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Economy of Kuwait vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 59/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Kuwait vs Latvia GDP by year

Kuwait
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Latvia
2024 $160,227,273,053 $43,684,254,432
2023 $165,384,407,116 $42,779,550,937
2022 $183,502,046,694 $38,003,198,509
2021 $148,350,671,489 $38,183,326,785
2020 $111,045,470,606 $33,379,927,435
2019 $140,856,394,861 $33,099,503,951
2018 $138,646,316,351 $33,247,935,477
2017 $120,687,539,806 $29,391,059,767
2016 $109,406,674,125 $27,117,105,060
2015 $114,585,555,689 $26,344,565,877
2014 $162,650,450,685 $30,277,203,767
2013 $174,168,116,535 $29,152,128,168
2012 $174,047,662,680 $27,116,149,949
2011 $154,039,231,246 $26,575,547,901
2010 $115,416,245,242 $23,468,324,572
2009 $105,968,691,905 $25,691,530,442
2008 $147,379,737,230 $34,135,200,994
2007 $114,634,043,362 $29,420,499,248
2006 $101,557,330,723 $20,434,922,247
2005 $80,798,630,137 $16,306,935,905
2004 $59,439,090,601 $13,827,070,379
2003 $47,874,582,232 $11,244,337,720
2002 $38,135,788,414 $9,249,030,241
2001 $34,889,559,870 $8,190,888,740
2000 $37,718,743,480 $7,761,252,607
1999 $30,122,365,849 $7,324,192,890
1998 $25,943,705,784 $6,974,112,951
1997 $30,350,190,704 $6,349,481,007
1996 $31,492,373,309 $5,799,465,288
1995 $27,186,980,647 $5,608,208,785
1994 $24,848,483,838 -
1993 $23,941,391,391 -
1992 $19,858,555,215 -
1991 $11,009,993,703 -
1990 $18,427,777,778 -
1989 $24,313,855,653 -
1988 $20,690,322,153 -
1987 $22,368,704,134 -
1986 $17,903,989,745 -
1985 $21,445,970,614 -
1984 $21,700,082,753 -
1983 $20,871,081,080 -
1982 $21,577,153,356 -
1981 $25,058,020,338 -
1980 $28,638,868,356 -
1979 $24,749,063,922 -
1978 $15,503,557,496 -
1977 $14,137,406,741 -
1976 $13,132,252,802 -
1975 $12,022,811,621 -
1974 $13,006,948,296 -
1973 $5,408,804,607 -
1972 $4,450,537,925 -
1971 $3,880,392,195 -
1970 $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/kuwait/latvia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Latvia by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $14,930 $53,946 - $5,012
1993 $14,318 $48,482 - $4,722
1992 $12,146 $36,149 - $4,760
1991 $8,147 $23,390 - $6,762
1990 $10,938 $30,763 - $7,448
1989 $10,965 - - -
1988 $9,692 - - -
1987 $10,896 - - -
1986 $9,077 - - -
1985 $11,322 - - -
1984 $11,919 - - -
1983 $11,965 - - -
1982 $12,979 - - -
1981 $15,825 - - -
1980 $19,032 - - -
1979 $17,386 - - -
1978 $11,567 - - -
1977 $11,238 - - -
1976 $11,141 - - -
1975 $10,882 - - -
1974 $12,527 - - -
1973 $5,532 - - -
1972 $4,836 - - -
1971 $4,486 - - -
1970 $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/kuwait/latvia | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Latvia
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$17,033
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
6.88%
2024
Population
5100145
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 42.6% 44%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 39% 37.9%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 45% 3.43% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 34.8% 9%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 41.4% 23% 35% 17.8%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 37% 15.1%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 43.8% 24.3% - -
1996 42.8% 26.5% - -
1995 52% 34.9% - -
1994 57.8% 37.7% - -
1993 58.2% 28.8% - -
1992 77.6% 27.9% - -
1991 208.9% 45.3% - -
1990 122.9% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 184/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Latvia
2024 23.8% -1.82%
2023 28.2% -3.38%
2022 30% -3.94%
2021 9.98% -5.71%
2020 0.14% -3.85%
2019 13% -0.39%
2018 17.5% -0.77%
2017 15.3% -0.85%
2016 13.1% -0.41%
2015 16.6% -1.57%
2014 30% -1.74%
2013 40.6% -0.58%
2012 40.7% 0.18%
2011 38.8% -3.38%
2010 31.9% -6.56%
2009 31.3% -7.14%
2008 21.3% -3.29%
2007 37.1% 0.63%
2006 28% -0.48%
2005 38.9% -1.06%
2004 32.5% -1.04%
2003 27.2% -1.67%
2002 31% -2.59%
2001 45.2% -2.03%
2000 52.5% -2.57%
1999 28.2% -3.54%
1998 19.5% -0.66%
1997 29.5% -
1996 24.3% -
1995 11.7% -
1994 1.76% -
1993 -3.12% -
1992 -28.1% -
1991 -145% -
1990 -50% -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $38.1B, equivalent to 23.8% of GDP. This compares to Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Latvia
2024 2.9% 1.27%
2023 3.64% 8.94%
2022 3.98% 17.3%
2021 3.42% 3.28%
2020 2.1% 0.22%
2019 1.09% 2.81%
2018 0.54% 2.53%
2017 2.17% 2.93%
2016 3.2% 0.14%
2015 3.27% 0.17%
2014 2.91% 0.62%
2013 2.68% -0.03%
2012 3.26% 2.26%
2011 4.84% 4.37%
2010 4.5% -1.08%
2009 4.61% 3.53%
2008 10.6% 15.4%
2007 5.48% 10.1%
2006 3.06% 6.54%
2005 4.14% 6.75%
2004 1.25% 6.19%
2003 0.96% 2.94%
2002 0.89% 1.94%
2001 1.3% 2.49%
2000 1.81% 2.65%
1999 2.99% 2.36%
1998 0.13% 4.64%
1997 0.68% 8.45%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 4.28% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $324K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Miscellaneous $1K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.72M
Chemicals & pharma $696K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $330K
Machinery & equipment $308K
Raw agricultural goods $292K
Wood & paper products $203K
Textiles & consumer goods $108K
Animal & marine products $55K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Metals $6K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Latvia
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Latvia
Economic freedom 59.9 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 31/197
Property rights 42 88.8
Government integrity 47.9 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 70.9
Tax burden 97.7 70.9
Government spending 36.2 42.7
Fiscal health 99.9 80.8
Business freedom 57.4 80.7
Labor freedom 49.2 60.5
Monetary freedom 68.7 76.3
Trade freedom 75.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Latvia
2026 59.9 71.6
2025 59.9 71.4
2024 58.5 71.5
2023 56.7 72.8
2022 58.3 74.8
2021 64.1 72.3
2020 63.2 71.9
2019 60.8 70.4
2018 62.2 73.6
2017 65.1 74.8
2016 62.7 70.4
2015 62.5 69.7
2014 62.3 68.7
2013 63.1 66.5
2012 62.5 65.2
2011 64.9 65.8
2010 67.7 66.2
2009 65.6 66.6
2008 68.1 68.3
2007 66.4 67.9
2006 66.5 66.9
2005 64.6 66.3
2004 63.6 67.4
2003 66.7 66
2002 65.4 65
2001 68.2 66.4
2000 69.7 63.4
1999 69.5 64.2
1998 66.3 63.4
1997 64.8 62.4
1996 66.1 55

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Latvia
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$257M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
20.9%
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/kuwait/latvia | CC BY

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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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.