Central government spending as share of GDP in Kuwait
Kuwait: Central government spending as share of GDP was 34.6% in 2006. ◆ Volatile
Central government spending as share of GDP in Kuwait, 1972–2006
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for central government spending as share of gdp in Kuwait is 34.6%, measured in 2006.
The figure is up 21.2% on the previous year and down 17.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government spending as share of gdp in Kuwait peaked at 210.2% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 16.3%, in 1979.
Kuwait ranks 36th of 157 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Central government spending as share of GDP in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 20.7% | — |
| 1973 | 22.9% | +10.8% |
| 1974 | 19.4% | -15.4% |
| 1977 | 24.4% | +25.8% |
| 1978 | 24.5% | +0.4% |
| 1979 | 16.3% | -33.4% |
| 1980 | 18.9% | +15.5% |
| 1981 | 24.3% | +28.7% |
| 1982 | 30.8% | +27.0% |
| 1983 | 35.5% | +15.2% |
| 1984 | 31.8% | -10.5% |
| 1985 | 33.5% | +5.3% |
| 1986 | 38.6% | +15.4% |
| 1987 | 30.6% | -20.8% |
| 1988 | 39.5% | +29.3% |
| 1989 | 34.7% | -12.1% |
| 1990 | 48.0% | +38.3% |
| 1991 | 210.2% | +337.5% |
| 1992 | 92.3% | -56.1% |
| 1993 | 55.2% | -40.2% |
| 1994 | 52.2% | -5.4% |
| 1995 | 46.4% | -11.0% |
| 1996 | 41.8% | -10.0% |
| 1997 | 38.2% | -8.6% |
| 1998 | 46.5% | +21.8% |
| 2001 | 43.5% | -6.5% |
| 2002 | 41.4% | -4.8% |
| 2003 | 37.8% | -8.8% |
| 2004 | 35.3% | -6.6% |
| 2005 | 28.5% | -19.2% |
| 2006 | 34.6% | +21.2% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 34.6% is above the median for high income countries, which is 34.2%, 1.0× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 34.6% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 26.6%, 1.3× the median. (15 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Central government spending as share of GDP in Kuwait changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | +337.5% | 48.0% | 210.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 21.4% | 16.3% | 24.5% | 6 |
| 1980s | 31.8% | 18.9% | 39.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 70.1% | 38.2% | 210.2% | 9 |
| 2000s | 36.8% | 28.5% | 43.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More economy & growth data for Kuwait
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.82 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.61 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 2.99 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.019 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 614.43 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 413.09 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -32.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0026 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 84.91 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 1.99 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government spending as share of gdp in Kuwait?
- Central government spending as share of gdp in Kuwait was 34.6% in 2006, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government spending as share of gdp recorded in Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 210.2% in 1991.
- What is the lowest central government spending as share of gdp recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.3% in 1979.
- How does Kuwait rank for central government spending as share of gdp?
- Kuwait ranks 36th out of 157 countries with data for 2006.
- Is central government spending as share of gdp rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD, and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government spending as share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Central government expense (cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services), as share of GDP. It excludes capital investment, such as infrastructure or equipment.