Skip to content

Economy of Kuwait vs Turkmenistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $51.4B for Turkmenistan, ranking 59/197 and 92/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $2.11B (4.11% of GDP) in Turkmenistan.

Kuwait vs Turkmenistan GDP by year

Kuwait
Turkmenistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Turkmenistan
2024 $160,227,273,053 $51,387,209,872
2023 $165,384,407,116 $45,894,538,666
2022 $183,502,046,694 $42,208,726,138
2021 $148,350,671,489 $40,589,905,812
2020 $111,045,470,606 $41,509,903,182
2019 $140,856,394,861 $40,810,067,975
2018 $138,646,316,351 $40,765,428,571
2017 $120,687,539,806 $37,926,285,714
2016 $109,406,674,125 $36,169,428,571
2015 $114,585,555,689 $35,799,714,286
2014 $162,650,450,685 $43,524,210,526
2013 $174,168,116,535 $39,197,543,860
2012 $174,047,662,680 $35,164,210,526
2011 $154,039,231,246 $29,233,333,333
2010 $115,416,245,242 $22,583,157,895
2009 $105,968,691,905 $20,214,385,965
2008 $147,379,737,230 $19,271,523,179
2007 $114,634,043,362 $12,664,165,103
2006 $101,557,330,723 $10,276,674,365
2005 $80,798,630,137 $8,103,901,996
2004 $59,439,090,601 $6,838,351,088
2003 $47,874,582,232 $5,977,440,583
2002 $38,135,788,414 $4,462,029,109
2001 $34,889,559,870 $3,534,772,732
2000 $37,718,743,480 $2,904,663,311
1999 $30,122,365,849 $2,450,564,100
1998 $25,943,705,784 $2,605,689,134
1997 $30,350,190,704 $2,450,350,625
1996 $31,492,373,309 $2,378,759,975
1995 $27,186,980,647 $2,482,228,440
1994 $24,848,483,838 $2,561,118,608
1993 $23,941,391,391 $3,179,225,949
1992 $19,858,555,215 $3,200,539,816
1991 $11,009,993,703 $3,208,098,919
1990 $18,427,777,778 $3,189,539,641
1989 $24,313,855,653 $3,006,988,217
1988 $20,690,322,153 $3,010,982,414
1987 $22,368,704,134 $2,331,358,820
1986 $17,903,989,745 -
1985 $21,445,970,614 -
1984 $21,700,082,753 -
1983 $20,871,081,080 -
1982 $21,577,153,356 -
1981 $25,058,020,338 -
1980 $28,638,868,356 -
1979 $24,749,063,922 -
1978 $15,503,557,496 -
1977 $14,137,406,741 -
1976 $13,132,252,802 -
1975 $12,022,811,621 -
1974 $13,006,948,296 -
1973 $5,408,804,607 -
1972 $4,450,537,925 -
1971 $3,880,392,195 -
1970 $2,873,638,851 -
1969 $2,769,198,892 -
1968 $2,662,798,935 -
1967 $2,441,599,023 -
1966 $2,391,199,044 -
1965 $2,097,199,161 -
1964 $2,071,668,533 -
1963 $1,900,895,857 -
1962 $1,828,107,503 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Turkmenistan by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkmenistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Turkmenistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $6,857 $21,213
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $6,232 $19,829
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $5,838 $18,340
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $5,723 $16,434
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $5,973 $15,091
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $5,998 $15,478
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $6,125 $14,368
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $5,828 $13,278
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $5,687 $12,919
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $5,759 $12,715
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $7,164 $12,477
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $6,600 $11,723
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $6,054 $11,035
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $5,144 $10,283
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $4,059 $8,972
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $3,708 $8,285
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $3,606 $7,916
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $2,415 $6,901
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $1,997 $6,164
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $1,604 $5,489
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $1,379 $4,798
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $1,229 $4,536
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $936 $4,393
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $756 $4,401
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $634 $4,209
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $546 $3,981
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $591 $3,432
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $565 $3,222
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $558 $3,636
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $592 $3,405
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $622 $3,659
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $788 $4,422
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $811 $4,351
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $832 $5,117
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $848 $5,321
1989 $10,965 - $821 -
1988 $9,692 - $846 -
1987 $10,896 - $675 -
1986 $9,077 - - -
1985 $11,322 - - -
1984 $11,919 - - -
1983 $11,965 - - -
1982 $12,979 - - -
1981 $15,825 - - -
1980 $19,032 - - -
1979 $17,386 - - -
1978 $11,567 - - -
1977 $11,238 - - -
1976 $11,141 - - -
1975 $10,882 - - -
1974 $12,527 - - -
1973 $5,532 - - -
1972 $4,836 - - -
1971 $4,486 - - -
1970 $3,552 - - -
1969 $3,695 - - -
1968 $3,872 - - -
1967 $3,887 - - -
1966 $4,176 - - -
1965 $4,024 - - -
1964 $4,379 - - -
1963 $4,445 - - -
1962 $4,748 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $6,857 in Turkmenistan, ranking 104/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Turkmenistan ranks 94th at $21,213.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Turkmenistan
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$51.4B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
92/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
6.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$6,857
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
104/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$21,213
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
94/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$2.11B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
4.11%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$282
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
179/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$7,520
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.5%
1998
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
14.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
4%
2010
Population
5100145
7776557

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Turkmenistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Turkmenistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 14.5% 4.11%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 13.7% 5.46%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 13% 7.14%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 13.4% 12.3%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 13.5% 15.4%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 13.6% 17.7%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 13.7% 22.5%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 17.8% 24.7%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 14.1% 21.1%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 17.3% 19%
2014 45% 3.43% 17% 16%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 16.9% 20.4%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 14.7% 17.9%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 15.4% 14.8%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 14.6% 7.04%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 14.4% 3.09%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 11.7% 3.56%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 14.4% 3.06%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 16% 4.23%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 21.1% 6.82%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 20.3% 11.4%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 20.8% 16.9%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 19.4% 24.2%
2001 41.4% 23% 22.6% 34.1%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 25.9% 55.1%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 20.8% 66.7%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 26.1% 81.6%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 26.9% 64.2%
1996 42.8% 26.5% - -
1995 52% 34.9% - -
1994 57.8% 37.7% - -
1993 58.2% 28.8% - -
1992 77.6% 27.9% - -
1991 208.9% 45.3% - -
1990 122.9% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Turkmenistan spent $7.46B, or 14.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 4.11% in Turkmenistan, ranking 184/185 and 183/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Turkmenistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Turkmenistan
2024 23.8% -0.08%
2023 28.2% 0.11%
2022 30% 3.38%
2021 9.98% 0.57%
2020 0.14% -0.16%
2019 13% -0.4%
2018 17.5% -0.22%
2017 15.3% -2.84%
2016 13.1% -2.38%
2015 16.6% -0.7%
2014 30% 0.89%
2013 40.6% 1.53%
2012 40.7% 7.53%
2011 38.8% 3.84%
2010 31.9% 2.13%
2009 31.3% 7.53%
2008 21.3% 10.7%
2007 37.1% 4.19%
2006 28% 5.64%
2005 38.9% 0.86%
2004 32.5% 1.47%
2003 27.2% 3.99%
2002 31% 0.19%
2001 45.2% 0.77%
2000 52.5% -0.55%
1999 28.2% 2.48%
1998 19.5% 1.15%
1997 29.5% -0.2%
1996 24.3% -
1995 11.7% -
1994 1.76% -
1993 -3.12% -
1992 -28.1% -
1991 -145% -
1990 -50% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/turkmenistan | 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 Turkmenistan's deficit of $42.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Turkmenistan ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 27.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.84% of GDP for Turkmenistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Turkmenistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Turkmenistan
2024 2.9% 4.6%
2023 3.64% -1.6%
2022 3.98% 11.2%
2021 3.42% 19.5%
2020 2.1% 6.1%
2019 1.09% 5.1%
2018 0.54% 13.3%
2017 2.17% 8%
2016 3.2% 3.6%
2015 3.27% 7.4%
2014 2.91% 6%
2013 2.68% 6.8%
2012 3.26% 5.3%
2011 4.84% 5.3%
2010 4.5% 4.4%
2009 4.61% -2.7%
2008 10.6% 14.5%
2007 5.48% 6.3%
2006 3.06% 8.2%
2005 4.14% 10.7%
2004 1.25% 5.9%
2003 0.96% 5.6%
2002 0.89% 8.8%
2001 1.3% 11.6%
2000 1.81% 8%
1999 2.99% 23.5%
1998 0.13% 16.8%
1997 0.68% 83.7%

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/turkmenistan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 10.9% in Turkmenistan. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 4.6% in Turkmenistan.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $24K
Turkmenistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $12K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Turkmenistan
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
n/a
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
n/a
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
n/a
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
n/a
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
n/a
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
n/a
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
11.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
17.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Turkmenistan
Economic freedom 59.9 47
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 177/197
Property rights 42 17.4
Government integrity 47.9 8.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 12.3
Tax burden 97.7 94.2
Government spending 36.2 94.3
Fiscal health 99.9 99.9
Business freedom 57.4 37.5
Labor freedom 49.2 29.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 76.7
Trade freedom 75.8 74.2
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Turkmenistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Turkmenistan
2026 59.9 47
2025 59.9 47.1
2024 58.5 46.3
2023 56.7 46.5
2022 58.3 46.2
2021 64.1 47.4
2020 63.2 46.5
2019 60.8 48.4
2018 62.2 47.1
2017 65.1 47.4
2016 62.7 41.9
2015 62.5 41.4
2014 62.3 42.2
2013 63.1 42.6
2012 62.5 43.8
2011 64.9 43.6
2010 67.7 42.5
2009 65.6 44.2
2008 68.1 43.4
2007 66.4 43
2006 66.5 43.8
2005 64.6 47.6
2004 63.6 50.7
2003 66.7 51.3
2002 65.4 43.2
2001 68.2 41.8
2000 69.7 37.6
1999 69.5 36.1
1998 66.3 35
1997 64.8 -
1996 66.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 47 for Turkmenistan, ranking 177/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Turkmenistan
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
50.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
37.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
12.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$48.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$21,020
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$1.51B
1999
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
135/177
1999
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$1.64B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
0.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
47.2%
2012

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/turkmenistan | 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 (1962–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.