Skip to content

Economy of Kuwait vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 59/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Kuwait vs Samoa GDP by year

Kuwait
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Samoa
2024 $160,227,273,053 $1,175,749,786
2023 $165,384,407,116 $1,044,909,500
2022 $183,502,046,694 $889,554,712
2021 $148,350,671,489 $859,724,936
2020 $111,045,470,606 $868,884,903
2019 $140,856,394,861 $912,950,466
2018 $138,646,316,351 $878,448,433
2017 $120,687,539,806 $884,844,384
2016 $109,406,674,125 $843,924,797
2015 $114,585,555,689 $824,150,499
2014 $162,650,450,685 $796,683,520
2013 $174,168,116,535 $797,736,334
2012 $174,047,662,680 $773,141,661
2011 $154,039,231,246 $744,097,050
2010 $115,416,245,242 $680,260,907
2009 $105,968,691,905 $628,006,115
2008 $147,379,737,230 $641,346,192
2007 $114,634,043,362 $573,548,460
2006 $101,557,330,723 $499,923,758
2005 $80,798,630,137 $476,801,793
2004 $59,439,090,601 $407,747,565
2003 $47,874,582,232 $333,426,188
2002 $38,135,788,414 $281,790,134
2001 $34,889,559,870 $266,299,591
2000 $37,718,743,480 $258,856,140
1999 $30,122,365,849 $255,408,060
1998 $25,943,705,784 $269,485,244
1997 $30,350,190,704 $285,475,592
1996 $31,492,373,309 $249,907,869
1995 $27,186,980,647 $224,865,731
1994 $24,848,483,838 $221,098,107
1993 $23,941,391,391 $133,122,897
1992 $19,858,555,215 $132,303,041
1991 $11,009,993,703 $125,597,205
1990 $18,427,777,778 $125,766,270
1989 $24,313,855,653 $122,888,610
1988 $20,690,322,153 $133,016,065
1987 $22,368,704,134 $111,713,922
1986 $17,903,989,745 $100,947,849
1985 $21,445,970,614 $95,572,173
1984 $21,700,082,753 $109,200,934
1983 $20,871,081,080 $111,862,824
1982 $21,577,153,356 $121,221,652
1981 $25,058,020,338 $118,190,655
1980 $28,638,868,356 $125,747,038
1979 $24,749,063,922 $122,257,393
1978 $15,503,557,496 $108,223,444
1977 $14,137,406,741 $98,295,671
1976 $13,132,252,802 $85,003,078
1975 $12,022,811,621 $93,489,283
1974 $13,006,948,296 $93,549,611
1973 $5,408,804,607 $82,452,985
1972 $4,450,537,925 $62,566,116
1971 $3,880,392,195 $53,719,569
1970 $2,873,638,851 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Samoa by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $775 $2,323
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $777 $2,198
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $742 $2,166
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $744 $2,148
1989 $10,965 - $728 -
1988 $9,692 - $790 -
1987 $10,896 - $666 -
1986 $9,077 - $604 -
1985 $11,322 - $573 -
1984 $11,919 - $655 -
1983 $11,965 - $671 -
1982 $12,979 - $728 -
1981 $15,825 - $713 -
1980 $19,032 - $765 -
1979 $17,386 - $751 -
1978 $11,567 - $671 -
1977 $11,238 - $615 -
1976 $11,141 - $541 -
1975 $10,882 - $610 -
1974 $12,527 - $626 -
1973 $5,532 - $563 -
1972 $4,836 - $433 -
1971 $4,486 - $377 -
1970 $3,552 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Samoa
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$3,750
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
5.05%
2022
Population
5100145
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 31.1% 41%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 30% 49.4%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 27.3% 49%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 45% 3.43% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 41.4% 23% 30% 53.8%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 31% -
1996 42.8% 26.5% 38.9% -
1995 52% 34.9% 42.2% -
1994 57.8% 37.7% 54.1% -
1993 58.2% 28.8% 49.5% -
1992 77.6% 27.9% 43.4% -
1991 208.9% 45.3% - -
1990 122.9% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 184/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Samoa
2024 23.8% 9.29%
2023 28.2% 2.7%
2022 30% 5.03%
2021 9.98% 1.71%
2020 0.14% 5.41%
2019 13% 1.51%
2018 17.5% 0.06%
2017 15.3% -1.98%
2016 13.1% -0.35%
2015 16.6% -3.79%
2014 30% -5.38%
2013 40.6% -3.82%
2012 40.7% -7.43%
2011 38.8% -5.25%
2010 31.9% -5.49%
2009 31.3% -2.98%
2008 21.3% -0.36%
2007 37.1% 0.55%
2006 28% -0.44%
2005 38.9% 0.23%
2004 32.5% -0.74%
2003 27.2% -0.51%
2002 31% -1.77%
2001 45.2% -1.96%
2000 52.5% -0.62%
1999 28.2% 0.27%
1998 19.5% 1.64%
1997 29.5% 1.92%
1996 24.3% 1.21%
1995 11.7% -5.82%
1994 1.76% -9.51%
1993 -3.12% -13.2%
1992 -28.1% -9.89%
1991 -145% -
1990 -50% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 2 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 23.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Samoa
2024 2.9% 2.17%
2023 3.64% 7.92%
2022 3.98% 11%
2021 3.42% 3.13%
2020 2.1% -1.57%
2019 1.09% 0.98%
2018 0.54% 4.2%
2017 2.17% 1.75%
2016 3.2% 1.3%
2015 3.27% 0.72%
2014 2.91% -0.41%
2013 2.68% 0.61%
2012 3.26% 2.05%
2011 4.84% 5.24%
2010 4.5% 0.78%
2009 4.61% 6.32%
2008 10.6% 11.6%
2007 5.48% 5.58%
2006 3.06% 3.7%
2005 4.14% 1.86%
2004 1.25% 16.3%
2003 0.96% 0.12%
2002 0.89% 8.05%
2001 1.3% 3.84%
2000 1.81% 0.97%
1999 2.99% 0.27%
1998 0.13% 2.22%
1997 0.68% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 2.17% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1K
Samoa
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Kuwait Samoa
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Samoa
Economic freedom 59.9 68
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 52/197
Property rights 42 77.1
Government integrity 47.9 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 77.6
Tax burden 97.7 79.3
Government spending 36.2 75.2
Fiscal health 99.9 98.7
Business freedom 57.4 63.7
Labor freedom 49.2 73.7
Monetary freedom 68.7 69.4
Trade freedom 75.8 67.2
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Samoa
2026 59.9 68
2025 59.9 66.6
2024 58.5 67.2
2023 56.7 68.3
2022 58.3 68.3
2021 64.1 61.9
2020 63.2 62.1
2019 60.8 62.2
2018 62.2 61.5
2017 65.1 58.4
2016 62.7 63.5
2015 62.5 61.9
2014 62.3 61.1
2013 63.1 57.1
2012 62.5 60.5
2011 64.9 60.6
2010 67.7 60.4
2009 65.6 59.5
2008 68.1 -
2007 66.4 -
2006 66.5 -
2005 64.6 -
2004 63.6 -
2003 66.7 -
2002 65.4 -
2001 68.2 63.1
2000 69.7 60.8
1999 69.5 58.7
1998 66.3 49.9
1997 64.8 51.5
1996 66.1 47.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Samoa
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
29%
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/samoa | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.