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Economy of Kuwait vs Sweden compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $604B for Sweden, ranking 59/197 and 26/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $199B (33% of GDP) in Sweden.

Kuwait vs Sweden GDP by year

Kuwait
Sweden
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Sweden
2024 $160,227,273,053 $603,715,224,266
2023 $165,384,407,116 $578,990,915,246
2022 $183,502,046,694 $575,071,237,641
2021 $148,350,671,489 $631,693,331,301
2020 $111,045,470,606 $544,265,668,452
2019 $140,856,394,861 $530,894,124,494
2018 $138,646,316,351 $549,649,344,043
2017 $120,687,539,806 $535,172,356,785
2016 $109,406,674,125 $513,058,312,951
2015 $114,585,555,689 $501,602,351,912
2014 $162,650,450,685 $577,727,767,304
2013 $174,168,116,535 $584,125,353,119
2012 $174,047,662,680 $549,739,674,655
2011 $154,039,231,246 $570,538,581,144
2010 $115,416,245,242 $492,750,897,239
2009 $105,968,691,905 $434,311,714,442
2008 $147,379,737,230 $514,614,100,833
2007 $114,634,043,362 $490,047,789,548
2006 $101,557,330,723 $422,528,394,459
2005 $80,798,630,137 $391,688,455,929
2004 $59,439,090,601 $384,545,442,175
2003 $47,874,582,232 $334,072,443,516
2002 $38,135,788,414 $267,371,907,447
2001 $34,889,559,870 $242,497,797,485
2000 $37,718,743,480 $262,903,560,280
1999 $30,122,365,849 $274,318,357,862
1998 $25,943,705,784 $270,887,306,759
1997 $30,350,190,704 $268,249,616,891
1996 $31,492,373,309 $291,949,597,375
1995 $27,186,980,647 $267,050,453,507
1994 $24,848,483,838 $228,699,066,874
1993 $23,941,391,391 $212,644,602,616
1992 $19,858,555,215 $283,908,914,454
1991 $11,009,993,703 $273,831,464,572
1990 $18,427,777,778 $261,466,577,009
1989 $24,313,855,653 $217,632,340,195
1988 $20,690,322,153 $206,686,590,776
1987 $22,368,704,134 $182,744,315,974
1986 $17,903,989,745 $150,279,869,729
1985 $21,445,970,614 $113,958,084,357
1984 $21,700,082,753 $109,043,045,407
1983 $20,871,081,080 $104,862,109,663
1982 $21,577,153,356 $114,214,731,799
1981 $25,058,020,338 $129,498,921,476
1980 $28,638,868,356 $141,886,067,004
1979 $24,749,063,922 $123,207,527,699
1978 $15,503,557,496 $104,290,933,496
1977 $14,137,406,741 $94,331,782,622
1976 $13,132,252,802 $89,232,517,046
1975 $12,022,811,621 $82,765,232,648
1974 $13,006,948,296 $65,917,634,590
1973 $5,408,804,607 $59,318,842,992
1972 $4,450,537,925 $48,883,173,400
1971 $3,880,392,195 $41,506,151,115
1970 $2,873,638,851 $38,037,226,668
1969 $2,769,198,892 $33,967,301,561
1968 $2,662,798,935 $31,277,871,669
1967 $2,441,599,023 $29,474,881,506
1966 $2,391,199,044 $27,154,716,721
1965 $2,097,199,161 $24,963,947,415
1964 $2,071,668,533 $22,685,490,195
1963 $1,900,895,857 $20,342,131,882
1962 $1,828,107,503 $18,794,066,990
1961 - $17,329,620,585
1960 - $15,930,075,467

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Sweden by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sweden
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Sweden
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $57,117 $71,845
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $54,950 $69,226
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $54,837 $67,076
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $60,648 $62,732
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $52,569 $57,489
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $51,649 $57,046
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $54,018 $53,122
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $53,210 $51,474
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $51,704 $50,290
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $51,188 $48,772
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $59,583 $46,841
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $60,844 $46,098
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $57,750 $45,207
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $60,379 $44,333
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $52,543 $41,951
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $46,708 $40,094
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $55,817 $41,907
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $53,568 $40,813
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $46,531 $37,672
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $43,378 $34,198
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $42,758 $33,805
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $37,292 $31,788
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $29,958 $30,987
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $27,259 $29,946
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $29,633 $29,636
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $30,969 $27,496
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $30,605 $25,897
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $30,324 $24,817
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $33,022 $23,952
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $30,254 $23,084
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $26,046 $21,835
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $24,390 $20,700
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $32,753 $20,767
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $31,777 $20,663
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $30,549 $20,357
1989 $10,965 - $25,625 -
1988 $9,692 - $24,499 -
1987 $10,896 - $21,761 -
1986 $9,077 - $17,955 -
1985 $11,322 - $13,647 -
1984 $11,919 - $13,080 -
1983 $11,965 - $12,590 -
1982 $12,979 - $13,719 -
1981 $15,825 - $15,564 -
1980 $19,032 - $17,073 -
1979 $17,386 - $14,856 -
1978 $11,567 - $12,602 -
1977 $11,238 - $11,432 -
1976 $11,141 - $10,853 -
1975 $10,882 - $10,103 -
1974 $12,527 - $8,078 -
1973 $5,532 - $7,291 -
1972 $4,836 - $6,018 -
1971 $4,486 - $5,125 -
1970 $3,552 - $4,729 -
1969 $3,695 - $4,263 -
1968 $3,872 - $3,953 -
1967 $3,887 - $3,746 -
1966 $4,176 - $3,478 -
1965 $4,024 - $3,228 -
1964 $4,379 - $2,961 -
1963 $4,445 - $2,675 -
1962 $4,748 - $2,485 -
1961 - - $2,304 -
1960 - - $2,128 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $57,117 in Sweden, ranking 17/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Sweden ranks 23rd at $71,845.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Sweden
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$604B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
26/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
0.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$57,117
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$71,845
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
23/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$199B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
33%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$18,842
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
32/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$42,066
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$290B
2003
Number of millionaires n/a
490,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
49.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
2.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
1.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
8.31%
2024
Population
5100145
10680056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Sweden
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Sweden
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 49.3% 33%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 48.9% 31.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 48.3% 33.9%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 49.3% 37%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 52% 40.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 48.8% 35.8%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 49.8% 39.9%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 49.2% 41.6%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 49.5% 42.9%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 49.4% 44.5%
2014 45% 3.43% 50.7% 45.7%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 51.4% 40.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 50.2% 38%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 49.1% 37.7%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 49.7% 38.6%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 51.7% 41.2%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 49.4% 38%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 48.5% 39.2%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 50.1% 43.8%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 51.2% 48.9%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 51.7% 48.7%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 53% 49.4%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 52.7% 49.8%
2001 41.4% 23% 51.7% 52%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 52.2% 50.4%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 55.2% 60.3%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 55.6% 65.4%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 57.9% 67.7%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 60% 68.9%
1995 52% 34.9% 62.1% 68.7%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 65.3% 68.6%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 67.9% 66.1%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 66.5% 45.7%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 61.2% 40.2%
1990 122.9% - 57.5% 40.3%
1989 - - 35.8% 44.8%
1988 - - 37.9% 50.3%
1987 - - 40.9% 56%
1986 - - 42.1% 59.5%
1985 - - 47.6% 61.2%
1984 - - 46.7% 57.5%
1983 - - 48.6% 54.5%
1982 - - 46.4% 47.9%
1981 - - 46.1% 41.5%
1980 - - 41% 34.4%
1979 - - 39.9% 28.3%
1978 - - 39.1% 24%
1977 - - 35.7% 21%
1976 - - 32.3% 19%
1975 - - 30.6% 19.9%
1974 - - 30.1% 19.4%
1973 - - 31.1% 18%
1972 - - 31.9% 17.2%
1971 - - 29.8% 16.9%
1970 - - 29.5% 16.9%
1969 - - 28.7% 17.6%
1968 - - 28.3% 17.6%
1967 - - 27.7% 16.1%
1966 - - 26.5% 15.3%
1965 - - 24.6% 17%
1964 - - 23.4% 18.7%
1963 - - 24.4% 20.7%
1962 - - 23.4% 23%
1961 - - 23.7% 26%
1960 - - 24.4% 28.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Sweden spent $298B, or 49.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 33% in Sweden, ranking 184/185 and 148/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Sweden
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Sweden
2024 23.8% -1.72%
2023 28.2% -0.63%
2022 30% 1%
2021 9.98% -0.15%
2020 0.14% -3.18%
2019 13% 0.44%
2018 17.5% 0.67%
2017 15.3% 1.29%
2016 13.1% 0.86%
2015 16.6% -0.27%
2014 30% -1.84%
2013 40.6% -1.63%
2012 40.7% -1.19%
2011 38.8% -0.41%
2010 31.9% -0.14%
2009 31.3% -0.89%
2008 21.3% 1.87%
2007 37.1% 3.37%
2006 28% 2.2%
2005 38.9% 2.08%
2004 32.5% 0.17%
2003 27.2% -1.25%
2002 31% -1.46%
2001 45.2% 1.37%
2000 52.5% 3.11%
1999 28.2% 0.6%
1998 19.5% 0.82%
1997 29.5% -1.57%
1996 24.3% -3.11%
1995 11.7% -7.01%
1994 1.76% -8.77%
1993 -3.12% -10.9%
1992 -28.1% -8.51%
1991 -145% 0.28%
1990 -50% 3.7%
1989 - 1.5%
1988 - -0.64%
1987 - -2%
1986 - -6.21%
1985 - -9.91%
1984 - -12.1%
1983 - -15.1%
1982 - -13.4%
1981 - -12.8%
1980 - -11.5%
1979 - -9.95%
1978 - -7.32%
1977 - -3.32%
1976 - -1.27%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -4.12%
1973 - -3.28%
1972 - -2.17%
1971 - -1.67%
1970 - -2.64%
1969 - -2.03%
1968 - -2.37%
1967 - -1.41%
1966 - -0.33%
1965 - -0.17%
1964 - -0.1%
1963 - 0.41%
1962 - 0.7%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.67%
1959 - -2.53%
1958 - -2.31%
1957 - -2.1%
1956 - -1.21%
1955 - -1.72%
1954 - -1.52%
1953 - -2.47%
1952 - -0.16%
1951 - -0.9%
1950 - -1.64%
1949 - -0.74%
1948 - 0.29%
1947 - -1.08%
1946 - -0.61%
1945 - -8.04%
1944 - -8.66%
1943 - -10.7%
1942 - -11.8%
1941 - -13.1%
1940 - -8.16%
1939 - -1.13%
1938 - -0.07%
1937 - 0.46%
1936 - -0.64%
1935 - -2.19%
1934 - -1.88%
1933 - -4.1%
1932 - -1.56%
1931 - -0.05%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.39%
1928 - -0.06%
1927 - -1.14%
1926 - -1.11%
1925 - -1.44%
1924 - -0.99%
1923 - -1.65%
1922 - -3.17%
1921 - -3.55%
1920 - -0.6%
1919 - 0.17%
1918 - -8.59%
1917 - -0.26%
1916 - -0.23%
1915 - -0.94%
1914 - -0.55%
1913 - -0.17%
1912 - -0.51%
1911 - -0.87%
1910 - -0.81%
1909 - -2.08%
1908 - -2.27%
1907 - -0.68%
1906 - -0.66%
1905 - -0.34%
1904 - -0.56%
1903 - 0.08%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - -1.34%
1900 - -0.32%
1899 - 0.57%
1898 - 0.91%
1897 - 1.09%
1896 - -0.59%
1895 - 1%
1894 - 0.47%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.68%
1891 - -0.6%
1890 - 0.33%
1889 - 0.19%
1888 - -0.05%
1887 - -1.5%
1886 - -0.98%
1885 - -0.08%
1884 - 0.24%
1883 - 0.16%
1882 - 0.36%
1881 - -0.17%
1880 - -0.47%
1879 - -1.89%
1878 - -2.04%
1877 - -1.21%
1876 - -1.07%
1875 - -1.26%
1874 - -1.05%
1873 - 0.06%
1872 - -0.15%
1871 - 0.22%
1870 - -0.42%
1869 - -1.52%
1868 - -1.67%
1867 - -1.17%
1866 - -3.01%
1865 - -2.02%
1864 - -2.3%
1863 - -1.58%
1862 - -1.35%
1861 - -1.11%
1860 - -2.03%
1859 - -2.17%
1858 - -2.36%
1857 - -0.62%
1856 - -0.08%
1855 - -0.09%
1854 - -0.19%
1853 - 0.17%
1852 - -0.31%
1851 - -0.07%
1850 - 0.004%
1849 - 0.09%
1848 - 0.12%
1847 - 0.08%
1846 - 0.13%
1845 - 0.04%
1844 - 0.009%
1843 - 0.05%
1842 - -0.12%
1841 - 0.06%
1840 - -0.01%
1839 - -0.006%
1838 - 0.09%
1837 - -0.38%
1836 - -0.08%
1835 - 0.08%
1834 - -0.12%
1833 - 0.09%
1832 - 0.01%
1831 - -0.1%
1830 - -0.45%
1829 - 2.7%
1828 - 0.03%
1827 - -0.16%
1826 - 0.37%
1825 - 0.18%
1824 - -0.23%
1823 - 0.37%
1822 - -0.03%
1821 - -0.49%
1820 - 0.26%
1819 - 0.09%
1818 - 0.35%
1817 - 0.35%
1816 - 0.16%
1815 - 2.34%
1814 - -0.45%
1813 - -0.37%
1812 - 3.47%
1811 - -0.48%
1810 - -3.05%
1809 - -7.65%
1808 - -5.04%
1807 - 0.1%
1806 - 0.55%
1805 - 0.52%
1804 - -0.25%
1803 - 11.6%
1802 - 2.17%
1801 - 0.01%
1800 - -0.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/sweden | 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 Sweden's deficit of $10.4B, or 1.72% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Sweden ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.88% of GDP for Sweden.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Sweden
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Sweden
2024 2.9% 2.84%
2023 3.64% 8.55%
2022 3.98% 8.37%
2021 3.42% 2.16%
2020 2.1% 0.5%
2019 1.09% 1.78%
2018 0.54% 1.95%
2017 2.17% 1.79%
2016 3.2% 0.98%
2015 3.27% -0.05%
2014 2.91% -0.18%
2013 2.68% -0.04%
2012 3.26% 0.89%
2011 4.84% 2.96%
2010 4.5% 1.16%
2009 4.61% -0.49%
2008 10.6% 3.44%
2007 5.48% 2.21%
2006 3.06% 1.36%
2005 4.14% 0.45%
2004 1.25% 0.37%
2003 0.96% 1.93%
2002 0.89% 2.16%
2001 1.3% 2.41%
2000 1.81% 0.9%
1999 2.99% 0.46%
1998 0.13% -0.27%
1997 0.68% 0.66%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 1.76% in Sweden. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 2.84% in Sweden.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Metals $4.55M
Chemicals & pharma $1.52M
Machinery & equipment $147K
Textiles & consumer goods $74K
Precious metals & jewellery $49K
Miscellaneous $8K
Wood & paper products $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Sweden
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $48.3M
Miscellaneous $10.1M
Chemicals & pharma $8.99M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.9M
Wood & paper products $3.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.43M
Metals $1.45M
Raw materials & minerals $287K
Raw agricultural goods $218K
Animal & marine products $151K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Sweden
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$35.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
17/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+5.92%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$188B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$218B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$126B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$116B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
51.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
54.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Sweden
Economic freedom 59.9 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 14/197
Property rights 42 96.2
Government integrity 47.9 91.6
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 95.6
Tax burden 97.7 51.6
Government spending 36.2 28.4
Fiscal health 99.9 97.5
Business freedom 57.4 84.8
Labor freedom 49.2 65.8
Monetary freedom 68.7 78.1
Trade freedom 75.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 85
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Sweden
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Sweden
2026 59.9 77.8
2025 59.9 77.9
2024 58.5 77.5
2023 56.7 77.5
2022 58.3 77.9
2021 64.1 74.7
2020 63.2 74.9
2019 60.8 75.2
2018 62.2 76.3
2017 65.1 74.9
2016 62.7 72
2015 62.5 72.7
2014 62.3 73.1
2013 63.1 72.9
2012 62.5 71.7
2011 64.9 71.9
2010 67.7 72.4
2009 65.6 70.5
2008 68.1 70.8
2007 66.4 69.3
2006 66.5 70.9
2005 64.6 69.8
2004 63.6 70.1
2003 66.7 70
2002 65.4 70.8
2001 68.2 66.6
2000 69.7 65.1
1999 69.5 64.2
1998 66.3 64
1997 64.8 63.3
1996 66.1 61.8
1995 - 61.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 77.8 for Sweden, ranking 14/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Sweden
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
66.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
21.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
1.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$615B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$75,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$62.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
37/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$2.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$27B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$29.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
16.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
25.4%
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/sweden | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.