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Economy of Kuwait vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 59/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Kuwait vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Kuwait
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait North Macedonia
2024 $160,227,273,053 $16,951,682,245
2023 $165,384,407,116 $15,855,131,189
2022 $183,502,046,694 $13,932,436,550
2021 $148,350,671,489 $14,000,283,827
2020 $111,045,470,606 $12,361,036,914
2019 $140,856,394,861 $12,606,338,449
2018 $138,646,316,351 $12,683,068,114
2017 $120,687,539,806 $11,307,067,070
2016 $109,406,674,125 $10,672,467,073
2015 $114,585,555,689 $10,064,519,963
2014 $162,650,450,685 $11,362,265,253
2013 $174,168,116,535 $10,817,702,346
2012 $174,047,662,680 $9,745,261,301
2011 $154,039,231,246 $10,494,626,768
2010 $115,416,245,242 $9,407,170,321
2009 $105,968,691,905 $9,401,736,825
2008 $147,379,737,230 $9,909,552,435
2007 $114,634,043,362 $8,336,474,974
2006 $101,557,330,723 $6,861,226,972
2005 $80,798,630,137 $6,258,602,873
2004 $59,439,090,601 $5,682,784,472
2003 $47,874,582,232 $4,946,296,599
2002 $38,135,788,414 $4,018,365,747
2001 $34,889,559,870 $3,709,636,031
2000 $37,718,743,480 $3,772,859,034
1999 $30,122,365,849 $3,863,619,285
1998 $25,943,705,784 $3,765,745,023
1997 $30,350,190,704 $3,912,986,091
1996 $31,492,373,309 $4,642,021,256
1995 $27,186,980,647 $4,707,041,315
1994 $24,848,483,838 $3,559,608,640
1993 $23,941,391,391 $2,682,456,897
1992 $19,858,555,215 $2,436,849,342
1991 $11,009,993,703 $4,938,775,510
1990 $18,427,777,778 $4,699,646,643
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs North Macedonia by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $2,277 $5,348
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Kuwait North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$7,534
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
12.3%
2024
Population
5100145
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 35% 50.4%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 32.2% 38%
2014 45% 3.43% 31.7% 38%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 31.7% 34%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 36% 36.5%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 41.4% 23% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 32% 45.6%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 32.9% 29.3%
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 184/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait North Macedonia
2024 23.8% -4.45%
2023 28.2% -4.61%
2022 30% -5.23%
2021 9.98% -5.32%
2020 0.14% -8.05%
2019 13% -1.97%
2018 17.5% -1.76%
2017 15.3% -2.73%
2016 13.1% -2.7%
2015 16.6% -3.48%
2014 30% -4.19%
2013 40.6% -3.84%
2012 40.7% -3.81%
2011 38.8% -2.47%
2010 31.9% -2.41%
2009 31.3% -2.63%
2008 21.3% -0.93%
2007 37.1% 0.58%
2006 28% -0.51%
2005 38.9% 0.21%
2004 32.5% 0.37%
2003 27.2% -0.07%
2002 31% -5.24%
2001 45.2% -5.88%
2000 52.5% 2.37%
1999 28.2% 0.03%
1998 19.5% -1.63%
1997 29.5% -0.36%
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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait North Macedonia
2024 2.9% 3.5%
2023 3.64% 9.4%
2022 3.98% 14.2%
2021 3.42% 3.2%
2020 2.1% 1.2%
2019 1.09% 0.8%
2018 0.54% 1.5%
2017 2.17% 1.4%
2016 3.2% -0.2%
2015 3.27% -0.3%
2014 2.91% -0.3%
2013 2.68% 2.8%
2012 3.26% 3.3%
2011 4.84% 3.9%
2010 4.5% 1.5%
2009 4.61% -0.7%
2008 10.6% 8.3%
2007 5.48% 2.3%
2006 3.06% 3.2%
2005 4.14% 0.5%
2004 1.25% -0.4%
2003 0.96% 0.9%
2002 0.89% 1.1%
2001 1.3% 5.2%
2000 1.81% 6.6%
1999 2.99% -1.3%
1998 0.13% 0.5%
1997 0.68% 1.3%

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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Miscellaneous $3K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $225K
Raw materials & minerals $185K
Machinery & equipment $114K
Textiles & consumer goods $55K
Chemicals & pharma $51K
Metals $19K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K

Balance of trade

Kuwait North Macedonia
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait North Macedonia
Economic freedom 59.9 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 81/197
Property rights 42 56.2
Government integrity 47.9 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 49.5
Tax burden 97.7 94.9
Government spending 36.2 61.7
Fiscal health 99.9 57.7
Business freedom 57.4 72.2
Labor freedom 49.2 51.4
Monetary freedom 68.7 69.6
Trade freedom 75.8 77.8
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait North Macedonia
2026 59.9 63.3
2025 59.9 63.2
2024 58.5 61.4
2023 56.7 63.7
2022 58.3 65.7
2021 64.1 68.6
2020 63.2 69.5
2019 60.8 71.1
2018 62.2 71.3
2017 65.1 70.7
2016 62.7 67.5
2015 62.5 67.1
2014 62.3 68.6
2013 63.1 68.2
2012 62.5 68.5
2011 64.9 66
2010 67.7 65.7
2009 65.6 61.2
2008 68.1 61.1
2007 66.4 60.6
2006 66.5 59.2
2005 64.6 56.1
2004 63.6 56.8
2003 66.7 60.1
2002 65.4 58
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.