The Central Bank of Kuwait held its key discount rate at 3.50% in September 2026, stating that current data reflected “the soundness and strength of monetary and financial stability” in the country. Gulf oil and gas exporters generally follow the Fed’s lead on rate moves, as most regional currencies are pegged to the US dollar. The Kuwaiti dinar is the exception, as it is pegged to a basket of currencies that includes the dollar. Most central banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council raised key interest rates following the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hike. Kuwait’s economy is expected to contract 8.1% this year, as the Iran war disrupted energy shipments through the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, damaged energy production facilities, and reduced traffic, affecting tourism and business across the Gulf region. source: Central Bank of Kuwait

The benchmark interest rate in Kuwait was last recorded at 3.50 percent. Interest Rate in Kuwait averaged 3.52 percent from 1999 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 7.25 percent in April of 2000 and a record low of 1.50 percent in March of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Kuwait Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Kuwait Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Kuwait was last recorded at 3.50 percent. Interest Rate in Kuwait is expected to be 3.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Kuwait Interest Rate is projected to trend around 3.75 percent in 2027 and 3.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-10-29 07:30 PM
Interest Rate Decision
3.75% 3.75% 3.50%
2025-12-10 07:20 PM
Interest Rate Decision
3.5% 3.75% 3.5%
2026-09-16 07:30 PM
Interest Rate Decision
3.5% 3.5% 3.75%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 104305.10 104434.40 KWD Million Jul 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 9177.60 9645.50 KWD Million Jul 2026
Official Reserve Assets 10659.80 11105.00 KWD Million Jul 2026
Interest Rate 3.50 3.50 percent Sep 2026
Private Bank Lending YoY 5.30 5.49 percent Jul 2026
Loans to Private Sector 51984.50 51818.60 KWD Million Jul 2026
Money Supply M1 10902.50 11014.30 KWD Million Jul 2026
M2 Money Supply YoY 42843.00 42742.10 KWD Million Jul 2026
Money Supply M3 42842.50 42742.10 KWD Million Jul 2026
Reverse Repo Rate 3.13 3.13 percent Aug 2026


Kuwait Interest Rate
In Kuwait, interest rate decisions are taken by the Central Bank of Kuwait's Board of Directors. The official interest rate is the discount rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.50 3.50 7.25 1.50 1999 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Kuwait Central Bank Holds Key Rate at 3.50%
The Central Bank of Kuwait held its key discount rate at 3.50% in September 2026, stating that current data reflected “the soundness and strength of monetary and financial stability” in the country. Gulf oil and gas exporters generally follow the Fed’s lead on rate moves, as most regional currencies are pegged to the US dollar. The Kuwaiti dinar is the exception, as it is pegged to a basket of currencies that includes the dollar. Most central banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council raised key interest rates following the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hike. Kuwait’s economy is expected to contract 8.1% this year, as the Iran war disrupted energy shipments through the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, damaged energy production facilities, and reduced traffic, affecting tourism and business across the Gulf region.
2026-09-16
Kuwait Cuts Rates by 25 bps Same as Fed
The Central Bank of Kuwait held its key discount rate at 3.5% in December 2025, the third and final rate cut this year. The move followed the US Federal Reserve’s reduction and signals that rates could hold at the current level. Kuwait’s monetary policy is shaped by the dinar’s peg to a basket of currencies, with the US dollar carrying significant weight.
2025-12-10
Kuwait Holds Rates, Counter to Fed
The Central Bank of Kuwait held its key discount rate at 3.75% in October 2025, right after its first rate cut in a year. The move followed the US Federal Reserve’s reduction and signals that rates could hold at the current level. Kuwait’s monetary policy is shaped by the dinar’s peg to a basket of currencies, with the US dollar carrying significant weight.
2025-10-29