Kuwait Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Kuwait's tax revenue was 1.49% in 1998, ranked 2nd globally. This represents a 27.2% increase from 1997. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–1998.
Overview
Kuwait's tax revenue stood at 1.49% in 1998, a rise of +0.32% from 1997. Kuwait ranked 2nd globally.
Kuwait’s tax revenue has fallen dramatically from an all‑time peak of 37.43 in 1972 to a nadir of 0.09 in 1992, before reaching a modest 1.49 in the latest year of coverage, 1998, which placed it second globally among the 25‑year sample. The precipitous decline reflects the nation’s reliance on oil‑related fiscal structures that provide limited direct taxation, a pattern mirrored in other Gulf states; for example, the United Arab Emirates recorded a comparable figure of 1.08 in the same period. While the early 1970s showed a robust revenue base, the post‑1990s era was marked by structural adjustments and reduced tax collection, leaving Kuwait with one of the lowest tax‑to‑GDP ratios among its peers. Future diversification of the fiscal base and the introduction of broader tax instruments could reverse the long‑term downward trajectory, potentially raising revenue levels beyond the 1998 benchmark.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1.49% | +0.32% | #2 |
| 1997 | 1.17% | +0.21% | #2 |
| 1996 | 0.97% | −0.18% | #1 |
| 1995 | 1.15% | −0.28% | #1 |
| 1994 | 1.42% | +0.33% | #1 |
| 1993 | 1.09% | +1.01% | #1 |
| 1992 | 0.09% | −0.17% | #1 |
| 1991 | 0.26% | −1.29% | #1 |
| 1990 | 1.55% | +0.37% | #1 |
| 1989 | 1.18% | −0.05% | #1 |
| 1988 | 1.23% | −0.04% | #1 |
| 1987 | 1.27% | −0.83% | #1 |
| 1986 | 2.10% | +0.16% | #1 |
| 1985 | 1.94% | −1.19% | #1 |
| 1984 | 3.13% | −0.11% | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's tax revenue was 1.49% in 1998. Ranked 2nd globally. This represents a 27.2% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's tax revenue peaked at 37.43% in 1972.
The lowest tax revenue in Kuwait was 0.09% in 1992.
Kuwait ranks 2nd globally in tax revenue as of 1998.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tax revenue of Kuwait in 1998 was 1.49%. This ranks 2nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_tax-revenue,
title = {Kuwait Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}