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Economy of Kuwait vs Oman compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $107B for Oman, ranking 59/197 and 70/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $38B (35.5% of GDP) in Oman.

Kuwait vs Oman GDP by year

Kuwait
Oman
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Oman
2024 $160,227,273,053 $107,137,198,769
2023 $165,384,407,116 $106,174,708,037
2022 $183,502,046,694 $109,852,795,839
2021 $148,350,671,489 $87,323,797,139
2020 $111,045,470,606 $75,909,492,848
2019 $140,856,394,861 $88,060,858,257
2018 $138,646,316,351 $91,505,851,756
2017 $120,687,539,806 $80,856,697,009
2016 $109,406,674,125 $75,128,738,622
2015 $114,585,555,689 $78,710,793,238
2014 $162,650,450,685 $92,699,089,727
2013 $174,168,116,535 $89,936,020,806
2012 $174,047,662,680 $87,408,842,653
2011 $154,039,231,246 $77,497,529,259
2010 $115,416,245,242 $64,993,498,049
2009 $105,968,691,905 $55,454,096,229
2008 $147,379,737,230 $69,804,681,404
2007 $114,634,043,362 $48,300,390,117
2006 $101,557,330,723 $42,577,633,290
2005 $80,798,630,137 $35,506,892,068
2004 $59,439,090,601 $28,378,933,680
2003 $47,874,582,232 $24,733,680,104
2002 $38,135,788,414 $23,065,539,662
2001 $34,889,559,870 $22,205,721,717
2000 $37,718,743,480 $22,259,557,867
1999 $30,122,365,849 $17,832,769,831
1998 $25,943,705,784 $16,044,213,264
1997 $30,350,190,704 $18,039,791,938
1996 $31,492,373,309 $17,402,080,624
1995 $27,186,980,647 $15,722,236,671
1994 $24,848,483,838 $14,715,214,564
1993 $23,941,391,391 $14,230,429,129
1992 $19,858,555,215 $14,183,615,085
1991 $11,009,993,703 $12,918,335,501
1990 $18,427,777,778 $13,310,273,082
1989 $24,313,855,653 $9,372,171,651
1988 $20,690,322,153 $8,386,215,865
1987 $22,368,704,134 $7,811,183,095
1986 $17,903,989,745 $7,324,167,369
1985 $21,445,970,614 $10,005,645,420
1984 $21,700,082,753 $8,821,443,151
1983 $20,871,081,080 $7,932,541,691
1982 $21,577,153,356 $7,554,719,456
1981 $25,058,020,338 $7,259,120,151
1980 $28,638,868,356 $5,981,760,278
1979 $24,749,063,922 $3,733,352,635
1978 $15,503,557,496 $2,740,301,390
1977 $14,137,406,741 $2,741,169,948
1976 $13,132,252,802 $2,560,220,035
1975 $12,022,811,621 $2,096,699,189
1974 $13,006,948,296 $1,645,917,776
1973 $5,408,804,607 $483,066,991
1972 $4,450,537,925 $366,883,548
1971 $3,880,392,195 $301,010,587
1970 $2,873,638,851 $256,319,795
1969 $2,769,198,892 $239,999,808
1968 $2,662,798,935 $188,879,849
1967 $2,441,599,023 $107,151,832
1966 $2,391,199,044 $67,759,973
1965 $2,097,199,161 $63,279,975
1964 $2,071,668,533 $61,872,526
1963 $1,900,895,857 $59,912,763
1962 $1,828,107,503 $56,273,202
1961 - $45,634,487
1960 - $44,234,656

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Oman by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Oman
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Oman
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $20,285 $41,740
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $21,028 $41,945
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $23,224 $42,616
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $19,403 $38,719
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $16,785 $35,163
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $19,180 $37,251
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $19,902 $37,780
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $17,820 $33,619
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $17,110 $33,334
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $18,808 $36,058
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $23,161 $44,236
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $23,458 $47,013
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $24,642 $49,989
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $25,188 $52,393
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $23,570 $55,667
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $20,656 $55,127
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $26,577 $52,841
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $18,793 $48,627
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $16,931 $46,091
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $14,435 $43,673
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $11,801 $42,142
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $10,464 $40,935
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $9,869 $41,511
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $9,612 $41,679
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $9,754 $39,443
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $7,915 $36,792
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $7,219 $36,666
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $8,235 $36,809
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $8,068 $34,661
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $7,414 $33,598
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $7,068 $31,925
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $7,039 $30,987
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $7,318 $29,773
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $6,977 $28,109
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $7,546 $26,904
1989 $10,965 - $5,591 -
1988 $9,692 - $5,279 -
1987 $10,896 - $5,204 -
1986 $9,077 - $5,182 -
1985 $11,322 - $7,549 -
1984 $11,919 - $7,070 -
1983 $11,965 - $6,714 -
1982 $12,979 - $6,759 -
1981 $15,825 - $6,866 -
1980 $19,032 - $5,974 -
1979 $17,386 - $3,934 -
1978 $11,567 - $3,044 -
1977 $11,238 - $3,205 -
1976 $11,141 - $3,143 -
1975 $10,882 - $2,692 -
1974 $12,527 - $2,203 -
1973 $5,532 - $670 -
1972 $4,836 - $524 -
1971 $4,486 - $442 -
1970 $3,552 - $387 -
1969 $3,695 - $372 -
1968 $3,872 - $300 -
1967 $3,887 - $174.7 -
1966 $4,176 - $113.2 -
1965 $4,024 - $108.1 -
1964 $4,379 - $108.1 -
1963 $4,445 - $106.8 -
1962 $4,748 - $102.3 -
1961 - - $84.5 -
1960 - - $83.4 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $20,285 in Oman, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Oman ranks 55th at $41,740.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Oman
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$107B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.63%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$20,285
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
57/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$41,740
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
55/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$38B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
35.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$7,204
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
67/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$20,894
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$22.3B
2022
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
28.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
4.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
3.3%
2024
Population
5100145
5761708

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Oman
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Oman
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 28.7% 35.5%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 27.5% 37.5%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 30.9% 41.7%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 36.5% 61.9%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 44.5% 67.9%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 38.8% 52.5%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 38.3% 44.7%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 39.4% 40.1%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 44.6% 29.3%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 44.5% 13.9%
2014 45% 3.43% 41.4% 4.04%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 39.3% 4.66%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 38.6% 4.59%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 34.5% 4.44%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 30.6% 5.46%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 33.4% 5.8%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 25.6% 3.2%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 30.7% 4.44%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 30.1% 7.56%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 30.6% 8.39%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 34.1% 14.5%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 34% 13%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 34.1% 15.9%
2001 41.4% 23% 33.3% 22.5%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 31.2% 21.7%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 34.2% 28.9%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 36.1% 30.9%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 32.1% 20.8%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 33.5% 21.2%
1995 52% 34.9% 38.2% 21.9%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 39.7% 23.6%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 40.1% 22.2%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 40.1% 23.1%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 37.4% 22.6%
1990 122.9% - 36.5% 17.8%

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Oman spent $30.7B, or 28.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 35.5% in Oman, ranking 184/185 and 145/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Oman
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Oman
2024 23.8% 3.31%
2023 28.2% 6.87%
2022 30% 10.5%
2021 9.98% -3.17%
2020 0.14% -15.7%
2019 13% -4.83%
2018 17.5% -6.72%
2017 15.3% -10.5%
2016 13.1% -19.6%
2015 16.6% -13.5%
2014 30% -1.58%
2013 40.6% 2.78%
2012 40.7% 4.07%
2011 38.8% 8.24%
2010 31.9% 4.95%
2009 31.3% -0.27%
2008 21.3% 14.7%
2007 37.1% 10.5%
2006 28% 12.2%
2005 38.9% 11.2%
2004 32.5% 5.43%
2003 27.2% 5.92%
2002 31% 5.31%
2001 45.2% 7.55%
2000 52.5% 12.2%
1999 28.2% 0.3%
1998 19.5% -4.37%
1997 29.5% 4.77%
1996 24.3% 2.22%
1995 11.7% -3.9%
1994 1.76% -7.47%
1993 -3.12% -6.84%
1992 -28.1% -4.85%
1991 -145% 0.12%
1990 -50% 4.78%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/oman | 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 Oman's surplus of $3.54B, or 3.31% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Oman ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.99% of GDP for Oman.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Oman
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Oman
2024 2.9% 0.6%
2023 3.64% 1%
2022 3.98% 2.5%
2021 3.42% 1.7%
2020 2.1% -0.4%
2019 1.09% 0.5%
2018 0.54% 0.7%
2017 2.17% 1.5%
2016 3.2% 0.9%
2015 3.27% 0.1%
2014 2.91% 1.2%
2013 2.68% 1.3%
2012 3.26% 2.9%
2011 4.84% 4.1%
2010 4.5% 3.3%
2009 4.61% 3.5%
2008 10.6% 12.6%
2007 5.48% 5.9%
2006 3.06% 3.2%
2005 4.14% 1.9%
2004 1.25% 0.8%
2003 0.96% 0.2%
2002 0.89% -0.3%
2001 1.3% -0.8%
2000 1.81% -1.2%
1999 2.99% 0.5%
1998 0.13% 0.4%
1997 0.68% -0.4%

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/oman | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 1.72% in Oman. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 0.6% in Oman.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $62.7M
Machinery & equipment $27.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.05M
Raw agricultural goods $2.11M
Wood & paper products $1.09M
Raw materials & minerals $1.01M
Animal & marine products $931K
Metals $586K
Precious metals & jewellery $431K
Oman
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $183M
Chemicals & pharma $92M
Machinery & equipment $59.9M
Metals $32.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.8M
Raw materials & minerals $17.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.78M
Raw agricultural goods $4.95M
Wood & paper products $1.63M
Miscellaneous $73K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Oman
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$3.07B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
39/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$39.5B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$65.2B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$5.64B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
48.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
66.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Oman
Economic freedom 59.9 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 45/197
Property rights 42 71.8
Government integrity 47.9 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 28
Tax burden 97.7 97.6
Government spending 36.2 74.7
Fiscal health 99.9 97.5
Business freedom 57.4 67.8
Labor freedom 49.2 47.7
Monetary freedom 68.7 79.2
Trade freedom 75.8 78.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Oman
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Oman
2026 59.9 68.5
2025 59.9 65.4
2024 58.5 62.9
2023 56.7 58.5
2022 58.3 56.6
2021 64.1 64.6
2020 63.2 63.6
2019 60.8 61
2018 62.2 61
2017 65.1 62.1
2016 62.7 67.1
2015 62.5 66.7
2014 62.3 67.4
2013 63.1 68.1
2012 62.5 67.9
2011 64.9 69.8
2010 67.7 67.7
2009 65.6 67
2008 68.1 67.3
2007 66.4 65.8
2006 66.5 63.7
2005 64.6 66.5
2004 63.6 66.9
2003 66.7 64.6
2002 65.4 64
2001 68.2 67.7
2000 69.7 64.1
1999 69.5 64.9
1998 66.3 64.9
1997 64.8 64.5
1996 66.1 65.4
1995 - 70.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 68.5 for Oman, ranking 45/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Oman
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
46%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
54.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
2.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$103B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$39,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
64/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$12.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$12.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
-$143M
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
24.8%
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/oman | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.