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Economy of Kuwait vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 59/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Kuwait vs Uruguay GDP by year

Kuwait
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Uruguay
2024 $160,227,273,053 $80,961,511,074
2023 $165,384,407,116 $77,991,666,838
2022 $183,502,046,694 $70,594,110,920
2021 $148,350,671,489 $60,739,084,241
2020 $111,045,470,606 $53,559,359,262
2019 $140,856,394,861 $62,222,313,619
2018 $138,646,316,351 $65,344,577,416
2017 $120,687,539,806 $65,005,997,963
2016 $109,406,674,125 $57,480,787,465
2015 $114,585,555,689 $57,680,327,999
2014 $162,650,450,685 $61,496,186,974
2013 $174,168,116,535 $61,337,621,934
2012 $174,047,662,680 $54,232,266,359
2011 $154,039,231,246 $50,342,406,067
2010 $115,416,245,242 $41,950,361,212
2009 $105,968,691,905 $32,708,319,078
2008 $147,379,737,230 $31,119,602,539
2007 $114,634,043,362 $23,797,773,024
2006 $101,557,330,723 $19,741,420,740
2005 $80,798,630,137 $17,362,857,684
2004 $59,439,090,601 $13,686,329,890
2003 $47,874,582,232 $12,045,638,352
2002 $38,135,788,414 $13,606,515,723
2001 $34,889,559,870 $20,898,761,742
2000 $37,718,743,480 $22,823,270,892
1999 $30,122,365,849 $23,983,945,191
1998 $25,943,705,784 $25,385,886,978
1997 $30,350,190,704 $23,969,739,234
1996 $31,492,373,309 $20,515,458,114
1995 $27,186,980,647 $19,297,663,097
1994 $24,848,483,838 $17,474,588,896
1993 $23,941,391,391 $15,002,136,971
1992 $19,858,555,215 $12,878,148,791
1991 $11,009,993,703 $11,206,176,651
1990 $18,427,777,778 $9,298,807,850
1989 $24,313,855,653 $8,438,951,476
1988 $20,690,322,153 $8,213,538,369
1987 $22,368,704,134 $7,367,494,080
1986 $17,903,989,745 $5,880,112,788
1985 $21,445,970,614 $4,732,017,873
1984 $21,700,082,753 $4,850,238,550
1983 $20,871,081,080 $5,102,276,308
1982 $21,577,153,356 $9,178,780,077
1981 $25,058,020,338 $11,048,301,421
1980 $28,638,868,356 $10,163,020,116
1979 $24,749,063,922 $7,181,182,224
1978 $15,503,557,496 $4,910,254,566
1977 $14,137,406,741 $4,114,670,014
1976 $13,132,252,802 $3,667,161,241
1975 $12,022,811,621 $3,538,278,047
1974 $13,006,948,296 $4,090,209,682
1973 $5,408,804,607 $3,964,296,443
1972 $4,450,537,925 $2,189,418,689
1971 $3,880,392,195 $2,807,258,065
1970 $2,873,638,851 $2,137,096,774
1969 $2,769,198,892 $2,004,435,484
1968 $2,662,798,935 $1,593,674,185
1967 $2,441,599,023 $1,597,713,469
1966 $2,391,199,044 $1,809,185,094
1965 $2,097,199,161 $1,890,767,156
1964 $2,071,668,533 $1,975,701,816
1963 $1,900,895,857 $1,539,681,491
1962 $1,828,107,503 $1,710,004,407
1961 - $1,547,388,781
1960 - $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Uruguay by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $10,965 - $2,734 -
1988 $9,692 - $2,677 -
1987 $10,896 - $2,416 -
1986 $9,077 - $1,939 -
1985 $11,322 - $1,568 -
1984 $11,919 - $1,615 -
1983 $11,965 - $1,707 -
1982 $12,979 - $3,085 -
1981 $15,825 - $3,728 -
1980 $19,032 - $3,443 -
1979 $17,386 - $2,443 -
1978 $11,567 - $1,678 -
1977 $11,238 - $1,414 -
1976 $11,141 - $1,268 -
1975 $10,882 - $1,232 -
1974 $12,527 - $1,433 -
1973 $5,532 - $1,397 -
1972 $4,836 - $776 -
1971 $4,486 - $1,000 -
1970 $3,552 - $766 -
1969 $3,695 - $723 -
1968 $3,872 - $579 -
1967 $3,887 - $585 -
1966 $4,176 - $668 -
1965 $4,024 - $705 -
1964 $4,379 - $745 -
1963 $4,445 - $587 -
1962 $4,748 - $659 -
1961 - - $604 -
1960 - - $491 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
8.21%
2024
Population
5100145
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 30.5% 64%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 30% 59.9%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 45% 3.43% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 28.8% 50%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 41.4% 23% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 52% 34.9% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 27.7% 20%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 122.9% - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 184/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Uruguay
2024 23.8% -3.22%
2023 28.2% -3.13%
2022 30% -2.52%
2021 9.98% -2.61%
2020 0.14% -4.64%
2019 13% -2.71%
2018 17.5% -1.89%
2017 15.3% -2.51%
2016 13.1% -2.68%
2015 16.6% -1.86%
2014 30% -2.6%
2013 40.6% -1.72%
2012 40.7% -2.17%
2011 38.8% -0.33%
2010 31.9% -0.39%
2009 31.3% -1.39%
2008 21.3% -1.31%
2007 37.1% -0.16%
2006 28% -0.64%
2005 38.9% -0.28%
2004 32.5% -0.87%
2003 27.2% -2.19%
2002 31% -3.19%
2001 45.2% -2.85%
2000 52.5% -2.76%
1999 28.2% -2.76%
1998 19.5% -0.76%
1997 29.5% -0.97%
1996 24.3% -1.32%
1995 11.7% -1.08%
1994 1.76% -2.37%
1993 -3.12% -0.47%
1992 -28.1% 0.6%
1991 -145% 0.88%
1990 -50% 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.67% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Uruguay
2024 2.9% 4.85%
2023 3.64% 5.87%
2022 3.98% 9.1%
2021 3.42% 7.75%
2020 2.1% 9.76%
2019 1.09% 7.88%
2018 0.54% 7.61%
2017 2.17% 6.22%
2016 3.2% 9.64%
2015 3.27% 8.67%
2014 2.91% 8.88%
2013 2.68% 8.58%
2012 3.26% 8.1%
2011 4.84% 8.09%
2010 4.5% 6.7%
2009 4.61% 7.06%
2008 10.6% 7.88%
2007 5.48% 8.11%
2006 3.06% 6.4%
2005 4.14% 4.7%
2004 1.25% 9.16%
2003 0.96% 19.4%
2002 0.89% 14%
2001 1.3% 4.36%
2000 1.81% 4.76%
1999 2.99% 5.66%
1998 0.13% 10.8%
1997 0.68% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $8K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.49M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.03M
Chemicals & pharma $156K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Uruguay
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Uruguay
Economic freedom 59.9 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 39/197
Property rights 42 87.4
Government integrity 47.9 79
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 80.9
Tax burden 97.7 73.3
Government spending 36.2 72
Fiscal health 99.9 76.6
Business freedom 57.4 83.8
Labor freedom 49.2 61.7
Monetary freedom 68.7 70.2
Trade freedom 75.8 73.2
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Uruguay
2026 59.9 69.8
2025 59.9 70.2
2024 58.5 69.8
2023 56.7 70.2
2022 58.3 70
2021 64.1 69.3
2020 63.2 69.1
2019 60.8 68.6
2018 62.2 69.2
2017 65.1 69.7
2016 62.7 68.8
2015 62.5 68.6
2014 62.3 69.3
2013 63.1 69.7
2012 62.5 69.9
2011 64.9 70
2010 67.7 69.8
2009 65.6 69.1
2008 68.1 67.9
2007 66.4 68.4
2006 66.5 65.3
2005 64.6 66.9
2004 63.6 66.7
2003 66.7 69.8
2002 65.4 68.7
2001 68.2 70.7
2000 69.7 69.3
1999 69.5 68.5
1998 66.3 68.6
1997 64.8 67.5
1996 66.1 63.7
1995 - 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
15.6%
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/uruguay | CC BY

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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 (1955–1998, 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 (2020–2024, 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.

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.