Skip to content

Economy of Kuwait vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 59/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Kuwait vs Serbia GDP by year

Kuwait
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Serbia
2024 $160,227,273,053 $90,097,765,959
2023 $165,384,407,116 $81,343,999,280
2022 $183,502,046,694 $66,809,895,701
2021 $148,350,671,489 $66,159,884,073
2020 $111,045,470,606 $55,874,017,669
2019 $140,856,394,861 $53,864,693,665
2018 $138,646,316,351 $52,787,520,249
2017 $120,687,539,806 $45,972,834,714
2016 $109,406,674,125 $42,225,495,910
2015 $114,585,555,689 $41,297,410,635
2014 $162,650,450,685 $49,114,321,280
2013 $174,168,116,535 $50,455,529,604
2012 $174,047,662,680 $45,103,269,969
2011 $154,039,231,246 $51,251,098,408
2010 $115,416,245,242 $43,536,629,233
2009 $105,968,691,905 $46,955,984,410
2008 $147,379,737,230 $54,220,641,202
2007 $114,634,043,362 $44,888,028,946
2006 $101,557,330,723 $33,298,057,362
2005 $80,798,630,137 $28,334,256,181
2004 $59,439,090,601 $26,845,632,342
2003 $47,874,582,232 $23,593,044,418
2002 $38,135,788,414 $17,930,583,571
2001 $34,889,559,870 $13,599,378,662
2000 $37,718,743,480 $7,326,373,882
1999 $30,122,365,849 $20,878,694,851
1998 $25,943,705,784 $21,004,077,441
1997 $30,350,190,704 $27,153,408,995
1996 $31,492,373,309 $23,277,430,168
1995 $27,186,980,647 $17,921,892,655
1994 $24,848,483,838 -
1993 $23,941,391,391 -
1992 $19,858,555,215 -
1991 $11,009,993,703 -
1990 $18,427,777,778 -
1989 $24,313,855,653 -
1988 $20,690,322,153 -
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/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Serbia by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $975 $6,416
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $14,930 $53,946 - -
1993 $14,318 $48,482 - -
1992 $12,146 $36,149 - -
1991 $8,147 $23,390 - -
1990 $10,938 $30,763 - -
1989 $10,965 - - -
1988 $9,692 - - -
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/serbia | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Serbia
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
7.24%
2024
Population
5100145
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 46% 54.3%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 39% 51.1%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 40.3% 65%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 41% 67.1%
2014 45% 3.43% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 40% 42%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 40.6% 30%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 41.3% 37%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 41.4% 23% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 28% 200.6%
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/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 184/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Serbia
2024 23.8% -1.75%
2023 28.2% -1.21%
2022 30% -0.14%
2021 9.98% -3.16%
2020 0.14% -6.91%
2019 13% -0.004%
2018 17.5% 0.78%
2017 15.3% 1.32%
2016 13.1% -1.08%
2015 16.6% -3.25%
2014 30% -5.61%
2013 40.6% -4.79%
2012 40.7% -6.11%
2011 38.8% -3.75%
2010 31.9% -3.35%
2009 31.3% -3.3%
2008 21.3% -4.25%
2007 37.1% -0.8%
2006 28% -0.9%
2005 38.9% 1.02%
2004 32.5% 0.06%
2003 27.2% -2.39%
2002 31% -2.33%
2001 45.2% 0.32%
2000 52.5% -0.15%
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/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Serbia
2024 2.9% 4.67%
2023 3.64% 12.4%
2022 3.98% 12%
2021 3.42% 4.09%
2020 2.1% 1.58%
2019 1.09% 1.85%
2018 0.54% 1.96%
2017 2.17% 3.13%
2016 3.2% 1.12%
2015 3.27% 1.39%
2014 2.91% 2.08%
2013 2.68% 7.69%
2012 3.26% 7.33%
2011 4.84% 11.1%
2010 4.5% 6.14%
2009 4.61% 8.12%
2008 10.6% 12.4%
2007 5.48% 6.39%
2006 3.06% 11.7%
2005 4.14% 16.1%
2004 1.25% 11%
2003 0.96% 9.88%
2002 0.89% 19.5%
2001 1.3% 95%
2000 1.81% 71.1%
1999 2.99% 42.5%
1998 0.13% 30.2%
1997 0.68% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Machinery & equipment $15K
Animal & marine products $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.32M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.19M
Machinery & equipment $505K
Textiles & consumer goods $263K
Metals $250K
Raw materials & minerals $220K
Weapons & explosives $183K
Miscellaneous $170K
Chemicals & pharma $129K
Wood & paper products $36K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Serbia
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Serbia
Economic freedom 59.9 65
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 68/197
Property rights 42 57.2
Government integrity 47.9 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 50.1
Tax burden 97.7 88
Government spending 36.2 48.2
Fiscal health 99.9 94.3
Business freedom 57.4 73.6
Labor freedom 49.2 61.8
Monetary freedom 68.7 73
Trade freedom 75.8 76.6
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Serbia
2026 59.9 65
2025 59.9 64.4
2024 58.5 62.7
2023 56.7 63.5
2022 58.3 65.2
2021 64.1 67.2
2020 63.2 66
2019 60.8 63.9
2018 62.2 62.5
2017 65.1 58.9
2016 62.7 62.1
2015 62.5 60
2014 62.3 59.4
2013 63.1 58.6
2012 62.5 58
2011 64.9 58
2010 67.7 56.9
2009 65.6 56.6
2008 68.1 -
2007 66.4 -
2006 66.5 -
2005 64.6 -
2004 63.6 -
2003 66.7 43.5
2002 65.4 46.6
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/serbia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Serbia
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
25%
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/serbia | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.