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Economy of Kuwait vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kuwait has a GDP of $160B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 59/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kuwait has $4.68B in government debt (2.92% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Kuwait vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Kuwait
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kuwait Zimbabwe
2024 $160,227,273,053 $41,539,411,516
2023 $165,384,407,116 $35,871,779,681
2022 $183,502,046,694 $40,757,561,709
2021 $148,350,671,489 $41,287,673,690
2020 $111,045,470,606 $31,980,334,561
2019 $140,856,394,861 $33,357,695,635
2018 $138,646,316,351 $34,141,666,667
2017 $120,687,539,806 $51,035,657,371
2016 $109,406,674,125 $20,559,250,000
2015 $114,585,555,689 $19,973,250,000
2014 $162,650,450,685 $19,505,500,000
2013 $174,168,116,535 $19,100,750,000
2012 $174,047,662,680 $17,123,500,000
2011 $154,039,231,246 $14,109,000,000
2010 $115,416,245,242 $12,047,750,000
2009 $105,968,691,905 $9,670,750,000
2008 $147,379,737,230 $4,418,000,000
2007 $114,634,043,362 $5,294,750,000
2006 $101,557,330,723 $5,446,750,000
2005 $80,798,630,137 $5,758,250,000
2004 $59,439,090,601 $5,808,500,000
2003 $47,874,582,232 $5,730,500,000
2002 $38,135,788,414 $6,345,250,000
2001 $34,889,559,870 $6,780,750,000
2000 $37,718,743,480 $6,693,250,000
1999 $30,122,365,849 $6,861,500,000
1998 $25,943,705,784 $6,405,250,000
1997 $30,350,190,704 $8,534,000,000
1996 $31,492,373,309 $8,557,500,000
1995 $27,186,980,647 $7,115,000,000
1994 $24,848,483,838 $6,894,250,000
1993 $23,941,391,391 $6,567,250,000
1992 $19,858,555,215 $6,755,000,000
1991 $11,009,993,703 $8,646,000,000
1990 $18,427,777,778 $8,788,301,546
1989 $24,313,855,653 $8,290,553,535
1988 $20,690,322,153 $7,818,774,177
1987 $22,368,704,134 $6,744,657,033
1986 $17,903,989,745 $6,220,698,247
1985 $21,445,970,614 $5,640,137,575
1984 $21,700,082,753 $6,355,369,172
1983 $20,871,081,080 $7,768,031,182
1982 $21,577,153,356 $8,544,060,905
1981 $25,058,020,338 $8,015,464,252
1980 $28,638,868,356 $6,682,278,300
1979 $24,749,063,922 $5,180,102,910
1978 $15,503,557,496 $4,353,822,343
1977 $14,137,406,741 $4,366,610,469
1976 $13,132,252,802 $4,320,576,877
1975 $12,022,811,621 $4,373,532,601
1974 $13,006,948,296 $3,984,194,614
1973 $5,408,804,607 $3,311,043,292
1972 $4,450,537,925 $2,679,096,597
1971 $3,880,392,195 $2,179,828,710
1970 $2,873,638,851 $1,885,168,339
1969 $2,769,198,892 $1,748,891,294
1968 $2,662,798,935 $1,480,355,355
1967 $2,441,599,023 $1,397,715,282
1966 $2,391,199,044 $1,282,403,936
1965 $2,097,199,161 $1,312,105,394
1964 $2,071,668,533 $1,217,759,447
1963 $1,900,895,857 $1,160,103,724
1962 $1,828,107,503 $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Kuwait vs Zimbabwe by year

Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kuwait Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,718 $52,444 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $34,076 $53,025 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $39,982 $55,043 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $34,019 $50,652 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $25,236 $41,462 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $31,708 $50,703 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $32,068 $51,371 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $29,048 $46,566 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $27,324 $41,862 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $29,882 $45,267 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $44,369 $68,337 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $49,651 $76,813 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $52,155 $82,090 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $49,170 $79,037 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $39,212 $75,184 $902 $2,661
2009 $37,907 $80,110 $736 $2,233
2008 $55,585 $90,337 $341 $1,987
2007 $45,709 $91,435 $414 $2,396
2006 $42,947 $89,075 $431 $2,454
2005 $36,123 $84,968 $461 $2,496
2004 $27,552 $77,227 $470 $2,591
2003 $22,691 $69,752 $468 $2,708
2002 $18,513 $59,713 $525 $3,238
2001 $17,374 $58,553 $566 $3,533
2000 $19,296 $58,703 $563 $3,429
1999 $15,854 $56,406 $582 $3,491
1998 $14,067 $58,344 $552 $3,527
1997 $16,977 $57,420 $751 $3,457
1996 $18,201 $56,913 $767 $3,372
1995 $16,168 $57,163 $648 $3,051
1994 $14,930 $53,946 $634 $3,012
1993 $14,318 $48,482 $605 $2,703
1992 $12,146 $36,149 $631 $2,651
1991 $8,147 $23,390 $831 $2,930
1990 $10,938 $30,763 $867 $2,757
1989 $10,965 - $840 -
1988 $9,692 - $816 -
1987 $10,896 - $726 -
1986 $9,077 - $693 -
1985 $11,322 - $649 -
1984 $11,919 - $757 -
1983 $11,965 - $959 -
1982 $12,979 - $1,096 -
1981 $15,825 - $1,069 -
1980 $19,032 - $949 -
1979 $17,386 - $779 -
1978 $11,567 - $665 -
1977 $11,238 - $677 -
1976 $11,141 - $687 -
1975 $10,882 - $717 -
1974 $12,527 - $674 -
1973 $5,532 - $579 -
1972 $4,836 - $483 -
1971 $4,486 - $406 -
1970 $3,552 - $361 -
1969 $3,695 - $346 -
1968 $3,872 - $302 -
1967 $3,887 - $294.4 -
1966 $4,176 - $278.7 -
1965 $4,024 - $294.3 -
1964 $4,379 - $281.9 -
1963 $4,445 - $277.1 -
1962 $4,748 - $275.7 -
1961 - - $279.2 -
1960 - - $276.6 -

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

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

Kuwait's GDP per capita is $32,718, ranking 37/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Kuwait Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$160B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
59/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.56%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,718
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,444
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
40/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$4.68B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
2.92%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$956
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,828
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$141B
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.4%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.16%
2016
12.1%
2024
Population
5100145
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kuwait
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kuwait Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.4% 2.92% 12.9% 73%
2023 48.3% 3.13% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 39.6% 2.95% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 48.3% 7.2% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 62.9% 10.2% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 50.3% 10.5% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 51.1% 14.3% 13.9% 33%
2017 51.9% 19.6% 19.8% 49%
2016 54.1% 9.88% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 55.4% 4.6% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 45% 3.43% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 38.4% 3.09% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 38.2% 3.6% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 39.7% 4.64% 16.2% 30%
2010 45.5% 6.16% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 42.9% 6.65% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 40.9% 5.38% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 30.4% 7.05% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 32.3% 7.79% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 28.8% 10.2% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 35.3% 13.9% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Kuwait's government spending was $80.8B, accounting for 50.4% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 2.92% in Kuwait and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 184/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kuwait

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kuwait Zimbabwe
2024 23.8% -1.06%
2023 28.2% -3.9%
2022 30% -3.3%
2021 9.98% -2.24%
2020 0.14% -0.34%
2019 13% -1.72%
2018 17.5% -3.81%
2017 15.3% -7.37%
2016 13.1% -4.63%
2015 16.6% -1.45%
2014 30% -0.71%
2013 40.6% -0.69%
2012 40.7% -0.13%
2011 38.8% -1.72%
2010 31.9% -0.11%
2009 31.3% -1.39%
2008 21.3% -1.2%
2007 37.1% -1.67%
2006 28% -1.4%
2005 38.9% -3.46%
2004 32.5% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Kuwait recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Kuwait posted an annual surplus equal to 25.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kuwait

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kuwait Zimbabwe
2024 2.9% 736%
2023 3.64% 667%
2022 3.98% 193.4%
2021 3.42% 98.5%
2020 2.1% 557%
2019 1.09% 255.3%
2018 0.54% 10.6%
2017 2.17% 0.9%
2016 3.2% -1.6%
2015 3.27% -2.4%
2014 2.91% -0.2%
2013 2.68% 1.6%
2012 3.26% 3.7%
2011 4.84% 3.5%
2010 4.5% 3%
2009 4.61% 6.2%
2008 10.6% 157%
2007 5.48% -72.7%
2006 3.06% 33%
2005 4.14% -31.5%
2004 1.25% 113.6%
2003 0.96% -8.6%
2002 0.89% -34.4%
2001 1.3% -37.2%
2000 1.81% 4.5%
1999 2.99% -13.4%
1998 0.13% -28%
1997 0.68% -1%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kuwait has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.94%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 2.9% in Kuwait and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Kuwait
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Miscellaneous $4K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Animal & marine products $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Kuwait Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$46.7B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
15/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.1%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$33.4B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$77.5B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$28.1B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$12.2B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
38.3%
2023
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.7%
2023
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kuwait Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 59.9 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 100/197 190/197
Property rights 42 19.4
Government integrity 47.9 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 43.4 16.8
Tax burden 97.7 73.6
Government spending 36.2 93.9
Fiscal health 99.9 52.4
Business freedom 57.4 42
Labor freedom 49.2 33.3
Monetary freedom 68.7 0
Trade freedom 75.8 50.4
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kuwait
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kuwait Zimbabwe
2026 59.9 35.2
2025 59.9 35.1
2024 58.5 38.2
2023 56.7 39
2022 58.3 33.1
2021 64.1 39.5
2020 63.2 43.1
2019 60.8 40.4
2018 62.2 44
2017 65.1 44
2016 62.7 38.2
2015 62.5 37.6
2014 62.3 35.5
2013 63.1 28.6
2012 62.5 26.3
2011 64.9 22.1
2010 67.7 21.4
2009 65.6 22.7
2008 68.1 29.5
2007 66.4 32
2006 66.5 33.5
2005 64.6 35.2
2004 63.6 34.4
2003 66.7 36.7
2002 65.4 36.7
2001 68.2 38.8
2000 69.7 48.7
1999 69.5 47.2
1998 66.3 44.6
1997 64.8 48
1996 66.1 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kuwait is 59.9, ranking 100/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kuwait Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
55.9%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.49%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$200B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,270
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$50.7B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
41/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.71B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$615M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10.3B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.7%
2023
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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. 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.