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Economy of Kuwait vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 59/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Kuwait vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Kuwait
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Tuvalu
2024 $160,227,273,053 -
2023 $165,384,407,116 $62,280,312
2022 $183,502,046,694 $59,065,982
2021 $148,350,671,489 $60,196,406
2020 $111,045,470,606 $51,746,594
2019 $140,856,394,861 $54,123,199
2018 $138,646,316,351 $48,015,260
2017 $120,687,539,806 $45,276,595
2016 $109,406,674,125 $41,629,064
2015 $114,585,555,689 $36,811,936
2014 $162,650,450,685 $38,760,983
2013 $174,168,116,535 $38,615,891
2012 $174,047,662,680 $39,345,579
2011 $154,039,231,246 $39,196,957
2010 $115,416,245,242 $32,105,408
2009 $105,968,691,905 $28,076,984
2008 $147,379,737,230 $31,874,435
2007 $114,634,043,362 $28,450,169
2006 $101,557,330,723 $24,096,875
2005 $80,798,630,137 $22,909,980
2004 $59,439,090,601 $22,798,275
2003 $47,874,582,232 $19,456,338
2002 $38,135,788,414 $16,842,673
2001 $34,889,559,870 $13,964,732
2000 $37,718,743,480 $15,073,976
1999 $30,122,365,849 $14,800,503
1998 $25,943,705,784 $13,795,146
1997 $30,350,190,704 $13,734,210
1996 $31,492,373,309 $13,338,597
1995 $27,186,980,647 $11,922,614
1994 $24,848,483,838 $11,772,611
1993 $23,941,391,391 $10,414,400
1992 $19,858,555,215 $10,535,028
1991 $11,009,993,703 $10,127,314
1990 $18,427,777,778 $9,542,901
1989 $24,313,855,653 $8,454,523
1988 $20,690,322,153 $7,011,059
1987 $22,368,704,134 $5,020,513
1986 $17,903,989,745 $4,574,706
1985 $21,445,970,614 $3,862,852
1984 $21,700,082,753 $4,481,978
1983 $20,871,081,080 $4,152,550
1982 $21,577,153,356 $4,118,945
1981 $25,058,020,338 $4,773,018
1980 $28,638,868,356 $4,206,128
1979 $24,749,063,922 $4,065,659
1978 $15,503,557,496 $3,798,782
1977 $14,137,406,741 $3,669,420
1976 $13,132,252,802 $3,919,072
1975 $12,022,811,621 $4,014,748
1974 $13,006,948,296 $4,122,329
1973 $5,408,804,607 $3,411,915
1972 $4,450,537,925 $2,968,458
1971 $3,880,392,195 $2,716,990
1970 $2,873,638,851 $2,585,956
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/tuvalu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Tuvalu by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 - -
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $10,965 - $976 -
1988 $9,692 - $823 -
1987 $10,896 - $600 -
1986 $9,077 - $557 -
1985 $11,322 - $480 -
1984 $11,919 - $567 -
1983 $11,965 - $533 -
1982 $12,979 - $537 -
1981 $15,825 - $634 -
1980 $19,032 - $571 -
1979 $17,386 - $566 -
1978 $11,567 - $546 -
1977 $11,238 - $549 -
1976 $11,141 - $612 -
1975 $10,882 - $656 -
1974 $12,527 - $708 -
1973 $5,532 - $601 -
1972 $4,836 - $522 -
1971 $4,486 - $478 -
1970 $3,552 - $457 -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
59/197
2024
196/197
2023
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$4,233
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
7.32%
2022
Population
5100145
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 106.4% 12%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 45% 3.43% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 100% 20.6%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 74.1% -
2003 38.2% 17.2% - -
2002 42.8% 21.3% - -
2001 41.4% 23% - -
2000 29.9% 21.4% - -
1999 44.5% 25.5% - -
1998 51.7% 25.6% - -
1997 43.8% 24.3% - -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 184/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Tuvalu
2024 23.8% -8.23%
2023 28.2% 15.3%
2022 30% -14.6%
2021 9.98% -13.3%
2020 0.14% 13.7%
2019 13% -1.07%
2018 17.5% 30.3%
2017 15.3% 2.09%
2016 13.1% 27.5%
2015 16.6% 14.7%
2014 30% 3.26%
2013 40.6% 26%
2012 40.7% 9.58%
2011 38.8% -8.8%
2010 31.9% -23.4%
2009 31.3% -13.5%
2008 21.3% -17.2%
2007 37.1% -18.6%
2006 28% -36.8%
2005 38.9% -12.8%
2004 32.5% -3.6%
2003 27.2% -
2002 31% -
2001 45.2% -
2000 52.5% -
1999 28.2% -
1998 19.5% -
1997 29.5% -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2023, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $46.7B, equivalent to 28.2% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 25.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Tuvalu
2024 2.9% 1.2%
2023 3.64% 7.2%
2022 3.98% 12.2%
2021 3.42% 6.7%
2020 2.1% 1.6%
2019 1.09% 3.5%
2018 0.54% 2.2%
2017 2.17% 4.1%
2016 3.2% 3.5%
2015 3.27% 3.1%
2014 2.91% 1.1%
2013 2.68% 2%
2012 3.26% 1.4%
2011 4.84% 0.5%
2010 4.5% -1.9%
2009 4.61% -0.3%
2008 10.6% 10.4%
2007 5.48% 2.3%
2006 3.06% 4.2%
2005 4.14% 3.2%
2004 1.25% 2.4%
2003 0.96% 2.9%
2002 0.89% 5.1%
2001 1.3% 1.5%
2000 1.81% -
1999 2.99% -
1998 0.13% -
1997 0.68% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 24 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.2%, compared with 3.34% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

Kuwait Tuvalu
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$184K
2022
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Tuvalu
Economic freedom 59.9 60
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 99/197
Property rights 42 n/a
Government integrity 47.9 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 n/a
Tax burden 97.7 n/a
Government spending 36.2 n/a
Fiscal health 99.9 n/a
Business freedom 57.4 n/a
Labor freedom 49.2 n/a
Monetary freedom 68.7 n/a
Trade freedom 75.8 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$8,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
n/a

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/tuvalu | CC BY

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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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. 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.

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.