Skip to content

Economy of Kuwait vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 59/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Kuwait vs Mauritania GDP by year

Kuwait
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Mauritania
2024 $160,227,273,053 $10,908,045,687
2023 $165,384,407,116 $10,726,838,461
2022 $183,502,046,694 $9,557,966,698
2021 $148,350,671,489 $9,222,536,364
2020 $111,045,470,606 $8,260,752,385
2019 $140,856,394,861 $7,894,764,886
2018 $138,646,316,351 $7,473,550,557
2017 $120,687,539,806 $6,800,135,898
2016 $109,406,674,125 $6,398,747,592
2015 $114,585,555,689 $6,166,863,897
2014 $162,650,450,685 $6,592,537,782
2013 $174,168,116,535 $7,223,071,097
2012 $174,047,662,680 $6,728,208,836
2011 $154,039,231,246 $6,764,627,746
2010 $115,416,245,242 $5,628,878,798
2009 $105,968,691,905 $4,714,595,548
2008 $147,379,737,230 $5,206,437,194
2007 $114,634,043,362 $4,346,212,355
2006 $101,557,330,723 $3,919,577,286
2005 $80,798,630,137 $2,936,019,526
2004 $59,439,090,601 $2,362,501,023
2003 $47,874,582,232 $2,051,147,607
2002 $38,135,788,414 $1,777,057,481
2001 $34,889,559,870 $1,746,063,558
2000 $37,718,743,480 $1,779,520,886
1999 $30,122,365,849 $1,985,922,776
1998 $25,943,705,784 $2,032,347,665
1997 $30,350,190,704 $2,071,996,564
1996 $31,492,373,309 $2,132,087,009
1995 $27,186,980,647 $2,091,726,101
1994 $24,848,483,838 $1,944,876,755
1993 $23,941,391,391 $1,847,353,211
1992 $19,858,555,215 $2,164,298,425
1991 $11,009,993,703 $2,133,692,697
1990 $18,427,777,778 $1,506,914,408
1989 $24,313,855,653 $1,450,647,019
1988 $20,690,322,153 $1,414,951,290
1987 $22,368,704,134 $1,344,664,725
1986 $17,903,989,745 $1,186,628,778
1985 $21,445,970,614 $1,009,723,326
1984 $21,700,082,753 $1,074,373,230
1983 $20,871,081,080 $1,165,171,263
1982 $21,577,153,356 $1,108,776,653
1981 $25,058,020,338 $1,105,494,682
1980 $28,638,868,356 $1,047,925,106
1979 $24,749,063,922 $951,900,945
1978 $15,503,557,496 $804,629,877
1977 $14,137,406,741 $799,030,017
1976 $13,132,252,802 $775,045,517
1975 $12,022,811,621 $703,377,837
1974 $13,006,948,296 $613,010,553
1973 $5,408,804,607 $493,237,876
1972 $4,450,537,925 $391,669,449
1971 $3,880,392,195 $335,568,907
1970 $2,873,638,851 $309,405,316
1969 $2,769,198,892 $295,062,308
1968 $2,662,798,935 $311,395,937
1967 $2,441,599,023 $282,615,310
1966 $2,391,199,044 $266,533,605
1965 $2,097,199,161 $255,340,475
1964 $2,071,668,533 $224,495,744
1963 $1,900,895,857 $168,186,297
1962 $1,828,107,503 $164,271,558
1961 - $159,213,430

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Mauritania by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $999 $2,809
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $824 $2,570
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $732 $2,447
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $649 $2,296
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $652 $2,280
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $681 $2,304
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $781 $2,411
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $821 $2,355
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $859 $2,325
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $904 $2,436
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $905 $2,306
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $865 $2,114
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $850 $2,209
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $772 $2,070
1989 $10,965 - $762 -
1988 $9,692 - $762 -
1987 $10,896 - $746 -
1986 $9,077 - $677 -
1985 $11,322 - $593 -
1984 $11,919 - $650 -
1983 $11,965 - $725 -
1982 $12,979 - $710 -
1981 $15,825 - $729 -
1980 $19,032 - $711 -
1979 $17,386 - $664 -
1978 $11,567 - $578 -
1977 $11,238 - $590 -
1976 $11,141 - $589 -
1975 $10,882 - $551 -
1974 $12,527 - $494 -
1973 $5,532 - $410 -
1972 $4,836 - $335 -
1971 $4,486 - $296 -
1970 $3,552 - $281.3 -
1969 $3,695 - $276.6 -
1968 $3,872 - $301 -
1967 $3,887 - $281.5 -
1966 $4,176 - $273.6 -
1965 $4,024 - $270 -
1964 $4,379 - $244.3 -
1963 $4,445 - $188.2 -
1962 $4,748 - $189 -
1961 - - $188.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$2,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
10.4%
2019
Population
5100145
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 19% 59.2%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 45% 3.43% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 17% 38.8%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 19% 38%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 23.9% 22%
2003 38.2% 17.2% - 22.9%
2002 42.8% 21.3% - 59.5%
2001 41.4% 23% - 63.5%
2000 29.9% 21.4% - 55.5%
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 184/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Mauritania
2024 23.8% -1.35%
2023 28.2% -2.45%
2022 30% -3.09%
2021 9.98% 2.6%
2020 0.14% 2.78%
2019 13% 2.65%
2018 17.5% 3.23%
2017 15.3% 0.53%
2016 13.1% 0.13%
2015 16.6% -2.44%
2014 30% -2.64%
2013 40.6% -0.66%
2012 40.7% 1.67%
2011 38.8% 0.07%
2010 31.9% -0.45%
2009 31.3% -3.59%
2008 21.3% -3.32%
2007 37.1% -1.38%
2006 28% 2.05%
2005 38.9% -3.16%
2004 32.5% -3.06%
2003 27.2% -
2002 31% -
2001 45.2% -
2000 52.5% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 25.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Mauritania
2024 2.9% 2.49%
2023 3.64% 4.95%
2022 3.98% 9.53%
2021 3.42% 3.57%
2020 2.1% 2.39%
2019 1.09% 2.3%
2018 0.54% 3.07%
2017 2.17% 2.25%
2016 3.2% 1.47%
2015 3.27% 3.25%
2014 2.91% 3.53%
2013 2.68% 4.13%
2012 3.26% 4.9%
2011 4.84% 5.69%
2010 4.5% 6.28%
2009 4.61% 2.22%
2008 10.6% 7.35%
2007 5.48% 7.25%
2006 3.06% 6.24%
2005 4.14% 12.1%
2004 1.25% 10.4%
2003 0.96% 5.15%
2002 0.89% 3.9%
2001 1.3% 4.71%
2000 1.81% 3.25%
1999 2.99% 4.07%
1998 0.13% 8.03%
1997 0.68% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $20K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Miscellaneous $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Mauritania
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Mauritania
Economic freedom 59.9 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 136/197
Property rights 42 32.6
Government integrity 47.9 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 26.4
Tax burden 97.7 75.5
Government spending 36.2 80.2
Fiscal health 99.9 87.9
Business freedom 57.4 38.7
Labor freedom 49.2 53.6
Monetary freedom 68.7 77.8
Trade freedom 75.8 59.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Mauritania
2026 59.9 53.9
2025 59.9 54.9
2024 58.5 55.3
2023 56.7 55.3
2022 58.3 55.3
2021 64.1 56.1
2020 63.2 55.3
2019 60.8 55.7
2018 62.2 54
2017 65.1 54.4
2016 62.7 54.8
2015 62.5 53.3
2014 62.3 53.2
2013 63.1 52.3
2012 62.5 53
2011 64.9 52.1
2010 67.7 52
2009 65.6 53.9
2008 68.1 55.2
2007 66.4 53.6
2006 66.5 55.7
2005 64.6 59.4
2004 63.6 61.8
2003 66.7 59
2002 65.4 52.5
2001 68.2 48.5
2000 69.7 46
1999 69.5 42.8
1998 66.3 43.7
1997 64.8 47
1996 66.1 45.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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 (1961–2024, 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 (2021–2024, 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.