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Economy of Kuwait vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 59/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Kuwait vs Yemen GDP by year

Kuwait
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Yemen
2024 $160,227,273,053 -
2023 $165,384,407,116 -
2022 $183,502,046,694 -
2021 $148,350,671,489 -
2020 $111,045,470,606 -
2019 $140,856,394,861 -
2018 $138,646,316,351 $21,606,160,663
2017 $120,687,539,806 $26,842,229,045
2016 $109,406,674,125 $31,317,825,274
2015 $114,585,555,689 $42,444,490,074
2014 $162,650,450,685 $43,228,585,321
2013 $174,168,116,535 $40,415,233,436
2012 $174,047,662,680 $35,401,331,610
2011 $154,039,231,246 $32,726,417,878
2010 $115,416,245,242 $30,906,749,533
2009 $105,968,691,905 $25,130,278,213
2008 $147,379,737,230 $26,910,855,807
2007 $114,634,043,362 $21,650,528,674
2006 $101,557,330,723 $19,063,143,370
2005 $80,798,630,137 $16,731,566,717
2004 $59,439,090,601 $13,867,634,371
2003 $47,874,582,232 $11,777,532,662
2002 $38,135,788,414 $10,693,430,511
2001 $34,889,559,870 $9,852,990,693
2000 $37,718,743,480 $9,679,316,770
1999 $30,122,365,849 $7,639,325,296
1998 $25,943,705,784 $6,322,175,566
1997 $30,350,190,704 $6,838,298,531
1996 $31,492,373,309 $6,496,163,616
1995 $27,186,980,647 $12,796,345,679
1994 $24,848,483,838 $28,019,483,764
1993 $23,941,391,391 $21,736,802,664
1992 $19,858,555,215 $17,959,367,194
1991 $11,009,993,703 $14,665,445,462
1990 $18,427,777,778 $12,643,821,569
1989 $24,313,855,653 -
1988 $20,690,322,153 -
1987 $22,368,704,134 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Yemen by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 - -
2023 $34,076 $53,025 - -
2022 $39,982 $55,043 - -
2021 $34,019 $50,652 - -
2020 $25,236 $41,462 - -
2019 $31,708 $50,703 - -
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $634 -
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $811 -
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $975 -
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $1,362 -
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $1,430 -
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $969 $3,411
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $890 $3,294
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $810 $3,205
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $734 $3,113
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $628 $2,949
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $549 $2,844
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $513 $2,768
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $487 $2,702
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $493 $2,624
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $401 $2,492
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $343 $2,442
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $383 $2,351
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $375 $2,268
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $764 $2,201
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $910 $1,742
1989 $10,965 - - -
1988 $9,692 - - -
1987 $10,896 - - -
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/yemen | CC BY

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Yemen
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
59/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
13.5%
2014
Population
5100145
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 10.6% 87%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 45% 3.43% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 35.3% 13.9% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 38.2% 17.2% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 42.8% 21.3% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 41.4% 23% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 29.9% 21.4% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 44.5% 25.5% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 51.7% 25.6% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 43.8% 24.3% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 42.8% 26.5% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 52% 34.9% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 57.8% 37.7% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 58.2% 28.8% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 77.6% 27.9% 24.6% 78%
1991 208.9% 45.3% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 122.9% - 26.6% 91.6%

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

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

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 184/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Yemen
2024 23.8% -2.48%
2023 28.2% -5.63%
2022 30% -2.15%
2021 9.98% -0.89%
2020 0.14% -4.3%
2019 13% -5.89%
2018 17.5% -7.85%
2017 15.3% -4.9%
2016 13.1% -8.51%
2015 16.6% -8.75%
2014 30% -4.14%
2013 40.6% -6.9%
2012 40.7% -6.32%
2011 38.8% -4.51%
2010 31.9% -4.06%
2009 31.3% -10.2%
2008 21.3% -4.53%
2007 37.1% -7.18%
2006 28% 1.19%
2005 38.9% -1.82%
2004 32.5% -2.15%
2003 27.2% -4.2%
2002 31% -0.56%
2001 45.2% 2.79%
2000 52.5% 6.09%
1999 28.2% 0.06%
1998 19.5% -7.77%
1997 29.5% -1.5%
1996 24.3% -0.92%
1995 11.7% -5.74%
1994 1.76% -14%
1993 -3.12% -12.8%
1992 -28.1% -10.9%
1991 -145% -5.76%
1990 -50% -10.3%

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

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

In 2018, Kuwait's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.3B, equivalent to 17.5% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 16.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Yemen
2024 2.9% 33.9%
2023 3.64% 0.9%
2022 3.98% 29.5%
2021 3.42% 31.5%
2020 2.1% 21.7%
2019 1.09% 15.7%
2018 0.54% 33.6%
2017 2.17% 30.4%
2016 3.2% 21.3%
2015 3.27% 22%
2014 2.91% 8.2%
2013 2.68% 11%
2012 3.26% 9.9%
2011 4.84% 19.5%
2010 4.5% 11.2%
2009 4.61% 3.7%
2008 10.6% 19%
2007 5.48% 7.9%
2006 3.06% 10.8%
2005 4.14% 9.9%
2004 1.25% 12.5%
2003 0.96% 10.8%
2002 0.89% 12.2%
2001 1.3% 11.9%
2000 1.81% 11%
1999 2.99% 7.9%
1998 0.13% 11.5%
1997 0.68% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.07M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.14M
Raw materials & minerals $887K
Miscellaneous $545K
Raw agricultural goods $423K
Wood & paper products $314K
Textiles & consumer goods $273K
Chemicals & pharma $230K
Animal & marine products $190K
Metals $54K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $186K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Yemen
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Yemen
Economic freedom 59.9 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 138/197
Property rights 42 3.5
Government integrity 47.9 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 9.9
Tax burden 97.7 93.7
Government spending 36.2 0
Fiscal health 99.9 71.2
Business freedom 57.4 31.3
Labor freedom 49.2 31.2
Monetary freedom 68.7 48.1
Trade freedom 75.8 67.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Yemen
2026 59.9 -
2025 59.9 -
2024 58.5 -
2023 56.7 -
2022 58.3 -
2021 64.1 -
2020 63.2 -
2019 60.8 -
2018 62.2 -
2017 65.1 -
2016 62.7 -
2015 62.5 53.7
2014 62.3 55.5
2013 63.1 55.9
2012 62.5 55.3
2011 64.9 54.2
2010 67.7 54.4
2009 65.6 56.9
2008 68.1 53.8
2007 66.4 54.1
2006 66.5 52.6
2005 64.6 53.8
2004 63.6 50.5
2003 66.7 50.3
2002 65.4 48.6
2001 68.2 44.3
2000 69.7 44.5
1999 69.5 43.3
1998 66.3 46.1
1997 64.8 48.4
1996 66.1 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Yemen
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2015–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

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.