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Economy of Kuwait vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 59/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Kuwait vs Russia GDP by year

Kuwait
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Russia
2024 $160,227,273,053 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $165,384,407,116 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $183,502,046,694 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $148,350,671,489 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $111,045,470,606 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $140,856,394,861 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $138,646,316,351 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $120,687,539,806 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $109,406,674,125 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $114,585,555,689 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $162,650,450,685 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $174,168,116,535 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $174,047,662,680 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $154,039,231,246 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $115,416,245,242 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $105,968,691,905 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $147,379,737,230 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $114,634,043,362 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $101,557,330,723 $989,932,071,353
2005 $80,798,630,137 $764,015,973,481
2004 $59,439,090,601 $591,016,690,732
2003 $47,874,582,232 $430,347,420,185
2002 $38,135,788,414 $345,470,494,418
2001 $34,889,559,870 $306,602,070,621
2000 $37,718,743,480 $259,710,142,197
1999 $30,122,365,849 $195,907,128,351
1998 $25,943,705,784 $270,955,486,862
1997 $30,350,190,704 $404,928,954,192
1996 $31,492,373,309 $391,724,890,744
1995 $27,186,980,647 $395,537,185,735
1994 $24,848,483,838 $395,077,301,248
1993 $23,941,391,391 $435,083,713,851
1992 $19,858,555,215 $460,290,556,901
1991 $11,009,993,703 $517,962,962,963
1990 $18,427,777,778 $517,014,446,228
1989 $24,313,855,653 $506,631,299,735
1988 $20,690,322,153 $554,828,660,436
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/russia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Russia by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $10,965 - $3,430 -
1988 $9,692 - $3,778 -
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/russia | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Russia
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
140
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
2.43%
2024
Population
5100145
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 45% 3.43% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 34% 11.2%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 32% 7.45%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 29% 9.8%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 41.4% 23% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 43.8% 24.3% - 51.5%
1996 42.8% 26.5% - 51.9%
1995 52% 34.9% - 53.7%
1994 57.8% 37.7% - 63.5%
1993 58.2% 28.8% - 92.4%
1992 77.6% 27.9% - 116%
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 (1992–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 184/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Russia
2024 23.8% -1.6%
2023 28.2% -2.22%
2022 30% -1.34%
2021 9.98% 0.78%
2020 0.14% -3.99%
2019 13% 1.93%
2018 17.5% 2.92%
2017 15.3% -1.47%
2016 13.1% -3.67%
2015 16.6% -3.39%
2014 30% -1.07%
2013 40.6% -1.16%
2012 40.7% 0.38%
2011 38.8% 1.43%
2010 31.9% -3.19%
2009 31.3% -5.89%
2008 21.3% 4.55%
2007 37.1% 5.59%
2006 28% 7.8%
2005 38.9% 7.6%
2004 32.5% 4.57%
2003 27.2% 1.35%
2002 31% 0.67%
2001 45.2% 2.99%
2000 52.5% 3.11%
1999 28.2% -3.59%
1998 19.5% -7.42%
1997 29.5% -
1996 24.3% -
1995 11.7% -
1994 1.76% -
1993 -3.12% -
1992 -28.1% -
1991 -145% -
1990 -50% -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1940, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Russia
2024 2.9% 8.4%
2023 3.64% 5.9%
2022 3.98% 13.7%
2021 3.42% 6.7%
2020 2.1% 3.4%
2019 1.09% 4.5%
2018 0.54% 2.9%
2017 2.17% 3.7%
2016 3.2% 7%
2015 3.27% 15.5%
2014 2.91% 7.8%
2013 2.68% 6.8%
2012 3.26% 5.1%
2011 4.84% 8.4%
2010 4.5% 6.8%
2009 4.61% 11.6%
2008 10.6% 14.1%
2007 5.48% 9%
2006 3.06% 9.7%
2005 4.14% 12.7%
2004 1.25% 10.9%
2003 0.96% 13.7%
2002 0.89% 15.8%
2001 1.3% 21.5%
2000 1.81% 20.8%
1999 2.99% 85.7%
1998 0.13% 27.7%
1997 0.68% 14.8%

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/russia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.13M
Machinery & equipment $742K
Metals $381K
Textiles & consumer goods $298K
Precious metals & jewellery $82K
Miscellaneous $22K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Russia
Export category Export value
Metals $608M
Chemicals & pharma $14.5M
Business & finance services $9.42M
Machinery & equipment $9.27M
Wood & paper products $6.33M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.01M
Animal & marine products $2.08M
IT & IP services $2.02M
Raw materials & minerals $1.05M
Textiles & consumer goods $762K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Russia
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Russia
Economic freedom 59.9 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 161/197
Property rights 42 18.6
Government integrity 47.9 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 22.8
Tax burden 97.7 81.9
Government spending 36.2 61.3
Fiscal health 99.9 94.4
Business freedom 57.4 51.4
Labor freedom 49.2 59.1
Monetary freedom 68.7 61.8
Trade freedom 75.8 69.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Russia
2026 59.9 50.3
2025 59.9 51.6
2024 58.5 52
2023 56.7 53.8
2022 58.3 56.1
2021 64.1 61.5
2020 63.2 61
2019 60.8 58.9
2018 62.2 58.2
2017 65.1 57.1
2016 62.7 50.6
2015 62.5 52.1
2014 62.3 51.9
2013 63.1 51.1
2012 62.5 50.5
2011 64.9 50.5
2010 67.7 50.3
2009 65.6 50.8
2008 68.1 49.8
2007 66.4 52.2
2006 66.5 52.4
2005 64.6 51.3
2004 63.6 52.8
2003 66.7 50.8
2002 65.4 48.7
2001 68.2 49.8
2000 69.7 51.8
1999 69.5 54.5
1998 66.3 52.8
1997 64.8 48.6
1996 66.1 51.6
1995 - 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Russia
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
26.3%
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/russia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1996, 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.