Kuwait: economy, interest rate and stock market
The central bank's policy rate is 3.50% (down 0.25 points over 12 months). Inflation was 2.4% in 2025 and GDP grew 2.7% (World Bank).
Interest rate
3.50% set by Central Bank of Kuwait. Last change: −0.25 pt on 11 Dec 2025. Over 12 months: −0.25 pt. As of 13 Oct 2026.
| Took effect | Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Dec 2025 | 3.50% | −0.25 pt |
| 18 Sep 2025 | 3.75% | −0.25 pt |
| 19 Sep 2024 | 4.00% | −0.25 pt |
| 26 Jul 2023 | 4.25% | +0.25 pt |
| 25 Jan 2023 | 4.00% | +0.50 pt |
| 7 Dec 2022 | 3.50% | +0.50 pt |
| 22 Sep 2022 | 3.00% | +0.25 pt |
| 11 Aug 2022 | 2.75% | +0.25 pt |
| 28 Jul 2022 | 2.50% | start of our data |
All countries: central bank interest rates. Rates move stocks through borrowing costs and the currency: rising rates usually weigh on rate-sensitive stocks and help banks, falling rates the opposite.
Economy at a glance
| Measure | Latest | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Economy size (GDP) | $157.2 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $32,312 | 2025 |
| GDP growth | 2.7% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 2.4% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 2.2% | 2025 |
| Population | 4.9 million | 2025 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP | 22.7% | 2025 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP | 55.8% | 2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP | 38.2% | 2024 |
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, annual figures. The latest year is usually the previous calendar year, so these numbers are not live and are revised later by the World Bank.
Trade structure
Share of merchandise exports and imports by product group. ■ exports ■ imports.
High-technology products are 10.2% of manufactured exports (2024).
- Fuels are 93.0% of Kuwait's merchandise exports (and 0.6% of imports), so energy prices matter for what the country earns abroad.
- Food is 16.0% of merchandise imports, so global food prices feed into domestic inflation.
- Exports plus imports equal 94% of GDP, so the economy is moderately open to trade.
- The current account was a surplus of 22.7% of GDP (2025): the country earns more abroad than it spends.
These describe the structure of trade, using the figures above. They are not forecasts and not investment advice. Latest available year differs by group (usually 2024 or 2025).
More on Kuwait
Sources: Bank for International Settlements and central bank decisions (policy rates), World Bank (economy and trade), StocksXray price history (index). Educational only, not financial advice.