Kuwait—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #1 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
28.7%
2031
YoY Change
-0.7%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#1
of 192 countries
Maximum
52.3%
2000
Minimum
0.2%
2020
CAGR
-1.9%
32 years
Last
28.7%
Previous
28.9%
Highest
52.3%
Lowest
0.2%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Kuwait's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was 27.6% in 2026, ranking #1 out of 192 countries. This represents a -0.7% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 52.3% (2000) and the lowest was 0.2% (2020). The IMF WEO projects 28.7% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 28.7% | -0.7% |
| 2030 | 28.9% | -0.7% |
| 2029 | 29.1% | -1.0% |
| 2028 | 29.4% | -0.3% |
| 2027 | 29.5% | +6.9% |
| 2026 | 27.6% | -2.8% |
| 2025 | 28.4% | +9.2% |
| 2024 | 26.0% | -7.8% |
| 2023 | 28.2% | -6.0% |
| 2022 | 30.0% | +200.0% |
| 2021 | 10.0% | +4900.0% |
| 2020 | 0.2% | -98.5% |
| 2019 | 13.0% | -26.1% |
| 2018 | 17.6% | +15.0% |
| 2017 | 15.3% | +19.5% |
| 2016 | 12.8% | -21.5% |
| 2015 | 16.3% | -45.3% |
| 2014 | 29.8% | -26.2% |
| 2013 | 40.4% | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 40.5% | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 38.6% | +21.8% |
| 2010 | 31.7% | +1.9% |
| 2009 | 31.1% | +46.7% |
| 2008 | 21.2% | -42.5% |
| 2007 | 36.9% | +32.7% |
| 2006 | 27.8% | -28.4% |
| 2005 | 38.8% | +20.1% |
| 2004 | 32.3% | +19.6% |
| 2003 | 27.0% | -12.6% |
| 2002 | 30.9% | -31.2% |
| 2001 | 44.9% | -14.1% |
| 2000 | 52.3% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 27.6% | -2.8% |
| 2027Forecast | 29.5% | +6.9% |
| 2028Forecast | 29.4% | -0.3% |
| 2029Forecast | 29.1% | -1.0% |
| 2030Forecast | 28.9% | -0.7% |
| 2031Forecast | 28.7% | -0.7% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Macao SAR, China | 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