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Economy of Kuwait vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 59/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Kuwait vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Kuwait
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Vanuatu
2024 $160,227,273,053 $1,117,972,034
2023 $165,384,407,116 $1,115,861,056
2022 $183,502,046,694 $1,055,031,361
2021 $148,350,671,489 $950,394,007
2020 $111,045,470,606 $909,421,044
2019 $140,856,394,861 $936,526,268
2018 $138,646,316,351 $914,727,908
2017 $120,687,539,806 $880,043,284
2016 $109,406,674,125 $804,323,577
2015 $114,585,555,689 $759,690,181
2014 $162,650,450,685 $773,717,011
2013 $174,168,116,535 $758,304,466
2012 $174,047,662,680 $747,839,698
2011 $154,039,231,246 $770,153,588
2010 $115,416,245,242 $670,712,980
2009 $105,968,691,905 $592,622,319
2008 $147,379,737,230 $590,748,429
2007 $114,634,043,362 $516,392,923
2006 $101,557,330,723 $439,358,587
2005 $80,798,630,137 $394,962,433
2004 $59,439,090,601 $364,996,869
2003 $47,874,582,232 $314,471,413
2002 $38,135,788,414 $262,596,536
2001 $34,889,559,870 $257,926,882
2000 $37,718,743,480 $272,014,628
1999 $30,122,365,849 $268,006,973
1998 $25,943,705,784 $262,293,411
1997 $30,350,190,704 $272,771,209
1996 $31,492,373,309 $261,370,044
1995 $27,186,980,647 $249,333,250
1994 $24,848,483,838 $233,701,301
1993 $23,941,391,391 $200,491,853
1992 $19,858,555,215 $209,088,825
1991 $11,009,993,703 $201,334,169
1990 $18,427,777,778 $168,879,207
1989 $24,313,855,653 $154,013,202
1988 $20,690,322,153 $158,351,368
1987 $22,368,704,134 $139,464,174
1986 $17,903,989,745 $126,498,935
1985 $21,445,970,614 $131,856,421
1984 $21,700,082,753 $144,482,515
1983 $20,871,081,080 $117,389,554
1982 $21,577,153,356 $114,501,913
1981 $25,058,020,338 $113,781,796
1980 $28,638,868,356 $121,185,498
1979 $24,749,063,922 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Vanuatu by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $10,965 - $1,067 -
1988 $9,692 - $1,125 -
1987 $10,896 - $1,017 -
1986 $9,077 - $946 -
1985 $11,322 - $1,012 -
1984 $11,919 - $1,137 -
1983 $11,965 - $947 -
1982 $12,979 - $946 -
1981 $15,825 - $962 -
1980 $19,032 - $1,048 -
1979 $17,386 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
4.05%
2020
Population
5100145
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 42% 42.8%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 43.4% 48%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 45% 3.43% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 41.4% 23% 22.3% 37%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 27.9% 28%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 52% 34.9% 28% 24.1%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 31.8% 21%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 33.2% 15.9%
1990 122.9% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 184/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Vanuatu
2024 23.8% -2.34%
2023 28.2% -0.95%
2022 30% -6.5%
2021 9.98% 2.38%
2020 0.14% -1.95%
2019 13% 2.81%
2018 17.5% 6.26%
2017 15.3% -1.2%
2016 13.1% -0.72%
2015 16.6% -8.66%
2014 30% 1.44%
2013 40.6% -0.25%
2012 40.7% -1.7%
2011 38.8% -2.19%
2010 31.9% -2.63%
2009 31.3% -0.85%
2008 21.3% -0.04%
2007 37.1% 0.28%
2006 28% 0.49%
2005 38.9% 1.86%
2004 32.5% 0.8%
2003 27.2% -1.35%
2002 31% -3.63%
2001 45.2% -3.33%
2000 52.5% -6.28%
1999 28.2% -0.55%
1998 19.5% -6.65%
1997 29.5% -0.51%
1996 24.3% -1.78%
1995 11.7% -2.59%
1994 1.76% -1.49%
1993 -3.12% -3.67%
1992 -28.1% -2.32%
1991 -145% -2.81%
1990 -50% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kuwait/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 18.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Vanuatu
2024 2.9% -
2023 3.64% 11.2%
2022 3.98% 6.68%
2021 3.42% 2.34%
2020 2.1% 5.33%
2019 1.09% 2.76%
2018 0.54% 2.33%
2017 2.17% 3.08%
2016 3.2% 0.84%
2015 3.27% 2.48%
2014 2.91% 0.8%
2013 2.68% 1.46%
2012 3.26% 1.35%
2011 4.84% 0.87%
2010 4.5% 2.76%
2009 4.61% 4.3%
2008 10.6% 4.84%
2007 5.48% 3.94%
2006 3.06% 2.04%
2005 4.14% 1.2%
2004 1.25% 1.42%
2003 0.96% 3.02%
2002 0.89% 1.96%
2001 1.3% 3.58%
2000 1.81% 2.54%
1999 2.99% 2%
1998 0.13% 3.28%
1997 0.68% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Kuwait Vanuatu
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Vanuatu
Economic freedom 59.9 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 92/197
Property rights 42 62.1
Government integrity 47.9 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 67.9
Tax burden 97.7 96.9
Government spending 36.2 48.1
Fiscal health 99.9 78.8
Business freedom 57.4 50.3
Labor freedom 49.2 41
Monetary freedom 68.7 72.1
Trade freedom 75.8 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Vanuatu
2026 59.9 61.1
2025 59.9 61.8
2024 58.5 62.2
2023 56.7 62.1
2022 58.3 62.9
2021 64.1 60.5
2020 63.2 60.7
2019 60.8 56.4
2018 62.2 69.5
2017 65.1 67.4
2016 62.7 60.8
2015 62.5 61.1
2014 62.3 59.5
2013 63.1 56.6
2012 62.5 56.6
2011 64.9 56.7
2010 67.7 56.4
2009 65.6 58.4
2008 68.1 -
2007 66.4 -
2006 66.5 -
2005 64.6 -
2004 63.6 -
2003 66.7 -
2002 65.4 -
2001 68.2 -
2000 69.7 -
1999 69.5 -
1998 66.3 -
1997 64.8 -
1996 66.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.