Updated
Overview
Iraq has 9.7 times the population of Kuwait: 47.02 million people against 4.87 million (2025).
Iraq's economy is about 60% larger than Kuwait's, at $254.37B versus $157.21B.
Per person, Kuwait is the wealthier of the two: $32,312 against $5,410 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iraq | Kuwait | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $254.37B | $157.21B | 2025 | $279.64B / $160.23B |
| GDP per capita | $5,410 | Higher: $32,312 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.2% | Higher: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.3% | 2.4% | 2025 | 4.4% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | 15.5% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 57 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $269 | $245 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $4.52 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 47.02 million | 4.87 million | 2025 | 42.92 million / 3.17 million |
| Population growth | 2.1% | -0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.8 yrs | 34.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.17 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.4 yrs | Higher: 84.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 81% | Higher: 100% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 438,317 km² | 17,818 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 107.3/km² | 273.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 234 Mt | Lower: 130 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 26.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $6.18B | $7.79B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.4% | 4.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 459,000 | 25,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Kuwait grew while the other economy contracted: 2.7% against -2.2%.
Kuwait runs the hotter price environment: 2.4% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Iraq: a price level of 38 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Iraq is the far younger society: median age 20.8 versus 34.8 years.
Life expectancy is 12.2 years longer in Kuwait (84.6 vs 72.4).
Kuwait is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Internet adoption is higher in Kuwait (100% vs 81% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iraq is 25 times the size of Kuwait: 438,317 km² versus 17,818 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Kuwait is far more densely settled: 273 people per km² against 107.
Military
Kuwait spends 26% more on defence than Iraq: $7.79B versus $6.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Kuwait carries the heavier military burden: 4.8% of GDP versus 2.4%.
Iraq fields the larger armed forces: 459,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iraq bigger than Kuwait?
- Iraq is larger by land area. Iraq covers 438,317 km² while Kuwait covers 17,818 km², so Iraq is 25 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iraq or Kuwait?
- Iraq has the larger population: 47.02 million versus 4.87 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iraq richer than Kuwait?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Kuwait is richer: $32,312 against $5,410. Total GDP tells a different story: $254.37B for Iraq versus $157.21B for Kuwait.
- Who spends more on their military, Iraq or Kuwait?
- Kuwait spends more: $7.79B versus $6.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).