025 $135,941,278,879 $99,661,244,156
2024 $120,397,537,850 $120,566,112,397
2023 $107,500,884,685 $102,377,501,186
2022 $114,448,978,153 $89,013,251,021
2021 $109,703,658,905 $56,615,026,263
2020 $100,657,505,751 $42,837,965,907
2019 $100,378,436,207 $73,014,157,108
2018 $92,202,979,985 $101,987,075,929
2017 $82,036,510,877 $115,892,475,743
2016 $74,815,144,164 $112,948,035,495
2015 $70,120,446,897 $125,249,941,854
2014 $68,285,796,514 $214,838,755,022
2013 $61,671,440,408 $258,512,396,298
2012 $56,396,704,672 $371,846,610,182
2011 $46,869,473,151 $316,482,190,800
2010 $45,405,615,064 $393,192,354,511
2009 $42,347,217,913 $329,787,628,928
2008 $35,895,153,328 $315,953,388,511
2007 $31,958,195,182 $230,364,012,576
2006 $25,825,512,284 $183,477,522,124
2005 $18,737,895,513 $145,513,489,652
2004 $16,095,337,094 $112,451,400,425
2003 $14,904,517,650 $83,620,628,582
2002 $13,147,736,899 $92,893,587,734
2001 $12,986,007,426 $122,911,036,747
2000 $12,705,350,098 $117,146,466,003
1999 $12,896,010,459 $97,972,842,462
1998 $14,093,998,844 $91,336,763,255
1997 $13,115,764,358 $85,837,678,560
1996 $12,045,865,396 $70,543,211,119
1995 $9,046,320,255 $77,389,487,770
1994 $7,148,148,564 $58,418,666,667
1993 $5,751,786,643 $60,037,460,783
1992 $8,209,120,763 $60,416,519,620
1991 $8,151,488,783 $53,453,444,787
1990 $8,572,359,038 $48,606,952,195
1989 $8,283,114,514 $43,536,709,104
1988 $8,355,380,879 $60,226,413,793
1987 $7,970,820,369 $48,029,034,483
1986 $7,239,126,568 $60,516,123,711
1985 $6,135,034,214 $61,965,466,667
1984 $6,191,437,070 $59,867,743,468
1983 $5,979,198,314 $67,556,279,070
1982 $6,431,579,357 $67,736,744,186
1981 $6,854,491,706 $66,327,441,860
1980 $7,265,315,820 $59,116,511,628
1979 $6,234,391,113 $48,310,930,233
1978 $5,303,735,111 $39,316,279,070
1977 $4,494,378,764 $36,210,697,674
1976 $3,474,542,392 $31,419,534,884
1975 $3,259,345,083 $27,464,651,163
1974 $2,969,958,812 $26,100,930,233
1973 $2,509,001,324 $17,035,581,395
1972 $2,107,279,157 $13,977,727,273
1971 $1,778,391,289 $12,986,590,909
1970 $1,603,447,359 $11,561,111,111
1969 $1,458,379,417 $10,285,111,111
1968 $1,353,295,459 $10,034,444,444
1967 $1,232,559,507 $9,250,000,000
1966 $1,164,519,674 $8,781,333,333
1965 $997,919,321 $8,427,777,778
1964 $998,759,334 $8,192,413,793
1963 $926,589,349 $9,608,717,288
1962 $868,111,401 $8,814,309,884
1961 $792,959,473 $8,067,267,031
1960 $791,265,459 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Venezuela by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,363 - $3,495 -
2024 $2,133 $6,644 $4,244 -
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $3,617 -
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $3,155 -
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $2,005 -
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $1,506 -
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $2,523 -
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $3,422 -
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $3,792 -
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $3,671 -
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $4,097 -
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $7,101 -
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $8,642 -
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $12,582 -
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $916 $2,459 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $840 $2,481 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $700 $2,330 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $523 $2,189 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $464 $2,066 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $443 $1,975 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $403 $1,940 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $411 $1,961 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $415 $1,907 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $434 $1,910 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $488 $1,895 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $467 $1,865 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $441 $1,875 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $340 $1,818 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $229 $1,723 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $337 $1,728 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $345 $1,756 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $374 $1,729 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $374 - $2,250 -
1988 $391 - $3,191 -
1987 $387 - $2,611 -
1986 $364 - $3,376 -
1985 $320 - $3,549 -
1984 $334 - $3,520 -
1983 $335 - $4,079 -
1982 $374 - $4,202 -
1981 $413 - $4,228 -
1980 $454 - $3,874 -
1979 $403 - $3,257 -
1978 $355 - $2,727 -
1977 $311 - $2,585 -
1976 $248.9 - $2,309 -
1975 $241.2 - $2,078 -
1974 $227.2 - $2,034 -
1973 $198.6 - $1,367 -
1972 $172.6 - $1,155 -
1971 $150.9 - $1,106 -
1970 $141 - $1,015 -
1969 $133.3 - $932 -
1968 $128.7 - $938 -
1967 $121.9 - $893 -
1966 $119.8 - $876 -
1965 $106.9 - $869 -
1964 $111.3 - $874 -
1963 $107.4 - $1,060 -
1962 $104.6 - $1,007 -
1961 $99.3 - $954 -
1960 $102.8 - $939 -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,363, ranking 154/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Kenya Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$136B
2025
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
62/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP growth
4.63%
2024-2025
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,363
2025
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$94.3B
2025
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
69.3%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,638
2025
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
126/185
2025
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,538
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.8B
2025
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2022
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.07%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
8.75%
2026
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
7.53%
2020
Population
59218766
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 69.3% 20.3% 309%
2024 23.2% 67.3% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 22.6% 73.4% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 23.1% 67.8% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 24% 68.2% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 24.8% 68% 11.2% 337%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 21% 206%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 25.3% 50.4% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 38% 58.4%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 20.3% 36% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 16% 43.8% 32.2% 56%
2002 15.7% 42% 31% 48.2%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 15.6% 36% 31% 34.8%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 18.8% 57% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 16.4% 43% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 17.2% 37.6% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 16.3% 33.4% 32.5% 61.8%
1988 15.9% 33.9% 33.2% 46.3%
1987 15.5% 36.3% 25.1% 58.3%
1986 15.3% 31.3% 21.5% 45.9%
1985 15.6% 28.8% 20.3% 34.1%
1984 14.9% 25.6% 19.7% 36.4%
1983 14.6% 26.1% 25.3% 21.4%
1982 16.2% 26.9% 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

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/venezuela | CC BY

In 2025, Kenya's government spending was $32.6B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 69.3% in Kenya and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 59/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Venezuela
2025 -6.41% -5.84%
2024 -5.74% -3.67%
2023 -5.61% -1.25%
2022 -6.01% -5.29%
2021 -7.2% -5.85%
2020 -8.13% -6.63%
2019 -7.4% -10.9%
2018 -6.91% -31%
2017 -7.37% -13.3%
2016 -7.45% -8.46%
2015 -6.68% -8.06%
2014 -5.75% -9.81%
2013 -5.25% -10.4%
2012 -5.29% -9.86%
2011 -3.64% -8.24%
2010 -3.67% -4.74%
2009 -3.12% -8.69%
2008 -1.95% -3.46%
2007 -0.95% -2.82%
2006 -0.43% -1.6%
2005 -0.19% 4.09%
2004 0.5% 2.47%
2003 -0.73% 0.17%
2002 -1.29% -1.48%
2001 -0.53% -4.59%
2000 0.38% 4.45%
1999 0.84% 0.74%
1998 -0.03% -4.49%
1997 -0.91% 2.58%
1996 -0.49% 7.94%
1995 -0.23% -5.86%
1994 -4.14% -11.2%
1993 -8.57% -2.92%
1992 -8.28% -6.37%
1991 -6.56% -2.28%
1990 -3.28% 3.84%
1989 -2.39% -0.91%
1988 -1.97% -9.24%
1987 -2.27% -7.47%
1986 -2.98% 0.82%
1985 -3.05% 6.97%
1984 -2.55% 5.33%
1983 -2.17% 1.24%
1982 -3.07% -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $5.82B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Venezuela
2025 4.07% 252%
2024 4.49% 49.4%
2023 7.67% 338%
2022 7.66% 186.5%
2021 6.11% 1,589%
2020 5.41% 2,355%
2019 5.24% 19,906%
2018 4.69% 65,374%
2017 8.01% 438%
2016 6.3% 254.9%
2015 6.58% 121.7%
2014 6.88% 62.2%
2013 5.72% 40.6%
2012 9.38% 21.1%
2011 14% 26.1%
2010 3.96% 28.2%
2009 9.23% 26%
2008 26.2% 31.4%
2007 9.76% 18.7%
2006 14.5% 13.7%
2005 10.3% 16%
2004 11.6% 21.7%
2003 9.82% 31.1%
2002 1.96% 22.4%
2001 5.74% 12.5%
2000 9.98% 16.2%
1999 5.74% 23.6%
1998 6.72% 35.8%
1997 11.4% 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.25%, compared with 3,150% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 4.07% in Kenya and 252% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $210K
Raw materials & minerals $78K
Raw agricultural goods $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $43K
Chemicals & pharma $31K
Metals $11K
Wood & paper products $1K
Venezuela
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Kenya Venezuela
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Venezuela
Economic freedom 55.5 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 194/197
Property rights 40.2 0
Government integrity 32.7 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 47 5.1
Tax burden 76.3 73.4
Government spending 84.1 93
Fiscal health 36.2 29.1
Business freedom 61.5 31.1
Labor freedom 56.5 35.5
Monetary freedom 75.1 0
Trade freedom 52 43.2
Investment freedom 55 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Venezuela
2026 55.5 27.3
2025 54.8 27.6
2024 53.6 28.1
2023 52.5 25.8
2022 52.6 24.8
2021 54.9 24.7
2020 55.3 25.2
2019 55.1 25.9
2018 54.7 25.2
2017 53.5 27
2016 57.5 33.7
2015 55.6 34.3
2014 57.1 36.3
2013 55.9 36.1
2012 57.5 38.1
2011 57.4 37.6
2010 57.5 37.1
2009 58.7 39.9
2008 59.3 44.7
2007 59.6 47.9
2006 59.7 44.6
2005 57.9 45.2
2004 57.7 46.7
2003 58.6 54.8
2002 58.2 54.7
2001 57.6 54.6
2000 59.7 57.4
1999 58.2 56.1
1998 58.4 54
1997 60.1 52.8
1996 56.4 54.5
1995 54.5 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kenya Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$127B
2025
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,910
2025
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$12.4B
2025
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2025
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2025
5.93%
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/venezuela | CC BY

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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 (1920–1997, 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 (2020–2024, 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.