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Economy of Kuwait vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 59/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Kuwait vs Tunisia GDP by year

Kuwait
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Tunisia
2024 $160,227,273,053 $51,332,285,657
2023 $165,384,407,116 $48,205,328,303
2022 $183,502,046,694 $44,929,920,093
2021 $148,350,671,489 $47,073,234,359
2020 $111,045,470,606 $42,491,780,918
2019 $140,856,394,861 $41,905,642,419
2018 $138,646,316,351 $42,686,504,460
2017 $120,687,539,806 $42,163,530,591
2016 $109,406,674,125 $44,360,072,680
2015 $114,585,555,689 $45,779,494,042
2014 $162,650,450,685 $50,271,812,921
2013 $174,168,116,535 $48,685,446,414
2012 $174,047,662,680 $47,311,401,813
2011 $154,039,231,246 $48,123,325,825
2010 $115,416,245,242 $46,206,091,938
2009 $105,968,691,905 $43,455,740,497
2008 $147,379,737,230 $44,859,439,902
2007 $114,634,043,362 $38,915,353,867
2006 $101,557,330,723 $34,376,664,601
2005 $80,798,630,137 $32,272,186,695
2004 $59,439,090,601 $31,183,885,241
2003 $47,874,582,232 $27,453,902,261
2002 $38,135,788,414 $23,141,616,605
2001 $34,889,559,870 $22,065,832,449
2000 $37,718,743,480 $21,473,528,161
1999 $30,122,365,849 $22,943,202,175
1998 $25,943,705,784 $21,802,893,587
1997 $30,350,190,704 $20,746,210,354
1996 $31,492,373,309 $19,587,161,807
1995 $27,186,980,647 $18,030,876,599
1994 $24,848,483,838 $15,633,174,304
1993 $23,941,391,391 $14,608,335,608
1992 $19,858,555,215 $15,496,708,060
1991 $11,009,993,703 $13,074,782,609
1990 $18,427,777,778 $12,290,568,182
1989 $24,313,855,653 $10,101,851,745
1988 $20,690,322,153 $10,096,245,762
1987 $22,368,704,134 $9,696,715,911
1986 $17,903,989,745 $9,017,806,654
1985 $21,445,970,614 $8,410,226,053
1984 $21,700,082,753 $8,254,541,195
1983 $20,871,081,080 $8,350,582,748
1982 $21,577,153,356 $8,133,580,052
1981 $25,058,020,338 $8,428,445,294
1980 $28,638,868,356 $8,744,134,354
1979 $24,749,063,922 $7,188,863,904
1978 $15,503,557,496 $5,968,460,080
1977 $14,137,406,741 $5,109,324,009
1976 $13,132,252,802 $4,508,191,942
1975 $12,022,811,621 $4,328,965,588
1974 $13,006,948,296 $3,545,868,575
1973 $5,408,804,607 $2,730,813,385
1972 $4,450,537,925 $2,237,556,149
1971 $3,880,392,195 $1,685,162,272
1970 $2,873,638,851 $1,439,238,095
1969 $2,769,198,892 $1,289,904,762
1968 $2,662,798,935 $1,214,666,667
1967 $2,441,599,023 $1,085,714,286
1966 $2,391,199,044 $1,040,952,381
1965 $2,097,199,161 $991,047,619
1964 $2,071,668,533 $1,025,866,792
1963 $1,900,895,857 $1,026,737,600
1962 $1,828,107,503 $880,027,733
1961 - $866,155,429

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Tunisia by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $10,965 - $1,239 -
1988 $9,692 - $1,266 -
1987 $10,896 - $1,245 -
1986 $9,077 - $1,187 -
1985 $11,322 - $1,135 -
1984 $11,919 - $1,143 -
1983 $11,965 - $1,184 -
1982 $12,979 - $1,177 -
1981 $15,825 - $1,247 -
1980 $19,032 - $1,324 -
1979 $17,386 - $1,113 -
1978 $11,567 - $946 -
1977 $11,238 - $830 -
1976 $11,141 - $752 -
1975 $10,882 - $741 -
1974 $12,527 - $624 -
1973 $5,532 - $493 -
1972 $4,836 - $415 -
1971 $4,486 - $320 -
1970 $3,552 - $280.5 -
1969 $3,695 - $257.7 -
1968 $3,872 - $248.9 -
1967 $3,887 - $228 -
1966 $4,176 - $223.8 -
1965 $4,024 - $217.3 -
1964 $4,379 - $228.5 -
1963 $4,445 - $231.9 -
1962 $4,748 - $201.4 -
1961 - - $200.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
15.1%
2023
Population
5100145
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 35.7% 84%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 36.5% 83%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 45% 3.43% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 28.3% 49%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 24% 38.8%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 23% 50%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 23% 51.6%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 41.4% 23% 24% 52.2%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 24% 62.9%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 24% 61.9%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 52% 34.9% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 27.6% 63.3%
1990 122.9% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 184/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Tunisia
2024 23.8% -5.92%
2023 28.2% -7.03%
2022 30% -6.91%
2021 9.98% -7.6%
2020 0.14% -9.06%
2019 13% -3.6%
2018 17.5% -4.27%
2017 15.3% -5.61%
2016 13.1% -5.87%
2015 16.6% -4.95%
2014 30% -3.11%
2013 40.6% -7.05%
2012 40.7% -4.9%
2011 38.8% -3.19%
2010 31.9% -0.46%
2009 31.3% -2.59%
2008 21.3% -0.62%
2007 37.1% -2.47%
2006 28% -2.33%
2005 38.9% -2.59%
2004 32.5% -2.1%
2003 27.2% -2.64%
2002 31% -2.55%
2001 45.2% -2.87%
2000 52.5% -3.22%
1999 28.2% -3.05%
1998 19.5% -2.84%
1997 29.5% -3.7%
1996 24.3% -5.18%
1995 11.7% -4.53%
1994 1.76% -2.87%
1993 -3.12% -3.22%
1992 -28.1% -3.45%
1991 -145% -5.25%
1990 -50% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 18.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Tunisia
2024 2.9% 7%
2023 3.64% 9.3%
2022 3.98% 8.3%
2021 3.42% 5.7%
2020 2.1% 5.6%
2019 1.09% 6.7%
2018 0.54% 7.3%
2017 2.17% 5.3%
2016 3.2% 3.6%
2015 3.27% 4.4%
2014 2.91% 4.6%
2013 2.68% 5.3%
2012 3.26% 4.6%
2011 4.84% 3.2%
2010 4.5% 4.4%
2009 4.61% 3.5%
2008 10.6% 4.9%
2007 5.48% 3.4%
2006 3.06% 4.1%
2005 4.14% 2%
2004 1.25% 3.7%
2003 0.96% 2.7%
2002 0.89% 2.7%
2001 1.3% 1.9%
2000 1.81% 2.8%
1999 2.99% 2.8%
1998 0.13% 3.1%
1997 0.68% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $13.5M
Machinery & equipment $2.37M
Textiles & consumer goods $292K
Miscellaneous $245K
Raw materials & minerals $52K
Metals $32K
Animal & marine products $5K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.37M
Chemicals & pharma $581K
Animal & marine products $279K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $259K
Machinery & equipment $226K
Metals $151K
Textiles & consumer goods $140K
Wood & paper products $112K
Raw materials & minerals $65K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Tunisia
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Tunisia
Economic freedom 59.9 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 172/197
Property rights 42 55.7
Government integrity 47.9 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 39.7
Tax burden 97.7 68.5
Government spending 36.2 62.5
Fiscal health 99.9 16
Business freedom 57.4 59.4
Labor freedom 49.2 55.8
Monetary freedom 68.7 72.4
Trade freedom 75.8 54.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Tunisia
2026 59.9 48.1
2025 59.9 49.1
2024 58.5 48.8
2023 56.7 52.9
2022 58.3 54.2
2021 64.1 56.6
2020 63.2 55.8
2019 60.8 55.4
2018 62.2 58.9
2017 65.1 55.7
2016 62.7 57.6
2015 62.5 57.7
2014 62.3 57.3
2013 63.1 57
2012 62.5 58.6
2011 64.9 58.5
2010 67.7 58.9
2009 65.6 58
2008 68.1 60.1
2007 66.4 60.3
2006 66.5 57.5
2005 64.6 55.4
2004 63.6 58.4
2003 66.7 58.1
2002 65.4 60.2
2001 68.2 60.8
2000 69.7 61.3
1999 69.5 61.1
1998 66.3 63.9
1997 64.8 63.8
1996 66.1 63.9
1995 - 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
7.86%
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/tunisia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, 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. 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.

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.