Kuwait

Country Summary

Introduction

Background

Kuwait acquired independence from the United Kingdom in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq in August 1990 but liberated by a US-led UN coalition in February 1991. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that has become increasingly assertive.

Geography

Area

total: 17,818 sq km
land: 17,818 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

People and Society

Population

3,103,580 (2023 est.)

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.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Religions

Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.13% (2023 est.)

Government

Government type

constitutional monarchy (emirate)

Capital

name: Kuwait City

Executive branch

chief of state: Amir Sheikh MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 16 December 2023); he succeeded his brother, Amir Sheikh NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, who died the same day

head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh AHMAD AL-NAWAF Al-Ahmad al-Sabah (reappointed 5 March 2023); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh TALAL al-Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (since 16 October 2022); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Khalid al-FADIL (since 9 April 2022); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Bader Hamed Yusef Al-Mula (since 16 October 2022)

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (65 seats; 50 members directly elected from 5 multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 15 ex-officio members (cabinet ministers) appointed by the amir; members serve 4-year terms)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$191.522 billion (2020 est.)
$210.13 billion (2019 est.)
$211.296 billion (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$43,900 (2020 est.)
$47,300 (2019 est.)
$48,900 (2018 est.)

Agricultural products

eggs, dates, tomatoes, cucumbers, poultry, milk, mutton, potatoes, vegetables, eggplants

Industries

petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials

Remittances

0.02% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.02% of GDP (2019 est.)
0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Exports

$77.121 billion (2021 est.)
$47.416 billion (2020 est.)
$72.833 billion (2019 est.)

Exports - partners

China 20%, South Korea 16%, India 15%, Japan 10%, Taiwan 6%, Vietnam 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, industrial hydrocarbon products, industrial alcohols (2021)

Imports

$48.954 billion (2021 est.)
$44.015 billion (2020 est.)
$59.654 billion (2019 est.)

Imports - partners

China 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, United States 10%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6%, Germany 5%, India 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities

cars, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, packaged medicines, jewelry (2019)

Exchange rates

Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
0.302 (2021 est.)
0.306 (2020 est.)
0.304 (2019 est.)
0.302 (2018 est.)
0.303 (2017 est.)


Page last updated: Sunday, December 17, 2023