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Economy of Kuwait vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 59/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Kuwait vs Singapore GDP by year

Kuwait
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Singapore
2024 $160,227,273,053 $547,386,645,892
2023 $165,384,407,116 $505,439,514,078
2022 $183,502,046,694 $509,017,841,147
2021 $148,350,671,489 $436,591,382,250
2020 $111,045,470,606 $349,165,858,545
2019 $140,856,394,861 $376,161,998,830
2018 $138,646,316,351 $377,123,710,561
2017 $120,687,539,806 $343,673,334,902
2016 $109,406,674,125 $319,646,468,521
2015 $114,585,555,689 $307,998,545,269
2014 $162,650,450,685 $314,863,580,758
2013 $174,168,116,535 $307,576,360,585
2012 $174,047,662,680 $295,092,888,077
2011 $154,039,231,246 $279,356,499,090
2010 $115,416,245,242 $239,807,980,591
2009 $105,968,691,905 $194,150,283,772
2008 $147,379,737,230 $193,617,323,539
2007 $114,634,043,362 $180,941,701,358
2006 $101,557,330,723 $148,627,286,361
2005 $80,798,630,137 $127,807,848,728
2004 $59,439,090,601 $115,033,593,101
2003 $47,874,582,232 $97,646,401,096
2002 $38,135,788,414 $92,538,372,870
2001 $34,889,559,870 $89,793,790,670
2000 $37,718,743,480 $96,076,539,926
1999 $30,122,365,849 $86,286,849,755
1998 $25,943,705,784 $85,728,207,782
1997 $30,350,190,704 $100,123,787,215
1996 $31,492,373,309 $96,293,086,513
1995 $27,186,980,647 $87,812,540,788
1994 $24,848,483,838 $73,688,724,431
1993 $23,941,391,391 $60,603,815,716
1992 $19,858,555,215 $52,131,320,033
1991 $11,009,993,703 $45,466,164,978
1990 $18,427,777,778 $36,144,336,769
1989 $24,313,855,653 $30,465,364,739
1988 $20,690,322,153 $25,371,462,488
1987 $22,368,704,134 $20,919,215,578
1986 $17,903,989,745 $18,586,746,057
1985 $21,445,970,614 $19,156,532,746
1984 $21,700,082,753 $19,749,361,098
1983 $20,871,081,080 $17,784,112,150
1982 $21,577,153,356 $16,084,252,378
1981 $25,058,020,338 $14,175,228,844
1980 $28,638,868,356 $11,896,256,783
1979 $24,749,063,922 $9,296,921,724
1978 $15,503,557,496 $7,517,176,355
1977 $14,137,406,741 $6,618,585,074
1976 $13,132,252,802 $6,327,077,974
1975 $12,022,811,621 $5,633,673,930
1974 $13,006,948,296 $5,221,534,956
1973 $5,408,804,607 $3,696,213,333
1972 $4,450,537,925 $2,721,440,981
1971 $3,880,392,195 $2,263,785,444
1970 $2,873,638,851 $1,920,574,150
1969 $2,769,198,892 $1,659,893,768
1968 $2,662,798,935 $1,425,706,091
1967 $2,441,599,023 $1,238,035,816
1966 $2,391,199,044 $1,096,425,608
1965 $2,097,199,161 $974,644,096
1964 $2,071,668,533 $894,153,311
1963 $1,900,895,857 $917,608,012
1962 $1,828,107,503 $826,239,212
1961 - $764,629,788
1960 - $704,751,700

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Singapore by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $10,965 - $10,395 -
1988 $9,692 - $8,914 -
1987 $10,896 - $7,539 -
1986 $9,077 - $6,800 -
1985 $11,322 - $7,002 -
1984 $11,919 - $7,228 -
1983 $11,965 - $6,633 -
1982 $12,979 - $6,078 -
1981 $15,825 - $5,597 -
1980 $19,032 - $4,928 -
1979 $17,386 - $3,901 -
1978 $11,567 - $3,194 -
1977 $11,238 - $2,846 -
1976 $11,141 - $2,759 -
1975 $10,882 - $2,490 -
1974 $12,527 - $2,342 -
1973 $5,532 - $1,685 -
1972 $4,836 - $1,264 -
1971 $4,486 - $1,071 -
1970 $3,552 - $926 -
1969 $3,695 - $813 -
1968 $3,872 - $709 -
1967 $3,887 - $626 -
1966 $4,176 - $567 -
1965 $4,024 - $517 -
1964 $4,379 - $486 -
1963 $4,445 - $511 -
1962 $4,748 - $472 -
1961 - - $449 -
1960 - - $428 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Singapore
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
2.74%
2024
Population
5100145
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 15% 154.3%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 14% 127.9%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 45% 3.43% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 14% 97.9%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 41.4% 23% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 52% 34.9% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 14.5% 79%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 122.9% - 15.1% 73.5%

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 184/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Singapore
2024 23.8% 4.44%
2023 28.2% 3.47%
2022 30% 1.21%
2021 9.98% 1.13%
2020 0.14% -6.73%
2019 13% 3.77%
2018 17.5% 3.68%
2017 15.3% 5.24%
2016 13.1% 3.25%
2015 16.6% 2.86%
2014 30% 4.6%
2013 40.6% 5.96%
2012 40.7% 7.34%
2011 38.8% 7.96%
2010 31.9% 5.68%
2009 31.3% -0.09%
2008 21.3% 3.59%
2007 37.1% 7.12%
2006 28% 2.16%
2005 38.9% 2.56%
2004 32.5% 2.06%
2003 27.2% 0.68%
2002 31% 2.23%
2001 45.2% 1.2%
2000 52.5% 4.59%
1999 28.2% 5.2%
1998 19.5% 2.41%
1997 29.5% 5.66%
1996 24.3% 1.98%
1995 11.7% 4.8%
1994 1.76% 7.9%
1993 -3.12% 4.36%
1992 -28.1% 2.7%
1991 -145% 0.68%
1990 -50% 1.97%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Singapore
2024 2.9% 2.39%
2023 3.64% 4.83%
2022 3.98% 6.13%
2021 3.42% 2.32%
2020 2.1% -0.17%
2019 1.09% 0.57%
2018 0.54% 0.44%
2017 2.17% 0.58%
2016 3.2% -0.53%
2015 3.27% -0.52%
2014 2.91% 1.03%
2013 2.68% 2.36%
2012 3.26% 4.58%
2011 4.84% 5.25%
2010 4.5% 2.83%
2009 4.61% 0.59%
2008 10.6% 6.64%
2007 5.48% 2.11%
2006 3.06% 0.97%
2005 4.14% 0.43%
2004 1.25% 1.66%
2003 0.96% 0.51%
2002 0.89% -0.39%
2001 1.3% 1%
2000 1.81% 1.36%
1999 2.99% 0.02%
1998 0.13% -0.27%
1997 0.68% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $35.7M
Chemicals & pharma $8.15M
Raw materials & minerals $4.78M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.11M
Metals $374K
Precious metals & jewellery $202K
Miscellaneous $8K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $239M
Miscellaneous $163M
Metals $30.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.1M
Chemicals & pharma $7.92M
Raw materials & minerals $4.44M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.94M
Wood & paper products $2.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.74M
Raw agricultural goods $1.02M

Balance of trade

Kuwait Singapore
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$583B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$351B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Singapore
Economic freedom 59.9 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 1/197
Property rights 42 89.2
Government integrity 47.9 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 58.3
Tax burden 97.7 89.5
Government spending 36.2 93.4
Fiscal health 99.9 80
Business freedom 57.4 90.6
Labor freedom 49.2 77
Monetary freedom 68.7 83.5
Trade freedom 75.8 95
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Singapore
2026 59.9 84.4
2025 59.9 84.1
2024 58.5 83.5
2023 56.7 83.9
2022 58.3 84.4
2021 64.1 89.7
2020 63.2 89.4
2019 60.8 89.4
2018 62.2 88.8
2017 65.1 88.6
2016 62.7 87.8
2015 62.5 89.4
2014 62.3 89.4
2013 63.1 88
2012 62.5 87.5
2011 64.9 87.2
2010 67.7 86.1
2009 65.6 87.1
2008 68.1 87.3
2007 66.4 87.1
2006 66.5 88
2005 64.6 88.6
2004 63.6 88.9
2003 66.7 88.2
2002 65.4 87.4
2001 68.2 87.8
2000 69.7 87.7
1999 69.5 86.9
1998 66.3 87
1997 64.8 87.3
1996 66.1 86.5
1995 - 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Singapore
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$55.3B
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
22.2%
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/singapore | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.

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.