Skip to content

Economy of Kuwait vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 59/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Kuwait vs Thailand GDP by year

Kuwait
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Thailand
2024 $160,227,273,053 $526,517,658,842
2023 $165,384,407,116 $515,906,283,941
2022 $183,502,046,694 $495,644,697,588
2021 $148,350,671,489 $506,194,668,790
2020 $111,045,470,606 $500,461,898,480
2019 $140,856,394,861 $543,976,691,794
2018 $138,646,316,351 $506,754,208,404
2017 $120,687,539,806 $456,356,813,537
2016 $109,406,674,125 $413,366,349,748
2015 $114,585,555,689 $401,296,238,228
2014 $162,650,450,685 $407,339,040,198
2013 $174,168,116,535 $420,333,654,593
2012 $174,047,662,680 $397,558,325,279
2011 $154,039,231,246 $370,818,739,624
2010 $115,416,245,242 $341,104,766,329
2009 $105,968,691,905 $281,710,630,187
2008 $147,379,737,230 $291,382,982,431
2007 $114,634,043,362 $262,942,621,455
2006 $101,557,330,723 $221,758,296,022
2005 $80,798,630,137 $189,318,408,469
2004 $59,439,090,601 $172,895,685,155
2003 $47,874,582,232 $152,280,615,246
2002 $38,135,788,414 $134,300,904,400
2001 $34,889,559,870 $120,296,476,180
2000 $37,718,743,480 $126,392,224,254
1999 $30,122,365,849 $126,669,211,779
1998 $25,943,705,784 $113,675,596,788
1997 $30,350,190,704 $150,180,456,566
1996 $31,492,373,309 $183,035,237,429
1995 $27,186,980,647 $169,278,916,593
1994 $24,848,483,838 $146,683,778,959
1993 $23,941,391,391 $128,889,262,951
1992 $19,858,555,215 $111,452,746,518
1991 $11,009,993,703 $98,234,714,971
1990 $18,427,777,778 $85,343,190,719
1989 $24,313,855,653 $72,250,748,100
1988 $20,690,322,153 $61,667,253,471
1987 $22,368,704,134 $50,535,446,555
1986 $17,903,989,745 $43,096,773,981
1985 $21,445,970,614 $38,900,711,333
1984 $21,700,082,753 $41,797,647,776
1983 $20,871,081,080 $40,042,798,388
1982 $21,577,153,356 $36,589,772,404
1981 $25,058,020,338 $34,846,039,194
1980 $28,638,868,356 $32,353,514,989
1979 $24,749,063,922 $27,371,650,825
1978 $15,503,557,496 $24,006,566,637
1977 $14,137,406,741 $19,779,312,261
1976 $13,132,252,802 $16,985,208,648
1975 $12,022,811,621 $14,882,770,594
1974 $13,006,948,296 $13,702,998,512
1973 $5,408,804,607 $10,838,587,358
1972 $4,450,537,925 $8,177,873,151
1971 $3,880,392,195 $7,375,000,024
1970 $2,873,638,851 $7,086,538,438
1969 $2,769,198,892 $6,695,336,567
1968 $2,662,798,935 $6,081,009,428
1967 $2,441,599,023 $5,638,461,442
1966 $2,391,199,044 $5,279,230,817
1965 $2,097,199,161 $4,388,937,649
1964 $2,071,668,533 $3,889,129,942
1963 $1,900,895,857 $3,540,403,457
1962 $1,828,107,503 $3,308,912,797
1961 - $3,034,037,811
1960 - $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Thailand by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $10,965 - $1,342 -
1988 $9,692 - $1,164 -
1987 $10,896 - $970 -
1986 $9,077 - $842 -
1985 $11,322 - $774 -
1984 $11,919 - $847 -
1983 $11,965 - $827 -
1982 $12,979 - $770 -
1981 $15,825 - $748 -
1980 $19,032 - $709 -
1979 $17,386 - $612 -
1978 $11,567 - $548 -
1977 $11,238 - $462 -
1976 $11,141 - $405 -
1975 $10,882 - $364 -
1974 $12,527 - $343 -
1973 $5,532 - $278.3 -
1972 $4,836 - $215.6 -
1971 $4,486 - $199.7 -
1970 $3,552 - $197.1 -
1969 $3,695 - $191.4 -
1968 $3,872 - $178.8 -
1967 $3,887 - $170.7 -
1966 $4,176 - $164.5 -
1965 $4,024 - $140.9 -
1964 $4,379 - $128.6 -
1963 $4,445 - $120.7 -
1962 $4,748 - $116.2 -
1961 - - $109.7 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Thailand
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
0.78%
2024
Population
5100145
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 45% 3.43% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 22% 39.8%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 20% 36%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 41.4% 23% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 18% 15.2%
1995 52% 34.9% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 16% 6.69%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 17% 14.1%
1990 122.9% - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 184/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Thailand
2024 23.8% -1.29%
2023 28.2% -1.98%
2022 30% -4.61%
2021 9.98% -6.74%
2020 0.14% -4.47%
2019 13% 0.43%
2018 17.5% 0.2%
2017 15.3% -0.42%
2016 13.1% 0.41%
2015 16.6% 0.19%
2014 30% -0.7%
2013 40.6% 0.6%
2012 40.7% -0.86%
2011 38.8% 0.09%
2010 31.9% -1.07%
2009 31.3% -2.21%
2008 21.3% 0.8%
2007 37.1% 0.22%
2006 28% 1.87%
2005 38.9% 2.17%
2004 32.5% 1.11%
2003 27.2% 1.98%
2002 31% -6.72%
2001 45.2% -1.77%
2000 52.5% -1.79%
1999 28.2% -9.02%
1998 19.5% -6.29%
1997 29.5% -1.68%
1996 24.3% 2.75%
1995 11.7% 3.05%
1994 1.76% 2.78%
1993 -3.12% 6.67%
1992 -28.1% -0.18%
1991 -145% 1.6%
1990 -50% 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.67% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Thailand
2024 2.9% 1.37%
2023 3.64% 8.48%
2022 3.98% -1.61%
2021 3.42% 1.23%
2020 2.1% -0.85%
2019 1.09% 0.71%
2018 0.54% 1.06%
2017 2.17% 0.67%
2016 3.2% 0.19%
2015 3.27% -0.9%
2014 2.91% 1.9%
2013 2.68% 2.18%
2012 3.26% 3.01%
2011 4.84% 3.81%
2010 4.5% 3.25%
2009 4.61% -0.85%
2008 10.6% 5.47%
2007 5.48% 2.24%
2006 3.06% 4.64%
2005 4.14% 4.54%
2004 1.25% 2.76%
2003 0.96% 1.8%
2002 0.89% 0.7%
2001 1.3% 1.63%
2000 1.81% 1.59%
1999 2.99% 0.28%
1998 0.13% 7.99%
1997 0.68% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $26.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $4.27M
Metals $754K
Machinery & equipment $360K
Textiles & consumer goods $180K
Wood & paper products $132K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $97K
Animal & marine products $80K
Raw materials & minerals $36K
Miscellaneous $12K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $261M
Wood & paper products $39M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $35.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $18.3M
Raw materials & minerals $13.5M
Chemicals & pharma $12.7M
Metals $11.6M
Raw agricultural goods $11M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.55M
Animal & marine products $4.39M

Balance of trade

Kuwait Thailand
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Thailand
Economic freedom 59.9 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 88/197
Property rights 42 41.8
Government integrity 47.9 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 35
Tax burden 97.7 80.8
Government spending 36.2 83.6
Fiscal health 99.9 81
Business freedom 57.4 69.9
Labor freedom 49.2 56.4
Monetary freedom 68.7 73.3
Trade freedom 75.8 70.2
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Thailand
2026 59.9 62.2
2025 59.9 60.6
2024 58.5 59
2023 56.7 60.6
2022 58.3 63.2
2021 64.1 69.7
2020 63.2 69.4
2019 60.8 68.3
2018 62.2 67.1
2017 65.1 66.2
2016 62.7 63.9
2015 62.5 62.4
2014 62.3 63.3
2013 63.1 64.1
2012 62.5 64.9
2011 64.9 64.7
2010 67.7 64.1
2009 65.6 63
2008 68.1 62.3
2007 66.4 63.5
2006 66.5 63.3
2005 64.6 62.5
2004 63.6 63.7
2003 66.7 65.8
2002 65.4 69.1
2001 68.2 68.9
2000 69.7 66.6
1999 69.5 66.9
1998 66.3 67.3
1997 64.8 66.1
1996 66.1 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Thailand
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, 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 (2023–2024, 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.

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.