Photo: Jack Versloot · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Kuwait: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Kuwait is placed 87th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 48,254 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 11.89 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
87th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 48,254GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 11.89Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- 0.314Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 74.46Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Kuwait on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
48,254
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Kuwait: 48,254. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Western Asia
- 110,136 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 12,192 · Saudi Arabia 63,051
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Kuwait’s is from 2025 · CC BY 4.0
11.89
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Kuwait: 11.89. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Western Asia
- 88.52 Israel
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 2.252 · Saudi Arabia 13.77
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
0.314
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 62nd of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Kuwait: 0.314. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Western Asia
- 1.334 Israel
- Land neighbours
- Iraq -1.463 · Saudi Arabia 0.538
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
74.46
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Kuwait: 74.46. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Western Asia
- 96.13 Cyprus
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 30.16 · Saudi Arabia 78.84
02Over time
Which way Kuwait is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
KuwaitWorld median
Kuwait fell from 60,585 in 2000 to 48,254 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Kuwait World median 2025 48,254 17,265 2024 46,664 18,108 2023 47,790 17,686 2022 51,380 16,933 2021 50,652 16,260 2020 49,373 15,631 2019 51,381 16,761 2018 51,624 16,349 2017 52,286 16,129 2016 56,937 15,512 2015 57,764 14,857 2014 60,066 14,475 2013 62,459 14,681 2012 64,908 14,631 2011 64,845 13,916 2010 62,956 14,101 2009 67,896 13,655 2008 77,037 14,030 2007 79,475 13,755 2006 79,521 12,983 2005 78,194 12,023 2004 73,298 11,608 2003 67,984 11,183 2002 59,349 11,144 2001 59,100 10,907 2000 60,585 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
KuwaitWorld median
Kuwait rose from 0.161 in 2000 to 0.314 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Kuwait World median 2024 0.314 0.1310 2023 0.067 0.0710 2022 0.266 0.0580 2021 0.249 0.0010 2020 0.314 0.0470 2019 0.318 0.0300 2018 -0.061 -0.0150 2017 -0.068 0.0080 2016 -0.001 -0.0660 2015 -0.052 -0.0600 2014 -0.076 -0.0190 2013 0.106 0.0140 2012 -0.353 0.0060 2011 0.029 -0.0140 2010 0.193 -0.0020 2009 0.083 0.0990 2008 0.108 0.0700 2007 0.292 -0.0080 2006 0.166 0.0740 2005 0.292 0.0510 2004 0.169 0.0505 2003 0.010 0.0450 2002 0.140 0.0100 2001 0.139 0.0470 2000 0.161 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
KuwaitWorld median
Kuwait fell from 86.77 in 2011 to 74.46 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Kuwait World median 2024 74 73 2021 — 74 2017 80 59 2014 73 52 2011 87 37
03In context
Kuwait beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Kuwait and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Saudi Arabia | 69th | 63,051 | 13.77 | 0.538 | 78.84 |
| Kuwait | 87th | 48,254 | 11.89 | 0.314 | 74.46 |
 Iraq | 164th | 12,192 | 2.252 | -1.463 | 30.16 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Kuwait in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Kuwait is ahead of the world, and behind
44 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median19
Statistics on which Kuwait does better than the middle country measured.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.47444.787.474No real change since 2014
Kuwait: 44.78 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 2nd of 118 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89071,53412,890No real change since 2012
Kuwait: 71,534 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 5th of 166 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8111.5241.81No earlier reading
Kuwait: 11.52 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 171st of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06146.03107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Kuwait: 146.03 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 14th of 194 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3964.4752.39No earlier reading
Kuwait: 64.47 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 14th of 169 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08130.87106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Kuwait: 130.87 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 20th of 195 · derived.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.514.3927.5▲ Improved since 2010
Kuwait: 14.39 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4257.9625.42▼ Worsened since 2014
Kuwait: 57.96 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 20th of 170 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1105.5716.1▼ Worsened since 2013
Kuwait: 105.57 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486338,45946,486No real change since 2010
Kuwait: 338,459 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 24th of 150 · derived.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,80030,02112,800▲ Improved since 2017
Kuwait: 30,021 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 28th of 173 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6756.6746.67No real change since 2012
Kuwait: 56.67 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 45th of 195 · derived.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.7850.627▼ Worsened since 2013
Kuwait: 0.785 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.6270.485▲ Improved since 2013
Kuwait: 0.627 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 56th of 170 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0930.358-0.093▲ Improved since 2015
Kuwait: 0.358 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 69th of 209 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.93.22.9▼ Worsened since 2014
Kuwait: 3.2 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 51st of 139 by World Bank Group.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23109.27106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
Kuwait: 109.27 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 76th of 195 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.865.863.8No earlier reading
Kuwait: 65.8 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 41st of 99 by World Energy Council.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1943.7940.19▼ Worsened since 2020
Kuwait: 43.79 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 83rd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which Kuwait does worse than the middle country measured.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.1872.1362.187▼ Worsened since 2019
Kuwait: 2.136 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5228.2128.52▼ Worsened since 2022
Kuwait: 28.21 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 73rd of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3962.7323.396▲ Improved since 2015
Kuwait: 2.732 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 115th of 186 · derived.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.2128.0556.21▲ Improved since 2016
Kuwait: 28.05 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 115th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95144.75701.95No earlier reading
Kuwait: 144.75 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 105th of 145 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.44.29310.4No earlier reading
Kuwait: 4.293 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.0950.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Kuwait: 0.095 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 79th of 84 · derived.
No better end18
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.0644.1322.06Moved since 2014
Kuwait: 44.13 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 3rd of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6554.1224.65No real change since 2015
Kuwait: 54.12 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 5th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.5420.306Moved since 2015
Kuwait: 0.542 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.735,558275.73Moved since 2016
Kuwait: 5,558 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23115.04103.23Moved since 2015
Kuwait: 115.04 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.6410.523Moved since 2013
Kuwait: 0.641 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1782.1367.17Moved since 2014
Kuwait: 82.13 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2404,3882,240No real change since 2022
Kuwait: 4,388 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.664.013.66Moved since 2012
Kuwait: 4.01 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6028.1599.602Moved since 2015
Kuwait: 8.159 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95408.08657.95Moved since 2017
Kuwait: 408.08 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.267.74311.26No real change since 2015
Kuwait: 7.743 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 96th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-0.91-0.225Moved since 2014
Kuwait: -0.91 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2350.1951.235Moved since 2014
Kuwait: 0.195 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 241524No real change since 2016
Kuwait: 15 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9680.321.968No real change since 2015
Kuwait: 0.32 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5720.5316.572Moved since 2015
Kuwait: 0.531 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 152nd of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.306-4.9673.306No real change since 2015
Kuwait: -4.967 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
No current reading for Kuwait
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2019), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2016), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic (last 2020), Creative Services Exports, Debt Service on External Debt, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2024), External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption (last 2024), Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 1999), GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) (last 2024), Household Consumption (last 2024), ICT Goods Exports (last 2023), Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2024), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Interest Payments on External Debt, Palma Ratio, Tax Revenue (% of GDP), Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP) (last 2020) and Trade (% of GDP) (last 2024). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Kuwait’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Kuwait’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Work & Labour12th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 47th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing49th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience62nd of 1933/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 61st of 1842/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 76th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions76th of 1944/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation87th of 1764/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 91st of 1773/4 keys
- Peace & Security103rd of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 136th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge138th of 1983/4 keys
- Energy121st of 1653/3 keys
- Gender & Equality178th of 1833/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability184th of 1863/4 keys
No standing on Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Kuwait can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Western Asia
Israel13th4/4 keysThis page
Kuwait87th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Kuwait and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Kuwait on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Kuwait rank on economy & innovation?
Kuwait is placed 87th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Kuwait?
48,254 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Kuwait?
11.89 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Kuwait compare with Iraq on economy & innovation?
Iraq is placed 164th of 176, and Kuwait 87th. GDP per Capita (PPP): Iraq 12,192, Kuwait 48,254; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Iraq 2.252, Kuwait 11.89; Economic Complexity Index: Iraq -1.463, Kuwait 0.314; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Iraq 30.16, Kuwait 74.46.
How have Kuwait’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) fell from 60,585 in 2000 to 48,254 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from 0.161 in 2000 to 0.314 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution fell from 86.77 in 2011 to 74.46 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Kuwait?
No current reading is published for Kuwait on Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Services Exports, Debt Service on External Debt, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption, Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), GNI per Capita (PPP), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP), Household Consumption, ICT Goods Exports, Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Interest Payments on External Debt, Palma Ratio, Tax Revenue (% of GDP), Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP) and Trade (% of GDP). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 44 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Kuwait’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Kuwait (banner) — Jack Versloot, CC BY 2.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Kuwait: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/kuwait/economy