Kuwait ranks 3rd regionally, 56th globally in 2026 Prosperity Index
- The index, which assessed 171 countries, awarded Kuwait 75.7 points in the Prosperity Index, placing it in the high prosperity category. The country also scored 59.2 points in the Freedom Index, reaffirming its position among the region’s leading economies, behind only the UAE and Qatar.
- Kuwait has been ranked third in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and 56th globally in the 2026 Freedom and Prosperity Index published by the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center, underscoring the country’s strong performance in healthcare, environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
- The index, which assessed 171 countries, awarded Kuwait 75.7 points in the Prosperity Index, placing it in the high prosperity category. The country also scored 59.2 points in the Freedom Index, reaffirming its position among the region’s leading economies, behind only the UAE and Qatar.
The Freedom Index evaluates countries based on political, legal and economic freedoms, while the Prosperity Index measures broader well-being through six pillars — income, health, education, environment, minority opportunities and inequality.
Healthcare Leads Performance
Kuwait’s strongest performance came in the healthcare sector, where it scored 92.1 points, reflecting the quality of medical services and higher life expectancy.
The report also highlighted Kuwait’s progress in environmental protection and emissions reduction, with a score of 81.1 points, while both income and international trade freedom recorded 79.6 points, demonstrating solid economic fundamentals.
Denmark topped the 2025 Freedom Index, followed by Australia and Estonia, while Norway ranked first in the Prosperity Index, ahead of Denmark and Iceland.
The country also performed well in security and safety, scoring 74 points, while judicial effectiveness and independence received 73.3 points, highlighting the strength of Kuwait’s institutional framework and governance.
Strong Institutions Key to Prosperity
The report noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East and increasing strategic competition between the United States and China, have made strong institutions and the rule of law more critical than ever in sustaining freedom and prosperity.
The Freedom Index evaluates countries based on political, legal and economic freedoms, while the Prosperity Index measures broader well-being through six pillars — income, health, education, environment, minority opportunities and inequality.
Methodology Updated
The 2026 edition introduced several methodological improvements, including enhanced measurement of investment freedom through multiple data sources, expanded security indicators using actual violence-related data, and refinements to legal governance metrics to improve consistency and reliability.
Global Leaders
Denmark topped the 2025 Freedom Index, followed by Australia and Estonia, while Norway ranked first in the Prosperity Index, ahead of Denmark and Iceland.
The report concluded that global prosperity has improved over the past three decades, driven largely by gains in education, healthcare and income. However, progress has been uneven, with environmental sustainability, inequality and opportunities for minority groups remaining persistent global challenges.
