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Economy of Kuwait vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 59/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Kuwait vs Liberia GDP by year

Kuwait
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Liberia
2024 $160,227,273,053 $4,779,300,900
2023 $165,384,407,116 $4,390,000,000
2022 $183,502,046,694 $4,001,047,000
2021 $148,350,671,489 $3,513,049,500
2020 $111,045,470,606 $3,176,126,300
2019 $140,856,394,861 $3,319,596,500
2018 $138,646,316,351 $3,422,754,800
2017 $120,687,539,806 $3,390,703,400
2016 $109,406,674,125 $3,398,419,600
2015 $114,585,555,689 $3,227,075,700
2014 $162,650,450,685 $3,225,652,000
2013 $174,168,116,535 $3,177,198,100
2012 $174,047,662,680 $2,791,614,000
2011 $154,039,231,246 $2,398,000,000
2010 $115,416,245,242 $1,998,000,000
2009 $105,968,691,905 $1,768,000,000
2008 $147,379,737,230 $1,726,000,000
2007 $114,634,043,362 $1,373,000,000
2006 $101,557,330,723 $1,119,000,000
2005 $80,798,630,137 $949,000,000
2004 $59,439,090,601 $897,000,000
2003 $47,874,582,232 $748,000,000
2002 $38,135,788,414 $927,000,000
2001 $34,889,559,870 $906,000,000
2000 $37,718,743,480 $874,000,000
1999 $30,122,365,849 $441,800,000
1998 $25,943,705,784 $359,600,000
1997 $30,350,190,704 $295,900,000
1996 $31,492,373,309 $159,400,000
1995 $27,186,980,647 $134,800,000
1994 $24,848,483,838 $132,200,000
1993 $23,941,391,391 $160,400,000
1992 $19,858,555,215 $223,500,000
1991 $11,009,993,703 $348,000,000
1990 $18,427,777,778 $384,400,000
1989 $24,313,855,653 $786,300,000
1988 $20,690,322,153 $1,038,300,000
1987 $22,368,704,134 $972,800,000
1986 $17,903,989,745 $840,964,400
1985 $21,445,970,614 $851,296,100
1984 $21,700,082,753 $848,478,300
1983 $20,871,081,080 $823,374,900
1982 $21,577,153,356 $863,933,200
1981 $25,058,020,338 $846,514,500
1980 $28,638,868,356 $854,711,500
1979 $24,749,063,922 $814,067,900
1978 $15,503,557,496 $717,240,400
1977 $14,137,406,741 $673,010,600
1976 $13,132,252,802 $596,675,700
1975 $12,022,811,621 $577,549,300
1974 $13,006,948,296 $486,955,000
1973 $5,408,804,607 $386,968,300
1972 $4,450,537,925 $368,098,000
1971 $3,880,392,195 $341,543,100
1970 $2,873,638,851 $323,099,700
1969 $2,769,198,892 $306,961,800
1968 $2,662,798,935 $276,820,700
1967 $2,441,599,023 $261,024,300
1966 $2,391,199,044 $244,459,500
1965 $2,097,199,161 $229,260,800
1964 $2,071,668,533 $218,929,100
1963 $1,900,895,857 $200,229,600
1962 $1,828,107,503 $191,861,800
1961 - $183,920,900
1960 - $190,495,600

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Liberia by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $851 $1,871
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $799 $1,795
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $745 $1,692
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $668 $1,539
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $617 $1,660
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $658 $1,900
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $692 $1,800
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $699 $1,665
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $715 $1,490
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $693 $1,340
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $707 $1,419
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $711 $1,360
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $638 $1,157
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $568 $1,041
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $492 $980
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $448 $939
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $452 $915
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $374 $873
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $321 $815
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $287.5 $774
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $284.1 $745
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $239.8 $716
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $300 $987
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $298.5 $965
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $156.6 $762
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $134.7 $652
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $122.6 $548
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $74.4 $328
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $107.8 $497
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $177.9 $793
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $172.9 $787
1989 $10,965 - $312 -
1988 $9,692 - $424 -
1987 $10,896 - $409 -
1986 $9,077 - $364 -
1985 $11,322 - $380 -
1984 $11,919 - $390 -
1983 $11,965 - $391 -
1982 $12,979 - $422 -
1981 $15,825 - $426 -
1980 $19,032 - $443 -
1979 $17,386 - $435 -
1978 $11,567 - $394 -
1977 $11,238 - $381 -
1976 $11,141 - $347 -
1975 $10,882 - $346 -
1974 $12,527 - $299.4 -
1973 $5,532 - $244.4 -
1972 $4,836 - $238.6 -
1971 $4,486 - $227.1 -
1970 $3,552 - $220.3 -
1969 $3,695 - $214.7 -
1968 $3,872 - $198.6 -
1967 $3,887 - $192.2 -
1966 $4,176 - $184.6 -
1965 $4,024 - $177.6 -
1964 $4,379 - $173.9 -
1963 $4,445 - $163.1 -
1962 $4,748 - $160.3 -
1961 - - $157.5 -
1960 - - $167.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Liberia
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$1,191
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
5.93%
2017
Population
5100145
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 45% 3.43% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 17.2% 394%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 11.1% 472%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 12.8% 535%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 12.1% 543%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 9.85% 658%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 13.2% 481%
2001 41.4% 23% 12.6% 484%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 15.2% 489%
1999 44.5% 25.5% - -
1998 51.7% 25.6% - -
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/liberia | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 184/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Liberia
2024 23.8% -1.98%
2023 28.2% -7.03%
2022 30% -5.33%
2021 9.98% -2.5%
2020 0.14% -4.02%
2019 13% -4.92%
2018 17.5% -4.7%
2017 15.3% -7.14%
2016 13.1% -3.83%
2015 16.6% -3.74%
2014 30% -4.92%
2013 40.6% 1.29%
2012 40.7% -2.86%
2011 38.8% -4.43%
2010 31.9% 1.17%
2009 31.3% -1.39%
2008 21.3% -2.68%
2007 37.1% 2.44%
2006 28% 4.42%
2005 38.9% -0.55%
2004 32.5% -0.56%
2003 27.2% 0.39%
2002 31% -1.63%
2001 45.2% -0.98%
2000 52.5% -0.08%
1999 28.2% -
1998 19.5% -
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/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Liberia
2024 2.9% 8.2%
2023 3.64% 10.1%
2022 3.98% 7.6%
2021 3.42% 7.8%
2020 2.1% 17%
2019 1.09% 27%
2018 0.54% 23.5%
2017 2.17% 12.4%
2016 3.2% 8.8%
2015 3.27% 7.7%
2014 2.91% 9.9%
2013 2.68% 7.6%
2012 3.26% 6.8%
2011 4.84% 8.5%
2010 4.5% 7.3%
2009 4.61% 7.4%
2008 10.6% 17.5%
2007 5.48% 11.4%
2006 3.06% 9.5%
2005 4.14% 6.9%
2004 1.25% 3.6%
2003 0.96% 10.3%
2002 0.89% 14.2%
2001 1.3% 12.1%
2000 1.81% 5.3%
1999 2.99% 2%
1998 0.13% -
1997 0.68% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 26 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.14%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $135K
Animal & marine products $97K
Raw materials & minerals $39K
Machinery & equipment $29K
Miscellaneous $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Liberia
Export category Export value
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Liberia
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$434M
2022
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Liberia
Economic freedom 59.9 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 163/197
Property rights 42 40.4
Government integrity 47.9 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 23.4
Tax burden 97.7 86.1
Government spending 36.2 79.5
Fiscal health 99.9 56.9
Business freedom 57.4 38
Labor freedom 49.2 43.4
Monetary freedom 68.7 71.4
Trade freedom 75.8 57.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Liberia
2026 59.9 49.8
2025 59.9 48.5
2024 58.5 49.9
2023 56.7 49.6
2022 58.3 47.9
2021 64.1 49.2
2020 63.2 49
2019 60.8 49.7
2018 62.2 50.9
2017 65.1 49.1
2016 62.7 52.2
2015 62.5 52.7
2014 62.3 52.4
2013 63.1 49.3
2012 62.5 48.6
2011 64.9 46.5
2010 67.7 46.2
2009 65.6 48.1
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/kuwait/liberia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Liberia
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
n/a

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/liberia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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.

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.