Countries
🇰🇼 Kuwait
Kuwait City · KWD
An oil-dependent economy whose Kuwait Investment Authority describes itself as the world's first sovereign wealth fund, with a labour market dominated by public-sector employment of nationals.
Verified · updated 3 Nov 2026
Key indicators
$157.21 bn
GDP (nominal)
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
$32,312.3
GDP per capita (nominal)
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
2.7%
Real GDP growth
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
2.4%
Inflation (CPI)
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
4.87 mn
Population
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
$413.1 mn
FDI net inflows
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
$44.17 bn
Foreign exchange reserves
International Monetary Fund·Aug 2026·source dated 1 Oct 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026·About this indicator
-2.2%
Fiscal balance, central government (% of GDP)
International Monetary Fund·FY2024/25·source dated 24 Feb 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026·About this indicator
14.7%
Public debt (% of GDP)
International Monetary Fund·2025 (IMF projection)(estimate)·source dated 24 Feb 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
18 score (0-21 scale)
Sovereign credit rating (S&P-equivalent score)
S&P Global Ratings·Nov 2025·source dated 21 Nov 2025·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
Oil and gas
101.50 bn bbl
Proven crude oil reserves
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026·About this indicator
2.47 mb/d
Crude oil production
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026·About this indicator
2.88 mb/d
Crude oil production capacity
International Energy Agency (IEA)·Aug 2026·source dated 11 Sep 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026·About this indicator
1.33 mb/d
Crude oil exports
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026·About this indicator
1.45 mb/d
Refining capacity
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026·About this indicator
1,780 bcm
Proven natural gas reserves
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026·About this indicator
16.35 bcm
Marketed natural gas production
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026·About this indicator
Labour snapshot
2.2%
Unemployment rate (total)
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
73.4%
Labour force participation (total)
World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026·About this indicator
Nationalisation programme
Public Authority for Manpower
Kuwaitization sets minimum shares of Kuwaiti employees by private-sector activity and supports national employment in the private sector through wage allowances.
Official source ↗Sovereign funds
Major companies
- Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait · Banking
- Alghanim Industries · Diversified conglomerate
- Boubyan Bank · Islamic banking
- Boursa Kuwait · Exchange operator
- Burgan Bank · Banking
- Commercial Bank of Kuwait · Banking
- Gulf Bank · Banking
- Jazeera Airways · Aviation
- Kuwait Airways · Aviation
- Kuwait Finance House · Islamic banking
- Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) · Oil & gas
- Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) · Oil & gas
- Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) · Oil & gas (upstream)
- Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) · Shipping & LNG transport
- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation · Oil & gas
- Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8) · Oil & gas
- Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO) · Investment holding
- Mabanee · Real estate
- Makhazen (formerly Agility Public Warehousing Company) · Infrastructure & logistics real estate
- National Bank of Kuwait · Banking
- National Industries Group · Diversified holding (industry, real estate, investment, energy)
- Ooredoo Kuwait · Telecoms
- Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) · Chemicals
- Warba Bank · Banking
- Zain Group · Telecoms
- stc Kuwait · Telecoms
Major projects
- Al-Zour Refinery · Oil and gas
- Mina Abdullah Refinery · Oil and gas
- Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery · Oil and gas
- Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port · Ports
All verified values
| Key indicators | Period | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proven crude oil reserves | 2025 | 101.50 bn bbl | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2025 | $157.21 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Proven crude oil reserves | 2024 | 101.5 bn bbl | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 | $160.90 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 | $165.46 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Proven crude oil reserves | 2023 | 101.5 bn bbl | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2023·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 | $183.50 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2021 | $148.35 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 | $111.05 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2019 | $140.86 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2018 | $138.65 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2017 | $120.69 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2016 | $109.41 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2015 | $114.59 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2025 | $32,312.3 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2024 | $32,855.7 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2023 | $34,092.0 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2022 | $39,981.8 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2021 | $34,018.6 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2020 | $25,236.1 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2019 | $31,707.9 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2018 | $32,068.0 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2017 | $29,047.7 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2016 | $27,323.7 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 2015 | $29,882.2 | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2025 | 2.7% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Crude oil production | 2025 | 2.47 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2024 | -1.5% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Crude oil production | 2024 | 2.41 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2023 | -1.6% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Crude oil production | 2023 | 2.59 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2023·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2022 | 6.8% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2021 | 1.7% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2020 | -4.8% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2019 | 2.3% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2018 | 2.7% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2017 | -4.7% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2016 | 2.9% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Real GDP growth | 2015 | 0.6% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Crude oil production capacity | Aug 2026 | 2.88 mb/d | International Energy Agency (IEA)·Aug 2026·source dated 11 Sep 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Crude oil exports | 2025 | 1.33 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2025 | 2.4% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2024 | 2.9% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Crude oil exports | 2024 | 1.18 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Crude oil exports | 2023 | 1.57 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2023·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2023 | 3.6% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2022 | 4.0% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2021 | 3.4% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2020 | 2.1% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2019 | 1.1% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2018 | 0.5% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2017 | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2016 | 3.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Inflation (CPI) | 2015 | 3.3% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Population | 2025 | 4.87 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2024 | 4.90 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Refining capacity | 2024 | 1.45 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2023 | 4.85 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Refining capacity | 2023 | 1.42 mb/d | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2023·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2022 | 4.59 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2021 | 4.36 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2020 | 4.40 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2019 | 4.44 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2018 | 4.32 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2017 | 4.15 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2016 | 4.00 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Population | 2015 | 3.83 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2025 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Proven natural gas reserves | 2025 | 1,780 bcm | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026 |
| Proven natural gas reserves | 2024 | 1,784 bcm | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2024 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2023 (estimate) | 2.1% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Proven natural gas reserves | 2023 | 1,784 bcm | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2023·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2022 (estimate) | 2.1% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2021 (estimate) | 3.0% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2020 (estimate) | 3.5% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2019 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2018 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2017 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2016 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Unemployment rate (total) | 2015 (estimate) | 2.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2025 (estimate) | 73.4% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Marketed natural gas production | 2025 | 16.35 bcm | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2025·source dated 29 Apr 2026·updated 25 Oct 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2024 (estimate) | 73.6% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Marketed natural gas production | 2024 | 16.33 bcm | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2024·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 24 Oct 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2023 (estimate) | 74.0% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Marketed natural gas production | 2023 | 15.55 bcm | OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin·2023·source dated 2 Jul 2025·updated 24 Oct 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2022 (estimate) | 74.4% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2022(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2021 (estimate) | 70.6% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2021(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2020 (estimate) | 69.2% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2020(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2019 (estimate) | 73.3% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2019(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2018 (estimate) | 73.6% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2018(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2017 (estimate) | 73.4% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2017(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2016 (estimate) | 72.7% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2016(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| Labour force participation (total) | 2015 (estimate) | 72.3% | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2015(estimate)·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 3 Nov 2026 |
| FDI net inflows | 2025 | $413.1 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2025·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| FDI net inflows | 2024 | $614.6 mn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2024·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| FDI net inflows | 2023 | $2.11 bn | World Bank, World Development Indicators·2023·source dated 8 Oct 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Foreign exchange reserves | Aug 2026 | $44.17 bn | International Monetary Fund·Aug 2026·source dated 1 Oct 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Foreign exchange reserves | end-2025 | $51.74 bn | International Monetary Fund·end-2025·source dated 1 Oct 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Foreign exchange reserves | end-2024 | $50.73 bn | International Monetary Fund·end-2024·source dated 1 Oct 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Fiscal balance, central government (% of GDP) | FY2024/25 | -2.2% | International Monetary Fund·FY2024/25·source dated 24 Feb 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Fiscal balance, central government (% of GDP) | FY2023/24 | -3.1% | International Monetary Fund·FY2023/24·source dated 24 Feb 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Fiscal balance, central government (% of GDP) | FY2022/23 | 11.7% | International Monetary Fund·FY2022/23·source dated 24 Feb 2026·updated 4 Oct 2026 |
| Public debt (% of GDP) | 2025 (IMF projection) (estimate) | 14.7% | International Monetary Fund·2025 (IMF projection)(estimate)·source dated 24 Feb 2026·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
| Sovereign credit rating (S&P-equivalent score) | Nov 2025 | 18 score (0-21 scale) | S&P Global Ratings·Nov 2025·source dated 21 Nov 2025·updated 27 Oct 2026 |
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Sources
- OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin · publications.opec.org
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · data.worldbank.org
- International Energy Agency (IEA) · iea.org
- International Monetary Fund · api.imf.org
- S&P Global Ratings · cbk.gov.kw