World · permanent entity record · KU
Kuwait
Thirty-second orientation
Kuwait at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Kuwaiti(s); adjective: Kuwaiti
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- constitutional monarchy (emirate)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Arabic (official), English widely spoken
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Kuwait through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Kuwait became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,865,298World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 3,172,511 (2025 est.) male: 1,827,274 female: 1,345,237CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $157.2 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $32,312
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 84.6 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Kuwait City
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 17,818 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 4,865,298
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Kuwaiti dinars (KD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Arabic (official), English widely spoken
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Kuwaiti(s); adjective: Kuwaiti
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- constitutional monarchy (emirate)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- Asia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Middle East.”
- Coastline
- 499 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.) note: data represent the total population; about 72% of the population consists of immigrants
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- green, white, red, black
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- golden falcon
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- 3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post · 984 ft (300 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Persian Gulf · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography19 fields
- Location
- Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 17,818 sq km land: 17,818 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly smaller than New Jersey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 475 km border countries (2): Iraq 254 km; Saudi Arabia 221 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- flat to slightly undulating desert plain
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: 3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m mean elevation: 108 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 8.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 7.6% (2023 est.) forest: 0.4% (2023 est.) other: 91.2% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society33 fields
- Population
- total: 3,172,511 (2025 est.) male: 1,827,274 female: 1,345,237
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Kuwaiti 30.4%, other Arab 27.4%, Asian 40.3%, African 1%, other 0.9% (includes European, North American, South American, and Australian) (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.) note: data represent the total population; about 72% of the population consists of immigrants
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 36 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 19.7 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 30.4 years (2025 est.) male: 31.1 years female: 28.9 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 17.36 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 2.3 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -4.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 3.298 million KUWAIT (capital) (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 79.6 years (2024 est.) male: 78.1 years female: 81.1 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 5.8% of GDP (2021) 9.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 2.27 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 2.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 22.4% (2025 est.) male: 34.9% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 2.8% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 6.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 13.8% national budget (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 96.5% (2020 est.) male: 97.1% (2020 est.) female: 95.3% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 15 years (2015 est.) male: 13 years (2015 est.) female: 16 years (2015 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
- Environmental issues
- limited natural freshwater resources; air and water pollution; desertification; loss of biodiversity
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 8.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 7.6% (2023 est.) forest: 0.4% (2023 est.) other: 91.2% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 54.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.75 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.4% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 20 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government22 fields
- Country 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- constitutional monarchy (emirate)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed system consisting of English common law, French civil law, and Islamic sharia law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Suffrage
- 21 years of age and at least 20-year citizenship
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- none; the government does not recognize any political parties or allow their formation, although no formal law bans political parties
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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: info@kuwaitembassy.us https://www.kuwaitembassy.us/ consulate(s) general: Beverly Hills (CA), New York
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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: KuwaitACS@state.gov https://kw.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- National Day, 25 February (1950)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy27 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $225.947 billion (2024 est.) $231.884 billion (2023 est.) $235.815 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- -2.6% (2024 est.) -1.7% (2023 est.) 6.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $45,400 (2024 est.) $47,800 (2023 est.) $51,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $160.227 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 2.9% (2024 est.) 3.6% (2023 est.) 4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 32.6% (2022 est.) government consumption: 20.7% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.1% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 0.8% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 60.4% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -30.5% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- dates, eggs, milk, tomatoes, chicken, lamb/mutton, cucumbers/gherkins, vegetables, maize, eggplants (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- -5.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 3.003 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 2.2% (2024 est.) 2.2% (2023 est.) 2.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Average household expenditures
- on food: 19.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 0.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $44.254 billion (2015 est.) expenditures: $59.584 billion (2015 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- China 25%, India 13%, Japan 13%, Taiwan 7%, UK 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, hydrocarbons, plastics (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- China 18%, UAE 10%, USA 9%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- cars, natural gas, garments, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 20.294 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 78.047 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 7.516 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 97.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- consumption: 60,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 11 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 152,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 389.848 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 573,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 8.11 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 168 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 100% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 49,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- 9K
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 176 (2023) by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 28, other 133
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security6 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 4.9% of GDP (2024 est.) 4.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 6.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 6.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 17,000 active Kuwait Armed Forces; approximately 7,000 National Guard (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military's inventory consists of armaments from Western Europe, Russia, and particularly the US (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 1,271 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 92,000 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.