Skip to content

Economy of Kiribati vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 192/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Kiribati vs Kuwait GDP by year

Kiribati
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Kuwait
2024 $307,862,564 $160,227,273,053
2023 $288,610,748 $165,384,407,116
2022 $270,040,453 $183,502,046,694
2021 $285,259,881 $148,350,671,489
2020 $220,898,020 $111,045,470,606
2019 $216,985,388 $140,856,394,861
2018 $233,514,717 $138,646,316,351
2017 $222,875,736 $120,687,539,806
2016 $206,467,819 $109,406,674,125
2015 $191,559,399 $114,585,555,689
2014 $200,287,282 $162,650,450,685
2013 $201,730,861 $174,168,116,535
2012 $207,001,546 $174,047,662,680
2011 $195,970,140 $154,039,231,246
2010 $165,458,433 $115,416,245,242
2009 $140,177,384 $105,968,691,905
2008 $147,017,895 $147,379,737,230
2007 $138,054,946 $114,634,043,362
2006 $112,338,353 $101,557,330,723
2005 $113,895,437 $80,798,630,137
2004 $104,085,892 $59,439,090,601
2003 $96,105,619 $47,874,582,232
2002 $74,743,869 $38,135,788,414
2001 $64,935,850 $34,889,559,870
2000 $74,910,527 $37,718,743,480
1999 $77,323,978 $30,122,365,849
1998 $74,905,706 $25,943,705,784
1997 $80,205,807 $30,350,190,704
1996 $81,456,854 $31,492,373,309
1995 $68,596,395 $27,186,980,647
1994 $67,055,334 $24,848,483,838
1993 $58,953,596 $23,941,391,391
1992 $61,491,369 $19,858,555,215
1991 $41,247,792 $11,009,993,703
1990 $36,534,295 $18,427,777,778
1989 $37,645,319 $24,313,855,653
1988 $38,278,810 $20,690,322,153
1987 $29,554,413 $22,368,704,134
1986 $25,993,009 $17,903,989,745
1985 $26,126,615 $21,445,970,614
1984 $34,394,167 $21,700,082,753
1983 $31,000,546 $20,871,081,080
1982 $32,742,713 $21,577,153,356
1981 $35,267,489 $25,058,020,338
1980 $33,157,723 $28,638,868,356
1979 $34,466,197 $24,749,063,922
1978 $36,563,965 $15,503,557,496
1977 $31,335,459 $14,137,406,741
1976 $33,246,817 $13,132,252,802
1975 $44,547,454 $12,022,811,621
1974 $69,256,489 $13,006,948,296
1973 $25,645,040 $5,408,804,607
1972 $15,314,346 $4,450,537,925
1971 $12,356,134 $3,880,392,195
1970 $11,560,877 $2,873,638,851
1969 - $2,769,198,892
1968 - $2,662,798,935
1967 - $2,441,599,023
1966 - $2,391,199,044
1965 - $2,097,199,161
1964 - $2,071,668,533
1963 - $1,900,895,857
1962 - $1,828,107,503

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Kuwait by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $810 $1,605 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $719 $1,591 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $845 $1,638 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $887 $1,526 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $874 $1,593 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $953 $1,535 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $986 $1,519 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $844 $1,518 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $838 $1,469 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $748 $1,431 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $792 $1,421 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $540 $1,139 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $488 $1,192 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $515 - $10,965 -
1988 $536 - $9,692 -
1987 $424 - $10,896 -
1986 $382 - $9,077 -
1985 $393 - $11,322 -
1984 $527 - $11,919 -
1983 $483 - $11,965 -
1982 $519 - $12,979 -
1981 $568 - $15,825 -
1980 $542 - $19,032 -
1979 $573 - $17,386 -
1978 $611 - $11,567 -
1977 $520 - $11,238 -
1976 $548 - $11,141 -
1975 $730 - $10,882 -
1974 $1,131 - $12,527 -
1973 $422 - $5,532 -
1972 $256.2 - $4,836 -
1971 $210.7 - $4,486 -
1970 $201 - $3,552 -
1969 - - $3,695 -
1968 - - $3,872 -
1967 - - $3,887 -
1966 - - $4,176 -
1965 - - $4,024 -
1964 - - $4,379 -
1963 - - $4,445 -
1962 - - $4,748 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
2.16%
2016
Population
139020
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 84% 17.3% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 102.2% 21% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 108.3% 19% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 108.8% 19% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 99% 21.2% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 45% 3.43%
2013 78% 8.86% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 101.3% 17% 41.4% 23%
2000 66% 12.7% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 77.6% 11.8% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 74.7% 9.81% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 70.9% 10.7% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 68.4% 11% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 69.6% 12.3% 52% 34.9%
1994 54.6% 12.3% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 55.3% 10.9% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 65.9% 7.31% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 82.1% 8.43% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 105.5% 7.72% 122.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 180/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Kuwait
2024 -22% 23.8%
2023 0.13% 28.2%
2022 -18.3% 30%
2021 -10.8% 9.98%
2020 3.57% 0.14%
2019 10.8% 13%
2018 5.18% 17.5%
2017 34.1% 15.3%
2016 20.1% 13.1%
2015 42.5% 16.6%
2014 35% 30%
2013 11.8% 40.6%
2012 -5.43% 40.7%
2011 -17.6% 38.8%
2010 -7.8% 31.9%
2009 -8.56% 31.3%
2008 -15.8% 21.3%
2007 -12.5% 37.1%
2006 -12.3% 28%
2005 -9.96% 38.9%
2004 -19.2% 32.5%
2003 -8.93% 27.2%
2002 3.13% 31%
2001 -10.9% 45.2%
2000 -0.03% 52.5%
1999 -1.81% 28.2%
1998 14.6% 19.5%
1997 5.92% 29.5%
1996 -20.2% 24.3%
1995 -5.14% 11.7%
1994 0.74% 1.76%
1993 6.27% -3.12%
1992 0.79% -28.1%
1991 3.87% -145%
1990 -4.62% -50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $67.7M, equivalent to 22% of GDP. This compares to Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.38% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Kuwait
2024 2.5% 2.9%
2023 9.3% 3.64%
2022 5.3% 3.98%
2021 2.1% 3.42%
2020 2.6% 2.1%
2019 -1.8% 1.09%
2018 0.6% 0.54%
2017 0.4% 2.17%
2016 1.9% 3.2%
2015 0.6% 3.27%
2014 2.1% 2.91%
2013 -1.5% 2.68%
2012 -3% 3.26%
2011 1.5% 4.84%
2010 -3.9% 4.5%
2009 9.8% 4.61%
2008 13.7% 10.6%
2007 3.6% 5.48%
2006 -1% 3.06%
2005 -0.4% 4.14%
2004 -0.7% 1.25%
2003 1.6% 0.96%
2002 3.2% 0.89%
2001 6% 1.3%
2000 0.4% 1.81%
1999 1.8% 2.99%
1998 3.7% 0.13%
1997 2.6% 0.68%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Kuwait
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2024
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$7M
2024
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Kiribati Kuwait
Economic freedom 50.8 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 100/197
Property rights 69.6 42
Government integrity 50.5 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 43.4
Tax burden 72.6 97.7
Government spending 0 36.2
Fiscal health 19.8 99.9
Business freedom 60.2 57.4
Labor freedom 65.3 49.2
Monetary freedom 76.7 68.7
Trade freedom 80 75.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Kuwait
2026 50.8 59.9
2025 50.9 59.9
2024 51.3 58.5
2023 58.8 56.7
2022 59.2 58.3
2021 44.4 64.1
2020 45.2 63.2
2019 47.3 60.8
2018 50.8 62.2
2017 50.9 65.1
2016 46.2 62.7
2015 46.4 62.5
2014 46.3 62.3
2013 45.9 63.1
2012 46.9 62.5
2011 44.8 64.9
2010 43.7 67.7
2009 45.7 65.6
2008 - 68.1
2007 - 66.4
2006 - 66.5
2005 - 64.6
2004 - 63.6
2003 - 66.7
2002 - 65.4
2001 - 68.2
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.5
1998 - 66.3
1997 - 64.8
1996 - 66.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, 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

Kiribati Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$10.3B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
17.7%
2023

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/kiribati/kuwait | 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 (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.

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.