Kuwait—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #1 of 192Updated July 2026
Latest Value
26.2%
2027
YoY Change
-1.1%
2026 → 2027
Global Rank
#1
of 192 countries
Maximum
52.5%
2000
Minimum
0.1%
2020
CAGR
-2.5%
28 years
Last
26.2%
Previous
26.5%
Highest
52.5%
Lowest
0.1%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Kuwait's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was 26.5% in 2026, ranking #1 out of 192 countries. This represents a -1.1% change from 2026. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 52.5% (2000) and the lowest was 0.1% (2020). The IMF WEO projects 26.2% by 2027. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 26.2% | -1.1% |
| 2026 | 26.5% | -1.1% |
| 2025 | 26.8% | +12.6% |
| 2024 | 23.8% | -15.6% |
| 2023 | 28.2% | -6.0% |
| 2022 | 30.0% | +200.0% |
| 2021 | 10.0% | +9900.0% |
| 2020 | 0.1% | -99.2% |
| 2019 | 13.0% | -25.7% |
| 2018 | 17.5% | +14.4% |
| 2017 | 15.3% | +16.8% |
| 2016 | 13.1% | -21.1% |
| 2015 | 16.6% | -44.7% |
| 2014 | 30.0% | -26.1% |
| 2013 | 40.6% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 40.7% | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 38.8% | +21.6% |
| 2010 | 31.9% | +1.9% |
| 2009 | 31.3% | +46.9% |
| 2008 | 21.3% | -42.6% |
| 2007 | 37.1% | +32.5% |
| 2006 | 28.0% | -28.0% |
| 2005 | 38.9% | +19.7% |
| 2004 | 32.5% | +19.5% |
| 2003 | 27.2% | -12.3% |
| 2002 | 31.0% | -31.4% |
| 2001 | 45.2% | -13.9% |
| 2000 | 52.5% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 26.5% | -1.1% |
| 2027Forecast | 26.2% | -1.1% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Nauru | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP