Kuwait: economy

What is Kuwait's GDP growth rate?

Kuwait's GDP at constant prices was 4.6% lower in the first quarter of 2026 than in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). The CSB publishes its quarterly GDP estimates on its quarterly GDP page.

The Ministry of Finance's 2026/27 budget assumes oil production of 2.6 million barrels a day, up from 2.5 million in the 2025/26 budget. A fall in one quarter does not show the trend for the whole year; the CSB revises quarterly estimates as more data comes in.

Official sources: CSB: Homepage headline indicators · CSB: Quarterly GDP estimates · Ministry of Finance: Budget presentation 2026/27 (PDF, Arabic)

What is the inflation rate in Kuwait?

Kuwait's general consumer price index rose 0.21% in July 2026, with food and non-alcoholic drinks up 1.14%, clothing and footwear down 0.07% and housing services unchanged, according to the headline figures of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). The headline does not state the comparison period; the CSB publishes the full monthly report on its consumer price index page.

Prices of several items are supported by the state: the Ministry of Finance's 2026/27 budget sets aside KWD 3,962.7 million for subsidies. The CSB also publishes wholesale and producer price indices, and quarterly retail and wholesale price bulletins.

Official sources: CSB: Homepage headline indicators · CSB: Consumer price indices

What is the interest rate in Kuwait?

The Central Bank of Kuwait's discount rate is 3.5%, according to the CBK's website on 15 October 2026. Its overnight repo rate is 3.125% and its one-week repo rate 3.375%.

The discount rate is the CBK's main policy rate and guides bank lending rates. Broad money (M2) was KWD 42.77 billion at the end of August 2026, 1.2% more than a year earlier, and credit to residents rose 5.1%, according to the CBK's summary of key monetary and banking indicators for August 2026.

Official sources: CBK: Homepage rates · CBK: Key monetary and banking indicators, August 2026 (PDF)

What is the Kuwaiti dinar exchange rate?

One US dollar was worth KWD 0.30810 to 0.30820 at 08:00 on 15 October 2026, according to the Central Bank of Kuwait's main indicators page. That is about USD 3.25 per dinar.

Since 20 May 2007 the dinar has been pegged to an undisclosed weighted basket of the currencies of Kuwait's main trade and financial partners, the CBK explains on its exchange rate policy page. The US dollar has a large weight in the basket, so the rate against the dollar moves only slightly. The CBK publishes daily rates for the main currencies.

Official sources: main indicators page · exchange rate policy page

What is Kuwait's trade balance?

Kuwait had a goods trade surplus of KWD 1,768.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, down from KWD 2,549.3 million a year earlier, according to the Central Statistical Bureau's foreign trade statistics for the first quarter of 2026. Exports fell 20.5% to KWD 4,502.8 million and imports fell to KWD 2,734.3 million.

Oil and oil products made up KWD 4,054.1 million of exports. For the whole of 2025, provisional figures show exports of KWD 21,375.7 million, imports of KWD 13,045.9 million and a surplus of KWD 8,329.7 million. China was the largest source of imports in the first quarter, at KWD 594.6 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates.

Official sources: foreign trade statistics for the first quarter of 2026

What is GDP per head in Kuwait?

Kuwait's GDP per head was USD 32,312 in 2025, down from USD 32,856 in 2024 and USD 34,092 in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data. The figure is GDP in current US dollars divided by the whole resident population, Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis.

Kuwait's GDP depends heavily on oil output and prices, so GDP per head can fall when oil prices or OPEC+ production quotas fall, even if the rest of the economy grows. The Central Statistical Bureau publishes the national accounts in dinars.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

What is Kuwait's economic growth rate?

2.7%: that is real GDP growth in Kuwait for 2025, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 10.6%; its low point was 2009, at -7.1%. It is 13th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.5%. Worldwide: 110th of 180.

What is GDP per capita in Kuwait?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person in Kuwait was $32,312 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from $25,236 (2020) to $55,585 (2008). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $6,051, and Kuwait placed 5th highest of 17. Worldwide: 35th of 180.

What is Kuwait's GDP per capita at PPP?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Kuwait was $56,468 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. The peak was $91,435 in international dollars in 2007 and the low $41,462 in international dollars in 2020. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $19,699 in international dollars, and Kuwait placed 6th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 35th of 179.

How big are Kuwait's exports?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in Kuwait at 55.8% of GDP in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 43.7% of GDP (2020) to 74.7% of GDP (2012). It is 6th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 39.8% of GDP. Of 162 countries with 2024 data, 35th highest.

Does Kuwait earn more abroad than it spends?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 22.7% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 45.5% of GDP; its low point was 2016, at 0.6% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: -0.6% of GDP; Kuwait is 1st highest of 12. Worldwide: 1st of 132.

How much foreign direct investment goes into Kuwait?

0.3% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Kuwait for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 2.1% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at -0.5% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.8% of GDP, and Kuwait placed 16th highest of 17. Worldwide: 153rd of 179.

How high are loan rates in Kuwait?

5.0%: that is the average bank lending rate in Kuwait for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 8.6%; its low point was 2021, at 3.7%. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 73.