Kuwait
State of KuwaitDawlat al Kuwayt
constitutional monarchy (emirate)Independence 19 June 1961 (from the UK)
Kuwait as the 2025 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 138 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Iraq attacked and overran Kuwait in 1990. After several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days.
In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs known as Bidoon staged small protests demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated with the resignation of the prime minister amid allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in 2012 in response to a decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs.
An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the 2016 election, winning nearly half the seats, but the opposition became increasingly factionalized.
Between 2006 and his death in 2020, the Amir dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government.
The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a "National Dialogue" in 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of this initiative, the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet has been reshuffled six times since 2020.
Geography
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
19 fieldsLand useshare of 17,818 sq km
Elevation
- highest point:
- 3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m
- lowest point:
- Persian Gulf 0 m
- mean elevation:
- 108 m
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Population distribution
- densest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island;
- significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country
Natural hazards
- sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses;
- sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year but are most common between March and August
People and Society
33 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2024 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2025 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2018 est.)
Religions(2013 est.)
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.
Population distribution
- densest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island;
- significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country
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
- 65 years and over:
- 0.74 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.36 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
- total:
- 7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
- male:
- 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
- female:
- 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Alcohol consumption per capita
- total:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- beer:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- wine:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- spirits:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- other alcohols:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Environment
11 fieldsLand use(2023 est.)
Environmental issues
- limited natural freshwater resources;
- air and water pollution;
- desertification;
- loss of biodiversity
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
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 100% of total population (2023)
- rate of urbanization:
- 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
100.459 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.)
- from consumed natural gas:
- 51.587 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Methane emissions
- energy:
- 819.9 kt (2022-2024 est.)
- agriculture:
- 7.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- waste:
- 256.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- other:
- 0.9 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.)
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.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy (emirate); Amir MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 16 December 2023); Prime Minister AHMAD ABDULLAH Al-Ahmad al Sabah (since 15 May 2024)
22 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- State of Kuwait
- conventional short form:
- Kuwait
- local long form:
- Dawlat al Kuwayt
- local short form:
- Al Kuwayt
- etymology:
- the name derives from the capital city, which comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt , itself a diminutive of the Hindustani term kut , meaning a fortress-like house
Capital
- name:
- Kuwait City
- geographic coordinates:
- 29 22 N, 47 58 E
- time difference:
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- etymology:
- the name comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt , a diminutive of the Hindustani term kut , meaning a fortress-like house
Administrative divisions
6 governorates ( muhafazat , singular - muhafazah ); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
Constitution
- history:
- approved and promulgated 11 November 1962;
- suspended 1976 to 1981 (4 articles);
- 1986 to 1991;
- May to July 1999
- amendment process:
- proposed by the amir or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly;
- passage requires two-thirds consent of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the amir;
- constitutional articles on the initiation, approval, and promulgation of general legislation cannot be amended
note: in May 2024, Amir Sheikh MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and suspended several articles of the constitution for up to four years
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Executive branch
- 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)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by the amir
- election/appointment process:
- amir chosen from within the ruling family, confirmed by the National Assembly; prime minister appointed by the amir
Legislative branch
- expected date of next election:
- April 2028
note: the unicameral National Assembly was dissolved on 10 May 2024 by Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad AL-SABAH for a period of up to four years; the Emir and cabinet officials have assumed the role of the parliament
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (organized into several circuits, each with 5 judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- all Kuwaiti judges appointed by the Amir on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, a consultative body comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials
- subordinate courts:
- High Court of Appeal;
- Court of First Instance;
- Summary Court
Political parties
none; the government does not recognize any political parties or allow their formation, although no formal law bans political parties
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador AL-ZAIN Sabah Naser Saud Al-Sabah (since 19 April 2023)
- chancery:
- 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 966-0702
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 966-8468
- email address and website:
- [email protected]; https://www.kuwaitembassy.us/
- consulate(s) general:
- Beverly Hills (CA), New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Steven R. BUTLER (since July 2025)
- embassy:
- P.O. Box 77, Safat 13001
- mailing address:
- 6200 Kuwait Place, Washington DC 20521-6200
- telephone:
- [00] (965) 2259-1001
- FAX:
- [00] (965) 2538-0282
- 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
Flag
- description:
- three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a black trapezoid based on the left side
- meaning:
- green stands for fertile fields, white for purity, red for blood on Kuwaiti swords, and black for defeating the enemy
- history:
- colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
National anthem(s)
- title:
- "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)
- lyrics/music:
- Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA
- history:
- adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions
Economy
27 fieldsTrading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2022 est.)
Budget(2015 est.)
Economic overview
- small, high-income, oil-based Middle East economy;
- renewable energy proponent;
- regional finance and investment leader;
- maintains oldest sovereign wealth fund;
- emerging space and tourism industries;
- mid-way through 25-year development program
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture:
- 0.5% (2024 est.)
- industry:
- 57.1% (2024 est.)
- services:
- 55.9% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Agricultural products
dates, eggs, milk, tomatoes, chicken, lamb/mutton, cucumbers/gherkins, vegetables, maize, eggplants (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
Labor force
3.003 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate
2.2% (2024 est.) · 2.2% (2023 est.) · 2.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total:
- 15.4% (2024 est.)
- male:
- 9.3% (2024 est.)
- female:
- 28.9% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Average household expenditures
- on food:
- 19.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- on alcohol and tobacco:
- 0.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
0% of GDP (2024 est.) · 0% of GDP (2023 est.) · 0% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Current account balance
$46.703 billion (2024 est.) · $51.396 billion (2023 est.) · $63.078 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
$89.71 billion (2024 est.) · $95.476 billion (2023 est.) · $110.923 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, hydrocarbons, plastics (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$61.521 billion (2024 est.) · $63.43 billion (2023 est.) · $55.909 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
cars, natural gas, garments, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$50.728 billion (2024 est.) · $52.619 billion (2023 est.) · $52.462 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.307 (2024 est.) · 0.307 (2023 est.) · 0.306 (2022 est.) · 0.302 (2021 est.) · 0.306 (2020 est.)
Energy
7 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 20.294 million kW(2023 est.)
Coal
- consumption:
- 60,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- exports:
- 11 metric tons (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 152,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
- total petroleum production:
- 2.91 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
- refined petroleum consumption:
- 430,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- crude oil estimated reserves:
- 101.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
- production:
- 19.207 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- consumption:
- 26.296 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 8.433 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- proven reserves:
- 1.784 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Communications
6 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2023 est.)
Broadcast media
- state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel;
- several private TV broadcasters;
- satellite TV available, and pan-Arab TV stations are especially popular;
- state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English;
- first private radio station in 2005;
- transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2019)
Transportation
5 fieldsMerchant marine, 176 ships by type(2023)
Ports
- total ports:
- 6 (2024)
- large:
- 0
- medium:
- 2
- small:
- 1
- very small:
- 3
- ports with oil terminals:
- 4
- key ports:
- Al Kuwayt, Doha Harbor, Mina Abd Allah, Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Ash Shuaybah, Mina Az Zawr
Military and Security
6 fieldsPersonnel strengthsone square, 100 people · (2025)
Military and security forces
- Kuwait Armed Forces (KAF):
- Kuwait Army (aka Kuwait Land Forces, KLF), Kuwait Navy (aka Kuwait Naval Force), Kuwait Air Force; Kuwait National Guard (KNG)
- Ministry of Interior:
- Kuwait Police, State Security, Kuwait Coast Guard (2025)
note 1: the Emiri Guard Authority and the 25th Commando Brigade are special units within the KAF that exercise independent command authority, although activities such as training and equipment procurement are often coordinated with the other services; the 25th Commando Brigade is Kuwait's leading special forces unit; the Emiri Guard Authority (aka Emiri Guard Brigade) is responsible for protecting Kuwait's heads of state
note 2: the National Guard reports directly to the prime minister and the amir and possesses an independent command structure, equipment inventory, and logistics corps separate from the Ministry of Defense, the regular armed services, and the Ministry of Interior; it is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and providing support for the Ministries of Interior and Defense as required
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory consists of armaments from Western Europe, Russia, and particularly the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
- 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women;
- 12-month compulsory service for men aged 18-35;
- mandatory service is divided into two phases – 4 months for training and 8 months for military service (2025)
note: the National Guard is restricted to citizens, but in 2018, the Army began allowing non-Kuwaitis to join on contract or as non-commissioned officers;
that same year, it also began allowing stateless people (Bidoon) to join
Military - note
the Kuwaiti Armed Forces (KAF) are responsible for defending Kuwait's sovereignty and territory; Kuwait’s security concerns include regional threats from state and non-state actors, maritime security, and terrorism; the KAF participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises, as well as a limited number of multinational security operations such as maritime patrols in the Persian Gulf;
it also provided a few fighter aircraft to the Saudi-led coalition intervention in Yemen in 2015; the KAF is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region
Kuwait's key security partner since the 1991 Gulf War has been the US; the US maintains thousands of military personnel as well as logistics and training facilities in Kuwait as part of mutual cooperation agreements signed in 1991 and 2013; the KAF conducts bilateral exercises with the US military and would look to US assistance in the event of an external attack;
Kuwait has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2025)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldRefugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees:
- 1,271 (2024 est.)
- stateless persons:
- 92,000 (2024 est.)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Kuwait.” The World Factbook 2025. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/kuwait.