The latest market, economy, central-bank, policy and company stories from Kuwait, updated every 15 minutes. Last updated 19 October 2026.
| GDP growth (2025) | 2.7% | Moderate growth. |
| Inflation (2025) | 2.4% | Close to the ~2% most central banks aim for. |
| Unemployment (2025) | 2.2% | Low: the job market is tight. |
| GDP per person (2025) | $32,312 | Average output per person: a rough measure of how wealthy a country is. |
| Current account (2025) | +22.7% of GDP | Surplus: earns more from abroad than it spends. |
| Exports (2024) | 55.8% of GDP | Very trade-dependent: sensitive to tariffs and global demand. |
Latest official annual figures from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Context, not a forecast or financial advice.
The Board of Directors of the Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) has approved, by a majority vote, the Ministry of Finance’s request to issue Public Tender No. 6/2026-2027 for a system to plan and prepare the public sector budget.
The Medical Liability Authority recorded 3.55 million dinars expenses during the 2025/2026 fiscal, while the revenues stood at just 114,500 dinars, leaving a gap of approximately 3.44 million dinars between expenditure and income. According to Decree-Law No.
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s net sovereign foreign assets exceed 600 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest ratio among Gulf countries by a significant margin, strengthening the country’s external financial position and its capacity to withstand economic shocks, according to Fitch Ratings.
The price of Kuwaiti oil fell by $1.04 to $103.13 per barrel in Friday’s trading, compared to $104.17 per barrel on Thursday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said on Saturday. On global markets, Brent crude went up by $3.94 to $109.86 per barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate rose by $3.44 to $101.41 per barrel.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said economic reforms and precautionary measures adopted by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have strengthened their ability to withstand the economic repercussions of the US-Iran war and the wider regional turmoil.
Foreign investments in Kuwait-listed banks fell to 4.535 billion dinars ($13.967 billion) by end-Q3 2026, down from 5.182 billion dinars ($15.960 billion) at end-2025.
• Al-Marzouq says robust capital buffers, prudent risk management and strong regulatory oversight underpin banks’ resilience and lending capacity Kuwait’s banking sector maintains strong financial positions, high liquidity levels and solid capital adequacy, reinforcing its ability to withstand economic and financial…
Oil-exporting economies directly affected by energy and trade disruptions stemming from the war in the Middle East are expected to contract significantly in 2026 before recovering strongly in 2027 as production and trade gradually return to normal, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast.
Local Kuwaiti banks provided approximately 4.38 billion dinars in financing for imports during the first eight months of 2026, down from 6.01 billion dinars in the corresponding period last year, as the US dollar continued to account for the overwhelming share of import-related banking finance.
US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday the launching of the Alaska LNG Project, characterizing it as the largest energy infrastructure project in Alaska’s history. President Trump stated that the development includes a $50 billion infrastructure investment from the Republic of Korea.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that recent attacks on Saudi Arabia could have negative economic repercussions worldwide, given the Kingdom’s importance to the regional and global economies amid energy market disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.
By His Excellency Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T. Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia Catholic Church – Holy Family Co-Cathedral State of Kuwait On the occasion of the re-election of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2027–2029, we extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes…
Kuwait has introduced emergency measures to maintain supply-chain continuity, strengthen strategic food reserves and ease the impact of maritime disruptions on essential imports, Finance Minister Dr Yaqoub Al-Rifai said during Kuwait’s participation in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International…
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi said on Wednesday that the economic partnership between GCC countries and Asian nations represents a strategic pillar for strengthening economic and investment cooperation, expanding financial and banking integration, and developing digital…
A decree-law (No. 120 of 2026) promulgating a new Arbitration Law was issued on Tuesday, establishing an integrated national arbitration framework aimed at expediting dispute resolution, protecting public funds, regulating arbitration institutions and boosting investor confidence.
Fund flags rising debt exposure, vulnerabilities in banks and hedge funds, and growing cyber risks as potential triggers of widespread market disruption The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that a sharp decline in artificial intelligence (AI) investment, a sudden surge in government bond yields and major…
The International Monetary Fund noted that global economic growth endured so far, but “rising inflation and narrowing buffers demand policy action now.” In its World Economic Outlook report, released on Tuesday under the title of “Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices,” the IMF said that global economic activity has…
Kuwait’s Diplomatic Attache Omar Al-Saeed said his country’s bid for re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027-2029 term reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its active, responsible and constructive role.
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has amended the registered business activities of the Joint Automated Banking Services Company (KNET), adding four activities to its entry in the register of providers of electronic payment and electronic money services and operators of electronic payment systems.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Sunday that accelerating economic unity pathways and completing the Customs Union and the GCC Common Market constitute crucial pillars for bolstering the competitiveness of GCC economies.
By Legal Counsel Suha Alsahli Emtithal Law Firm During the second quarter of 2026 alone, Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) imposed KD 135,500 in fines on businesses trading in jewellery, precious metals and gemstones for violations of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT)…
Kuwait’s Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, has arrested two suspects in separate cases involving drug trafficking and the unauthorized exchange of foreign currency, as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and apprehend lawbreakers.
Kuwait’s banking sector is witnessing intensified competition over premium customers, with medium-sized and smaller banks challenging lenders that have recently introduced loans at interest rates of around 4 percent, roughly 2.5 percentage points below the maximum rate allowed for financing entities.
The Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Kuwait has ushered in a new leadership team for the 2026–2028 term, with a renewed focus on expanding business engagement, strengthening institutional partnerships and contributing to closer India–Kuwait economic relations.
The Times Kuwait Report Kuwait’s banking sector is preparing to phase out the electronic ‘Payment Links’ service for individuals, with banks and KNET moving customers towards WAMD, the country’s account-based instant payment platform.