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Economy of Kuwait vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 59/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Kuwait vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Kuwait
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Nicaragua
2024 $160,227,273,053 $19,693,982,968
2023 $165,384,407,116 $17,805,842,284
2022 $183,502,046,694 $15,634,572,502
2021 $148,350,671,489 $14,209,020,362
2020 $111,045,470,606 $12,726,422,432
2019 $140,856,394,861 $12,699,023,614
2018 $138,646,316,351 $13,025,221,974
2017 $120,687,539,806 $13,785,893,007
2016 $109,406,674,125 $13,286,093,388
2015 $114,585,555,689 $12,756,696,261
2014 $162,650,450,685 $11,880,438,824
2013 $174,168,116,535 $10,982,988,249
2012 $174,047,662,680 $10,532,017,232
2011 $154,039,231,246 $9,774,329,333
2010 $115,416,245,242 $8,758,602,233
2009 $105,968,691,905 $8,298,702,489
2008 $147,379,737,230 $8,496,967,597
2007 $114,634,043,362 $7,423,375,015
2006 $101,557,330,723 $6,763,672,381
2005 $80,798,630,137 $6,321,324,279
2004 $59,439,090,601 $5,792,932,838
2003 $47,874,582,232 $5,322,228,351
2002 $38,135,788,414 $5,223,727,303
2001 $34,889,559,870 $5,351,752,034
2000 $37,718,743,480 $5,109,587,050
1999 $30,122,365,849 $4,856,026,259
1998 $25,943,705,784 $4,635,347,386
1997 $30,350,190,704 $4,389,973,490
1996 $31,492,373,309 $4,308,351,903
1995 $27,186,980,647 $4,140,470,000
1994 $24,848,483,838 $3,863,185,119
1993 $23,941,391,391 $1,756,454,248
1992 $19,858,555,215 $1,792,800,000
1991 $11,009,993,703 $1,488,804,124
1990 $18,427,777,778 $1,009,455,484
1989 $24,313,855,653 $1,013,184,756
1988 $20,690,322,153 $2,630,900,096
1987 $22,368,704,134 $3,851,200,118
1986 $17,903,989,745 $2,885,799,994
1985 $21,445,970,614 $2,683,699,935
1984 $21,700,082,753 $3,117,599,872
1983 $20,871,081,080 $2,753,100,058
1982 $21,577,153,356 $2,454,499,872
1981 $25,058,020,338 $2,474,700,227
1980 $28,638,868,356 $2,144,300,006
1979 $24,749,063,922 $1,567,599,982
1978 $15,503,557,496 $2,127,699,979
1977 $14,137,406,741 $2,226,999,874
1976 $13,132,252,802 $1,836,899,999
1975 $12,022,811,621 $1,581,599,959
1974 $13,006,948,296 $1,521,400,012
1973 $5,408,804,607 $1,092,900,015
1972 $4,450,537,925 $878,570,045
1971 $3,880,392,195 $828,569,953
1970 $2,873,638,851 $778,569,939
1969 $2,769,198,892 $750,000,003
1968 $2,662,798,935 $692,859,985
1967 $2,441,599,023 $657,140,011
1966 $2,391,199,044 $607,140,010
1965 $2,097,199,161 $564,290,020
1964 $2,071,668,533 $347,119,918
1963 $1,900,895,857 $297,324,163
1962 $1,828,107,503 $269,283,804
1961 - $244,144,237
1960 - $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Nicaragua by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $980 $2,672
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $949 $2,497
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $913 $2,418
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $911 $2,325
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $892 $2,187
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $849 $2,064
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $394 $1,998
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $411 $2,003
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $350 $1,995
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $10,965 - $249.2 -
1988 $9,692 - $662 -
1987 $10,896 - $992 -
1986 $9,077 - $761 -
1985 $11,322 - $724 -
1984 $11,919 - $861 -
1983 $11,965 - $780 -
1982 $12,979 - $714 -
1981 $15,825 - $740 -
1980 $19,032 - $659 -
1979 $17,386 - $495 -
1978 $11,567 - $691 -
1977 $11,238 - $744 -
1976 $11,141 - $633 -
1975 $10,882 - $561 -
1974 $12,527 - $557 -
1973 $5,532 - $413 -
1972 $4,836 - $341 -
1971 $4,486 - $331 -
1970 $3,552 - $321 -
1969 $3,695 - $319 -
1968 $3,872 - $304 -
1967 $3,887 - $297.9 -
1966 $4,176 - $284 -
1965 $4,024 - $272.3 -
1964 $4,379 - $172.7 -
1963 $4,445 - $152.5 -
1962 $4,748 - $142.3 -
1961 - - $132.9 -
1960 - - $127.5 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$2,318
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
5.2%
2018
Population
5100145
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 26% 42.3%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 30% 48.4%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 45% 3.43% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 21.9% 26%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 20.8% 84%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 41.4% 23% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 18% -
1995 52% 34.9% 17.7% -
1994 57.8% 37.7% 18.4% -
1993 58.2% 28.8% 18.4% -
1992 77.6% 27.9% 18.4% -
1991 208.9% 45.3% 16.8% -
1990 122.9% - 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 184/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Nicaragua
2024 23.8% 2.48%
2023 28.2% 2.31%
2022 30% 0.65%
2021 9.98% -1.26%
2020 0.14% -2.57%
2019 13% -1.12%
2018 17.5% -4.35%
2017 15.3% -1.75%
2016 13.1% -1.92%
2015 16.6% -1.64%
2014 30% -0.89%
2013 40.6% -0.3%
2012 40.7% 0.22%
2011 38.8% 0.59%
2010 31.9% 0.69%
2009 31.3% -0.9%
2008 21.3% 0.27%
2007 37.1% 1.88%
2006 28% 1.36%
2005 38.9% 1.72%
2004 32.5% 1.69%
2003 27.2% 1.3%
2002 31% 2.07%
2001 45.2% 0.34%
2000 52.5% 2.15%
1999 28.2% -6.86%
1998 19.5% -2.88%
1997 29.5% -3.31%
1996 24.3% -5%
1995 11.7% -4.62%
1994 1.76% -5.79%
1993 -3.12% -4.66%
1992 -28.1% -3.8%
1991 -145% -3.45%
1990 -50% -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.5% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Nicaragua
2024 2.9% 4.6%
2023 3.64% 8.4%
2022 3.98% 10.5%
2021 3.42% 4.9%
2020 2.1% 3.7%
2019 1.09% 5.4%
2018 0.54% 4.9%
2017 2.17% 3.9%
2016 3.2% 3.5%
2015 3.27% 4%
2014 2.91% 6%
2013 2.68% 7.1%
2012 3.26% 7.2%
2011 4.84% 8.1%
2010 4.5% 5.5%
2009 4.61% 3.7%
2008 10.6% 19.8%
2007 5.48% 11.1%
2006 3.06% 9.1%
2005 4.14% 9.6%
2004 1.25% 8.5%
2003 0.96% 5.3%
2002 0.89% 3.8%
2001 1.3% 7.4%
2000 1.81% 11.5%
1999 2.99% 11.2%
1998 0.13% 13%
1997 0.68% 9.2%

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/kuwait/nicaragua | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $173K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K
Animal & marine products $5K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Nicaragua
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Nicaragua
Economic freedom 59.9 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 139/197
Property rights 42 23.8
Government integrity 47.9 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 8.8
Tax burden 97.7 74.5
Government spending 36.2 77.7
Fiscal health 99.9 96.9
Business freedom 57.4 54.4
Labor freedom 49.2 47.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 69.4
Trade freedom 75.8 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Nicaragua
2026 59.9 53.6
2025 59.9 54
2024 58.5 53.4
2023 56.7 54.9
2022 58.3 54.8
2021 64.1 56.3
2020 63.2 57.2
2019 60.8 57.7
2018 62.2 58.9
2017 65.1 59.2
2016 62.7 58.6
2015 62.5 57.6
2014 62.3 58.4
2013 63.1 56.6
2012 62.5 57.9
2011 64.9 58.8
2010 67.7 58.3
2009 65.6 59.8
2008 68.1 60.8
2007 66.4 62.7
2006 66.5 63.8
2005 64.6 62.5
2004 63.6 61.4
2003 66.7 62.6
2002 65.4 61.1
2001 68.2 58
2000 69.7 56.9
1999 69.5 54
1998 66.3 53.8
1997 64.8 53.3
1996 66.1 54.1
1995 - 42.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.