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Economy of Kuwait vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 59/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Kuwait vs Sudan GDP by year

Kuwait
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Sudan
2024 $160,227,273,053 $49,672,435,513
2023 $165,384,407,116 $39,898,289,821
2022 $183,502,046,694 $51,666,875,363
2021 $148,350,671,489 $34,229,513,775
2020 $111,045,470,606 $27,034,593,750
2019 $140,856,394,861 $32,338,079,165
2018 $138,646,316,351 $32,333,780,383
2017 $120,687,539,806 $41,283,617,976
2016 $109,406,674,125 $42,630,376,000
2015 $114,585,555,689 $51,726,758,677
2014 $162,650,450,685 $49,516,748,618
2013 $174,168,116,535 $43,024,018,082
2012 $174,047,662,680 $37,632,919,967
2011 $154,039,231,246 $55,018,567,211
2010 $115,416,245,242 $58,962,978,034
2009 $105,968,691,905 $51,621,044,077
2008 $147,379,737,230 $64,833,083,257
2007 $114,634,043,362 $59,440,139,775
2006 $101,557,330,723 $45,263,831,634
2005 $80,798,630,137 $35,182,711,988
2004 $59,439,090,601 $26,646,007,251
2003 $47,874,582,232 $21,355,298,460
2002 $38,135,788,414 $18,137,128,388
2001 $34,889,559,870 $15,716,361,792
2000 $37,718,743,480 $12,257,299,147
1999 $30,122,365,849 $10,682,028,340
1998 $25,943,705,784 $11,250,221,537
1997 $30,350,190,704 $11,681,175,864
1996 $31,492,373,309 $9,018,300,725
1995 $27,186,980,647 $13,830,363,900
1994 $24,848,483,838 $12,793,794,737
1993 $23,941,391,391 $8,881,005,436
1992 $19,858,555,215 $7,031,933,492
1991 $11,009,993,703 $44,171,194,366
1990 $18,427,777,778 $33,641,222,222
1989 $24,313,855,653 $21,408,111,111
1988 $20,690,322,153 $14,372,555,556
1987 $22,368,704,134 $12,093,333,333
1986 $17,903,989,745 $10,092,200,000
1985 $21,445,970,614 $8,075,259,600
1984 $21,700,082,753 $10,447,615,385
1983 $20,871,081,080 $8,230,153,846
1982 $21,577,153,356 $8,732,542,274
1981 $25,058,020,338 $10,753,888,154
1980 $28,638,868,356 $8,951,800,000
1979 $24,749,063,922 $8,418,407,787
1978 $15,503,557,496 $8,128,719,315
1977 $14,137,406,741 $7,499,005,639
1976 $13,132,252,802 $6,013,210,816
1975 $12,022,811,621 $4,823,090,192
1974 $13,006,948,296 $3,958,931,660
1973 $5,408,804,607 $3,077,254,460
1972 $4,450,537,925 $2,483,055,722
1971 $3,880,392,195 $2,288,340,041
1970 $2,873,638,851 $2,100,229,759
1969 $2,769,198,892 $1,847,501,441
1968 $2,662,798,935 $1,677,771,401
1967 $2,441,599,023 $1,607,409,539
1966 $2,391,199,044 $1,484,491,676
1965 $2,097,199,161 $1,446,869,619
1964 $2,071,668,533 $1,388,282,600
1963 $1,900,895,857 $1,351,234,926
1962 $1,828,107,503 $1,328,259,625
1961 - $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Sudan by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $985 $2,116
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $797 $2,421
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $712 $3,249
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $578 $3,349
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $710 $3,914
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $731 $4,199
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $967 $4,252
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $872 $3,215
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $714 $3,058
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $621 $2,898
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $551 $2,769
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $441 $2,616
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $394 $2,475
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $425 $2,428
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $453 $2,358
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $357 $2,006
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $561 $1,902
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $532 $1,805
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $379 $1,794
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $307 $1,710
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $10,965 - $992 -
1988 $9,692 - $680 -
1987 $10,896 - $584 -
1986 $9,077 - $497 -
1985 $11,322 - $406 -
1984 $11,919 - $534 -
1983 $11,965 - $431 -
1982 $12,979 - $472 -
1981 $15,825 - $605 -
1980 $19,032 - $525 -
1979 $17,386 - $515 -
1978 $11,567 - $518 -
1977 $11,238 - $497 -
1976 $11,141 - $413 -
1975 $10,882 - $343 -
1974 $12,527 - $291.5 -
1973 $5,532 - $235.8 -
1972 $4,836 - $198.2 -
1971 $4,486 - $189 -
1970 $3,552 - $179.6 -
1969 $3,695 - $163.5 -
1968 $3,872 - $153.7 -
1967 $3,887 - $152.4 -
1966 $4,176 - $145.6 -
1965 $4,024 - $146.8 -
1964 $4,379 - $145.7 -
1963 $4,445 - $146.6 -
1962 $4,748 - $148.9 -
1961 - - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Sudan
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
7.53%
2022
Population
5100145
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 45% 3.43% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 18.8% 71%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 41.4% 23% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 52% 34.9% 12.9% 239%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 19.6% 386%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 50.4% 495%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 45.7% -
1990 122.9% - 31% -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 184/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Sudan
2024 23.8% -3.46%
2023 28.2% -3.7%
2022 30% -2.15%
2021 9.98% -0.29%
2020 0.14% -6.03%
2019 13% -10.8%
2018 17.5% -7.92%
2017 15.3% -6.07%
2016 13.1% -3.92%
2015 16.6% -3.87%
2014 30% -4.72%
2013 40.6% -5.76%
2012 40.7% -7.37%
2011 38.8% -2.33%
2010 31.9% 0.11%
2009 31.3% -3.8%
2008 21.3% 0.49%
2007 37.1% -2.84%
2006 28% -1.32%
2005 38.9% -1.88%
2004 32.5% 0.16%
2003 27.2% 0.77%
2002 31% -0.69%
2001 45.2% -0.77%
2000 52.5% -0.7%
1999 28.2% -0.8%
1998 19.5% -0.56%
1997 29.5% -0.59%
1996 24.3% -2.61%
1995 11.7% -3.48%
1994 1.76% -3.03%
1993 -3.12% -8.04%
1992 -28.1% -24.5%
1991 -145% -26.5%
1990 -50% -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Sudan
2024 2.9% -
2023 3.64% -
2022 3.98% 138.8%
2021 3.42% 359%
2020 2.1% 163.3%
2019 1.09% 51%
2018 0.54% 63.3%
2017 2.17% 32.4%
2016 3.2% 17.8%
2015 3.27% 16.9%
2014 2.91% 36.9%
2013 2.68% 36.5%
2012 3.26% 35.6%
2011 4.84% 18.1%
2010 4.5% 13%
2009 4.61% 11.3%
2008 10.6% 14.3%
2007 5.48% 14.8%
2006 3.06% 7.2%
2005 4.14% 8.51%
2004 1.25% 9.66%
2003 0.96% 6.49%
2002 0.89% 22.2%
2001 1.3% 1.94%
2000 1.81% 7.12%
1999 2.99% 17.2%
1998 0.13% 24.6%
1997 0.68% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.92%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.14M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $148K
Metals $86K
Chemicals & pharma $54K
Raw materials & minerals $54K
Miscellaneous $50K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Raw agricultural goods $27K
Animal & marine products $6K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $4.3M
Raw agricultural goods $3.43M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Sudan
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Sudan
Economic freedom 59.9 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 191/197
Property rights 42 6.5
Government integrity 47.9 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 2.4
Tax burden 97.7 84.7
Government spending 36.2 96.5
Fiscal health 99.9 64.6
Business freedom 57.4 27.3
Labor freedom 49.2 33.6
Monetary freedom 68.7 6.2
Trade freedom 75.8 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Sudan
2026 59.9 32.5
2025 59.9 35.3
2024 58.5 33.9
2023 56.7 32.8
2022 58.3 32
2021 64.1 39.1
2020 63.2 45
2019 60.8 47.7
2018 62.2 49.4
2017 65.1 48.8
2016 62.7 -
2015 62.5 -
2014 62.3 -
2013 63.1 -
2012 62.5 -
2011 64.9 -
2010 67.7 -
2009 65.6 -
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 47.2
1999 69.5 39.6
1998 66.3 38.3
1997 64.8 39.9
1996 66.1 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Sudan
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.