Kuwait: economy and key statistics
Kuwait is number 59 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $157.2 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $32,312. The economy grew by 2.7% in 2025. Unemployment is 2.2%. The economy is 60% services, 54% industry, 1% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 2 R&D labs, 2 investors.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Kuwait is number 57 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 41.5 out of 100: economic 64, technology 19, military 38 and human capital 49.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $157.2 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $274.7 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $32,312 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +2.7% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 2.4% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 2.2% | 2025 |
| Population | 4.9 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 2.9 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 60% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 54% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 8% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 1% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 56% | 2024 |
| Foreign direct investment | 0.3% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 6% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 0.09% of GDP | 2024 |
| Internet users | 100% of people | 2025 |
Investors in Kuwait
Main export industries
Kuwait exported goods worth about $76.0bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation: $68.9bn (90.7% of goods exports)
- Organic chemicals: $1.8bn (2.3% of goods exports)
- Vehicles: $1.6bn (2.1% of goods exports)
- Plastics and articles thereof: $1.1bn (1.4% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $0.3bn (0.4% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Middle East
- Saudi Arabia (#19)
- Israel (#26)
- United Arab Emirates (#30)
- Egypt (#43)
- Iran (#44)
- Algeria (#51)
- Iraq (#54)
- Qatar (#56)
- Morocco (#58)
- Oman (#71)
- Jordan (#90)
- Tunisia (#93)
- Bahrain (#99)
- Libya (#101)
- Malta (#118)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Kuwait?
Kuwait had a GDP of $157.2 billion in 2025, ranking number 59 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Kuwait?
GDP per person in Kuwait was $32,312 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Kuwait growing?
The economy of Kuwait grew by 2.7% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
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