CapitalKuwait City
Population3,172,511
Area17,818 km²
GDP per capita$45,400
LanguagesArabic , English widely spoken
CurrencyKuwaiti dinars
Life Expectancy79.6 yr
Governmentconstitutional monarchy (emirate)
Introduction
Background
The AL-SABAH dynasty has governed Kuwait since the 18th century. The potential threat of an Ottoman invasion in 1899 led Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek British protection, which resulted in the cession of foreign and defense responsibilities to Britain until the country gained independence in 1961. In 1990, Kuwait was invaded and occupied by Iraq. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a ground offensive launched by a US-led UN coalition liberated Kuwait in four days in 1991. In 1992, the Amir reinstated the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. During the uprisings and protests of 2010-11 that swept across the Arab world, stateless Arabs referred to as Bidoon organized small demonstrations calling for citizenship, employment, and other benefits that are typically available to Kuwaiti citizens. Other demographic groups, particularly Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the expanding protest movements, which ultimately led to the resignation of the prime minister amid corruption allegations. Protests reignited in 2012 in reaction to a decree that altered the electoral law, diminishing the voting power of tribal blocs.
An opposition coalition consisting of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals largely boycotted the legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, resulting in a legislature more aligned with the government's objectives. Confronted with the likelihood of significant subsidy reductions, opposition members and independents actively engaged in the 2016 elections, securing almost half of the seats, although the opposition became increasingly fragmented. Between 2006 and his passing in 2020, the Amir dissolved the National Assembly seven times and reshuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, generally citing political stagnation and impasse between the legislature and the government.
The current Amir, who took office in 2020, initiated a "National Dialogue" in 2021 aimed at addressing political deadlock. As part of this effort, the Amir granted pardons to several opposition leaders who had been living abroad, allowing their return to Kuwait. Legislative challenges persist, and the cabinet has undergone six reshuffles since 2020.
Geography
Area
land
17,818 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
17,818 sq km
Climate
arid desert; extremely hot summers; brief, cool winters
Terrain
level to gently rolling desert terrain
Land use
other
91.2% (2023 est.)
forest
0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
8.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 7.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Middle East, adjacent to the Persian Gulf, situated between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Coastline
499 km
Elevation
lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point
3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m
mean elevation
108 m
Irrigated land
100 sq km (2015)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Map references
Middle East
Land boundaries
total
475 km
border countries
Iraq 254 km; Saudi Arabia 221 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
Natural hazards
unexpected rainstorms frequently occur from October to April, delivering substantial rainfall that can harm infrastructure; sandstorms and dust storms happen year-round, with heightened activity from March to August
Geography - note
geopolitically significant position at the northern end of the Persian Gulf
Natural resources
oil, seafood, shrimp, natural gas
Area - comparative
somewhat smaller than New Jersey
Geographic coordinates
29 30 N, 45 45 E
Population distribution
the most concentrated population is found along the Persian Gulf, especially in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; notable population corridors extend south and west along the highways emanating from the capital, particularly in the nation's southern region
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage
(Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
People & Society
Literacy
male
97.1% (2020 est.)
female
95.3% (2020 est.)
total population
96.5% (2020 est.)
Languages
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
major-language sample(s)
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.51 male(s)/female
total population
1.36 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.74 male(s)/female
Birth rate
17.36 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
2.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
31.1 years
total
30.4 years (2025 est.)
female
28.9 years
Population
male
1,827,274
total
3,172,511 (2025 est.)
female
1,345,237
Nationality
noun
Kuwaiti(s)
adjective
Kuwaiti
Tobacco use
male
34.9% (2025 est.)
total
22.4% (2025 est.)
female
1.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
23% (male 376,415/female 346,190)
15-64 years
73.4% (male 1,386,349/female 917,465)
65 years and over
3.6% (2024 est.) (male 47,778/female 64,158)
Ethnic groups
Kuwaiti 30.4%, other Arab 27.4%, Asian 40.3%, African 1%, other 0.9% (which includes European, North American, South American, and Australian) (2018 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
36 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
30.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
19.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.1 (2025 est.)
Physician density
2.27 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-4.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
6.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
13.8% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.07% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.07 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the most densely populated areas are situated along the Persian Gulf, especially in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; notable population corridors extend southward and westward along the highways emanating from the capital, particularly in the southern region of the nation
Life expectancy at birth
male
78.1 years
female
81.1 years
total population
79.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
3.298 million KUWAIT (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
37.9% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.8% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
13 years (2015 est.)
total
15 years (2015 est.)
female
16 years (2015 est.)
Environment
Climate
arid desert environment; extremely high temperatures during summer; brief, cool winters
Land use
other
91.2% (2023 est.)
forest
0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
8.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 7.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
0.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
256.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
819.9 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
7.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
1.75 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
scarce natural freshwater supplies; pollution of air and water; desert expansion; decline in biodiversity
Total water withdrawal
municipal
448.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
23.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
778.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
100.459 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
51.587 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
149,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
48.723 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
54.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
20 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
Marine Dumping-London Convention
Government
Flag
description: three equal horizontal stripes of green (top), white, and red, accompanied by a black trapezoid on the left side
meaning: green symbolizes fertile land, white represents purity, red signifies the blood shed on Kuwaiti swords, and black denotes the defeat of adversaries
history: the colors and design are inspired by the Arab Revolt flag from World War I
Capital
name
Kuwait City
etymology
the term originates from the Arabic al-kuwayt, a diminutive form of the Hindustani word kut, which translates to a fortress-like dwelling
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
29 22 N, 47 58 E
Suffrage
21 years of age and at least 20-year citizenship
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
not specified
Constitution
history
ratified and enacted on 11 November 1962; suspended from 1976 to 1981 (4 articles); from 1986 to 1991; and from May to July 1999
amendment process
introduced by the amir or endorsed by at least one-third of the National Assembly; to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority approval from the Assembly and enactment by the amir; constitutional provisions regarding the initiation, approval, and enactment of general legislation are not subject to amendment
Country name
etymology
the name is derived from the capital city, which itself comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt, a diminutive of the Hindustani word kut, meaning a fortress-like residence
local long form
Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form
Al Kuwayt
conventional long form
State of Kuwait
conventional short form
Kuwait
Independence
19 June 1961 (from the UK)
Legal system
a hybrid legal system that incorporates English common law, French civil law, and Islamic sharia law
Government type
constitutional monarchy (emirate)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Constitutional Court (composed of 5 judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (structured into various circuits, each consisting of 5 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court of Appeal; Court of First Instance; Summary Court
judge selection and term of office
all judges in Kuwait are appointed by the Amir upon the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, which is a consultative entity made up of Kuwaiti judges and officials from the Ministry of Justice
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers is appointed by the prime minister and is subject to the amir's approval
chief of state
Amir MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 16 December 2023)
head of government
Prime Minister AHMAD ABDULLAH Al-Ahmad al Sabah (since 15 May 2024)
election/appointment process
the amir is selected from the ruling family and must be confirmed by the National Assembly; the prime minister is appointed by the amir
National holiday
National Day, 25 February (1950)
National color(s)
green, white, red, black
Political parties
none; the government does not acknowledge any political parties or permit their establishment, although there is no explicit law prohibiting political parties
Legislative branch
expected date of next election
April 2028
National anthem(s)
title
"Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)
history
adopted in 1978; the anthem is utilized solely during formal events
lyrics/music
Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA
National symbol(s)
golden falcon
Administrative divisions
6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 966-8468
chancery
2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 966-0702
chief of mission
Ambassador AL-ZAIN Sabah Naser Saud Al-Sabah (since 19 April 2023)
consulate(s) general
Beverly Hills (CA), New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.kuwaitembassy.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[00] (965) 2538-0282
embassy
P.O. Box 77, Safat 13001
telephone
[00] (965) 2259-1001
mailing address
6200 Kuwait Place, Washington DC 20521-6200
chief of mission
Ambassador (position currently vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Steven R. BUTLER (in office since July 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://kw.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not made an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; not a party state to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$44.254 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures
$59.584 billion (2015 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$110.923 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$95.476 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$89.71 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$55.909 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$63.43 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$61.521 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
Labor force
3.003 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
9.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.306 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.302 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.306 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.307 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.307 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a small, high-income, oil-centric economy in the Middle East; advocate for renewable energy; a leader in regional finance and investment; possesses the world's oldest sovereign wealth fund; developing space and tourism sectors; currently in the midst of a 25-year development initiative
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
2.2% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
2.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 25%, India 13%, Japan 13%, Taiwan 7%, UK 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 18%, UAE 10%, USA 9%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$51,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$47,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$45,400 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
6.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
-1.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
-2.6% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
dates, eggs, milk, tomatoes, chicken, lamb/mutton, cucumbers/gherkins, vegetables, maize, eggplants (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, hydrocarbons, plastics (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, natural gas, garments, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$63.078 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$51.396 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$46.703 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$160.227 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
32.6% (2022 est.)
government consumption
20.7% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories
0.8% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital
16.1% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services
60.4% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services
-30.5% (2022 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
19.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
0.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
4% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.9% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-5.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$235.815 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$231.884 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$225.947 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
9.3% (2024 est.)
total
15.4% (2024 est.)
female
28.9% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$52.462 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$52.619 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$50.728 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
57.1% (2024 est.)
services
55.9% (2024 est.)
agriculture
0.5% (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
11 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
152,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
60,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
2.91 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
101.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
430,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
78.047 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
20.294 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
7.516 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
8.433 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
19.207 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
26.296 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1.784 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
389.848 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
97.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
100% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The state-operated television broadcaster runs four networks along with a satellite channel; there are multiple private television broadcasters; satellite television is accessible, and pan-Arab television channels are notably favored; the state-owned Radio Kuwait transmits across various channels in both Arabic and English; the initial private radio station was established in 2005; as of 2019, broadcasts from at least two international radio stations can be received.
Internet country code
.kw
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
573,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
12 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
8.11 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
168 (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
49,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
2
key ports
Kuwait City, Doha Port, Port of Abd Allah, Port of Al Ahmadi, Port of Ash Shuaybah, Port of Az Zawr
very small
3
total ports
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
4
Airports
6 (2025)
Heliports
20 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
176 (2023)
by type
general cargo 15, oil tanker 28, other 133
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9K
Military & Security
Military - note
The Kuwaiti Armed Forces (KAF) are tasked with safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. The security challenges faced by Kuwait include regional threats posed by both state and non-state entities, issues relating to maritime security, and the threat of terrorism. The KAF engages in both bilateral and multilateral military exercises, alongside participating in a select number of multinational security missions, such as maritime surveillance in the Persian Gulf. Additionally, it contributed several fighter jets to the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen in 2015. The KAF is also a member of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a collaborative military unit formed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations to uphold security and stability across the region.
Kuwait has relied on the United States as a primary security ally since the Gulf War in 1991. The US maintains a significant presence in Kuwait, including thousands of military personnel as well as logistics and training facilities, under mutual cooperation agreements established in 1991 and 2013. The KAF regularly conducts joint exercises with the US military and would seek US support in the event of an external threat. Kuwait is designated as a Major Non-NATO Ally by the US, a status established under US law that grants certain advantages in defense trade and security collaboration (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
6.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
6.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
4.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
4.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
4.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Kuwait Armed Forces (KAF): Kuwait Army (also referred to as Kuwait Land Forces, KLF), Kuwait Navy (known as Kuwait Naval Force), Kuwait Air Force; Kuwait National Guard (KNG)
Ministry of Interior: Kuwait Police, State Security, Kuwait Coast Guard (2025)
Military service age and obligation
The minimum age for voluntary military service is 18 for both men and women; men aged 18 to 35 are subject to a 12-month compulsory service requirement. This mandatory service is divided into two segments: a four-month training phase followed by eight months of active military service (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal includes weaponry sourced from Western Europe, Russia, and particularly the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active personnel count within the Kuwait Armed Forces is approximately 17,000, while the National Guard consists of around 7,000 members (2025).
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
1,271 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
92,000 (2024 est.)
