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Economy of Kuwait vs Philippines compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kuwait has a GDP of $157B compared to $487B for the Philippines, ranking 59/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $22.9B in government debt (14.6% of GDP), compared to $289B (59.4% of GDP) in the Philippines.

Kuwait vs Philippines GDP by year

Kuwait
Philippines
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Philippines
2025 $157,209,026,926 $487,086,123,720
2024 $160,903,106,639 $461,671,157,905
2023 $165,462,656,227 $437,055,627,245
2022 $183,502,046,694 $404,353,369,605
2021 $148,350,671,489 $394,087,359,848
2020 $111,045,470,606 $361,751,145,452
2019 $140,856,394,861 $376,823,402,239
2018 $138,646,316,351 $346,841,896,587
2017 $120,687,539,806 $328,480,736,803
2016 $109,406,674,125 $318,627,003,017
2015 $114,585,555,689 $306,445,871,242
2014 $162,650,450,685 $297,483,555,338
2013 $174,168,116,535 $283,902,828,589
2012 $174,047,662,680 $261,920,540,963
2011 $154,039,231,246 $234,216,730,291
2010 $115,416,245,242 $208,368,893,151
2009 $105,968,691,905 $175,974,755,881
2008 $147,379,737,230 $181,624,626,327
2007 $114,634,043,362 $155,980,408,673
2006 $101,557,330,723 $127,652,926,368
2005 $80,798,630,137 $107,419,977,318
2004 $59,439,090,601 $95,001,999,685
2003 $47,874,582,232 $87,039,092,974
2002 $38,135,788,414 $84,307,345,888
2001 $34,889,559,870 $78,921,234,458
2000 $37,718,743,480 $83,669,788,377
1999 $30,122,365,849 $85,640,171,045
1998 $25,943,705,784 $74,492,416,330
1997 $30,350,190,704 $94,106,317,565
1996 $31,492,373,309 $94,648,084,429
1995 $27,186,980,647 $84,644,328,727
1994 $24,848,483,838 $73,159,336,915
1993 $23,941,391,391 $62,036,529,147
1992 $19,858,555,215 $60,422,328,242
1991 $11,009,993,703 $51,784,144,943
1990 $18,427,777,778 $50,508,286,642
1989 $24,313,855,653 $48,513,773,721
1988 $20,690,322,153 $43,152,128,959
1987 $22,368,704,134 $37,791,488,666
1986 $17,903,989,745 $33,987,207,295
1985 $21,445,970,614 $34,961,486,348
1984 $21,700,082,753 $35,730,185,634
1983 $20,871,081,080 $37,759,179,895
1982 $21,577,153,356 $42,206,011,275
1981 $25,058,020,338 $40,499,388,869
1980 $28,638,868,356 $36,848,080,899
1979 $24,749,063,922 $31,218,296,292
1978 $15,503,557,496 $25,762,224,563
1977 $14,137,406,741 $22,283,109,803
1976 $13,132,252,802 $19,381,055,197
1975 $12,022,811,621 $16,875,240,684
1974 $13,006,948,296 $15,607,882,555
1973 $5,408,804,607 $11,412,449,735
1972 $4,450,537,925 $9,067,815,521
1971 $3,880,392,195 $8,375,075,630
1970 $2,873,638,851 $7,559,115,517
1969 $2,769,198,892 $9,571,800,653
1968 $2,662,798,935 $8,632,749,269
1967 $2,441,599,023 $7,724,873,935
1966 $2,391,199,044 $7,189,017,888
1965 $2,097,199,161 $6,517,349,772
1964 $2,071,668,533 $5,953,756,195
1963 $1,900,895,857 $5,505,023,238
1962 $1,828,107,503 $4,954,593,072
1961 - $8,171,194,425
1960 - $7,515,894,111

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Philippines by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Philippines
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Philippines
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,312 - $4,171 -
2024 $32,856 $52,444 $3,985 $11,794
2023 $34,092 $53,025 $3,804 $10,986
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $3,548 $10,131
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $3,484 $8,858
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $3,228 $8,238
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $3,401 $8,924
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $3,169 $8,358
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $3,038 $7,774
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $2,985 $7,383
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $2,910 $6,894
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $2,867 $6,689
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $2,781 $6,373
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $2,615 $6,094
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $2,384 $5,705
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $2,163 $5,489
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $1,864 $5,157
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $1,959 $5,144
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $1,713 $4,923
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $1,426 $4,579
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $1,220 $4,289
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $1,100 $4,037
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $1,027 $3,761
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $1,015 $3,580
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $970 $3,469
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,051 $3,366
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $1,101 $3,229
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $983 $3,160
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $1,273 $3,221
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $1,311 $3,082
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $1,200 $2,926
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,060 $2,800
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $919 $2,684
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $917 $2,629
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $804 $2,621
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $804 $2,608
1989 $10,965 - $792 -
1988 $9,692 - $722 -
1987 $10,896 - $650 -
1986 $9,077 - $600 -
1985 $11,322 - $633 -
1984 $11,919 - $665 -
1983 $11,965 - $723 -
1982 $12,979 - $833 -
1981 $15,825 - $821 -
1980 $19,032 - $767 -
1979 $17,386 - $667 -
1978 $11,567 - $565 -
1977 $11,238 - $502 -
1976 $11,141 - $449 -
1975 $10,882 - $401 -
1974 $12,527 - $379 -
1973 $5,532 - $283.2 -
1972 $4,836 - $230.1 -
1971 $4,486 - $217.4 -
1970 $3,552 - $200.9 -
1969 $3,695 - $261.1 -
1968 $3,872 - $242.2 -
1967 $3,887 - $223.1 -
1966 $4,176 - $213.8 -
1965 $4,024 - $199.8 -
1964 $4,379 - $188.2 -
1963 $4,445 - $179.5 -
1962 $4,748 - $166.7 -
1961 - - $283.8 -
1960 - - $269.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,312, ranking 41/197, compared to $4,171 in the Philippines, ranking 130/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while the Philippines ranks 127th at $11,794.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Philippines
Gross domestic product
$157B
2025
$487B
2025
GDP rank
59/197
2025
34/197
2025
GDP growth
2.73%
2024-2025
4.4%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,312
2025
$4,171
2025
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2025
130/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$11,794
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
127/197
2024
Government debt
$22.9B
2025
$289B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
59.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,714
2025
$2,476
2025
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2025
113/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,940
2026
$3,163
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2025
$232B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
24.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
1.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
4.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
2.41%
2023
Population
4981316
118213646

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Philippines
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Philippines
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 50.1% 14.6% 24.3% 59.4%
2024 48% 2.91% 25.6% 56.6%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 24.7% 56.5%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 25.9% 57.4%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 27.2% 57%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 25.9% 51.6%
2019 50.2% 10.5% 21.7% 37%
2018 51% 14.3% 20.9% 37.1%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 19.5% 38.1%
2016 54% 9.88% 19% 37.4%
2015 55.3% 4.6% 17.8% 39.7%
2014 45% 3.43% 16.8% 40.3%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 17.3% 43.9%
2012 38.1% 3.6% 17.7% 45.7%
2011 39.6% 4.64% 17.2% 45.4%
2010 45.4% 6.16% 18.3% 47.6%
2009 42.8% 6.65% 19.2% 49.8%
2008 40.8% 5.38% 17.9% 50%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 18.2% 50.2%
2006 32.2% 7.79% 18.3% 57.2%
2005 28.7% 10.2% 18.7% 64.7%
2004 35.2% 13.9% 19.4% 71.1%
2003 38% 17.2% 20.4% 71.4%
2002 42.5% 21.3% 20.6% 65.2%
2001 41.2% 23% 21% 59.5%
2000 29.7% 21.4% 20.8% 59.2%
1999 44.3% 25.5% 20.7% 54.2%
1998 51.4% 25.6% 20.3% 50.8%
1997 43.5% 24.3% 20.3% 56.9%
1996 42.5% 26.5% 19.6% 53.1%
1995 51.7% 34.9% 19.1% 60.8%
1994 57.5% 37.7% 19.7% 63.6%
1993 58% 28.8% 17.6% 73.9%
1992 77.4% 27.9% 18.4% 53.9%
1991 208.1% 45.3% 18% 55.6%
1990 122.4% - 18.8% 56.2%
1989 - - 15.7% 55.2%
1988 - - 15.9% 69%
1987 - - 15.7% 79.2%
1986 - - 13.5% 77.7%
1985 - - 11.3% 53.1%
1984 - - 10.1% 45.8%
1983 - - 12.2% 43.1%
1982 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1981 - - 13.7% 27.6%
1980 - - 13.4% 24.8%
1979 - - 11.9% 22.5%
1978 - - 13.3% 23.1%
1977 - - 13.3% 19.8%
1976 - - 13.8% 16.8%
1975 - - 15.1% 13%
1974 - - 10.7% 13.4%
1973 - - 14% 11.5%
1972 - - 13.4% 14.2%
1971 - - 11.2% 14.8%
1970 - - 10.4% 16.8%
1969 - - 11.5% 16.4%
1968 - - 11.2% 15.7%
1967 - - 10.2% 15.4%
1966 - - 9.77% 14.4%
1965 - - 9.48% 15%
1964 - - 9.66% 14.2%
1963 - - 10.4% 14.1%
1962 - - 10.8% 15.9%
1961 - - 9.6% 16.5%
1960 - - 10.1% 16.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kuwait's government spending was $78.8B, accounting for 50.1% of its GDP, while the Philippines spent $118B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.6% in Kuwait and 59.4% in the Philippines, ranking 177/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Philippines
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Philippines
2025 28.4% -3.97%
2024 26% -4.44%
2023 28.2% -4.38%
2022 30% -5.48%
2021 9.99% -6.23%
2020 0.16% -5.55%
2019 13% -1.5%
2018 17.6% -1.48%
2017 15.3% -0.75%
2016 12.8% -0.74%
2015 16.3% 0.14%
2014 29.8% 1.32%
2013 40.4% 0.37%
2012 40.5% -0.22%
2011 38.6% -0.38%
2010 31.7% -2.25%
2009 31.1% -2.57%
2008 21.2% 0.02%
2007 36.9% -0.28%
2006 27.8% -0.05%
2005 38.8% -1.62%
2004 32.3% -2.81%
2003 27% -3.49%
2002 30.9% -3.71%
2001 44.9% -3.49%
2000 52.3% -3.27%
1999 28% -2.29%
1998 19.4% -1.31%
1997 29.4% 0.37%
1996 24.2% 0.54%
1995 11.7% -0.02%
1994 1.71% -0.44%
1993 -3.2% 0.63%
1992 -28% -0.43%
1991 -144.5% -0.26%
1990 -49.9% -1.52%
1989 - -1.64%
1988 - -2.71%
1987 - -1.06%
1986 - -0.55%
1985 - 0.71%
1984 - 0.64%
1983 - 0.1%
1982 - -0.88%
1981 - -1.09%
1980 - 0.56%
1979 - 1.54%
1978 - 0.05%
1977 - -0.42%
1976 - -0.55%
1975 - 0.13%
1974 - 5.94%
1973 - 2.49%
1972 - 3.39%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - -0.31%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.33%
1967 - -1.35%
1966 - -0.74%
1965 - -1.53%
1964 - -0.99%
1963 - -0.68%
1962 - -0.43%
1961 - -0.29%
1960 - -1.06%
1959 - -0.15%
1958 - -0.21%
1957 - -0.56%
1956 - -0.77%
1955 - -1.3%
1954 - -0.79%
1953 - -0.88%
1952 - 0.49%
1951 - 1.5%
1950 - -0.19%
1949 - -2.33%
1948 - -0.65%
1947 - 0.05%
1946 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $44.6B, equivalent to 28.4% of GDP. This compares to the Philippines' deficit of $19.4B, or 3.97% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while the Philippines ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.71% of GDP for the Philippines.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Philippines
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Philippines
2025 2.36% 1.66%
2024 2.9% 3.21%
2023 3.64% 5.98%
2022 3.98% 5.82%
2021 3.42% 3.93%
2020 2.1% 2.39%
2019 1.09% 2.39%
2018 0.54% 5.31%
2017 2.17% 2.85%
2016 3.2% 1.25%
2015 3.27% 0.67%
2014 2.91% 3.6%
2013 2.68% 2.58%
2012 3.26% 3.03%
2011 4.84% 4.72%
2010 4.5% 3.79%
2009 4.61% 4.22%
2008 10.6% 8.26%
2007 5.48% 2.9%
2006 3.06% 5.49%
2005 4.14% 6.52%
2004 1.25% 4.83%
2003 0.96% 2.29%
2002 0.89% 2.72%
2001 1.3% 5.35%
2000 1.81% 3.98%
1999 2.99% 5.94%
1998 0.13% 9.23%
1997 0.68% 5.59%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.92%, compared with 4.16% in the Philippines. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Kuwait and 1.66% in the Philippines.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Metals $17.2M
Miscellaneous $3.79M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.13M
Raw materials & minerals $1.04M
Machinery & equipment $718K
Animal & marine products $43K
Wood & paper products $43K
Chemicals & pharma $40K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Philippines
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.52M
Raw agricultural goods $3.7M
Machinery & equipment $2.72M
Wood & paper products $570K
Chemicals & pharma $506K
Animal & marine products $350K
Textiles & consumer goods $296K
Precious metals & jewellery $268K
Miscellaneous $23K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Philippines
Current account balance
$35.7B
2025
-$16.3B
2025
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2025
181/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+22.7%
2025
-3.34%
2025
Goods imports
$37.5B
2025
$130B
2025
Goods exports
$70.7B
2025
$63.4B
2025
Service imports
$29.6B
2025
$38.2B
2025
Service exports
$12.7B
2025
$51.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.2%
2024
40.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.8%
2024
26.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Philippines
Economic freedom 59.9 62.9
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 85/197
Property rights 42 45.8
Government integrity 47.9 35.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 41.8
Tax burden 97.7 78.3
Government spending 36.2 81
Fiscal health 99.9 60.5
Business freedom 57.4 69.2
Labor freedom 49.2 57.8
Monetary freedom 68.7 72.1
Trade freedom 75.8 83
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Philippines
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Philippines
2026 59.9 62.9
2025 59.9 60.6
2024 58.5 59
2023 56.7 59.3
2022 58.3 61.1
2021 64.1 64.1
2020 63.2 64.5
2019 60.8 63.8
2018 62.2 65
2017 65.1 65.6
2016 62.7 63.1
2015 62.5 62.2
2014 62.3 60.1
2013 63.1 58.2
2012 62.5 57.1
2011 64.9 56.2
2010 67.7 56.3
2009 65.6 56.8
2008 68.1 56
2007 66.4 56
2006 66.5 56.3
2005 64.6 54.7
2004 63.6 59.1
2003 66.7 61.3
2002 65.4 60.7
2001 68.2 60.9
2000 69.7 62.5
1999 69.5 61.9
1998 66.3 62.8
1997 64.8 62.2
1996 66.1 60.2
1995 - 55

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 62.9 for the Philippines, ranking 85/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Philippines
Services, % of GDP
59.6%
2025
64.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
54.1%
2025
27%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.53%
2025
8.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$201B
2024
$567B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,040
2024
$14,460
2025
Total reserves including gold
$51.7B
2025
$111B
2025
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2025
28/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$2.58B
2025
-$6.19B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$9.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$2.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.1%
2024
22.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.