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Economy of Kuwait vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 59/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Kuwait vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Kuwait
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Sao Tome
2024 $160,227,273,053 $822,154,621
2023 $165,384,407,116 $690,456,807
2022 $183,502,046,694 $540,809,499
2021 $148,350,671,489 $524,402,456
2020 $111,045,470,606 $471,229,485
2019 $140,856,394,861 $412,976,083
2018 $138,646,316,351 $383,717,328
2017 $120,687,539,806 $322,002,845
2016 $109,406,674,125 $292,267,272
2015 $114,585,555,689 $259,999,643
2014 $162,650,450,685 $293,119,143
2013 $174,168,116,535 $267,041,748
2012 $174,047,662,680 $225,815,132
2011 $154,039,231,246 $226,455,001
2010 $115,416,245,242 $190,021,192
2009 $105,968,691,905 $200,668,065
2008 $147,379,737,230 $188,021,165
2007 $114,634,043,362 $149,146,919
2006 $101,557,330,723 $142,775,104
2005 $80,798,630,137 $136,450,662
2004 $59,439,090,601 $114,582,284
2003 $47,874,582,232 $102,085,769
2002 $38,135,788,414 $85,171,074
2001 $34,889,559,870 $75,951,133
2000 $37,718,743,480 $76,198,395
1999 $30,122,365,849 $77,302,212
1998 $25,943,705,784 $72,285,404
1997 $30,350,190,704 $91,920,274
1996 $31,492,373,309 $135,188,166
1995 $27,186,980,647 $103,695,237
1994 $24,848,483,838 $131,338,415
1993 $23,941,391,391 $125,742,229
1992 $19,858,555,215 $94,861,781
1991 $11,009,993,703 $107,484,143
1990 $18,427,777,778 $119,297,933
1989 $24,313,855,653 $98,545,367
1988 $20,690,322,153 $99,000,764
1987 $22,368,704,134 $115,952,925
1986 $17,903,989,745 $115,928,907
1985 $21,445,970,614 $82,733,069
1984 $21,700,082,753 $78,213,796
1983 $20,871,081,080 $75,110,289
1982 $21,577,153,356 $80,307,763
1981 $25,058,020,338 $83,499,264
1980 $28,638,868,356 $81,662,231
1979 $24,749,063,922 $65,755,928
1978 $15,503,557,496 $55,044,563
1977 $14,137,406,741 $49,207,692
1976 $13,132,252,802 $52,039,421
1975 $12,022,811,621 $60,101,710
1974 $13,006,948,296 $57,817,591
1973 $5,408,804,607 $56,011,245
1972 $4,450,537,925 $41,430,257
1971 $3,880,392,195 $37,288,845
1970 $2,873,638,851 $37,211,826
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $879 $2,650
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $862 $2,551
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $844 $2,329
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $727 $2,171
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $664 $2,094
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $568 $1,945
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $519 $1,898
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $529 $1,830
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $543 $1,802
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $514 $1,754
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $662 $1,714
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $987 $1,693
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $769 $1,663
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $990 $1,623
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $964 $1,581
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $740 $1,556
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $855 $1,540
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $970 $1,504
1989 $10,965 - $821 -
1988 $9,692 - $847 -
1987 $10,896 - $1,018 -
1986 $9,077 - $1,043 -
1985 $11,322 - $761 -
1984 $11,919 - $735 -
1983 $11,965 - $720 -
1982 $12,979 - $783 -
1981 $15,825 - $830 -
1980 $19,032 - $829 -
1979 $17,386 - $683 -
1978 $11,567 - $587 -
1977 $11,238 - $539 -
1976 $11,141 - $585 -
1975 $10,882 - $693 -
1974 $12,527 - $683 -
1973 $5,532 - $676 -
1972 $4,836 - $511 -
1971 $4,486 - $470 -
1970 $3,552 - $479 -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
6.66%
2017
Population
5100145
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 23.2% 91%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 45% 3.43% 36% 92.5%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 53.4% 86%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 51.7% 83%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 43.7% 334%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 60.6% 354%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 51.9% 329%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 44.3% 367%
2001 41.4% 23% 52.8% 418%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 10.7% -
1999 44.5% 25.5% - -
1998 51.7% 25.6% - -
1997 43.8% 24.3% - -
1996 42.8% 26.5% - -
1995 52% 34.9% - -
1994 57.8% 37.7% - -
1993 58.2% 28.8% - -
1992 77.6% 27.9% - -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 184/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Sao Tome
2024 23.8% 0.92%
2023 28.2% -2.13%
2022 30% -2.24%
2021 9.98% -1.52%
2020 0.14% 2.94%
2019 13% -0.07%
2018 17.5% -2.02%
2017 15.3% -3.11%
2016 13.1% -5.01%
2015 16.6% -7.6%
2014 30% -6.27%
2013 40.6% 2.13%
2012 40.7% -12.3%
2011 38.8% -13%
2010 31.9% -12.1%
2009 31.3% -18%
2008 21.3% 13.6%
2007 37.1% 125.1%
2006 28% 18%
2005 38.9% 26.8%
2004 32.5% -25.1%
2003 27.2% -15.9%
2002 31% -10.4%
2001 45.2% -13.5%
2000 52.5% 51.5%
1999 28.2% -
1998 19.5% -
1997 29.5% -
1996 24.3% -
1995 11.7% -
1994 1.76% -
1993 -3.12% -
1992 -28.1% -
1991 -145% -
1990 -50% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.8% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Sao Tome
2024 2.9% 14.4%
2023 3.64% 21.2%
2022 3.98% 18%
2021 3.42% 8.1%
2020 2.1% 9.8%
2019 1.09% 7.7%
2018 0.54% 7.9%
2017 2.17% 5.7%
2016 3.2% 5.4%
2015 3.27% 6.1%
2014 2.91% 7%
2013 2.68% 8.1%
2012 3.26% 10.6%
2011 4.84% 14.3%
2010 4.5% 13.3%
2009 4.61% 17%
2008 10.6% 32%
2007 5.48% 18.6%
2006 3.06% 23.1%
2005 4.14% 17.2%
2004 1.25% 13.3%
2003 0.96% 9.8%
2002 0.89% 10.1%
2001 1.3% 9.2%
2000 1.81% 11%
1999 2.99% 11%
1998 0.13% 42.1%
1997 0.68% 69%

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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Kuwait Sao Tome
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Sao Tome
Economic freedom 59.9 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 93/197
Property rights 42 55.2
Government integrity 47.9 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 60.8
Tax burden 97.7 88.6
Government spending 36.2 80.6
Fiscal health 99.9 89.5
Business freedom 57.4 59.9
Labor freedom 49.2 40.8
Monetary freedom 68.7 59.4
Trade freedom 75.8 65
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Sao Tome
2026 59.9 60.6
2025 59.9 60.4
2024 58.5 60.5
2023 56.7 61.5
2022 58.3 60.3
2021 64.1 55.9
2020 63.2 56.2
2019 60.8 54
2018 62.2 53.6
2017 65.1 55.4
2016 62.7 56.7
2015 62.5 53.3
2014 62.3 48.8
2013 63.1 48
2012 62.5 50.2
2011 64.9 49.5
2010 67.7 48.8
2009 65.6 43.8
2008 68.1 -
2007 66.4 -
2006 66.5 -
2005 64.6 -
2004 63.6 -
2003 66.7 -
2002 65.4 -
2001 68.2 -
2000 69.7 -
1999 69.5 -
1998 66.3 -
1997 64.8 -
1996 66.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
n/a

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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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. 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.