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Economy of Kuwait vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 59/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Kuwait vs Tanzania GDP by year

Kuwait
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Tanzania
2024 $160,227,273,053 $78,844,405,385
2023 $165,384,407,116 $79,030,935,627
2022 $183,502,046,694 $75,749,121,843
2021 $148,350,671,489 $70,655,628,148
2020 $111,045,470,606 $66,068,737,786
2019 $140,856,394,861 $61,026,731,926
2018 $138,646,316,351 $57,003,712,892
2017 $120,687,539,806 $53,274,884,533
2016 $109,406,674,125 $49,774,409,374
2015 $114,585,555,689 $47,413,919,817
2014 $162,650,450,685 $49,986,726,461
2013 $174,168,116,535 $45,648,857,242
2012 $174,047,662,680 $39,650,394,363
2011 $154,039,231,246 $34,657,140,096
2010 $115,416,245,242 $32,012,892,919
2009 $105,968,691,905 $29,400,573,554
2008 $147,379,737,230 $27,947,821,398
2007 $114,634,043,362 $21,860,434,823
2006 $101,557,330,723 $18,619,859,795
2005 $80,798,630,137 $18,395,383,647
2004 $59,439,090,601 $16,673,062,473
2003 $47,874,582,232 $15,211,487,709
2002 $38,135,788,414 $14,129,651,896
2001 $34,889,559,870 $13,563,990,022
2000 $37,718,743,480 $13,371,767,082
1999 $30,122,365,849 $12,704,334,196
1998 $25,943,705,784 $12,172,790,056
1997 $30,350,190,704 $11,158,197,942
1996 $31,492,373,309 $9,433,528,150
1995 $27,186,980,647 $7,631,431,840
1994 $24,848,483,838 $6,550,480,484
1993 $23,941,391,391 $6,182,872,708
1992 $19,858,555,215 $6,681,997,469
1991 $11,009,993,703 $7,197,768,159
1990 $18,427,777,778 $6,184,384,225
1989 $24,313,855,653 $6,418,799,007
1988 $20,690,322,153 $7,406,614,407
1987 $22,368,704,134 $7,824,193,222
1986 $17,903,989,745 $10,840,864,521
1985 $21,445,970,614 $15,328,295,175
1984 $21,700,082,753 $12,906,635,133
1983 $20,871,081,080 $14,049,883,809
1982 $21,577,153,356 $13,927,383,240
1981 $25,058,020,338 $13,161,540,378
1980 $28,638,868,356 $11,409,228,087
1979 $24,749,063,922 $9,804,637,491
1978 $15,503,557,496 $9,261,675,710
1977 $14,137,406,741 $7,732,598,995
1976 $13,132,252,802 $6,472,511,988
1975 $12,022,811,621 $5,729,917,840
1974 $13,006,948,296 $4,977,337,978
1973 $5,408,804,607 $4,144,104,535
1972 $4,450,537,925 $3,472,787,266
1971 $3,880,392,195 $3,050,673,517
1970 $2,873,638,851 $2,851,419,386
1969 $2,769,198,892 $5,142,066,811
1968 $2,662,798,935 $4,895,251,824
1967 $2,441,599,023 $4,565,132,048
1966 $2,391,199,044 $4,377,998,825
1965 $2,097,199,161 $3,817,226,546
1964 $2,071,668,533 $3,748,840,925
1963 $1,900,895,857 $3,456,579,293
1962 $1,828,107,503 $3,101,589,993
1961 - $2,826,179,031
1960 - $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Tanzania by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $992 $2,728
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $957 $2,472
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $925 $2,435
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $911 $2,317
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $993 $2,221
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $935 $2,176
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $837 $2,083
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $753 $2,211
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $715 $2,069
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $674 $1,972
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $657 $1,908
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $528 $1,820
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $462 $1,707
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $469 $1,598
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $438 $1,482
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $410 $1,379
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $391 $1,302
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $385 $1,229
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $390 $1,164
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $382 $1,120
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $375 $1,082
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $353 $1,059
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $305 $1,026
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $251.2 $981
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $222.5 $958
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $218.2 $959
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $243.4 $955
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $268.8 $952
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $236.9 $925
1989 $10,965 - $252.3 -
1988 $9,692 - $299 -
1987 $10,896 - $326 -
1986 $9,077 - $466 -
1985 $11,322 - $681 -
1984 $11,919 - $593 -
1983 $11,965 - $667 -
1982 $12,979 - $683 -
1981 $15,825 - $665 -
1980 $19,032 - $595 -
1979 $17,386 - $527 -
1978 $11,567 - $515 -
1977 $11,238 - $446 -
1976 $11,141 - $387 -
1975 $10,882 - $355 -
1974 $12,527 - $320 -
1973 $5,532 - $276.1 -
1972 $4,836 - $239.8 -
1971 $4,486 - $218.4 -
1970 $3,552 - $211.3 -
1969 $3,695 - $394 -
1968 $3,872 - $388 -
1967 $3,887 - $374 -
1966 $4,176 - $370 -
1965 $4,024 - $333 -
1964 $4,379 - $337 -
1963 $4,445 - $320 -
1962 $4,748 - $295.7 -
1961 - - $277.4 -
1960 - - $267.8 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
2.43%
2024
Population
5100145
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 19% 47.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 17.3% 42%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 45% 3.43% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 19.6% 30%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 19% 28.4%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 17% 44.5%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 41.4% 23% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 52% 34.9% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 16.8% 126%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 122.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 184/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Tanzania
2024 23.8% -3.03%
2023 28.2% -3.67%
2022 30% -3.92%
2021 9.98% -3.55%
2020 0.14% -2.56%
2019 13% -2.06%
2018 17.5% -2.01%
2017 15.3% -1.14%
2016 13.1% -2.08%
2015 16.6% -3.17%
2014 30% -2.91%
2013 40.6% -3.76%
2012 40.7% -4%
2011 38.8% -3.51%
2010 31.9% -4.74%
2009 31.3% -4.46%
2008 21.3% -1.92%
2007 37.1% -1.44%
2006 28% -3.38%
2005 38.9% -3.28%
2004 32.5% -2.43%
2003 27.2% -1.77%
2002 31% -0.73%
2001 45.2% -0.41%
2000 52.5% -0.73%
1999 28.2% -1.14%
1998 19.5% 0.13%
1997 29.5% -0.03%
1996 24.3% 1.57%
1995 11.7% -2.12%
1994 1.76% -3.74%
1993 -3.12% -2.02%
1992 -28.1% -4.96%
1991 -145% 0.6%
1990 -50% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 18.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Tanzania
2024 2.9% 3.06%
2023 3.64% 3.8%
2022 3.98% 4.35%
2021 3.42% 3.69%
2020 2.1% 3.29%
2019 1.09% 3.46%
2018 0.54% 3.49%
2017 2.17% 5.32%
2016 3.2% 5.17%
2015 3.27% 5.59%
2014 2.91% 6.13%
2013 2.68% 7.87%
2012 3.26% 16%
2011 4.84% 12.7%
2010 4.5% 6.2%
2009 4.61% 12.1%
2008 10.6% 10.3%
2007 5.48% 7.03%
2006 3.06% 7.25%
2005 4.14% 5.03%
2004 1.25% 4.74%
2003 0.96% 5.3%
2002 0.89% 5.32%
2001 1.3% 5.15%
2000 1.81% 5.92%
1999 2.99% 7.89%
1998 0.13% 12.8%
1997 0.68% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.54M
Machinery & equipment $220K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36K
Metals $26K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Miscellaneous $11K
Wood & paper products $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.66M
Raw agricultural goods $1.22M
Raw materials & minerals $162K
Metals $63K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $43K
Chemicals & pharma $36K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Wood & paper products $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Tanzania
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Tanzania
Economic freedom 59.9 59
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 106/197
Property rights 42 45.2
Government integrity 47.9 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 29.6
Tax burden 97.7 80.4
Government spending 36.2 89.1
Fiscal health 99.9 75
Business freedom 57.4 48.1
Labor freedom 49.2 62.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 73.4
Trade freedom 75.8 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Tanzania
2026 59.9 59
2025 59.9 59.3
2024 58.5 59.1
2023 56.7 60
2022 58.3 59.5
2021 64.1 61.3
2020 63.2 61.7
2019 60.8 60.2
2018 62.2 59.9
2017 65.1 58.6
2016 62.7 58.5
2015 62.5 57.5
2014 62.3 57.8
2013 63.1 57.9
2012 62.5 57
2011 64.9 57
2010 67.7 58.3
2009 65.6 58.3
2008 68.1 56.5
2007 66.4 56.8
2006 66.5 58.5
2005 64.6 56.3
2004 63.6 60.1
2003 66.7 56.9
2002 65.4 58.3
2001 68.2 54.9
2000 69.7 56
1999 69.5 60
1998 66.3 59.6
1997 64.8 59.3
1996 66.1 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

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.