Kuwait Economy

A petroleum-powered economy diversifying for the future

Key Economic Indicators

$165 Billion

GDP (2024)

+3.2%

2.7M bpd

Oil Production

Stable

101.5 Billion

barrels

Oil Reserves

$52,000

GDP per Capita

+2.1%

$700+ Billion

KIA

Sovereign Wealth

~40%

Non-Oil GDP

Growing

Major Infrastructure Projects

Kuwait Vision 2035 aims to transform the country into a financial and commercial hub

Under Construction

Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port

A $3.6 billion mega-port on Boubyan Island designed to transform Kuwait into a regional trade and logistics hub, competing with neighboring ports.

$3.6 BillionEst. 2025
Under Construction

Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2

A new $4.3 billion terminal designed by Foster + Partners with capacity to handle 25 million passengers annually, featuring sustainable architecture.

$4.3 BillionEst. 2024
Operational

Al-Zour Refinery

One of the largest refineries in the Middle East with 615,000 barrels per day capacity, producing low-sulfur fuel and reducing imports.

$16 BillionEst. 2022
Operational

Clean Fuels Project

Modernization of Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries to produce environmentally friendly fuels meeting Euro-4 standards.

$12 BillionEst. 2021
Planning

Kuwait Metro

A planned rapid transit system spanning 160km with 68 stations across four lines, connecting major districts and the airport.

$7 BillionEst. 2030
Planning

Silk City (Madinat al-Hareer)

An ambitious $132 billion development plan for a new city in northern Kuwait, featuring the 1,001-meter Burj Mubarak al-Kabir tower.

$132 BillionEst. 2035+

Free Trade Agreements

Kuwait participates in trade agreements primarily through the GCC bloc

Customs Union

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

2003

Free movement of goods, common external tariff with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman

Free Trade Agreement

Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)

2005

Zero tariffs on goods from 17 Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco

GCC-Singapore FTA

Singapore

2008

Comprehensive FTA covering goods, services, and investments between GCC and Singapore

GCC-EFTA FTA

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

2009

Trade agreement with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

TIFA

United States

2004

Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, facilitating bilateral trade discussions

Under Negotiation

China

Ongoing

GCC-China FTA negotiations ongoing since 2004, covering goods and services

Under Negotiation

United Kingdom

Ongoing

Post-Brexit GCC-UK FTA negotiations for comprehensive trade deal

Under Negotiation

South Korea

Ongoing

GCC-South Korea FTA talks focusing on petrochemicals and technology

Oil & Energy Sector

6th Largest

Oil Reserves

Over 101.5 billion barrels of proven reserves, ensuring long-term economic stability

90%+

Government Revenue

Petroleum accounts for over 90% of export earnings and government revenue

Est. 1953

Kuwait Investment Authority

One of the world's oldest sovereign wealth funds, managing $700+ billion

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