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Economy of Kuwait vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kuwait has a GDP of $157B compared to $1.6T for Turkey, ranking 59/197 and 16/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $22.9B in government debt (14.6% of GDP), compared to $375B (23.5% of GDP) in Turkey.

Kuwait vs Turkey GDP by year

Kuwait
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Turkey
2025 $157,209,026,926 $1,597,293,229,287
2024 $160,903,106,639 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $165,462,656,227 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $183,502,046,694 $926,097,476,914
2021 $148,350,671,489 $839,938,668,172
2020 $111,045,470,606 $733,628,247,119
2019 $140,856,394,861 $775,853,144,223
2018 $138,646,316,351 $788,356,985,774
2017 $120,687,539,806 $863,874,522,365
2016 $109,406,674,125 $870,818,016,910
2015 $114,585,555,689 $865,460,050,684
2014 $162,650,450,685 $942,343,431,929
2013 $174,168,116,535 $962,167,643,589
2012 $174,047,662,680 $885,327,622,479
2011 $154,039,231,246 $844,192,507,381
2010 $115,416,245,242 $782,545,664,268
2009 $105,968,691,905 $653,894,449,921
2008 $147,379,737,230 $775,415,944,333
2007 $114,634,043,362 $685,228,481,017
2006 $101,557,330,723 $559,668,118,237
2005 $80,798,630,137 $508,314,210,213
2004 $59,439,090,601 $410,156,784,496
2003 $47,874,582,232 $315,392,899,922
2002 $38,135,788,414 $240,778,008,474
2001 $34,889,559,870 $202,195,080,239
2000 $37,718,743,480 $274,748,463,179
1999 $30,122,365,849 $256,673,939,248
1998 $25,943,705,784 $276,035,372,655
1997 $30,350,190,704 $263,817,553,748
1996 $31,492,373,309 $250,366,965,174
1995 $27,186,980,647 $234,699,627,004
1994 $24,848,483,838 $130,650,447,499
1993 $23,941,391,391 $180,415,757,852
1992 $19,858,555,215 $159,104,772,992
1991 $11,009,993,703 $151,034,731,544
1990 $18,427,777,778 $150,655,500,192
1989 $24,313,855,653 $107,127,191,329
1988 $20,690,322,153 $90,875,175,809
1987 $22,368,704,134 $87,190,081,680
1986 $17,903,989,745 $75,673,037,037
1985 $21,445,970,614 $67,232,758,621
1984 $21,700,082,753 $59,937,602,180
1983 $20,871,081,080 $61,803,555,556
1982 $21,577,153,356 $64,369,325,153
1981 $25,058,020,338 $71,180,180,180
1980 $28,638,868,356 $68,823,684,211
1979 $24,749,063,922 $89,616,129,032
1978 $15,503,557,496 $65,912,500,000
1977 $14,137,406,741 $58,683,333,333
1976 $13,132,252,802 $51,450,000,000
1975 $12,022,811,621 $46,042,857,143
1974 $13,006,948,296 $35,414,285,714
1973 $5,408,804,607 $26,000,000,000
1972 $4,450,537,925 $20,650,000,000
1971 $3,880,392,195 $16,166,666,667
1970 $2,873,638,851 $17,863,636,364
1969 $2,769,198,892 $19,466,666,667
1968 $2,662,798,935 $17,500,000,000
1967 $2,441,599,023 $15,644,444,444
1966 $2,391,199,044 $14,100,000,000
1965 $2,097,199,161 $11,966,666,667
1964 $2,071,668,533 $11,177,777,778
1963 $1,900,895,857 $10,355,555,556
1962 $1,828,107,503 $8,922,222,222
1961 - $7,988,888,889
1960 - $7,566,666,667

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Turkey by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,312 - $18,599 -
2024 $32,856 $52,444 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $34,092 $53,025 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $10,965 - $1,949 -
1988 $9,692 - $1,686 -
1987 $10,896 - $1,650 -
1986 $9,077 - $1,461 -
1985 $11,322 - $1,326 -
1984 $11,919 - $1,209 -
1983 $11,965 - $1,276 -
1982 $12,979 - $1,360 -
1981 $15,825 - $1,537 -
1980 $19,032 - $1,516 -
1979 $17,386 - $2,013 -
1978 $11,567 - $1,510 -
1977 $11,238 - $1,372 -
1976 $11,141 - $1,228 -
1975 $10,882 - $1,122 -
1974 $12,527 - $881 -
1973 $5,532 - $661 -
1972 $4,836 - $537 -
1971 $4,486 - $431 -
1970 $3,552 - $488 -
1969 $3,695 - $544 -
1968 $3,872 - $501 -
1967 $3,887 - $459 -
1966 $4,176 - $425 -
1965 $4,024 - $370 -
1964 $4,379 - $354 -
1963 $4,445 - $337 -
1962 $4,748 - $298.2 -
1961 - - $274.4 -
1960 - - $267.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,312, ranking 41/197, compared to $18,599 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Turkey
Gross domestic product
$157B
2025
$1.6T
2025
GDP rank
59/197
2025
16/197
2025
GDP growth
2.73%
2024-2025
3.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,312
2025
$18,599
2025
GDP per capita rank
41/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$22.9B
2025
$375B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.6%
2025
23.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,714
2025
$4,367
2025
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2025
92/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$24,940
2026
$12,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2025
$404B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
93,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
34.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.36%
2024-2025
34.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
37%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
8.4%
2025
Population
4981316
86225430

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 50.1% 14.6% 32.4% 23.5%
2024 48% 2.91% 32.9% 23.6%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 32.7% 28.2%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 26.8% 29.4%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 30.5% 38.9%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 34% 38.3%
2019 50.2% 10.5% 34.8% 31.2%
2018 51% 14.3% 33.9% 28.8%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 32.4% 26.9%
2016 54% 9.88% 33.8% 27%
2015 55.3% 4.6% 32.4% 26.5%
2014 45% 3.43% 32.5% 27.4%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 33.5% 29.5%
2012 38.1% 3.6% 34% 30.8%
2011 39.6% 4.64% 32.6% 34.8%
2010 45.4% 6.16% 35.2% 38.6%
2009 42.8% 6.65% 37% 42.4%
2008 40.8% 5.38% 33.5% 37%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 32.7% 37.1%
2006 32.2% 7.79% 33.4% 44.2%
2005 28.7% 10.2% 32% 50.2%
2004 35.2% 13.9% 34.5% 57%
2003 38% 17.2% 38.3% 63.6%
2002 42.5% 21.3% 40.9% 71.2%
2001 41.2% 23% 43.9% 75.6%
2000 29.7% 21.4% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 44.3% 25.5% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 51.4% 25.6% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 43.5% 24.3% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 42.5% 26.5% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 51.7% 34.9% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 57.5% 37.7% 20.5% 39.2%
1993 58% 28.8% 22% 29.1%
1992 77.4% 27.9% 18.6% 29.2%
1991 208.1% 45.3% 18.2% 28.4%
1990 122.4% - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kuwait's government spending was $78.8B, accounting for 50.1% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $517B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.6% in Kuwait and 23.5% in Turkey, ranking 177/185 and 169/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Turkey
2025 28.4% -2.78%
2024 26% -4.51%
2023 28.2% -5.19%
2022 30% -1.1%
2021 9.99% -2.98%
2020 0.16% -4.64%
2019 13% -4.69%
2018 17.6% -3.1%
2017 15.3% -1.87%
2016 12.8% -1.68%
2015 16.3% -0.51%
2014 29.8% -0.96%
2013 40.4% -1.21%
2012 40.5% -1.78%
2011 38.6% -0.35%
2010 31.7% -2.99%
2009 31.1% -5.14%
2008 21.2% -2.13%
2007 36.9% -1.37%
2006 27.8% -0.22%
2005 38.8% -0.75%
2004 32.3% -4.11%
2003 27% -7.55%
2002 30.9% -11.3%
2001 44.9% -11.6%
2000 52.3% -8.36%
1999 28% -13.8%
1998 19.4% -9.84%
1997 29.4% -10.1%
1996 24.2% -10.7%
1995 11.7% -5.95%
1994 1.71% -6.04%
1993 -3.2% -8.84%
1992 -28% -6.73%
1991 -144.5% -6.86%
1990 -49.9% -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $44.6B, equivalent to 28.4% of GDP. This compares to Turkey's deficit of $44.4B, or 2.78% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.87% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Turkey
2025 2.36% 34.9%
2024 2.9% 58.5%
2023 3.64% 53.9%
2022 3.98% 72.3%
2021 3.42% 19.6%
2020 2.1% 12.3%
2019 1.09% 15.2%
2018 0.54% 16.3%
2017 2.17% 11.1%
2016 3.2% 7.78%
2015 3.27% 7.67%
2014 2.91% 8.85%
2013 2.68% 7.49%
2012 3.26% 8.89%
2011 4.84% 6.47%
2010 4.5% 8.57%
2009 4.61% 6.25%
2008 10.6% 10.4%
2007 5.48% 8.76%
2006 3.06% 9.6%
2005 4.14% 8.18%
2004 1.25% 8.6%
2003 0.96% 21.6%
2002 0.89% 45%
2001 1.3% 54.4%
2000 1.81% 54.9%
1999 2.99% 64.9%
1998 0.13% 84.6%
1997 0.68% 85.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.92%, compared with 28% in Turkey. In 2025, inflation was 2.36% in Kuwait and 34.9% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $95.6M
Machinery & equipment $6.41M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.26M
Metals $2.25M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $543K
Raw materials & minerals $261K
Raw agricultural goods $244K
Animal & marine products $191K
Miscellaneous $108K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $129M
Machinery & equipment $69.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $68.4M
Metals $60.3M
Weapons & explosives $54.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $52.2M
Chemicals & pharma $44.7M
Animal & marine products $42M
Raw materials & minerals $28.4M
Raw agricultural goods $17.1M

Balance of trade

Kuwait Turkey
Current account balance
$35.7B
2025
-$10.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2025
175/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+22.7%
2025
-0.77%
2024
Goods imports
$37.5B
2025
$313B
2024
Goods exports
$70.7B
2025
$257B
2024
Service imports
$29.6B
2025
$55.8B
2024
Service exports
$12.7B
2025
$117B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.2%
2024
25.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.8%
2024
24.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Turkey
Economic freedom 59.9 55
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 129/197
Property rights 42 36.4
Government integrity 47.9 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 23.5
Tax burden 97.7 72
Government spending 36.2 71.8
Fiscal health 99.9 77.8
Business freedom 57.4 61.6
Labor freedom 49.2 44.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 36.5
Trade freedom 75.8 71
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Turkey
2026 59.9 55
2025 59.9 56.1
2024 58.5 56.2
2023 56.7 56.9
2022 58.3 56.9
2021 64.1 64
2020 63.2 64.4
2019 60.8 64.6
2018 62.2 65.4
2017 65.1 65.2
2016 62.7 62.1
2015 62.5 63.2
2014 62.3 64.9
2013 63.1 62.9
2012 62.5 62.5
2011 64.9 64.2
2010 67.7 63.8
2009 65.6 61.6
2008 68.1 59.9
2007 66.4 57.4
2006 66.5 57
2005 64.6 50.6
2004 63.6 52.8
2003 66.7 51.9
2002 65.4 54.2
2001 68.2 60.6
2000 69.7 63.4
1999 69.5 59.2
1998 66.3 60.9
1997 64.8 60.8
1996 66.1 56.7
1995 - 58.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Turkey
Services, % of GDP
59.6%
2025
59.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
54.1%
2025
24%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.53%
2025
5.21%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$201B
2024
$1.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$64,040
2024
$44,630
2025
Total reserves including gold
$51.7B
2025
$186B
2025
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2025
20/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$2.58B
2025
-$5.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
13%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.1%
2024
31.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.