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Economy of Kuwait vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 59/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Kuwait vs Panama GDP by year

Kuwait
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Panama
2024 $160,227,273,053 $86,523,959,132
2023 $165,384,407,116 $83,812,155,244
2022 $183,502,046,694 $76,479,304,471
2021 $148,350,671,489 $67,396,392,506
2020 $111,045,470,606 $57,059,846,522
2019 $140,856,394,861 $69,778,991,193
2018 $138,646,316,351 $67,316,471,181
2017 $120,687,539,806 $64,327,688,826
2016 $109,406,674,125 $59,760,858,718
2015 $114,585,555,689 $55,767,806,073
2014 $162,650,450,685 $51,427,104,882
2013 $174,168,116,535 $46,949,496,479
2012 $174,047,662,680 $41,595,439,721
2011 $154,039,231,246 $35,687,738,252
2010 $115,416,245,242 $30,231,009,533
2009 $105,968,691,905 $27,791,215,547
2008 $147,379,737,230 $25,721,327,955
2007 $114,634,043,362 $21,717,433,808
2006 $101,557,330,723 $18,659,721,513
2005 $80,798,630,137 $16,623,906,739
2004 $59,439,090,601 $15,100,203,362
2003 $47,874,582,232 $13,603,456,003
2002 $38,135,788,414 $12,800,851,271
2001 $34,889,559,870 $12,252,906,341
2000 $37,718,743,480 $11,966,497,049
1999 $30,122,365,849 $11,660,704,777
1998 $25,943,705,784 $11,019,557,689
1997 $30,350,190,704 $10,058,854,386
1996 $31,492,373,309 $9,197,503,323
1995 $27,186,980,647 $9,573,813,700
1994 $24,848,483,838 $9,365,289,800
1993 $23,941,391,391 $8,782,585,400
1992 $19,858,555,215 $8,042,337,700
1991 $11,009,993,703 $7,074,675,500
1990 $18,427,777,778 $6,433,967,000
1989 $24,313,855,653 $5,918,469,800
1988 $20,690,322,153 $5,902,783,400
1987 $22,368,704,134 $6,827,665,300
1986 $17,903,989,745 $6,797,834,200
1985 $21,445,970,614 $6,541,517,100
1984 $21,700,082,753 $6,183,387,100
1983 $20,871,081,080 $5,923,755,900
1982 $21,577,153,356 $5,769,767,900
1981 $25,058,020,338 $5,222,421,500
1980 $28,638,868,356 $4,614,086,400
1979 $24,749,063,922 $3,704,551,600
1978 $15,503,557,496 $3,244,558,600
1977 $14,137,406,741 $2,738,261,900
1976 $13,132,252,802 $2,588,106,000
1975 $12,022,811,621 $2,435,304,100
1974 $13,006,948,296 $2,188,307,600
1973 $5,408,804,607 $1,913,793,400
1972 $4,450,537,925 $1,673,411,700
1971 $3,880,392,195 $1,523,917,200
1970 $2,873,638,851 $1,351,006,400
1969 $2,769,198,892 $1,221,305,700
1968 $2,662,798,935 $1,112,791,100
1967 $2,441,599,023 $1,034,376,400
1966 $2,391,199,044 $928,833,000
1965 $2,097,199,161 $852,485,300
1964 $2,071,668,533 $776,137,500
1963 $1,900,895,857 $722,784,500
1962 $1,828,107,503 $652,120,900
1961 - $599,026,300
1960 - $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Panama by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $10,965 - $2,462 -
1988 $9,692 - $2,509 -
1987 $10,896 - $2,966 -
1986 $9,077 - $3,019 -
1985 $11,322 - $2,972 -
1984 $11,919 - $2,875 -
1983 $11,965 - $2,819 -
1982 $12,979 - $2,811 -
1981 $15,825 - $2,605 -
1980 $19,032 - $2,357 -
1979 $17,386 - $1,938 -
1978 $11,567 - $1,738 -
1977 $11,238 - $1,503 -
1976 $11,141 - $1,457 -
1975 $10,882 - $1,406 -
1974 $12,527 - $1,296 -
1973 $5,532 - $1,164 -
1972 $4,836 - $1,046 -
1971 $4,486 - $979 -
1970 $3,552 - $893 -
1969 $3,695 - $830 -
1968 $3,872 - $778 -
1967 $3,887 - $745 -
1966 $4,176 - $689 -
1965 $4,024 - $651 -
1964 $4,379 - $611 -
1963 $4,445 - $587 -
1962 $4,748 - $546 -
1961 - - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Panama
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
8.61%
2024
Population
5100145
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 45% 3.43% 23% 34.7%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 22.8% 34%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 22.7% 40%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 23.5% 57%
2001 41.4% 23% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 23% 55.1%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 21.5% 65%
1995 52% 34.9% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 122.9% - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 184/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Panama
2024 23.8% -7.42%
2023 28.2% -3.9%
2022 30% -3.98%
2021 9.98% -6.48%
2020 0.14% -10.2%
2019 13% -2.89%
2018 17.5% -2.88%
2017 15.3% -1.92%
2016 13.1% -1.89%
2015 16.6% -2.3%
2014 30% -3.21%
2013 40.6% -2.38%
2012 40.7% -1.31%
2011 38.8% -1.96%
2010 31.9% -1.68%
2009 31.3% -0.9%
2008 21.3% 0.37%
2007 37.1% 3.12%
2006 28% 0.51%
2005 38.9% -2.21%
2004 32.5% -4.33%
2003 27.2% -2.27%
2002 31% -0.96%
2001 45.2% -0.42%
2000 52.5% 2.05%
1999 28.2% -0.65%
1998 19.5% -1.11%
1997 29.5% 1.24%
1996 24.3% 2.48%
1995 11.7% 2.3%
1994 1.76% 2.12%
1993 -3.12% -9.4%
1992 -28.1% -2.62%
1991 -145% -0.6%
1990 -50% -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.98% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Panama
2024 2.9% 0.69%
2023 3.64% 1.49%
2022 3.98% 2.86%
2021 3.42% 1.63%
2020 2.1% -1.55%
2019 1.09% -0.36%
2018 0.54% 0.76%
2017 2.17% 0.88%
2016 3.2% 0.74%
2015 3.27% 0.14%
2014 2.91% 2.63%
2013 2.68% 4.03%
2012 3.26% 5.7%
2011 4.84% 5.88%
2010 4.5% 3.49%
2009 4.61% 2.41%
2008 10.6% 8.76%
2007 5.48% 4.17%
2006 3.06% 2.46%
2005 4.14% 2.86%
2004 1.25% 0.47%
2003 0.96% 0.39%
2002 0.89% 1.01%
2001 1.3% 0.31%
2000 1.81% 1.5%
1999 2.99% 1.25%
1998 0.13% 0.56%
1997 0.68% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.57M
Raw materials & minerals $69K
Chemicals & pharma $17K
Miscellaneous $4K
Panama
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $65K
Raw agricultural goods $17K
Metals $4K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Panama
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Panama
Economic freedom 59.9 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 70/197
Property rights 42 56.7
Government integrity 47.9 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 49.6
Tax burden 97.7 86.1
Government spending 36.2 85.5
Fiscal health 99.9 51.8
Business freedom 57.4 72.6
Labor freedom 49.2 60.9
Monetary freedom 68.7 78.2
Trade freedom 75.8 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Panama
2026 59.9 64.9
2025 59.9 65.5
2024 58.5 64.1
2023 56.7 63.8
2022 58.3 65.4
2021 64.1 66.2
2020 63.2 67.2
2019 60.8 67.2
2018 62.2 67
2017 65.1 66.3
2016 62.7 64.8
2015 62.5 64.1
2014 62.3 63.4
2013 63.1 62.5
2012 62.5 65.2
2011 64.9 64.9
2010 67.7 64.8
2009 65.6 64.7
2008 68.1 64.7
2007 66.4 64.6
2006 66.5 65.6
2005 64.6 64.3
2004 63.6 65.3
2003 66.7 68.4
2002 65.4 68.5
2001 68.2 70.6
2000 69.7 71.6
1999 69.5 72.6
1998 66.3 72.6
1997 64.8 72.4
1996 66.1 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Panama
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$865M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
33.5%
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/panama | 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 (1946–1993, 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 (2023–2024, 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.

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.