Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Kuwait


Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a small sovereign in Western Asia situated at the head of the on the , bordered by to the north and to the south. It spans approximately 17,818 square kilometers of mostly flat desert terrain with a hot, arid climate and limited natural freshwater resources, relying heavily on for . The country operates as a constitutional hereditary under the Al Sabah , which has ruled since the , with the holding executive authority supported by an appointed and a partially elected . Kuwait's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which accounts for over 90% of export revenues and roughly half of GDP, underpinned by proven crude reserves of about 101.5 billion barrels, representing roughly 6% of totals and ranking it among the top reserve holders worldwide. Commercial production began in the late , transforming Kuwait from a modest pearl-diving and trading society into a high-income with extensive public subsidies, free healthcare, and , though this resource dependence exposes it to price volatility and necessitates diversification efforts. The totals around 4.3 million, with citizens comprising about 30% and the remainder expatriate workers in sectors like and domestic service, contributing to a demographic imbalance and associated social tensions. Strategically positioned near major shipping routes, Kuwait has experienced pivotal historical events, including the Iraqi invasion in that prompted a U.S.-led in 1991, resulting in extensive infrastructure damage and environmental fallout from set fires, which underscored its geopolitical vulnerabilities and alliances with Western powers for security. Despite achieving independence from British protection in 1961 and building modern infrastructure symbolized by landmarks like the , the nation grapples with challenges such as , political gridlock between the ruling family and , and restrictions on that limit dissent in a system prioritizing monarchical stability over full democratic reforms.

Etymology

Name origins and historical usage

The name "Kuwait" derives from the Arabic "al-kuwayt," a diminutive form of "kut" (كوت), denoting a small fortress or fortified structure, particularly one erected near water, which aligns with the site's position at the northern end of Kuwait Bay where early settlers constructed defensive enclosures against raids. This linguistic root underscores the practical origins of the settlement as a secure outpost for trade and refuge amid Bedouin migrations from central Arabia around 1716. In historical records, the name emerges in Ottoman administrative documents from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, referring to the locality as a peripheral coastal dependency within the , valued for its maritime access rather than inland control. Persian sources from the same era similarly note it as a minor trading station along Gulf routes, often under the variant "Grane" or akin terms for the bay area, highlighting its role in pearling and transit commerce predating formalized statehood. The term's usage evolved to encapsulate the burgeoning entrepôt economy driven by Utub tribal alliances, with "Kuwait" increasingly denoting the fortified harbor's strategic prominence in regional shipping manifests by the mid-18th century, distinct from transient nomadic identifiers and unlinked to later resource-driven identities. This persistence reflects causal adaptations to geographic necessities—proximity to deep-water anchorage and defensibility—rather than abstract cultural constructs, as evidenced in pre-19th-century ledgers prioritizing navigational utility over territorial claims.

History

Ancient and medieval periods

Archaeological excavations at the Bahra 1 site in northern Kuwait reveal evidence of human settlement during the Ubaid period, approximately 5700 BCE, including a workshop for crafting shell ornaments and a 7000-year-old clay figurine indicative of early cultural practices. These findings point to prehistoric communities engaged in resource exploitation along the Gulf coast, with influences from Mesopotamian Ubaid culture facilitating early trade and migration patterns. By the third millennium BCE, the region formed part of the civilization's sphere, an East Semitic-speaking network centered in and , with serving as a key outpost. A temple unearthed on , dating to around 2000 BCE and measuring approximately 36 by 36 feet, contained seals and pottery linking it to Dilmun's maritime trade routes with and , where goods like and pearls were exchanged. Subsequent Achaemenid control in the 6th–4th centuries BCE and Hellenistic Seleucid influence introduced fortified settlements and Ionian-style temples on Failaka, reflecting intermittent imperial oversight rather than dense local urbanization. The Arab Muslim conquests of the 7th century incorporated the Kuwaiti region into the , following the defeat of Sassanid forces in southern ; the port of Kadhima emerged as an early Islamic trading hub handling goods from the to . Under the subsequent Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates (661–1258 ), the area integrated into the broader Islamic economy, with Abbasid-era artifacts on Failaka indicating sporadic habitation tied to pearling and overland routes. Medieval Kuwait lacked centralized , sustaining a sparse of nomadic tribes who practiced , seasonal , and limited amid the harsh environment, with settlements confined to coastal oases and islands until peripheral influence in the . This tribal structure, rooted in pre-Islamic nomadic traditions, prioritized mobility over permanent states, as evidenced by the absence of major centers or monumental in archaeological records.

Establishment of the Al Sabah rule (18th century)

The Bani Utub, a tribal confederation originating from the alliance in central Arabia's region, migrated northeastward around 1716 amid intertribal disputes and resource scarcity, drawn by the Persian Gulf's maritime trade prospects and the sparsely inhabited coastal area near present-day Kuwait Bay. This migration involved key clans including the Al Sabah, Al Khalifa, and Al Jalahma, who initially settled in nearby villages like Kazma before consolidating at Qurain and Failaka islands for pearling and fishing. The settlers, numbering several hundred families, leveraged the site's natural harbor for commerce with and , fostering economic self-sufficiency without formal allegiance to distant or authorities at the outset. By 1718, after the death of interim leader Sulaiman bin Ahmad Al Shamlan, the Utub tribes convened a consultative assembly () to select a permanent , choosing Sabah bin Jaber Al Sabah—grandson of an earlier migrant and head of the Al Sabah clan—for his demonstrated mediation skills and lineage ties to the Utub. This decision formalized the Al Sabah as hereditary rulers, transitioning from collective tribal decision-making to sheikh-led governance centered on stability, dispute resolution, and resource allocation among merchants and allies. Sabah I, reigning until circa 1762, prioritized fortifications against nomadic raids and balanced alliances with inland tribes, laying the foundation for Kuwait's autonomy as a rather than a mere outpost. Throughout the mid-18th century, the Al Sabah rule contended with sporadic threats from Ottoman governors seeking tribute and internal factionalism, which Sabah I addressed through pragmatic diplomacy, including tribute payments to secure trade routes and intermarriage with local groups to consolidate loyalty. By the 1760s, under Sabah I's successors like Abdullah bin Sabah (r. 1762–1814), the had repelled early incursions while expanding pearling fleets to over 800 boats, demonstrating adaptive leadership that prioritized economic pragmatism over expansionism. This era's consultative yet hierarchical structure—where the governed with input—ensured resilience against Wahhabi stirrings from the south, deferring major confrontations until the .

Pre-oil economy and British protectorate (19th–mid-20th century)

Kuwait's pre-oil economy from the onward centered on maritime activities, particularly pearl diving and regional trade, which sustained a estimated at around 10,000–20,000 by the late 1800s. Pearl diving dominated, employing up to 80% of the male workforce during peak seasons and generating revenues that formed the backbone of wealth for ruling and merchant families alike. Divers operated from fleets of 100–300 traditional dhows, venturing into the Gulf waters for months-long expeditions that harvested natural pearls prized in and Asian markets. This labor-intensive industry, conducted without modern equipment, relied on skilled free-divers enduring depths up to 12 meters and risks of shark attacks or , yielding annual catches valued in the tens of thousands of pounds at its height in the 1900s–1920s. Complementing pearling, Kuwait emerged as a and trading hub, constructing robust wooden dhows that facilitated commerce with , , and Persia. In the late 18th and 19th centuries, Kuwaiti vessels carried the majority of goods—such as dates, timber, and spices—between Indian ports like Bombay and East African coastal cities, bypassing Ottoman-controlled routes and fostering economic for local merchant families who amassed fortunes independent of ruling subsidies. This trade network, peaking in the mid-19th century, positioned Kuwait as a neutral amid rival powers, with annual shipbuilding output reaching dozens of vessels and exports including pearls redirected to markets. External pressures intensified in the late , as authorities asserted claims over Kuwait as part of the , prompting incursions and demands for tribute, while inland threats from Rashidi and Wahhabi forces raided coastal settlements. Sheikh , who seized power in 1896, navigated these by aligning with interests to counter expansionism. The Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 23 January 1899 formalized this, wherein Mubarak pledged not to cede territory, receive foreign representatives, or enter treaties without consent, in exchange for protection against external aggression—effectively establishing a while leaving internal governance, taxation, and succession under Al Sabah control. The protectorate arrangement yielded mutual strategic gains: Britain secured a buffer for its India-to-Gulf shipping lanes against or influence, while Kuwait gained deterrence against blockades and raids, as evidenced by mediation in the 1920 that repelled invaders. The 1913 Anglo- Convention tentatively recognized Kuwait's autonomy from Basra, though unratified due to ; post-war, forces upheld the status quo, enabling Kuwait to impose quarantines and customs independently. This external shield preserved economic self-reliance until the pearling industry's collapse in the early 1930s, triggered by the 1929 global depression slashing luxury demand and Japan's commercial cultured pearls flooding markets from 1928 onward, reducing natural pearl values by over 90% and idling thousands of dhows.

Oil era and independence (1938–1980)

The , established in 1934 as a between the and Corporation, discovered commercial quantities of oil in the on February 22, 1938, marking the onset of Kuwait's resource-based economic transformation. This field, second only to Arabia's Ghawar in size, provided reserves that propelled Kuwait toward rapid wealth accumulation through private-sector exploration under concession agreements. delayed full development, but post-war resumption enabled the first crude oil exports on June 30, 1946, with Sheikh inaugurating the shipment aboard the tanker British Fusilier. Initial production reached 5.9 million barrels in 1946, surging to 16.2 million barrels by 1947, as global demand drove market-priced sales and revenue inflows. Oil revenues fundamentally reshaped under Amir , who assumed power in 1950 and prioritized modernization via public investments. By the mid-1950s, Kuwait had become the Persian Gulf's leading oil exporter, funding expansions including expanded port facilities at Ahmadi and urban developments that accommodated from expatriate labor. These market-generated rents—derived from concessions yielding escalating royalties—supported early provisions, such as and utilities, laying the groundwork for a rentier model where sales directly bolstered fiscal stability without initial reliance on taxation. Independence from British protection arrived on , 1961, via an exchange of notes terminating the agreement, affirming Kuwait's amid regional tensions. Iraq's subsequent claim prompted a brief military standoff, resolved by British withdrawal after guarantees and Kuwait's appeal to the UN Security Council. Full UN membership followed on May 14, 1963, solidifying international recognition. Under Abdullah Al-Salim, a drafted and ratified the constitution on November 11, 1962, instituting a unicameral elected in January 1963, which balanced monarchical authority with representative elements. The 1960s saw oil-funded consolidation, with revenues enabling universal , healthcare, and family allowances for citizens, alongside projects like Kuwait International Airport's expansion and desalination plants to address . This era's causal link between export volumes—reaching hundreds of millions of barrels annually by decade's end—and outcomes demonstrated oil's role in enabling endogenous modernization, distinct from pre-oil pearling dependencies, while fostering demographic shifts through imported skilled labor for extraction and operations.

Iraqi invasion, Gulf War, and liberation (1990–1991)

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time, rapidly overwhelming the smaller Kuwaiti military and seizing control of the capital within two days. Saddam Hussein's regime cited economic disputes, including Kuwait's alleged slant-drilling into Iraq's Rumaila oil field and overproduction of oil that depressed global prices, exacerbating Iraq's $14 billion debt from the Iran-Iraq War; however, these claims served as pretexts for territorial expansion, as Iraq rejected diplomatic resolutions and invoked dubious historical Ottoman boundaries. Iraq initially installed a puppet "Republic of Kuwait" before formally annexing the country on August 28, 1990, declaring it the 19th province of Iraq to legitimize the conquest. The responded immediately with Resolution 660, condemning the invasion and demanding Iraq's unconditional withdrawal. Subsequent resolutions, including 661 imposing and 678 authorizing "all necessary means" to enforce compliance, facilitated a U.S.-led of 34 nations that deployed over 540,000 troops—predominantly American, with significant contributions from , the , and —under Operation Desert Shield for defensive buildup from August 1990. Operation Desert Storm commenced on January 17, 1991, with a 38-day air campaign targeting Iraqi command, control, and infrastructure, followed by a ground offensive on February 24 that breached Iraqi defenses and advanced into by February 26. forces declared a ceasefire on February 28, after 100 hours of ground , having expelled Iraqi troops and restored Kuwaiti with minimal coalition casualties relative to Iraq's estimated 20,000–50,000 dead. During the seven-month occupation, Iraqi forces executed systematic repression, including the torture and killing of hundreds of Kuwaiti civilians and prisoners, widespread looting of infrastructure, and forced conscription, as documented in post-liberation investigations. In retreat, Iraqi troops sabotaged approximately 650 oil wells by igniting them with explosives, releasing up to 6 million barrels of crude daily and producing a smoke plume that darkened skies for months, depositing soot across the region and contaminating soil and water in an act of calculated environmental destruction.

Post-Gulf War reconstruction and political tensions (1992–present)

Following the liberation of Kuwait in February 1991, reconstruction efforts prioritized extinguishing over 650 oil well fires ignited by Iraqi forces, with the last fire capped on November 6, 1991, through international teams including Bechtel, which restored pre-war production levels and addressed massive oil spills covering 1.5% of the country's land. By January 1992, Kuwait had expended $1.5 billion on fire suppression and initial cleanup, leveraging surging post-war oil revenues—reaching over 2 million barrels per day by mid-1992—to fund infrastructure rebuilding, including roads, power plants, and housing damaged during the occupation. Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, provided pledges totaling billions in grants and soft loans to support recovery, enabling Kuwait to achieve rapid economic rebound without incurring unsustainable external debt. The reconvened in October 1992, restoring parliamentary oversight, but persistent gridlock between legislators—often dominated by tribal, Islamist, and populist factions—and the executive branch over fiscal reforms, probes, and subsidy cuts led to repeated dissolutions by successive emirs to avert policy paralysis. Notable instances include dissolutions in 2011 amid protests echoing Arab Spring demands, 2016 over budget disputes amid low oil prices, and multiple short terms in the early 2010s due to legislative boycotts and investigations targeting cabinet ministers. These interventions, rooted in the emir's constitutional prerogatives under Article 71, maintained governance continuity and curbed potential escalations into the sectarian or Islamist-driven instability observed in neighbors like and , preserving Kuwait's relative internal security. In May 2024, Emir dissolved weeks after elections, suspending select constitutional articles and assuming legislative powers, explicitly citing chronic obstructionism, , and failure to enact essential reforms as rationale, marking the seventh such action since 1992. This move followed years of stalled progress on reducing dependency, exacerbated by parliamentary resistance to subsidy rationalization amid fiscal pressures from volatile prices. To counter economic vulnerabilities, Kuwait launched the New Kuwait Vision 2035 in 2017, targeting diversification into finance, logistics, and tourism to diminish oil's share of GDP from over 50% through private sector incentives and sovereign wealth investments up to $164 billion regionally. Implementation has advanced incrementally, with non-oil growth sustaining momentum, though bureaucratic hurdles persist; the IMF forecasts 2.6% real GDP expansion in 2025 driven by OPEC+ cut unwinding, yet warns of a widening fiscal deficit to 7.8% of GDP in FY2025/26 from unreformed public spending. Despite these strains, Kuwait's monarchical-parliamentary balance has empirically sustained prosperity and order, contrasting with revolutionary upheavals elsewhere in the region.

Geography

Physical features and borders


Kuwait encompasses a land area of 17,818 square kilometers, characterized by a flat to slightly undulating desert plain dominated by sand dunes and gravel expanses, with no significant rivers or lakes. The terrain rises modestly at the Mutla Ridge, the country's highest point at 306 meters above , located northwest of . The nation shares land borders totaling 475 kilometers: 254 kilometers with to the north and northwest, demarcated by boundary commission in 1994, and 221 kilometers with to the south, established via the 1922 Treaty of Uqair. To the east lies a 499-kilometer coastline along the , including the indented Kuwait Bay, which facilitates maritime access but exposes low-elevation coastal zones to erosion and inundation risks. Population density is heavily skewed toward urban centers, with over 90% residing in the governorate along the southern edge of Kuwait Bay, amplifying exposure to projected sea-level rise of 0.5 to 2 meters, which could inundate up to 5-10% of coastal land and infrastructure valued in billions of Kuwaiti dinars. Assessments indicate moderate across 97% of at-risk coastal areas, driven by and tidal influences exacerbating geophysical threats.

Climate and environmental challenges

Kuwait possesses a hyper-arid hot (Köppen ), with extreme heat dominating much of the year. The annual mean temperature averages 27.9°C as of recent decades, up from 25.8°C in the early , reflecting natural variability and urban heat effects in coastal areas. Summer months ( to ) routinely see daytime highs exceeding 45°C, with peaks above 50°C recorded, while relative amplifies discomfort near the coast. Winters ( to ) bring milder conditions, with averages of 12–18°C, though occasional cold fronts from the north can drop temperatures below 5°C. Precipitation is negligible, averaging 115–150 mm annually, confined mostly to sporadic winter showers between and , often in the form of brief thunderstorms or cloudbursts exceeding 50 mm in rare events. Prolonged dry spells exacerbate , with no permanent or lakes contributing to availability. storms, driven by shamal winds from the northwest, occur frequently from to , reducing to under 1 and depositing fine that impair air quality and agriculture. These storms, intensified by regional , pose health risks including respiratory ailments, as particulate matter levels can surge beyond WHO guidelines during events. Water scarcity defines Kuwait's primary environmental challenge, rendering the country entirely dependent on for potable supply since the late , supplemented by treated for non-potable uses. plants, powered largely by and oil (consuming about 12% of oil production as of 2023), produce over 90% of , with capacity exceeding 5 million cubic meters daily across multiple facilities. This energy-intensive process, reliant on multi-stage flash and , strains resources amid rising demand from and urbanization, projecting oil use for to reach 50% of production by 2050 without efficiency gains. aquifers, once tapped, are now largely depleted and saline, limiting alternatives. The 1991 inflicted acute environmental damage through deliberate oil spills and well fires, releasing 6–11 million barrels into the and igniting over 600 wells, which burned for eight months and emitted vast plumes. Marine ecosystems suffered immediate impacts, including smothering of seabeds and to , though empirical surveys post-cleanup indicate partial recovery in coastal waters by the mid-1990s, with natural dilution and mitigating broader oceanic effects. Terrestrial legacies persist in tar pits and contaminated soils, covering thousands of hectares, where hydrocarbons degrade slowly due to low rainfall and microbial limits; however, efforts and natural attenuation have prevented widespread infiltration, as monitored by Kuwaiti and international teams. Fires' atmospheric emissions temporarily elevated regional , but levels normalized post-extinguishment in November 1991.

Natural resources and sustainability

Kuwait holds proven crude reserves of 101.5 billion barrels, ranking sixth globally and concentrated in major fields like Burgan, which alone contains over 70 billion barrels. These hydrocarbons form the backbone of the nation's resource base, extracted via advanced drilling and enhanced recovery techniques to sustain output amid geological constraints. Freshwater resources are severely limited by the arid and finite non-renewable aquifers, with levels declining by up to 50 meters in agricultural zones due to over-extraction and resultant intrusion. Brackish overdraft has further exacerbated depletion, rendering much of it unsuitable for sustained use without . To this, Kuwait produces over 90% of its potable water through seawater desalination plants employing multi-stage and , with capacities exceeding 2 million cubic meters daily across facilities like Shuaiba and Az-Zour. Biodiversity persists in coastal ecosystems, including stands along the that serve as nurseries for and habitats for species, though chronic oil from the 1991 well fires—releasing 6 million barrels into the —has degraded sediments and reduced faunal diversity. measures, coordinated by the Environment Public Authority since 2002, include the 1987 designation of the Al-Jahra Pools Natural Reserve, a 18-square-kilometer preserving reeds, tamarisk thickets, and over 300 bird species amid landscapes. Remediation projects have targeted oil-impacted sites, deploying and mechanical cleanup to restore habitats, while public programs promote monitoring and reduced inputs.

Government and Politics

Constitutional framework and monarchical powers

Kuwait operates as a constitutional hereditary under the framework established by the 1962 , which designates the as the and guarantees his person as inviolable. The document balances monarchical authority with consultative elements through an elected , while declaring the state religion and Islamic as a main source of , thereby grounding in religious principles rather than solely imported Western models. This structure vests executive power primarily in the , who appoints and dismisses the prime minister—typically from the Al Sabah family—and ministers, while exercising command over the armed forces. The holds extensive prerogatives, including the power to dissolve the by decree and call for new elections, a mechanism invoked on multiple occasions to resolve legislative impasses. He possesses over laws passed by the Assembly, which can be overridden only by a two-thirds in a subsequent session, and may issue decrees with the force of law when the Assembly is not in session, subject to later ratification. These powers enable the to maintain directional control over policy, including ratifying treaties, declaring states of , and appointing the crown prince with Assembly approval. In practice, such has facilitated suspensions of parliamentary articles, as in May 2024 when the halted democratic provisions for up to four years to address chronic political deadlock. The comprises 50 elected members serving four-year terms, tasked with legislating, approving budgets, and interrogating ministers, yet its influence remains circumscribed by the 's overriding role and the absence of full . ministers, appointed by the , participate in sessions but their votes are limited, underscoring the 's dominance. This delineation has empirically sustained governance stability, as evidenced by the Assembly's dissolution 13 times since 1962 to preempt prolonged gridlock, contrasting with parliamentary paralysis in neighboring states lacking comparable monarchical checks. Public sentiment, per surveys, often views the as a drag on , reinforcing the framework's design for concentrated authority amid tribal and factional dynamics.

Al Sabah dynasty's role in governance

The Al Sabah dynasty has ruled Kuwait continuously since 1752, when was chosen as by the settled tribes and merchants establishing the polity at Kuwait Bay. By 2025, this spans 273 years of familial governance, providing institutional continuity amid regional upheavals. Succession is confined to male descendants of , who ruled from 1896 to 1915, with the designating a from qualified family members, subject to National Assembly approval by majority vote—a process prioritizing consensus, experience, and perceived merit over automatic . This selective mechanism has sustained leadership transitions without violent intra-family ruptures, contrasting with succession crises in neighboring non-monarchical states. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Al Sabah rulers countered existential threats from Wahhabi incursions and territorial claims by cultivating protective alliances, notably the 1899 Anglo-Kuwaiti agreement that positioned as guarantor of autonomy in exchange for oversight. This pact deterred aggression from Najd-based Wahhabi forces, who had raided coastal settlements repeatedly from 1802 onward, and later neutralized Iraqi aspirations under British influence until Kuwait's 1961 independence. Such pragmatic diplomacy preserved territorial integrity and enabled the shift from pearling and trade-based revenues—peaking at around 10,000 boats by the 1930s—to oil-driven wealth post-1938 discoveries, with the family's stewardship correlating to growth from under $100 in the to over $40,000 by the . The dynasty's endurance has underpinned measurable stability metrics, including a political stability score of 0.41 in 2023—indicating moderate resilience against violence or terrorism—and no major terrorist incidents since 2015 alongside low criminal violence rates. Recent succession unfolded amid debates on generational fitness; after Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah's death on December 16, 2023, at age 94, the cabinet proclaimed Mishal al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, aged 83 and previously since 2020, as the 17th that day, with formal oath-taking before on December 20. Mishal's prior roles, including commanding the since 1979 and from 2013 to 2020, underscored the merit-oriented selection yielding experienced leadership.

Parliamentary system and recent dissolutions

The Majlis Al-Umma, Kuwait's unicameral , comprises 50 members directly elected by adult Kuwaiti citizens through a system of five multi-member constituencies, with terms nominally lasting four years but frequently shortened by dissolution. The assembly holds legislative authority, including the power to debate and pass bills, approve the national budget, and interpellate cabinet ministers, though appointed ministers (up to 16) also sit as voting members, creating inherent tensions with the elected body. In practice, the assembly's effectiveness has been undermined by the absence of formal —prohibited under Kuwaiti law—and the dominance of informal blocs influenced by tribal loyalties and Islamist ideologies, which prioritize opposition to executive initiatives over consensus-building. These dynamics have repeatedly stalled fiscal and structural reforms, such as subsidy reductions and efforts essential for reducing oil dependency, resulting in prolonged budgetary impasses that paralyzed public spending and for years. Tribal and Islamist parliamentarians, often representing conservative constituencies, have wielded significant leverage through no-confidence votes and public grillings of ministers, exacerbating on economic policies perceived as threats to entitlements or cultural norms. For instance, resistance from these groups delayed the passage of a national budget from 2020 until mid-2023, compounding fiscal vulnerabilities amid fluctuating revenues and hindering diversification projects outlined in Kuwait 2035. This legislative obstruction contrasted sharply with executive-led governance, where the Emir's cabinet could enact decrees more efficiently but required ratification for sustainability, leading to cycles of confrontation that analysts attribute to misaligned incentives: deputies seeking short-term populist gains versus long-term economic imperatives. The dissolved the on May 10, 2024, invoking Article 71 of the amid accusations of , overreach, and deliberate hindrance to national progress, thereby suspending key articles to enable and avert further crises. This followed a of recurrent dissolutions—in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2022—each triggered by similar deadlocks that delayed reforms and contributed to Kuwait's lagging non-oil GDP growth compared to peers. Post-dissolution, actions accelerated infrastructure projects and fiscal adjustments, with non-oil sector expansion reaching 3.6% in 2024 and advancements in initiatives like implementation and public-private partnerships, demonstrating how bypassing assembly vetoes facilitated diversification and budget stability. Empirical outcomes underscore the causal : parliamentary imposed economic costs through inaction, while temporary primacy enabled measurable progress in streams and , though long-term legislative restoration remains pending electoral reforms.

Foreign policy and alliances

Kuwait's foreign policy emphasizes pragmatic , neutrality in regional disputes, and security partnerships to safeguard its sovereignty and economic interests, a stance heavily influenced by the Iraqi invasion of 1990 and subsequent liberation. As a small state with vast oil resources, Kuwait prioritizes deterrence against aggression through alliances while avoiding entanglement in ideological conflicts. This approach manifests in its founding role in the , established on May 25, 1981, alongside , , , , and the , to foster , joint defense, and among Gulf monarchies. The serves as Kuwait's primary regional framework for coordinating responses to threats like Iranian influence and transnational terrorism. Central to Kuwait's alliances is its strategic partnership with the United States, formalized by a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed on September 6, 1991, which grants U.S. forces access to Kuwaiti facilities for logistics, training, and operations without establishing permanent bases. Kuwait hosts approximately 13,500 U.S. personnel across sites including Camp Arifjan (a major logistics hub), Ali Al Salem Air Base, and Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, positioning it as the primary staging ground for U.S. Central Command activities in the Middle East. Designated a major non-NATO ally in 2004, Kuwait collaborates on counterterrorism, providing intelligence and supporting U.S.-led coalitions against groups like the Islamic State. These ties underscore post-1991 gratitude for U.S.-led liberation efforts, with Kuwait contributing financially to U.S. operations, including over $16 billion in support during the 1991 Gulf War and subsequent Iraq engagements. Kuwait maintains balanced relations with , adhering to a "no alliance, no confrontation" policy amid disputes over islands like Warbah and Bubiyan, as well as the shared /Dorra gas field, where has rejected sovereignty claims and initiated unilateral drilling plans. Despite these frictions, pragmatic coordination persists through , of which Kuwait is a founding member since September 14, 1960, enabling joint oil production quotas and price stabilization efforts. In broader regional conflicts, Kuwait pursues and neutrality. It hosted Yemen peace talks in 2016, rejecting military solutions and declining full participation in the Saudi-led against the , citing constitutional limits on offensive wars. On , Kuwait opposes recognizing Bashar al-Assad's regime without and consensus, though it engaged diplomatically in a June 2025 meeting affirming support for Syrian unity. Regarding , Kuwait rejects normalization under the framework, viewing it as premature without a Palestinian state, positioning itself as the last Gulf holdout against such ties.

Military and security apparatus

The comprise the Land Forces, , , and the separate , with approximately 15,500 active personnel focused on external and deterrence. Following the 1990 Iraqi invasion, which revealed deficiencies in readiness and equipment, Kuwait initiated post-liberation reforms in 1991 to professionalize its military through enhanced training, doctrinal shifts toward operations, and acquisition of advanced systems, primarily from the under a long-term framework. This evolution prioritized a smaller, technologically superior force over mass mobilization, integrating professional officer corps and joint exercises to address vulnerabilities exposed during the . The Kuwait Air Force maintains a modern fleet, including U.S.-supplied F/A-18C/D Hornet multirole fighters acquired in the 1990s as part of post-war rearmament, with ongoing transitions to F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for air superiority and ground attack capabilities. Ground forces emphasize armored mobility with U.S. and European tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, structured into brigades for rapid response to border threats. The Navy focuses on coastal patrol and mine countermeasures, reflecting Kuwait's maritime vulnerabilities in the Persian Gulf. The , established as a entity, numbers around 6,600 personnel and handles internal stability, border security, counter-terrorism, and , augmenting regular forces against asymmetric threats like those emerging post-Arab unrest in the region. It conducts duties, expeditionary tasks, and , supporting state agencies in maintaining order amid potential domestic dissent or spillover . Kuwait mandates one year of for male citizens aged 18-35, reintroduced in to foster national cohesion and expand the reserve pool of approximately 23,700, though enforcement varies and the active force relies minimally on conscripts, favoring a professional core supplemented by allied deterrence from U.S. bases and support roles. This approach balances citizen involvement with operational efficiency, avoiding heavy dependence on untested levies.

Legal system and judiciary

Kuwait's legal system integrates traditions, primarily drawn from Egyptian and French codes, with Islamic principles serving as a foundational legislative source, particularly in personal status and for Sunni Muslims. The 1962 establishes as the and mandates that be a main source of legislation, while commercial, penal, and procedural laws adopt secular frameworks influenced by codified civil systems rather than strict religious . This hybrid approach results in courts handling matters like , , , and endowments, applying Hanafi and Maliki schools alongside customary tribal elements, whereas non-Muslims and expatriates often fall under secular provisions. The operates through a tiered structure of independent courts as outlined in the and Law No. 19 of 1959, including summary courts for minor civil and criminal cases, courts of first instance for broader disputes, courts of appeal for reviews, and the of Cassation as the highest appellate body. A separate , established in 1973, adjudicates disputes over the constitutionality of laws and resolves conflicts between legislative and executive branches. While the guarantees , the holds ultimate authority over judicial appointments upon recommendation by the Supreme Judicial Council, which includes executive and legislative members, enabling potential influence in sensitive cases. The possesses constitutional powers to grant pardons and amnesties, frequently exercised in political and dissident-related prosecutions to foster , as seen in decrees issued on October 20, 2021, and January 19, 2023, pardoning dozens of opposition figures convicted of offenses like insulting the Amir or disrupting public order. These interventions underscore executive primacy over judicial finality in non-criminal political matters, contrasting with rigorous enforcement in commercial and family disputes where Sharia-derived penalties, such as for theft or adultery, are codified but rarely applied due to evidentiary strictures. Anti-corruption enforcement falls under the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), established in 2016, which has pursued high-profile cases involving public officials and led to Kuwait's score rising from 42 in 2022 to 46 in 2024, though this places it below GCC peers like the UAE (71) and (63). Nazaha's investigations, including asset seizures and prosecutions, reflect intensified scrutiny since 2020, yet persistent perceptions of in state contracts contribute to the middling ranking amid oil-driven fiscal opacity. Recent judicial reforms announced in 2025 aim to digitize proceedings and reduce backlogs, potentially bolstering enforcement efficiency.

Administrative structure

Kuwait is divided into six governorates, known as muhafazat: Al Asimah (Capital), Hawalli, Al Farwaniyah, Mubarak al-Kabir, Ahmadi, and . Each governorate serves as the primary administrative unit, further subdivided into districts or areas for local management. The governorates facilitate centralized oversight of public services, security, and resource distribution, enabling efficient allocation of state welfare benefits across diverse urban and rural populations. Governors of each muhafazah are appointed by royal decree from the , typically members of the Al family or loyal officials, ensuring alignment with national priorities. These appointees hold executive authority over local administration, including coordination of utilities, public order, and development projects, while advocating for regional budgets within the central framework. The Governorate encompasses and key government institutions, whereas Ahmadi functions as the administrative center for southern oil-producing regions. Municipal councils operate at the national level through the , with partially elected members responsible for scrutinizing , licensing, and service delivery. However, their powers remain limited, as executive implementation and major policy decisions, including fiscal allocations for and , are retained by central authorities to maintain unified . This structure prioritizes national cohesion over decentralized autonomy, directing subsidies and public goods efficiently despite varying regional needs. Following the 1991 , which devastated , Kuwait undertook extensive urban reconstruction emphasizing resilient designs in housing, utilities, and transportation networks across governorates. integrated anti-seismic standards and decentralized utilities to enhance administrative against future disruptions, supporting sustained resource distribution under central governance.

Economy

Oil dependency and fiscal structure

Kuwait's fiscal framework is dominated by hydrocarbon revenues, which accounted for approximately 90% of government income in recent years, reflecting the nation's status as a major exporter. With comprising about 6% of global totals—roughly 101.5 billion barrels—these resources generate substantial wealth, contributing over 50% to GDP and enabling a nominal GDP of $32,213 in 2024. This dependency yields clear economic benefits, including elevated living standards and funding without broad-based taxation, but it also amplifies vulnerability to oil price swings, as evidenced by revenue halving during periods of sub-$50 per barrel pricing in the 2010s and early 2020s. The structure incentivizes intergenerational saving through the (), established in 1953 and now managing assets valued at over $1.029 trillion as of early 2025, ranking it among the world's largest sovereign wealth funds. 's dual portfolios—general reserves for long-term stability and for undrawn surpluses—aim to buffer against and price volatility, with investments diversified globally to yield returns exceeding domestic dependency risks. However, remains procyclical; low prices, such as those averaging below thresholds in FY2020/21, have triggered deficits up to 35% of budgets, necessitating draws on reserves rather than structural spending restraint. In response to such pressures, Kuwait has incrementally reformed subsidies to curb expenditures, including an 83% hike in ultra-premium fuel prices approved in August 2024, alongside broader efforts to introduce fees on utilities and reduce implicit citizen entitlements during downturns. These measures, though politically challenging, address the where non-oil revenues constitute less than 10% of totals, with projections indicating persistent deficits—5.1% of GDP in FY2024/25—absent accelerated diversification or sustained high oil prices above $90 per barrel. This volatility underscores the trade-off: hydrocarbon windfalls fund expansive welfare and infrastructure, yet expose the budget to exogenous shocks without a robust non-oil fiscal base.

Hydrocarbon sector operations

The (KPC), established in 1980 as the state-owned national oil company, maintains a over the country's upstream, midstream, downstream, and petrochemical operations through its wholly owned subsidiaries, including (KOC) for exploration and production, (KNPC) for refining, and Kuwait Oil Tanker Company for shipping. coordinates an integrated that extracts crude oil primarily from onshore fields in the Greater Burgan area, processes it at coastal refineries, and exports via dedicated terminals such as Mina al-Ahmadi, which handles the majority of shipments to and . Upstream activities center on conventional oil extraction from major fields, with Greater Burgan—discovered in 1938—recognized as the world's second-largest by recoverable reserves, estimated at around 70 billion barrels after accounting for cumulative production exceeding 67 billion barrels. KOC employs enhanced recovery techniques, including water and gas injection, to sustain output from Burgan and adjacent fields like Raudhatain and Sabriyah, achieving daily production rates that peaked above 2 million barrels per day from Burgan alone before quota constraints. State-private partnerships enhance efficiency, as KPC awards service contracts to international oil companies (IOCs) and local firms for , , and upgrades, such as recent tenders for field expansion that leverage private expertise without ceding ownership. As an OPEC founding member, Kuwait adheres to production quotas to stabilize global markets, with output capped under OPEC+ agreements extended through 2025 at levels set in 2022 and adjusted post-2020 pandemic cuts; for instance, voluntary reductions limited production to approximately 2.4 million barrels per day in 2023, rising to 2.559 million by October 2025 amid gradual phase-outs. Installed capacity reached 3.2 million barrels per day by September 2025, supported by ongoing debottlenecking projects, though actual extraction aligns with quotas to avoid overproduction penalties. Natural gas operations, largely associated with oil production, focus on domestic utilization to displace oil-fired power generation and reduce flaring; KPC's Kuwait Gulf Oil Company develops non-associated gas fields like Jurf, while imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via the Mina al-Ahmadi regasification terminal—expanded to handle up to 22 million tons annually—meet peak demand exceeding domestic output of about 1.5 billion cubic feet per day. Rising local gas capture from fields, aided by private-contracted compression and processing facilities, has curbed oil burn for electricity from over 300,000 barrels per day in prior years to lower levels, enabling more crude for export.

Diversification initiatives and non-oil growth

Kuwait's New Kuwait Vision 2035, launched in , outlines a strategic framework to reduce oil dependency by fostering growth in non-oil sectors such as , , , healthcare, and , aiming to position the country as a regional financial and commercial hub. The plan emphasizes increasing participation, enhancing local , and developing to support these areas, with targets to elevate non-oil contributions to GDP significantly by 2035. Key initiatives include the establishment of zones and hubs to capitalize on Kuwait's strategic , alongside investments in to attract regional visitors. Progress in non-oil growth has shown incremental gains, with non-oil GDP expanding by 3.5% in to reach KD 27.8 billion, driven by rebounds in , wholesale , and amid recovering . This follows robust quarterly performance, including a 14.6% quarter-on-quarter increase in Q4 , outperforming seasonal norms. The projects overall real GDP of 2.6% for 2025, supported by continued non-oil momentum and easing OPEC+ production constraints, though non-oil sectors are expected to sustain expansion through projects and private investment. Despite these advances, diversification faces structural hurdles, including entrenched monopolies in key sectors that limit competition and entry, contributing to stalled reforms and inefficient . Regulatory rigidities, issues, and labor market distortions have slowed implementation, with non-oil diversification lagging behind Vision 2035 targets due to insufficient pace in breaking monopolistic structures. Recent efforts under Emir Mishal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, including a 2023 national development plan, prioritize antitrust measures and subsidy rationalization to erode these barriers and accelerate private-led growth. However, constraints continue to impede comprehensive progress, underscoring the need for sustained regulatory reforms to realize long-term non-oil potential.

Financial institutions and sovereign wealth

The (CBK) serves as the primary regulator of the country's financial institutions, enforcing prudential standards on both conventional and Islamic banks to ensure systemic stability. The CBK issues specific instructions for Islamic banks, covering liquidity management, branch expansions, financing concentrations, and Shari'ah-compliant investment transactions, reflecting the sector's emphasis on interest-free principles. A Higher Shari'ah Supervisory Committee advises on compliance, resolving disputes across bank Shari'ah boards and promoting uniformity in Islamic financial products. Kuwait's banking sector exhibits resilience, supported by high liquidity ratios and capital adequacy exceeding regulatory thresholds, enabling it to absorb fiscal pressures from oil price volatility. In July 2025, Decree-Law No. 76/2025 amended the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, imposing penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and fines double the laundered amount to deter illicit flows and enhance compliance. These measures address prior vulnerabilities identified in global assessments, strengthening oversight amid regional geopolitical risks. The (KIA), established in 1982 as the world's first , manages Kuwait's financial reserves through diversified global portfolios, aiming to generate long-term returns as a non-oil buffer against commodity cycles. With assets surpassing $1 trillion by July 2025—up 18.44% from the prior year—the fund invests in equities, , and across developed markets, mitigating domestic fiscal shocks from hydrocarbon dependency. KIA's structure separates general reserves for from future generations' funds, providing liquidity during downturns, as demonstrated in post-1990 reconstruction and stabilization efforts. This strategic diversification underpins Kuwait's fiscal resilience, independent of Central Bank monetary tools.

Labor market dynamics

Kuwait's labor market exhibits a pronounced divide between citizens and expatriates, with expatriates comprising approximately 82% of the total workforce of around 3.1 million as of 2025, primarily in and low-skill roles such as , domestic service, and manual labor. In contrast, over 80% of Kuwaiti nationals are employed in the , where they receive high salaries, extensive benefits, and shorter work hours, reflecting a structural preference for jobs over opportunities. This segmentation sustains economic by leveraging expatriate labor for essential but less desirable roles, while reserving citizen-focused and subsidies—funded largely by oil revenues—for a minority native , thereby preserving fiscal viability amid demographic imbalances. Empirical data indicate productivity gaps between citizens and expatriates, with nationals showing lower output in private sector equivalents due to disincentives from generous public entitlements that reduce incentives for competitive private employment. Expatriates, facing market-driven wages and conditions, fill complementary roles that enhance overall efficiency, as evidenced by industry-level analyses in Kuwait revealing higher migrant contributions to value-added in labor-intensive sectors. These gaps underpin policies restricting privileges and expatriate rights, such as the kafala sponsorship , which ties worker residency to employers to ensure controlled inflows without overburdening public resources; without such measures, native welfare sustainability would erode as citizen labor market participation—currently low at around 40% for the working-age —fails to match expatriate rates exceeding 80%. Youth unemployment among Kuwaitis aged 15-24 stands at 15.4% as of 2024, cushioned by subsidies, family support, and public sector absorption but highlighting mismatches between education outputs and private sector demands. Kuwaitization initiatives mandate quotas for citizen hiring in private firms to address this, yet progress remains limited by wage disparities and cultural aversion to private rigors, with citizen private sector participation below 10% of the national workforce. Recent reforms, including updates to labor laws in 2023-2025, have eased kafala restrictions selectively for skilled migrants by streamlining visa processes and permitting job mobility under certain contracts, aiming to import high-productivity talent without expanding low-skill inflows that strain infrastructure. These targeted adjustments balance attracting expertise for diversification—such as in technology and finance—with maintaining the citizen-expat divide essential for long-term welfare preservation.

Demographics

Population statistics and growth

Kuwait's total population stood at 4,881,254 as of early 2025, reflecting a slight 0.65% decline from 4,913,271 in amid tightened policies, though it had reached nearly 5 million by late with comprising about 70% or 3.42 million individuals. Kuwaiti citizens numbered approximately 1.57 million, or 31% of the total, highlighting the majority that sustains demographic expansion. Historical growth rates averaged over 5% annually in the early , primarily through net rather than natural increase. The total fertility rate was 1.52 children per woman in 2023, below the replacement level of 2.1 and indicative of subdued natural growth. For Kuwaiti citizens, fertility trends remain low relative to labor demands, estimated around 2.0-2.2 in recent years but insufficient to offset aging without sustained inflows of expatriates, as birth rates among natives have declined amid urbanization and socioeconomic shifts. This reliance on immigration for population dynamics is evident in post-1990 patterns, where citizen numbers grew modestly through births and naturalization while total figures surged via foreign workers. Kuwait exhibits near-complete , with 100% of the residing in urban areas as of 2024, concentrated in and surrounding governorates. The native demographic shows signs of aging, with the elderly Kuwaiti (aged 65+) rising by 16,487 since 2023 to 82,467 individuals, representing 59% of the total elderly cohort of 140,114. Post-COVID recovery saw a robust rebound in , with expanding 8% year-over-year to 4.82 million in early 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels through resumed arrivals. Recent controls have tempered this, but continues to drive net gains over domestic reproduction.

Ethnic composition and expatriate majority

Kuwait's population, estimated at 4.92 million as of mid-2024, consists predominantly of expatriate workers who comprise approximately 68% of residents, while Kuwaiti citizens account for about 32%. This demographic structure reflects a reliance on foreign labor for economic sectors such as construction, domestic service, and oil support, with expatriates granted temporary residency tied to employment rather than pathways to citizenship or equal civic rights. Among citizens, the vast majority are ethnic Kuwaiti Arabs, forming the core national identity with access to state subsidies, welfare, and political participation limited to this group. Expatriates are ethnically diverse, dominated by South Asians (Indians at 21% of total population, Bangladeshis at 6%, and Nepalis contributing further) who primarily fill low-skilled labor roles, alongside other Arabs such as Egyptians (13%) in professional and manual positions. Filipinos and smaller groups from Pakistan and Sri Lanka round out the expatriate workforce, emphasizing Kuwait's model of importing labor for utility without imposing equity obligations like citizenship or resource sharing. A distinct , the Bidoon (meaning "without "), numbers over 100,000 and remains stateless despite many claiming Kuwaiti Arab descent; denials stem from historical concerns, including suspicions of infiltration during regional conflicts and incomplete registration in pre-1960s censuses. This group faces restricted access to employment, education, and travel, with government policies prioritizing over broad . In 2024 and early 2025, Kuwait revoked citizenship from thousands, including prominent figures among an estimated 42,000 cases, citing threats to , fraudulent acquisition, or risks to social structure; these actions, often without , underscore efforts to safeguard citizen privileges amid perceived internal vulnerabilities.

Religious demographics

Approximately 70 percent of Kuwaiti citizens are Sunni Muslims, while 30 percent are Shia Muslims, with negligible numbers of non-Muslim citizens such as and Baha'is. Citizens, who number around 1.5 million as of 2023 and represent about 30 percent of the total population of 4.3 million, are overwhelmingly Muslim, reflecting historical settlement patterns and naturalization policies that prioritize Islamic adherence. The expatriate population, comprising roughly 70 percent of residents, diversifies the overall religious composition: about 62.7 percent of expatriates are Muslim, 24.5 percent Christian, and 12.8 percent adherents of other faiths including , , and Parsi traditions, per Public Authority for Civil Information data released in June 2023. This results in Muslims forming 74.6 percent of the total population, Christians 18.2 percent, and other groups 7.2 percent, based on 2013 estimates adjusted for expatriate inflows. Non-Muslims thus account for approximately 25 percent of the overall populace, concentrated among foreign workers from , the , and other regions. Islam is the official state religion under the constitution, which declares freedom of belief absolute while stipulating Sharia as a main source of legislation, particularly in personal status and family laws applied to Muslims. The government permits private worship for non-Muslims and allocates land for non-Islamic cemeteries and discreet places of worship, though public churches and temples are restricted for non-citizens, and proselytization of Muslims is prohibited for all residents. Sunni jurisprudence predominates in state institutions, but Shia Muslims maintain separate courts for personal status matters under Ja'fari school principles, accommodating the minority's doctrinal differences without formal sectarian quotas in governance.

Language and cultural assimilation

The official language of Kuwait is , employed in governmental proceedings, official documents, and formal media broadcasts. In daily interactions among citizens, —a dialect shaped by historical commerce with , Indian, and European traders—predominates, featuring loanwords from those linguistic influences. English functions as a practical , prevalent in commercial transactions, international oil operations, and expatriate communications, underscoring Kuwait's economic ties to global markets dominated by Anglophone entities. Expatriate cultural assimilation remains circumscribed, as policies prioritize safeguarding Kuwaiti nationals' exclusive access to state subsidies, housing allocations, and employment quotas amid a population where non-citizens comprise roughly 70%. Naturalization demands at least 20 years of residency, demonstrated Arabic proficiency, good conduct certification, and forfeiture of foreign citizenship, criteria enforced stringently to avert dilution of citizen-centric welfare systems that underpin social stability. Foreign workers, predominantly from South Asia and the Philippines, typically adhere to surface-level customs like dress codes and religious observances but sustain homeland-oriented enclaves, with scant structural inducements for linguistic or marital integration to reinforce national cohesion among the indigenous minority. This approach mitigates potential ethnic fragmentation by delimiting privileges to bloodline or vetted descendants, thereby incentivizing expatriate transience over permanent embedding.

Society

Education and human capital development

Education in Kuwait is compulsory from ages 6 to 14, encompassing primary (grades 1-5) and intermediate (grades 6-9) levels, with free public schooling provided to citizens. The adult literacy rate stood at 96.1% for those aged 15 and above as of 2020, reflecting near-universal access for citizens but lower attainment among expatriate workers, over 50% of whom possess only or less. Public schools segregate students by gender and emphasize Arabic-medium instruction, though expatriates predominantly attend private or international institutions, creating parallel systems with citizens benefiting from subsidized higher-quality public options. Higher education is anchored by , established in 1966, which enrolls approximately 40,000 students across 17 colleges offering programs in fields such as , sciences, and emerging areas like and . To bolster skills for economic diversification under Vision 2035, the government promotes disciplines through curriculum reforms integrating coding, robotics, and vocational training, though only about 30% of students pursue such majors. The Ministry of Higher Education funds scholarships for Kuwaiti citizens to study abroad, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel for those under 30 with a minimum 2.5 GPA, prioritizing disciplines aligned with national needs like and . Despite high literacy, human capital development faces challenges from skill mismatches, where graduate competencies often fail to align with private-sector demands, particularly in and technical roles, contributing to among Kuwaitis. This gap stems from curricula emphasizing theoretical knowledge over practical application and insufficient private-sector input into program design, hindering transitions to non-oil industries. dominance in skilled positions exacerbates reliance on foreign labor, as citizen outcomes prioritize public-sector readiness over competitive private skills. Reforms aim to address these through enhanced vocational programs and industry linkages, but progress remains limited by cultural preferences for and administrative fields.

Healthcare system and outcomes

Kuwait's healthcare system operates as a tax-funded model providing universal access to citizens, with services free at the point of delivery and primarily sustained by government revenues from exports. In 2023, healthcare expenditure constituted 5.1% of GDP, ranking second highest in the and enabling extensive infrastructure development under the New Kuwait Vision 2035 plan. Non-citizen expatriates, who form the majority of the , must obtain for coverage, with employers often bearing the cost as mandated by labor regulations. The system features a high of medical facilities, including approximately 2.2 hospital beds per 1,000 as of recent assessments, exceeding many regional benchmarks and supporting specialized care in six public s and numerous primary health centers. This infrastructure contributed to effective pandemic management; during the outbreak, Kuwait reported 667,158 confirmed cases and 2,570 deaths by April 2024, yielding a of 0.39%, bolstered by rapid testing, drives reaching over 3.4 million doses, and strict lockdowns. Life expectancy at birth stood at 83.19 years in 2023, reflecting advances in preventive and curative services amid oil-funded investments, though healthy lags at 67.8 years due to non-communicable diseases. However, rapid socioeconomic shifts toward sedentary lifestyles and dietary have fueled epidemics of and ; prevalence among adults over 18 reached 39.7% in 2023, the highest globally, while affects 25.6% of adults, or about 908,500 individuals. These conditions strain resources, with linked to a 1.8-fold higher risk in affected populations.

Social welfare and inequality

Kuwait's social welfare system offers extensive entitlements to its citizens, including free public healthcare and , subsidized housing loans through the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, fuel and utility , and benefits ranging from 65% to 95% of final earnings based on length as of 1999 data. These provisions, financed by oil revenues, extend to family allowances and social assistance for needy citizens administered by ministries handling , , and social affairs. Among Kuwaiti citizens, these entitlements have achieved near-elimination of , with rates below 2% in comparisons and no official reports of citizen , reflecting effective redistribution that prioritizes nationals over the majority ineligible for benefits. remains low by global standards due to citizen-focused redistribution, though overall Gini coefficients—factoring in wage disparities—range from 0.37 (forecast for 2025) to higher estimates like 47.1 (2019), underscoring that disparities stem primarily from structural gaps between subsidized citizens and unsubsidized foreign workers rather than intra-citizen . Sustainability challenges persist from heavy oil dependence and fiscal pressures, including volatile revenues and a burgeoning citizen , rendering the current model financially unsustainable without diversification, as noted in analyses of expenditure efficiency and public spending debates. Reform proposals include replacing in-kind subsidies with for citizens, such as a modeled $200 monthly cash grant from savings or a high annual payment of $50,000 for working-age adults to enhance and long-term viability, though remains at the policy discussion stage without active pilots.

Gender dynamics and family structures

Kuwaiti gender dynamics reflect a blend of Islamic Sharia principles and modern advancements, with codified under a 1984 personal status code that applies to Muslims in matters of , , , and custody. This framework enforces patriarchal elements, including male guardianship (wilaya) requiring a woman's male relative's approval for actions like or, in practice, certain travel and residency decisions, though reforms have eased some restrictions since the . Despite these conservatisms, Kuwaiti women secured and candidacy rights on May 16, 2005, via parliamentary vote, enabling participation in elections and legislative roles. Women have achieved notable political milestones, including the appointment of Dr. Massouma Al-Mubarak as the first minister in 2005, followed by 16 more by 2024, with three serving in the current cabinet as of 2025—Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan (), Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah ( Affairs, , and Childhood), and others in key portfolios. High educational attainment supports these gains, with near-universal primary and secondary for girls (97% and 91% respectively as of 2007 data, sustained in later trends) and gross rates exceeding 50% for s, often surpassing males. These factors contribute to workforce involvement at approximately 49% of the population aged 15+ as of 2024, countering narratives of systemic oppression by demonstrating agency within cultural bounds. Family structures in Kuwait emphasize extended clans and tribal affiliations as core social units, providing economic security, identity, and mutual support in a rentier welfare state where kinship ties influence employment, marriage, and dispute resolution. Patriarchal norms prevail, with husbands as household heads under , yet empirical data shows marital stability: crude divorce rates hover around 1-2 per 1,000 population, lower than Western averages (e.g., U.S. ~2.5), though recent upticks to over 7,600 cases in 2025 reflect rising khula (women-initiated) amid . Clans mitigate dissolution risks through , preserving low effective breakdown rates relative to global norms and reinforcing as a bulwark against . Custody defaults to mothers for young children but shifts to fathers at for boys, aligning with Sharia's emphasis on paternal lineage.

Migrant labor and kafala system controversies

The in Kuwait binds migrant workers to a specific employer, designated as the kafeel or sponsor, who holds legal responsibility for the worker's , residency, and ability to change jobs or exit the country. This framework, formalized in the 1950s and expanded during the of the 1960s and 1970s, facilitates the importation of low-cost, flexible labor essential for and service sector expansion, comprising the bulk of Kuwait's amid a small native . By tying workers' legal status to employers, the system minimizes state administrative burdens and enables rapid scaling of labor imports aligned with economic cycles, contributing to Kuwait's post-independence development from a modest trading hub to a high-income oil economy. Critics, including and , argue that the sponsorship ties enable widespread exploitation, such as passport confiscation, wage withholding, excessive working hours, and , particularly for domestic workers who lack standard labor protections. Documented cases include migrant domestics facing forced labor and trafficking-like conditions, with arrests for "absconding" upon fleeing abusers, as reported in investigations spanning 2010 to 2023. In 2025, a new regulation effective July 1 requires private-sector expatriates to obtain employer-approved exit permits before departure, which contends entrenches kafala dependencies and risks stranding workers in abusive situations by granting sponsors veto power over mobility. Kuwaiti authorities have implemented partial reforms since the mid-2010s, including a permitting job transfers after three years of with 90 days' , and provisions allowing transfers in verified cases for some categories, alongside a pioneering of 60 Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $200) monthly for domestic workers—the first such measure in the . These steps, defended by Kuwaiti officials as balancing worker rights with migration control to avert illegal overstays and labor market disruptions, contrast with full abolition calls; proponents of retention emphasize that unchecked mobility could invite strikes or instability in a migrant-dependent , where expatriates form about two-thirds of the . While kafala-linked abuses persist, empirical comparisons indicate Kuwaiti migrant wages and enforcement—bolstered by dedicated complaint mechanisms like the Domestic Workers Employment Department—often exceed those in neighboring states like or , where similar systems yield lower baseline protections absent Kuwait's wage floors. Organizations like maintain these reforms fall short of dismantling exploitative structures, advocating abolition to align with standards, whereas Kuwaiti frames the system as a pragmatic tool for equitable labor regulation amid voluntary inflows from lower-wage origin countries.

Culture

Traditional arts and performing traditions

Kuwait's traditional performing arts draw from its nomadic heritage and pearl-diving economy, emphasizing vocal chants, rhythmic dances, and communal recitations that served practical roles in labor, warfare, and social bonding prior to the mid-20th-century . These expressions, often or minimally instrumented, reflect adaptations to and environments, where endurance and collective morale were essential. Central to maritime traditions are fijiri chants, performed by pearl divers during voyages on wooden dhows from the late until the 1950s decline of the industry. A lead singer, known as the zayer, intones verses about daily hardships, triumphs, or , with a of divers responding in call-and-response style, accompanied solely by hand-clapping to maintain without melodic instruments. These songs, numbering over 200 documented variants by the early , synchronized diving efforts and provided psychological relief during multi-month expeditions involving up to 60 men per . The stands as a prominent , originating among Arabian Peninsula tribes as a pre-battle to instill courage and unity, later adapted for weddings and national events. Performed in lines of men wielding swords or rifles, it features synchronized stomps, shoulder shimmies, and chanted poetry evoking tribal valor, typically to beats, with formations mimicking advances. In Kuwait, ardah traces to 18th-century practices, preserving martial discipline amid shifting alliances. Diwaniya gatherings, traditional male majlises dating to pre-oil Kuwaiti society, serve as forums for oratory and poetry recitation, fostering verbal artistry rooted in diwan literary collections. Hosts and guests, often numbering 10-50, exchange nabati verses—improvised or memorized poems on themes like heritage or current events—in a structured etiquette emphasizing eloquence and wit, with sessions extending hours nightly. These evolved from Bedouin campfire assemblies, prioritizing face-to-face discourse over written forms. Instrumental folk music incorporates the , a pear-shaped lute with 11-12 strings, pivotal in sawt ensembles that blend vocal with rhythmic accompaniment on mirwas drums. Emerging in coastal communities by the early 1900s, sawt features the oud for melodic leads evoking sea voyages, joined by and frame drums in repertoires of 50-100 songs tied to or . Post-1950s oil wealth introduced fusions with Western elements, yet core forms retain empirical ties to pre-modern livelihoods.

Literature and intellectual history

Kuwaiti originates in the oral traditions of tribes, where poetry served as a primary vehicle for preserving history, , and social norms through recitation and memorization. poetry, a vernacular form using colloquial dialects, dominated these pre-modern expressions, often performed at gatherings to recount tribal exploits, love, and moral lessons amid the harsh desert environment. This tradition persisted into the early , with poets like Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah composing works that blended Islamic themes with local identity, earning recognition for promoting faith through verse as late as 2017. Following Kuwait's independence in 1961 and the , literature transitioned toward written forms, including novels that subtly critiqued social transformations such as rapid and divides. Authors like Ismail Fahd Ismail explored these shifts in works depicting everyday Kuwaiti life, while post-1990s writers such as Saud Alsanousi addressed identity and migration in novels like The Bamboo Stalk (2012), which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction. Taleb Al-Refai's novels, including those focusing on migrant labor hardships, reflect a cautious engagement with societal inequities, often veiled to evade scrutiny. State patronage has supported literary production through awards and cultural institutions, fostering a body of work aligned with national narratives of resilience and heritage. However, rigorous —evidenced by the banning of over 4,000 books between 2011 and on grounds of immorality or —has constrained intellectual discourse, promoting among writers to avoid legal repercussions. This environment limits overt dissident literature, channeling critique into or personal themes rather than direct confrontation with authority.

Cuisine and daily life customs

Kuwaiti cuisine draws from nomadic traditions, emphasizing hearty, portable dishes suited to arid environments and communal preparation over open fires. Machboos, a national staple, consists of rice cooked with spices such as , , and dried black lime (loomi), typically layered with , mutton, or , reflecting the resourcefulness of historical nomads who adapted and inland meats for sustenance during migrations from interiors to coastal areas. Dates remain a dietary , providing caloric density and portability prized by pre-oil-era Bedouins, often consumed fresh or dried alongside meals for their natural preservation qualities in harsh climates. Daily customs center on rituals of hospitality and religious observance, where Arabic coffee (qahwa)—strong, cardamom-infused, and served from finjan pots—accompanies dates as an obligatory offering to guests, symbolizing generosity and social bonding rooted in tribal survival norms. This practice underscores Kuwaiti emphasis on diwaniyah gatherings, informal male social spaces where such servings facilitate discourse and alliance-building, a holdover from nomadic interdependence. During Ramadan, the Islamic lunar month observed annually (e.g., from March 11 to April 9 in 2024), Muslims fast from dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar), with iftar featuring shared machboos or stews amid family assemblies, shortening workdays to six hours and fostering communal reflection on restraint and gratitude. Contemporary diets increasingly incorporate Western fast food, with 81.4% of university students consuming it more than twice weekly, driven by taste preferences and convenience, supplanting traditional staples amid urbanization. This shift correlates with elevated health risks; Kuwait's adult overweight/obesity prevalence reached 74.6% in 2020 surveillance data, ranking among global highs, attributable to caloric-dense imports and sedentary habits replacing nomadic physicality, though traditional elements like dates offer fiber counterbalances in unadulterated forms.

Sports and recreational pursuits

Football is the most dominant sport in Kuwait, with widespread participation and fervent national support. The , affiliated with the (AFC), has achieved notable success regionally, including winning the in 1980 as hosts. The team also finished as runners-up in 1976 and third in 1984, underscoring its competitive standing in Asian football. Domestically, Kuwaiti clubs have secured four AFC Cup titles, the highest for any nation in that competition. Kuwait has participated in the , with squads featuring prominently, such as at the 1980 Moscow Olympics where 14 players from the team later formed the core of the national squad that qualified for play-offs. In regional tournaments like the Arabian Gulf Cup, Kuwait holds the record with 10 victories out of 24 editions, highlighting sustained excellence against Gulf neighbors. Traditional Bedouin-influenced pursuits persist alongside modern sports, including and , which emphasize endurance and heritage. Camel racing, a longstanding activity involving specialized tracks and events, draws participants and spectators preserving nomadic traditions. Falconry championships, such as the 2025 UAE World Falcon Racing Cup hosted in Kuwait, continue to promote these practices tied to Arabian cultural legacy. Women's sports have seen gradual expansion, with teams established in football, basketball, fencing, and taekwondo, reflecting increased participation. However, growth remains constrained by limited dedicated facilities, cultural expectations, social pressures, and uneven access to training resources, despite government initiatives. Other recreational activities, such as handball—where the national team excels regionally—and emerging interests like badminton, complement football's prominence but lack its infrastructure scale.

Media landscape and censorship debates

Kuwait's media landscape features a mix of print, broadcast, and digital outlets, with Arabic-language daily newspapers dominating traditional print consumption. Prominent dailies include Al-Qabas, an independent publication with a reported circulation of approximately 90,000 copies as of recent estimates, and Al-Anba, which achieved a circulation of 116,000 copies in 2008 and remains among the top-read papers. These outlets cover politics, society, and economics, often reflecting diverse viewpoints within limits imposed by law. Broadcast media is led by state-owned , but holds dominance, with over 94 percent of households accessing pan-Arab and international channels via services like those from and , shaping public discourse alongside local programming. Press freedom in Kuwait is constitutionally guaranteed but constrained by legal frameworks prioritizing national security and respect for authority, resulting in a system more permissive than in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states yet marked by self-censorship. According to Reporters Without Borders, while Kuwait ranks second among GCC countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index—positioned sixth regionally in the Arab world—journalists face prosecution risks for content deemed critical of the ruling family or sensitive foreign relations, such as those with Iran. Freedom House reports that laws penalize material insulting Islam, the emir, or disclosing classified information, with enforcement often targeting online expression. Kuwaiti editors acknowledge substantial operational freedoms but note voluntary restraint on royal family coverage to avoid legal repercussions, a practice rationalized as aligning with cultural norms and security needs amid regional tensions. Censorship debates center on cybercrime legislation, enacted in 2015, which extends penalties to digital platforms for offenses like "insulting the emir" or "mocking constitutional entities," with punishments up to five years imprisonment under related national security provisions. Recent cases illustrate enforcement rigor: in May 2025, a university student received a three-year hard labor sentence, upheld by the , for posts on insulting the . Critics, including , argue these laws stifle dissent under vague "public order" pretexts, while proponents cite them as necessary safeguards against threats like campaigns from adversarial states. This tension fuels ongoing discussions about balancing expressive liberties with monarchical stability, particularly as amplifies unfiltered voices, prompting periodic crackdowns without fully eroding Kuwait's relatively vibrant regional environment.

References

  1. [1]
    Kuwait - The World Factbook - CIA
    Kuwait ; Geography. Location · Geographic coordinates · Map references · Area ; People and Society. Population · Nationality · Ethnic groups · Languages.
  2. [2]
    Kuwait country brief
    The State of Kuwait is situated in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the Republic of Iraq to the north and the Kingdom of Saudi ...
  3. [3]
    Kuwait (06/07) - state.gov
    Kuwait is a constitutional hereditary emirate, about the size of New Jersey, with a population of 3.1 million, and a flat desert plain.
  4. [4]
    Kuwait Government Online About Kuwait
    Information about Kuwait includes its regime, history, constitution, rulers, official language, religion, currency, geography, climate, culture, and statistics.
  5. [5]
    2025 Investment Climate Statements: Kuwait - State Department
    Kuwait possesses 6 percent of the world's proven oil reserves and ranks seventh globally in terms of oil reserves. The energy sector accounts for more than half ...
  6. [6]
    Oil Reserves by Country 2025 - World Population Review
    Kuwait Flag. Kuwait, 101.5B. Russia Flag. Russia, 80B. Libya Flag. Libya, 48.4B. United States Flag. United States, 45B. Nigeria Flag. Nigeria, 37.3B.
  7. [7]
    Kuwait - International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Jul 20, 2023 · Crude oil export revenues account for a large part of Kuwait's economy. According to International Monetary Fund estimates, oil and natural gas ...
  8. [8]
    Kuwait (11/94) - State.gov
    ECONOMY Kuwait is a small country with massive oil reserves, whose economy has been traditionally dominated by the state and its oil industry. During the ...
  9. [9]
    Kuwait - Etymology, Origin & Meaning of the Name
    Kuwait, a Persian Gulf country named after its capital, originates from Arabic al-kuwayt (diminutive of kut), meaning a fortress-like house, ultimately from ...
  10. [10]
    State of Kuwait
    This name is derived from the Arabic words 'Qarn' which means a high hill and 'Kout' meaning a fortress. Some historians believe that Barrak, Sheikh of the ...<|separator|>
  11. [11]
    https://brill.com/downloadpdf/display/title/1929.pdf
  12. [12]
    A Note on the International Status of Kuwait before November 1914
    The Persians captured Basra in 1776 and held it for a few years until Mamluk (and nominal Ottoman) rule was restored by Suleyman Pasha. During this brief ...Missing: references | Show results with:references
  13. [13]
    Name - Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Japan
    The names "Qurain" or Kuwait are diminutive of the Arabic words Qarn and Kout. Qarn is a high hill and Kout is a fortress.Missing: derivation | Show results with:derivation
  14. [14]
    The name "Kuwait" is derived from... - LuLu Exchange Kuwait
    Sep 25, 2018 · The name "Kuwait" is derived from the Arabic أكوات ākwāt, the plural of كوت kūt, meaning - fortress built near water.
  15. [15]
    Archaeological mission unearths 7700-year-old shell crafting site in ...
    Nov 23, 2024 · Archaeologists have uncovered a prehistoric Ubaid-period workshop or courtyard for crafting shell ornaments at the Bahra 1 in Kuwait.
  16. [16]
    7,000-Year-Old Figurine With Alien Features Discovered In Kuwait
    Dec 18, 2024 · Excavations at Kuwait's Bahra 1 archaeological site unearthed a clay figurine that was made by the Ubaid culture more than 7000 years ago.
  17. [17]
    Bronze Age Temple Discovered in Kuwait
    Nov 15, 2024 · A 4,000-year-old temple from the Dilmun kingdom was discovered on Failaka island, Kuwait, measuring 36x36 feet, with seals and pottery ...
  18. [18]
    4,000-Year-Old Dilmun Temple Discovered on Failaka Island, Kuwait
    Nov 12, 2024 · A joint Danish-Kuwaiti excavation team led by the Mosgard Museum has uncovered a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age temple linked to the early Dilmun ...
  19. [19]
    Bronze Age Bling - Archaeology Magazine - May/June 2017
    By 2100 B.C., Failaka—now part of Kuwait—was home to the Dilmun culture, a seafaring society whose trade economy fueled the cities of Bronze Age Mesopotamia, or ...
  20. [20]
    (PDF) Kadhima: Kuwait in the early centuries of Islam. - Academia.edu
    The Islamic conquests of the 7th century inaugurated an era of increased trade from North Africa to Central Asia. It seems that those who lived in Kadhima ...
  21. [21]
    New discoveries prove Failaka Island inhabited in Abbasid period
    Feb 10, 2019 · The Danish team was able to bear the first fruit to change the history in Kuwait by discovering many monuments in Failaka, dating back to the ...
  22. [22]
    Archaeological Sites in Kuwait - Ms. Moore Travels
    Aug 28, 2024 · Dilmun Sites: Almutairi tells us that, “Dilmun was an important civilization that flourished in the Arabian Gulf between 2400 and 300 BCE. It is ...
  23. [23]
    Faydhat Nayif Archaeological Site, AsSubbiyah, Kuwait - Scirp.org.
    This paper is a report on a discovery of an ancient human settlement next to the Faydhat Nayif pond in the AsSubbiyah area, north of Kuwait Bay, Kuwait.<|separator|>
  24. [24]
    [PDF] The State of Kuwait - Electric Scotland
    Although the Utub were officially in control of the area, the authority of the m--Sabah was quickly established among the local communities. The Al-Sabah Chief, ...<|separator|>
  25. [25]
    Al Sabah Family Tree - Amiri Diwan
    In 1718, after Sheikh Sulaiman bin Ahmad passed away, the people of Kuwait chose his grandson, Sheikh Sabah bin Jaber bin Sulaiman bin Ahmad of Al Shamlan, ...
  26. [26]
    Kuwait Rulers' History
    The first ruler of Kuwait was Sheikh Sabah bin Jaber in 1718. The current ruler is Sheikh Mishal Al-ahmad Al-jaber Al-Sabah, since 2023.
  27. [27]
    Sabah I Bin Jaber - Google Books
    The great grand father of the Al-Sabah family was Sabah bin Jaber, migrated from his homeland, with the great grand father of the Al-Khalifa known as Khalifa ...
  28. [28]
    Kingdoms of the Arabs - Kuwait - The History Files
    Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber has been Kuwait's ruler since the sheikhdom's formation in 1718. Having remained a dependent of the nearby emirate of Al Hasa, now ...
  29. [29]
    [PDF] SUDDENSUCCESSION - The Washington Institute
    The al-Sabah emerged as the political representatives of Kuwait in the 1750s; they were the first to recognize Sabah bin. Jaber al-Sabah (known as Sabah the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  30. [30]
    KUWAIT - Royal Ark
    The Al-Sabah family, of ancient lineage, has ruled Kuwait for centuries, with Sabah bin Jabir leading the dynasty. The current ruler is the Amir, and the heir ...
  31. [31]
    Kuwait Royal Family Tree: Al Sabah Dynasty, Emirs, and Prime ...
    Jan 8, 2025 · The Al-Sabah family is Kuwait's ruling family because they have led the country since the early 18th century when Sheikh Sabah I became the first ruler.
  32. [32]
    Pearl Diving History Kuwait - Eastern Chronicles
    Apr 13, 2024 · During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the pearl diving industry in Kuwait reached its zenith, outpacing fishing and trading to become the ...
  33. [33]
    Diving for Pearls, and a Connection to the Past - The New York Times
    Aug 12, 2010 · The trade, practiced throughout the Persian Gulf, was crippled by the Great Depression, the emergence of cultured pearls from Japan and the ...
  34. [34]
    Kuwait – AIDCSC
    Sep 19, 2019 · During the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, vessels made in Kuwait carried the bulk of trade between the ports of India, East Africa ...
  35. [35]
    History of Kuwait - - tichr
    Nov 27, 2024 · The geographic position of Kuwait facilitated trade, especially with India, Persia, and East Africa. ... The Pearl Trade Era (18th–19th Century).
  36. [36]
    Joint Press Release: The UK and State of Kuwait celebrates 125 ...
    Jan 25, 2024 · This week marks 125 years since our two countries signed the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899, launching official diplomatic relations between the State of ...
  37. [37]
    KUNA : Today in Kuwait history: - History - 23/01/2021 - كونا
    Jan 23, 2021 · 1899 -- The Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement is signed during the reign of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, the seventh ruler of Kuwait, making Kuwait a British ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  38. [38]
    Kuwait Oil History - KPC
    On February 22nd, 1938, oil was discovered in the Burgan field of Kuwait. The Kuwait desert had long stood witness to several strange black patches of a ...
  39. [39]
    Our History - Kuwait Oil Company
    In 1938, oil was discovered in commercial quantities in the Burgan field that allowed commercial production. Several years later, specifically in June 1946, ...
  40. [40]
    The Great Burgan field, Kuwait - GeoExpro
    Aug 5, 2012 · Second only to Saudi Arabia's Ghawar, the supergiant Burgan field in Kuwait was discovered by a series of wells drilled during 1938-1952.
  41. [41]
    Significant Dates - Kuwait Oil Company
    1938. Crude oil was discovered at Burgan Field in quantities that allow for commercial production operations to begin.
  42. [42]
    Oil Industry - Kuwait - Country Studies
    Commercial export of crude oil began in June 1946. Production amounted to 5.9 million barrels in 1946 and 16.2 million barrels in 1947. KOC subsequently ...Missing: post | Show results with:post
  43. [43]
    [PDF] Shaikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, 1895-1965 - CORE
    He led Kuwait to independence in 1961 and oversaw the drafting of its constitution in 1962. He was a skilled politician and diplomat, who negotiated a delicate ...
  44. [44]
    Oil development in the Middle East | Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
    The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) began production in 1946 – making the state the first country in the region to use oil revenues for significant infrastructure ...
  45. [45]
    Kuwait (08/04) - State.gov
    Kuwait has a small, relatively open economy dominated by the oil industry and government sector. Its proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels--10% ...
  46. [46]
    The Kuwait Confrontation of 1961 | Proceedings - U.S. Naval Institute
    Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899 as "illegal;” and he rejected the agreement contained in the recent exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and Kuwait.
  47. [47]
    Kuwait Government Online Kuwait history
    On November 30, 1961, the UN Security Council began considering the State of Kuwait's request to join the United Nations. On May 14, 1963, approval was granted ...
  48. [48]
    [PDF] the emir of kuwait resets the political process in his country - ORSAM
    6 The former Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, ratified the Kuwaiti constitution on November 11, 1962, and the constitution officially entered ...
  49. [49]
    Kuwait (06/07) - State.gov
    The government has sponsored many social welfare, public works, and development plans financed with oil and investment revenues. Among the benefits for Kuwaiti ...
  50. [50]
    Kuwait Petroleum Corporation - Company-Histories.com
    After World War II ended in 1945, operations resumed, and in June 1946 the first Kuwaiti oil exports began. Between 1946 and 1950 Kuwaiti oil production grew ...
  51. [51]
    Milestones: 1989-1992. The Gulf War, 1991 - Office of the Historian
    In addition, Saddam Hussein alleged that Kuwait was stealing oil from the Rumayla oil field that straddled the Iraq-Kuwait border. He also demanded that Kuwait ...
  52. [52]
    Igniting Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait – Loans, Land, Oil and Access
    Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990 largely for economic reasons, but the contiguous Gulf countries had long-standing territorial conflicts as well.
  53. [53]
    Gulf War | National Army Museum
    Iraqi president Saddam Hussein annexed it and declared Kuwait the 19th province of the nation. The western powers feared that Iraq would also invade Saudi ...
  54. [54]
    [PDF] Resolution 660 (1990)
    Condemns the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait;. 2. Demands that Iraq withdraw immediately and un- conditionally all its forces to the positions in which they were ...
  55. [55]
    [PDF] Resolution 678 - Security Council Report
    to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis caused by the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait, on the basis of resolu- tions 660 (1990), 662 (1990) and ...
  56. [56]
    Persian Gulf War | Summary, Dates, Combatants ... - Britannica
    Oct 3, 2025 · Persian Gulf War, conflict (1990–91) triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait with the apparent aim of acquiring its large oil reserves, ...
  57. [57]
    MEW1 - Human Rights Watch
    Upon regaining control, Iraqi troops engaged in widescale looting and atrocities against the civilian population. The violence was heaviest in the south, where ...
  58. [58]
    The Crimes of Saddam Hussein - PBS
    The Iraqi military allegedly committed crimes while in Kuwait. Evidence suggests that it tortured and killed hundreds of Kuwaiti nationals and people from ...
  59. [59]
    Kuwait Oil Field Restoration - Bechtel
    After Iraqi sabotage, Bechtel extinguished 650 oil wells in 9 months, restored oil production in 12 months, and cleaned up the gulf, with early recovery of ...
  60. [60]
    Section 3 - GulfLINK
    Iraq targeted Kuwait's oil wells, starting in January 1991, destroying over 750 wells, releasing 4-6 million barrels of oil and 70-100 million cubic meters of ...
  61. [61]
    Kuwait - RECONSTRUCTION AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF WAR
    Restoring oil operations was expensive. In January 1992, the minister of oil announced Kuwait had already spent US$1.5 billion for putting out fires and planned ...Missing: cleanup | Show results with:cleanup
  62. [62]
    Kuwait cleanup after '91 war holds lessons for rebuilding Iraq / Oil ...
    Apr 8, 2003 · Smoke from 647 burning oil wells choked the Kuwaiti sky, while an additional 100 damaged wellheads gushed crude oil onto the desert floor.
  63. [63]
    The Supremacy of Executive Power in Kuwait
    Jun 4, 2024 · Kuwait held its first postwar election in October 1992, and for the decade after liberation, the National Assembly completed two full four-year ...Missing: present | Show results with:present
  64. [64]
    Kuwait's emir just dissolved the country's parliament. Here's why.
    Oct 17, 2016 · Because of floundering revenue from the low price of oil on global markets, it could no longer afford the subsidies and sought to limit its ...Missing: history 1992- present
  65. [65]
    Speculation Is Rife About the Future of Kuwait's Parliament
    Jun 27, 2024 · On May 11, the emir of Kuwait, Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, issued an order to dissolve the elected National Assembly and suspend, ...
  66. [66]
    Kuwait's Emir dissolves parliament, suspends some constitution ...
    May 10, 2024 · CAIRO, May 10 (Reuters) - Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah said in a televised speech on Friday that he has dissolved parliament.
  67. [67]
    Political turmoil in Kuwait as emir dissolves parliament - Al Jazeera
    May 11, 2024 · Kuwait's emir has dissolved the parliament and taken over some of its duties, state media reported, weeks after the Gulf country held elections.
  68. [68]
    A Kuwaiti Reset? | The Washington Institute
    Jun 7, 2024 · On May 10, the Kuwaiti ruler, Emir Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, shut down the National Assembly and suspended parts of the constitution.
  69. [69]
    Kuwait Vision 2035 "New Kuwait - MOFA
    Kuwait's 2035 vision aims on transforming Kuwait into a financial and trade hub regionally and internationally, and becoming more attractive to investors.
  70. [70]
    Kuwait unveils revised Vision 2035 economic plan - Semafor
    Aug 22, 2025 · Since then, the government has made moves to diversify beyond oil, including by forming a company to invest up to $164 billion in regional ...
  71. [71]
    IMF Staff Concludes Staff Visit to Kuwait
    Sep 24, 2025 · For 2025, real GDP is projected to expand by 2.6 percent, with the recent unwinding of OPEC+ production cuts increasing oil sector output by 2.4 ...Missing: strains | Show results with:strains
  72. [72]
    Kuwait's economy set to grow 2.6% in 2025: IMF - Arab News
    Sep 25, 2025 · “The fiscal deficit of the budgetary central government is projected to rise to 7.8 percent of GDP in FY2025/26, up from 2.2 percent of GDP ...Missing: strains | Show results with:strains
  73. [73]
    Kuwait. Parliament's suspension jeopardizes an exception in the Gulf
    Sep 6, 2024 · The presence of a vocal opposition in the Parliament has also been identified as the reason why the Kuwaiti government did not go ahead with ...Missing: present | Show results with:present
  74. [74]
    Full article: Vulnerability of Kuwait coast to sea level rise
    Most of the coastal area under inundation risk had a moderate vulnerability index. These areas occupy about 97% of the areas under inundation risk. Most areas ...
  75. [75]
    Coastal Vulnerability Index for Kuwaiti Coast - ScienceDirect
    From this study, it is found that 5% of the Kuwaiti coastal area in group 1 are very low vulnerable; 34% low vulnerable; 31% moderately vulnerable; 18% highly ...
  76. [76]
    [PDF] KUWAIT Climate Fact Sheet - NET
    From Past to Present: The average annual mean temperature in Kuwait for the year 1901 was 25.77 ºC. This number increased to reach 27.89 ºC in 2021 (+ 2.12 ºC) ...
  77. [77]
    Kuwait Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Kuwait)
    Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 46°F to 115°F and is rarely below 38°F or above 119°F.Missing: dust | Show results with:dust
  78. [78]
    Kuwait climate: average weather, temperature, rain, when to go
    The days are usually mild or pleasantly warm, around 19-22 °C (66/72 °F), but the temperature can reach 27/30 °C (81/86 °F) when the wind blows from the south.Missing: dust | Show results with:dust
  79. [79]
    Burden of fine air pollution on mortality in the desert climate of Kuwait
    Jun 15, 2023 · Middle Eastern desert countries like Kuwait are known for intense dust storms and enormous petrochemical industries affecting ambient air ...Missing: rainfall | Show results with:rainfall<|separator|>
  80. [80]
    Climate - Kuwait Meteorological Center
    Some clouds may appear during these periods and thunder- rain are probable though rare. The average maximum temperature ranges from 45° and 46° centigrade.
  81. [81]
    A detailed perspective of water resource management in a dry and ...
    Nov 30, 2022 · For the last 33 years, Kuwait has been fully dependent for its potable water resource on the seawater desalination plants using steam boiler ...
  82. [82]
    Kuwait household water demand in 2050: Spatial microsimulation ...
    Nov 20, 2023 · Kuwait already uses around 12% of its oil production to fuel desalination plants, a share predicted to rise to a staggering 50% by 2050 (Al- ...
  83. [83]
    The Environmental Impacts of the Gulf War 1991 - IIASA PURE
    Aug 27, 2021 · Already within a year natural cleanup process had removed most of the oil from hard surfaces and decresed the quantities considerably in areas ...
  84. [84]
    1991 Gulf War Oil Spill - Stanford
    Nov 23, 2018 · The entire act of environmental terrorism released a total of 11 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf, resulting in the largest oil spill in history.
  85. [85]
    'Gushing oil and roaring fires': 30 years on Kuwait is still scarred by ...
    Dec 11, 2021 · Oilwells set alight by Iraqi forces in 1991 were put out within months, but insidious pollution still mars the desert.
  86. [86]
    Kuwait Oil Reserves, Production and Consumption Statistics
    Kuwait holds 101,500,000,000 barrels of proven oil reserves in the world as of 2016, ranking #6 in the world and accounting for about 6.15% of the world's total ...
  87. [87]
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1041307/selected-figures-on-fossil-fuels-in-kuwait/
  88. [88]
    Groundwater Utilization in Kuwait: Some Problems and Solutions
    Aug 6, 2025 · These are: (1) declining groundwater levels by as much as 50 m; (2) deterioration of groundwater quality in agriculture areas due to the return ...
  89. [89]
    Country: Kuwait - Water Action Hub
    Overdrafting of brackish groundwater over the past decades has led to high drawdown and at times even depletion as well as increased salinity levels. Its use ...
  90. [90]
    Desalination and water resource management in Kuwait
    With the continued deterioration of existing groundwater resources, almost 90% of the water demand is currently satisfied through seawater desalination plants.
  91. [91]
    The Costs and Benefits of Water Desalination in the Gulf
    ١٢‏/٠٤‏/٢٠٢٣ · Approximately 42 percent of the United Arab Emirates' drinking water comes from desalination plants, while in Kuwait it is 90 percent, in ...
  92. [92]
    Kuwait's marine biodiversity: Qualitative assessment of indicator ...
    Here we review information on the occurrence, distribution and threats to key marine habitats and associated indicator species to provide an updated assessment.
  93. [93]
    Al-Khuwaisat (Al-Jahra) Natural Reserve
    The reserve consists of a network of ponds formed by the flowing water from the city of Jahra through the sandy sabkhas in the far west from Kuwait Bay, ...
  94. [94]
    Jahra Pools Reserve (JPR) | KuwaitBirds.org
    This fenced nature reserve features a number of shallow pools surrounded by extensive Phragmites reed beds, salt marshes, scattered tamarisk thickets and sandy ...
  95. [95]
    Kuwait Wildlife Conservation Programs Announced Nationwide
    Sep 19, 2025 · Recognizing that conservation cannot succeed without public involvement, Kuwait is launching awareness campaigns, school programs, and community ...
  96. [96]
    A Fragile Balance: Kuwait's Pursuit of Environmental Conservation
    Dec 3, 2024 · Kuwait's efforts to clean up its beaches, conserve its fragile ecosystems, and embrace sustainability signal not just a responsibility but a ...
  97. [97]
    Kuwait 1962 (reinst. 1992) - Constitute Project
    The Amir is the Head of the State. His person is safeguarded and inviolable. Article 55. The Amir shall exercise his powers by the medium of his Ministers.Missing: key emir
  98. [98]
    [PDF] Kuwait Constitution - ConstitutionNet
    The said law shall be of a constitutional nature and therefore shall be capable of amendment only by the procedure prescribed for amendment of the Constitution.
  99. [99]
    Kuwait: Issues for the 119th Congress
    Mar 28, 2025 · Kuwait's 1962 constitution recognizes the Emir as head of state and ruler, with power as commander-in-chief of the military and authority to ...
  100. [100]
    Kuwait: A Troubled Democratic Experiment - IRIS
    May 17, 2024 · Since the 1962 promulgation of the constitution, the chamber has been dissolved 13 times. This parliament is known for its turbulence, ...
  101. [101]
    Kuwait: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report
    The emir has repeatedly used his power to dissolve the National Assembly when it imposes checks on the executive. He can also veto legislation and issue ...<|separator|>
  102. [102]
    Political Law at Kuwait - Law Gratis
    Mar 21, 2025 · The National Assembly has significant powers, including the ability to propose and pass laws, review the budget, and monitor government activity ...
  103. [103]
    Kuwait's Suspended Parliament: Where Does the Public Stand?
    May 23, 2024. By Yuree Noh. In a televised address on May 10, Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, firmly stated, “I will not let ...
  104. [104]
    With New Crown Prince Kuwait Bucks Gulf Succession Trends - AGSI
    By tradition, and later by constitution, Kuwaiti rulers have been restricted to the descendants of Mubarak al-Sabah, who served as emir from 1896-1915. For many ...
  105. [105]
    [PDF] The Efforts of the Ottoman Empire to Confirm Kuwait's Subordination ...
    On April 30, 1793, the British Agency moved temporarily from Basra to Kuwait, and continued to move between them until August 26, 1795, as a result of the ...<|separator|>
  106. [106]
    Kuwait - Political Stability And Absence Of Violence/Terrorism
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism: Estimate in Kuwait was reported at 0.40818 in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of ...
  107. [107]
    Kuwait Country Report 2024 - BTI Transformation Index
    The constitution outlines that it is a hereditary emirate held in succession by the descendants of Mubarak Al-Sabah. The emir is head of the state and chosen by ...
  108. [108]
    Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Mishal takes oath of office - Al Jazeera
    Dec 20, 2023 · Kuwait's new emir, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has been formally sworn in before parliament to begin his rule over the wealthy Gulf monarchy.Missing: ascension details
  109. [109]
    His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ...
    Assumed the reins of power on December 20, 2023. Kuwait Cabinet named Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Amir of the State of Kuwait on Saturday, ...Missing: ascension | Show results with:ascension
  110. [110]
    Kuwaiti National Assembly 2020 General - IFES Election Guide
    Mar 10, 2023 · At stake in this election: 50 seats in the Majlis al-Umma (National Asssembly). Description of government structure:.
  111. [111]
    Kuwait's National Assembly: Roles and Dynamics - ResearchGate
    PDF | The Kuwaiti political system is unique among its Arab counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Kuwaitis enjoy political freedom in.
  112. [112]
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13510347.2025.2569000
  113. [113]
    Will Kuwait's Next Parliament Be Its Last? | Journal of Democracy
    the body has ...
  114. [114]
    Kuwait reforms bear fruit after decades of political deadlock | Al Majalla
    Aug 17, 2025 · Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the 45th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Kuwait City on December 1, 2024.
  115. [115]
    Parliament was dissolved in Kuwait and hardly anyone noticed
    May 20, 2024 · The reasons for this reticence could range from a simple lack of bandwidth to deal with what is considered a relatively minor matter in the ...Missing: history 1992-
  116. [116]
    Kuwaiti Emir Suspends Parliament, Citing Political Tumult
    May 10, 2024 · The emir of Kuwait announced on Friday that he would suspend the elected Parliament for up to four years, stoking fears that he could move to dismantle one of ...
  117. [117]
    https://www.carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/03/kuwaits-parliament-suspension-emir-democracy?lang=en
  118. [118]
    Kuwait finance minister sees boost in projects, diversification under ...
    Sep 3, 2025 · Kuwait's non-oil sector grew "slightly," by 3.6%, in 2024, Acting Minister of Finance Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem said in his latest economic report, ...
  119. [119]
    Kuwait's Slow Progress on Diversification Goals | Energy Intelligence
    Aug 26, 2025 · Kuwait has made some progress since mid-2024. Measures have included fiscal legislation, administrative and digital upgrades, and restructuring ...
  120. [120]
    U.S. Relations With Kuwait - United States Department of State
    Jan 5, 2021 · The United States signed trade and investment framework agreements with Kuwait in 2004 and with the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Kuwait is ...
  121. [121]
    Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Revitalizing the U.S.-Kuwait ...
    Mar 25, 2025 · Kuwait's close strategic partnership with the United States remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy. ... GCC and U.S.-Gulf relations.
  122. [122]
    U.S. Forces Granted Kuwait Access : Persian Gulf: The 10-year ...
    Sep 6, 1991 · U.S. Forces Granted Kuwait Access : Persian Gulf: The 10-year agreement covers ships, planes and troops. Permanent bases are not included. By ...
  123. [123]
    US-Kuwait defense cooperation marches on more than 30 years ...
    Feb 13, 2024 · This partnership evolved from a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) inked between the United States and Kuwait in 1991 following ...
  124. [124]
    From there to now, our Kuwaiti partnership - DVIDS
    Mar 1, 2021 · Currently, the U.S. and Kuwait have a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement, housing approximately 13,500 U.S. forces at bases in Kuwait. The ...
  125. [125]
    Kuwait hosts largest number of US bases in region, serving as ...
    May 8, 2023 · US bases in Kuwait include Ali Al Salem and Ahmad al-Jaber air bases, Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring (formerly Udairi), Camp Patriot -- which is part of the ...
  126. [126]
    Policy & History - U.S. Embassy in Kuwait
    Kuwait is an important partner in U.S. counterterrorism efforts, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and intelligence arenas and also supporting ...
  127. [127]
    Changing Foreign Policy of Smaller Gulf States
    Feb 13, 2025 · Being a major non-NATO ally, Kuwait has maintained a strong and vibrant relationship with the US, which established diplomatic ties with the ...
  128. [128]
    Kuwait: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy.
    Kuwait remains pivotal to U.S. efforts to secure the Persian Gulf region because of its consistent cooperation with U.S. strategy and operations in the region ...
  129. [129]
    Iran Rejects GCC Claims Over Disputed Islands and Gas Field
    Sep 3, 2025 · Iran has rejected Gulf Cooperation Council claims over three disputed islands and the Dorra/Arash gas field, insisting on its sovereignty ...
  130. [130]
    Will Iran vs. Kuwait-Saudi Arabia gas clash turn into trilateral deal?
    Jul 11, 2023 · The story: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have “rejected” Iranian plans to commence drilling in a shared gas field. The contention over the ...
  131. [131]
    Can Kuwait Grasp the Dorra Gas Pearl? - AGSI
    Kuwait argues that Iran's demarcation of the border between the two countries, between Kharg (an Iranian island) and the Kuwaiti mainland, is flawed since it ...
  132. [132]
    Iran's approach to Kuwait: effective variables and prospects
    Jul 20, 2025 · Kuwait, with its policy of “no alliance, no confrontation” and calculated coexistence, has not been in the anti-Iran camp and both is an ally of ...
  133. [133]
    Kuwait's Yemen foreign policy | Middle East Institute
    Aug 12, 2020 · Although the effort ultimately proved futile, it underscored Kuwait's commitment to bridging the gaps between the various actors in Yemen's war.
  134. [134]
    Kuwait ready to host signing of Yemen peace deal - Anadolu Ajansı
    Kuwaiti foreign minister calls on Yemen's conflicting parties to end war which brought country to edge of collapse - Anadolu Agency.
  135. [135]
    Kuwait's Multilateral Approach to Syria
    Oct 18, 2022 · Ultimately, it is safe to bet that Kuwait will wait to fully reconcile with Syria until there is a broad consensus in the GCC and Arab League, ...
  136. [136]
    Kuwait's apprehension about normalizing relations with Syria
    May 21, 2019 · Apart from Kuwait's general opposition to recognizing Assad as the legitimate Syrian head-of-state, there are also several bilateral tensions ...
  137. [137]
    Syrian president meets Kuwait emir on official visit - Arab News
    Jun 1, 2025 · The talks also affirmed Kuwait's steadfast support for the unity of Syria and its sovereignty, it added. The talks also covered the latest ...
  138. [138]
    Kuwait Paradox: Why The Gulf's Most Liberal Autocracy Rejects Ties ...
    Oct 25, 2024 · In the wake of the Abraham Accords and the growing trend of normalization between Israel and Arab states, the small emirate of Kuwait stands ...
  139. [139]
    The Last Gulf State to Normalize Relations with Israel - INSS
    Kuwait, which has objected to the process of normalization with Israel, is likely to be the last among its neighbors to take this path.
  140. [140]
    Kuwait — Military Power Rankings
    Kuwait Military Power Ranking 2025. MPR Rank: 75th. MPR SCORE: 396. MPR ... Active Military Personnel: 15,500 (IISS 2023). Reserve Personnel: 5,000 (CIA ...
  141. [141]
    U.S. Security Cooperation with Kuwait - State Department
    Jan 20, 2025 · These defense sales have substantially developed the capacity of the Kuwait military to defend itself, combat terrorism, and promote regional ...
  142. [142]
    [PDF] Culture and the Military in the Middle East: The Case of Kuwait - DTIC
    Upon its liberation from Iraq in 1991, the Government of Kuwait entered into its first ten-year Defense Security Cooperation Agreement with the United States, ...
  143. [143]
    This Is Our First Look At A Kuwait Air Force Super Hornet In Its ...
    Sep 28, 2020 · An F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter for the Kuwait Air Force is now flying from Boeing's St. Louis, Missouri, facility wearing its frontline paint scheme.<|separator|>
  144. [144]
    Kuwait Military Forces & Defense Capabilities - GlobalMilitary.net
    Kuwait military forces overview: defense budget, active troops, equipment inventories, air force, navy, and strategic capabilities analysis for 2025.<|separator|>
  145. [145]
    Kuwait National Guard Reaffirms its Commitment to Homeland ...
    Apr 15, 2024 · The Kuwait National Guard ensures security and stability, with roles including expeditionary warfare, counter-terrorism, and border control, ...
  146. [146]
    Kuwait's National Guard launches fourth strategic plan 'Protecting ...
    Apr 7, 2025 · ... National Guard is equipped to perform its vital role within the national defense and security system while supporting all state agencies ...
  147. [147]
    Kuwait: Compulsory military service reintroduced
    Oct 7, 2017 · All Kuwaiti men who turned 18 on 10th May 2017 and afterwards must register for conscription within 60 days of their new age.
  148. [148]
    Kuwait - Military Personnel - GlobalSecurity.org
    Sep 4, 2023 · Men between 18-30 years of age were previously subject to compulsory and 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; women age 18-30 may ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  149. [149]
    National Service in the Gulf: Unsurprising Disparities - ISPI
    Jun 5, 2023 · According to this legislation all men had to undergo a year-long military service – four months of basic training and eight months of service – ...
  150. [150]
    Kuwait's Legal System and Legal Research - GlobaLex
    The legal system of Kuwait is an amalgam of British common law, French civil law, Islamic legal principles, and Egyptian law. 1. The Basic System.
  151. [151]
    [PDF] STATE OF KUWAIT
    The first system is based on Sharia, or Islamic law emanating from the. Qur'an. The Sharia courts handle family and personal matters, and the laws are rarely ...
  152. [152]
    Kuwait's emir launches process for amnesty pardoning dissidents
    Oct 20, 2021 · The statement said the emir decided to use his constitutional right to issue amnesties, following talks between the government and ...
  153. [153]
    Kuwait aims to build political cohesion with new amnesty for jailed ...
    Jan 19, 2023 · Kuwait's emir has pardoned dozens of jailed critics under a new amnesty as the Gulf state builds on efforts to end domestic political ...
  154. [154]
    Kuwait - Transparency.org
    Find out more about corruption in Kuwait: Latest news, Corruption Perceptions Index score & local chapter's contact information.
  155. [155]
    Kuwait Corruption Index - Trading Economics
    Kuwait scored 46 points out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.Missing: anti- | Show results with:anti-
  156. [156]
    Kuwait to Launch Biggest Judicial Reform Plan in Its History
    Aug 14, 2025 · Kuwait will soon launch its largest legislative reform plan in history to modernize the judicial system and ease court backlogs, ...
  157. [157]
    Kuwait Administrative Divisions - GeoPostcodes
    Kuwait operates on a 1‑level system consisting of 6 governorates, which serve as the primary administrative units. Here's a breakdown of the ...
  158. [158]
    [PDF] Kuwait - GOV.UK
    The built-up areas of the governorates are divided into 119 areas (or districts) (Arabic: minţaqah; plural: manāţiq), at second-order administrative level (ADM2) ...
  159. [159]
    Kuwait Administration - Apartment for Rent
    Nov 16, 2024 · Kuwait is divided into six governorates, or muhafazahs, each with its own administrative structure. These governorates are the building blocks ...
  160. [160]
    Kuwait Political and Administrative Map 2025 ... - YouTube
    Apr 19, 2022 · Kuwait is divided into 6 governorates . The governorates are further subdivided into areas. The governorate is headed by a Governor ...Missing: structure | Show results with:structure<|separator|>
  161. [161]
    Governors and beautiful Kuwait
    Oct 3, 2023 · Governors, according to the law, wield significant legal authority and can advocate for increased budgets and support teams from their ...
  162. [162]
    Map of Kuwait showing the country's six governorates. 1 = Al-Asima ...
    Map of Kuwait showing the country's six governorates. 1 = Al-Asima (The Capital) 2 = Hawally 3 = Mubarak Al-Kabeer 4 = Al-Ahmadi 5 = Al-Farwaniya 6 = Al-Jahra.Missing: administrative divisions
  163. [163]
    KUNA : Responsibilities of the Municipal Council - 07/05/2005 - كونا
    May 7, 2005 · ... KUWAIT-MUNICIPALITY Responsibilities ... Responsibilities of the Municipal Council include monitoring the implementation of laws and regulations ...Missing: limitations | Show results with:limitations
  164. [164]
    [PDF] SPATIAL PATTERNS AND URBAN GOVERNANCE IN KUWAIT
    The Municipal Council plays an important institutional role in scrutinising and approving the Municipality's policies shaping urban form. This scrutinising ...
  165. [165]
    Architectural Development of Kuwait Post War - Rethinking The Future
    In 1991, The Gulf war which saw invasion of Kuwait by the Iraqi army led to a large scale mass destruction of infrastructure, economy, culture and public spaces ...
  166. [166]
    [PDF] The reconstruction of post- war Kuwait: a missed opportunity?
    Opposition leaders articulated the desired reforms in clear terms: the restoration of constitutional and accountable government (legitimized through elections ...
  167. [167]
    Kuwait - Oil and Gas - International Trade Administration
    Dec 30, 2023 · Oil accounts around 95% of exports, and approximately 90% of government export revenue. Kuwait holds approximately 7% of global oil reserves ...
  168. [168]
    Kuwait - Data Commons
    The population in Kuwait was 4,973,861 in 2024. The nominal GDP per capita in Kuwait was $32,213.86 in 2024. The life expectancy in Kuwait was 83.19 in 2023.
  169. [169]
    Kuwait's fiscal crisis requires bold reforms - Atlantic Council
    Nov 18, 2020 · As a result of low oil prices, the budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 projects a halving of revenues, creating a $46 billion deficit. In ...
  170. [170]
    Ranked: The Largest Sovereign Wealth Funds in the World
    Feb 13, 2025 · The Top 10 Sovereign Wealth Funds, by Assets ; 5, Kuwait Investment Authority, Kuwait, $1,029,000,000,000 ; 6, Public Investment Fund, Saudi ...
  171. [171]
    Kuwait Investment Authority
    The Kuwait Investment Authority's mission is to achieve a long term investment return on the financial reserves entrusted by the State of Kuwait.About · Investments · Training Programs · Press Room
  172. [172]
    Subsidy Reform in the State of Kuwait - Middle East Centre
    Aug 6, 2025 · Today, the deficit stands at $20.6 billion, accounting for 35% of the total budget for 2025–26, and requires an oil price of $90 per barrel to ...
  173. [173]
    Kuwait's fuel subsidy reforms are credit positive - MEED
    Kuwait's cabinet on 1 August approved a series of fuel-related subsidy reforms, including an 83 per cent increase in higher-quality ultra-premium petrol prices ...
  174. [174]
    Kuwait: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2024 Article IV Mission
    Oct 10, 2024 · Major labor market reforms are needed to promote economic diversification. To incentivize Kuwaitis to seek employment in the private sector ...
  175. [175]
    [PDF] Kuwait: Selected Issues; IMF Country Report No. 23/332; July 20, 2023
    The volatile nature of oil revenues poses a challenge to fiscal policy in Kuwait. Fiscal accounts are highly sensitive to oil price fluctuations. Government ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  176. [176]
    Who We Are - Kuwait Petroleum Corporation(KPC)
    Through an integrated supply chain managed by eight wholly owned subsidiaries, KPC oversees upstream, downstream, petrochemical, midstream, and international ...
  177. [177]
    About Us - Kuwait Petroleum Corporation(KPC)
    KPC is universally recognized as one of today's top ten oil energy conglomerates, and a leader in providing safe, clean energy to the global markets.
  178. [178]
    The World's Largest Oil Reserves by Country In 2024
    Jun 11, 2024 · 7. Kuwait - 101 Billion Barrels. Three oil fields spread out across Southern Kuwait. Image Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons.<|separator|>
  179. [179]
    Revealed: 5 largest oilfields in the Middle East
    Apr 3, 2023 · Burgan Field is the world's second largest oil field based on total oil reserves when including cumulative past production of 67.2 billion ...1. Ghawar Field · 2. Burgan Field · 3. Ahvaz Field
  180. [180]
    Kuwait To Reverse Decline Of World'S Second Largest Oilfield
    Apr 9, 2025 · Burgan is the world's second largest oilfield after Saudi Arabia's Ghawar. The field in southeast Kuwait was pumping more than 2 million barrels ...Missing: ranking | Show results with:ranking
  181. [181]
    Kuwait pushes ahead on oil expansion with fresh wave of contracts
    Sep 2, 2025 · Kuwait is advancing its ambitious oil sector expansion programme, awarding a raft of new contracts designed to galvanise its long-term ...
  182. [182]
    Kuwait Petroleum Corporation eyes private sector expansion - ZAWYA
    Aug 21, 2025 · Sources revealed that KPC intends to provide more local and international petrochemical opportunities for the private sector, ...
  183. [183]
    Bright Prospects for Kuwait's Oil Production Amid Strict Adh
    Sep 12, 2024 · We have revised down our Kuwait total oil production forecast for 2024 to a decline of 6.3%, as a result of the OPEC+ cuts announced in June ...Missing: 2023 | Show results with:2023
  184. [184]
    OPEC+ prepares to taper and non-oil growth remains robust - PwC
    The alliance agreed to extend their production quotas through 2025, maintaining the levels set in October 2022, with a few subsequent adjustments. Additionally, ...
  185. [185]
    Kuwait's oil capacity reaches 3,2 million barrels per day - Energy News
    Sep 22, 2025 · Al-Roumi, a spokesperson for Al Qabas, said that Kuwait will increase its oil production under the OPEC+ deal to 2.559 millions bpd by October.<|control11|><|separator|>
  186. [186]
    Rising gas output helping to curb Kuwaiti oil burn | Latest Market News
    Sep 19, 2025 · Rising domestic gas output and elevated LNG imports so far this year are helping Kuwait make progress on its long-standing goal to reduce ...
  187. [187]
    Qatar signs 15-year LNG supply deal with Kuwait as domestic gas ...
    Aug 26, 2024 · Kuwait forecasts demand of 14 million tons per annum by 2035, as suggested by the scale of its importing infrastructure. It opened a 22 million ...
  188. [188]
    [PDF] Country Analysis Brief: Kuwait - EIA
    Jul 20, 2023 · Even though Kuwait's natural gas production rose significantly after 2010, its domestic demand growth outpaced production during the same time ...<|separator|>
  189. [189]
    Middle East Opportunities: Kuwait Overview - HKTDC Research
    May 27, 2025 · The aim of Kuwait Vision 2035 is to diversify Kuwait's economy and promote long‑term growth by transforming the country into a regional and ...
  190. [190]
    Kuwait 2035 Vision |GPTW - Great Place to Work
    The country's goals involve boosting local productivity and diversifying the economy by growing non-oil sectors, promoting residents' quality of life, ...
  191. [191]
    A Complete Guide on What is Kuwait Vision 2035
    Jun 18, 2025 · Diversify the economy by developing non-oil sectors such as finance, healthcare, technology, and tourism. Increase private sector participation ...
  192. [192]
    Kuwait's 2024 GDP falls $5bn due to oil price drop | AGBI
    May 6, 2025 · In contrast, non-oil GDP grew by 3.5 percent to KD27.8 billion in ... Property Finder gets $250m to drive regional growth. 1 day ago.<|separator|>
  193. [193]
    [PDF] Kuwait: Non-oil GDP records robust growth in Q4 2024
    On a quarter-on-quarter basis, non-oil GDP rose by 14.6%, solidly outperforming the seasonal increase usually observed in this quarter (which ...
  194. [194]
    Monopolization is stifling Kuwait's economy—it's time to rethink top ...
    Feb 11, 2025 · Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is still high, but economic reforms in Kuwait have stalled. The new Emir has put a focus on recovering ...Missing: monopolies | Show results with:monopolies
  195. [195]
    Kuwait's Monopoly Crisis: The Silent Threat to Its Economy
    Feb 12, 2025 · Monopolies occur when a single company or a small group of firms control a particular market, eliminating competition and dictating prices, ...
  196. [196]
    [PDF] advancing economic diversification in kuwait: reform prioritization ...
    This paper emphasizes the need for accelerating reforms in governance, regulatory quality, external sector, labor market, and credit market to drive non-oil ...
  197. [197]
    Turning Point For Kuwait? | Global Finance Magazine
    Mar 5, 2024 · “Proactive stance on fiscal and structural reforms is expected to enhance economic stability and diversify revenue sources beyond oil,” he says.
  198. [198]
    Banking Regulation 2025 - Kuwait | Global Practice Guides
    Dec 10, 2024 · Kuwait's banking regulatory landscape in 2023 and 2024 has evolved in response to both global and domestic factors. The CBK has taken steps to ...
  199. [199]
    Central Bank of Kuwait: Islamic Banks
    The CBK provides instructions for Islamic banks, including rules for liquidity, branch openings, finance concentration, and investment transactions.
  200. [200]
    Central Bank of Kuwait: Responsibilities
    The Higher Committee presents opinions on Shari'ah conformity, proposes guidelines, and issues decisions on disagreements in Shari'ah boards.
  201. [201]
    Kuwaiti banks to fully support sovereign debt issuance amid strong ...
    Jun 28, 2025 · Local banks in Kuwait are well-positioned to fully support the upcoming sovereign debt issuance, thanks to their strong financial solvency, high liquidity.
  202. [202]
    Kuwait strengthens anti-money laundering legislation | Reuters
    Jul 1, 2025 · Kuwait has strengthened its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing law, which will impose tougher penalties for violators.Missing: enhancements | Show results with:enhancements
  203. [203]
    Legislative Change on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
    Jul 1, 2025 · Kuwait has implemented important legislative enhancements with Kuwait Decree-Law No. 76/2025, which will strengthening its anti money laundering and terrorist ...
  204. [204]
    Kuwait bolsters efforts, boosts regional partnerships against ... - KUNA
    Sep 20, 2025 · The judicial system saw a qualitative leap with the introduction of Decree No. 76/2025, amending some items within law No. 106/2013 concerning ...Missing: enhancements | Show results with:enhancements
  205. [205]
    About – Kuwait Investment Authority
    The Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), established in 1982, is the world's first sovereign wealth fund, managing the State’s Reserve and the FGF.
  206. [206]
    KIA surpasses $1 trillion mark amid bold global investment strategy
    Jul 13, 2025 · The GIA's portfolio swelled by approximately 18.44%, rising from $846 billion in July 2024 to $1.002 trillion—a gain of $156 billion in just one ...
  207. [207]
    The role of sovereign wealth funds in the post-war reconstruction of ...
    The article is devoted to the analysis of the role of Kuwait's sovereign investment funds (SIF) in the processes of country's economic recovery after the ...
  208. [208]
    Study on the performance of sovereign wealth funds under COVID ...
    Meanwhile, Hasse et al. (2024) indicate SWF's role in stabilizing national economies. In another example, Kuwait founded the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) ...Missing: banking | Show results with:banking
  209. [209]
    Kuwait's population hits 4.9 million, with expats making up more ...
    May 10, 2025 · Overall, expatriate workers totaled 2,560,252, significantly outnumbering the 540,878 Kuwaiti workers across both sectors.
  210. [210]
    Workforce Transitions in Gulf Economies Amid Global Energy Shifts
    May 27, 2025 · Notably, wages for expatriate workers in the Gulf are significantly lower than those of national workers, primarily due to policy distortions ...
  211. [211]
    Expatriate jobs and productivity: Evidence from two GCC economies
    This paper analyzes productivity differences between migrants and nationals using detailed industry-level data from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
  212. [212]
    Kuwait: Selected Issues in: IMF Staff Country Reports Volume 2015 ...
    Dec 2, 2015 · Empirical analyses suggest the existence of complementarities between expatriate and national labor that underscore the importance of treading ...
  213. [213]
    [PDF] on social protection for expatriate workers in Kuwait
    Under the Labour Law, workers in full-time private-sector employment (whether citizens or expatriate workers) are entitled to 70 days paid maternity leave and ...<|separator|>
  214. [214]
    Kuwait Youth Unemployment Rate (1991-2024) - Macrotrends
    Kuwait youth unemployment rate for 2024 was 15.45%, a 0.01% decline from 2023. Kuwait youth unemployment rate for 2023 was 15.45%, a 0.05% decline from 2022 ...
  215. [215]
    https://timeskuwait.com/kuwaits-labor-market-grows-to-2-23-mln-workers-in-mid-2025-driven-by-expatriate-employment/
  216. [216]
    Migration Policy in the Gulf: A Comparative Analysis of Labour Law ...
    May 7, 2025 · This paper reconceptualises Kuwaiti and Qatari approaches to labour migration, through an analysis of recent labour law reforms.
  217. [217]
    Kuwait population declines to 4.88m
    Sep 14, 2025 · Meanwhile, Kuwait's total population decreased by 0.65 percent, from 4,913,271 in 2024 to 4,881,254 in early 2025.
  218. [218]
    Kuwait in numbers: A story of people, names, and occupations in 2024
    May 7, 2025 · ... population had reached 4,987,826, made up of 1,567,983 Kuwaiti citizens and 3,419,843 expatriates. These numbers paint a clear demographic ...
  219. [219]
    Kuwait Population Growth Rate | Historical Chart & Data - Macrotrends
    Kuwait population growth rate for 2023 was 5.59%, a 0.47% increase from 2022. · Kuwait population growth rate for 2022 was 5.11%, a 6.01% increase from 2021.Missing: post COVID
  220. [220]
    Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - Kuwait - World Bank Open Data
    The fertility rate data for Kuwait is available from 1960 to 2023, with data for 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
  221. [221]
    Total fertility rate Comparison - The World Factbook - CIA
    Total fertility rate. Compares figures for the average number of children ... Kuwait, 2.21, 2024 est. 83, Ecuador, 2.21, 2024 est. 84, Fiji, 2.21, 2024 est. 85 ...
  222. [222]
    Kuwait Population (1950-2025) - Macrotrends
    Total population for Kuwait in 2024 was 4,349,380, a 10.39% decline from 2023. · Total population for Kuwait in 2023 was 4,853,420, a 5.75% increase from 2022.
  223. [223]
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/806325/urbanization-in-the-arab-world-countries/
  224. [224]
    Kuwait's Aging Population Increases By 16487 Since 2023
    Feb 18, 2025 · The latest statistics reveal that the total elderly population has reached 140,114, with 59% being Kuwaiti citizens and 41% expatriates. This ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  225. [225]
    Kuwait's population increased by 8% y/y in H1 2023 to 4.82 million
    KUWAIT: Kuwait's population increased by 8 percent y/y in H1 2023 to 4.82 million, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak for the first time, helped by steady growth ...
  226. [226]
    Kuwait's immigration crackdown shrinks expat population - Semafor
    Sep 29, 2025 · Kuwait's expat population is estimated to have shrunk 1.6% in 2024, the first drop outside wartime or pandemic shocks, according to Justin ...
  227. [227]
    Expat Numbers in Kuwait Drop to 3.36 Million | arabtimes
    Aug 22, 2024 · The breakdown of resident nationalities is as follows: 21% Indian, 13% Egyptian, 6% Bangladeshi, and 5% Filipino. Saudi, Syrian, Nepalese, and ...Missing: ethnic | Show results with:ethnic
  228. [228]
    Expatriate numbers in Kuwait fall by 8845 in first half of 2024
    Aug 22, 2024 · By June 2024, Kuwait's population grew to 4,918,570, with Kuwaitis making up 32% and expatriates 68%, an increase of 5,299 from January 1, 2024.Missing: ethnic composition demographics<|separator|>
  229. [229]
    Kuwait Population 2025
    The country has 17,820 square kilometers (6,880 square miles) of land with a population estimated at 4,266,651, which includes over one million Kuwaitis and ...Kuwait Population Clock · Kuwait Overview · Kuwait Demographics
  230. [230]
    The Struggle For Citizenship And Social Rights: Bidoon In Kuwait
    Oct 15, 2025 · According to Amnesty International, more than 100,000 Bidoon are stateless today, despite the warnings issued by the UN Committee on the ...
  231. [231]
    Learning Poverty Among the Bidoon in Kuwait - The Borgen Project
    Feb 6, 2025 · One can see child poverty in Kuwait through the Bidoon population, which was between 83,000 and 120,000 as of August 2024. The continued ...
  232. [232]
    Prominent figures among 42,000 stripped of Kuwaiti citizenship
    Apr 15, 2025 · Kuwait has intensified its sweeping campaign to revoke citizenship ... citizenship illegally or threaten national security "have no place here".
  233. [233]
    Kuwaiti government must end campaign of mass citizenship ...
    Feb 12, 2025 · As Kuwait does not recognize dual citizenship, this risks leaving hundreds or thousands of individuals stateless, in a country that already ...Missing: threats | Show results with:threats
  234. [234]
    From Citizen to Stateless: The Quiet Crisis of Nationality Stripping in ...
    Apr 15, 2025 · ... revoke citizenship, often on vague grounds such as “threats to social structure” or claims of alleged fraud. The law has been amended over ...
  235. [235]
    2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kuwait
    The constitution states that sharia is a main source of legislation and that all individuals are equal before the law, regardless of religion. The law prohibits ...
  236. [236]
    2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kuwait
    Nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and the media estimate approximately 70 percent of citizens are Sunni Muslims, while the remaining 30 percent are Shia ...Section I. Religious Demography · Section II. Status of... · Government Practices
  237. [237]
    [PDF] KUWAIT 2023 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT
    According to information from PACI released in June, approximately 62.7 percent of the expatriate population is Muslim, 24.5 percent Christian, and. 12.8 ...Missing: cia. | Show results with:cia.
  238. [238]
    Official Language of Kuwait
    Arabic is the official language of the State of Kuwait, as stated in Kuwait Constitution. This can be attributed to the fact that founders of the Kuwaiti ...
  239. [239]
    Kuwait Languages - FamilySearch
    Mar 20, 2024 · Kuwait's official language is Modern Standard Arabic, but its everyday usage is limited to journalism and education. · Kuwaiti Arabic is the ...
  240. [240]
    Kuwait - Language, Culture, Customs And Etiquette
    Language in Kuwait. Arabic is the official language of Kuwait, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in ...<|separator|>
  241. [241]
    Kuwait's Expatriate Community: Diversity and Integration
    May 2, 2024 · Despite the challenges of assimilation and adaptation, Kuwait has embraced its expatriate population, fostering an environment of diversity, ...
  242. [242]
    Citizenship in Kuwait
    Foreigners can apply for citizenship in Kuwait only if they prove that they have lived in this country for at least 20 years.
  243. [243]
    Nationality Law, 1959 | Refworld
    A foreigner who may acquire Kuwaiti nationality by virtue of the provisions of any of Articles 4,5,7 or 8 of this Law shall renounce any other nationality he ...
  244. [244]
    [PDF] Kuwait Cultural Field Guide - Public Intelligence
    Culturally different from Kuwaitis, South Asian workers do not assimilate into Kuwaiti society, but remain focused on their respective homelands. South Asian ...
  245. [245]
    Continuous and Expanding: What Is Behind Kuwait's Naturalization ...
    Oct 13, 2025 · Last Briefs. Emirati Women's Role in Reshaping Economic Landscape: Turning Challenges into Opportunities and Sustainable Assets. Mariam al- ...
  246. [246]
    Kuwait - AACRAO
    A 1965 law made education compulsory until the age of fourteen. A small system of private schools also developed. Public education, including preschool and ...
  247. [247]
    [PDF] Kuwait | TIMSS 2023
    The education system in Kuwait consists of three stages: primary, which lasts 5 years. (Grades 1 to 5, ages 6 to 10); intermediate, which lasts 4 years ...Missing: rate | Show results with:rate
  248. [248]
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/572759/literacy-rate-in-kuwait/
  249. [249]
    Statistics revealed that 845,000 of Kuwait expats are illiterate
    May 21, 2020 · Kuwait. Statistics revealed that 845,000 of Kuwait expats are illiterate. 50.5% of Kuwait expat workers have primary education or below. Last ...
  250. [250]
    Education and Schools in Kuwait - Expat Arrivals
    As a legal Kuwaiti resident, you can get free public education at all levels, including tertiary school. Still, most expats prefer not to use public schools.
  251. [251]
    Kuwait University
    The university has seen its enrollment grow from about 418 to 40,000 students, faculty from 31 to 1,565, colleges from 4 to 17, and administrative and ...
  252. [252]
    Diversifying Kuwait's Economy: Myth or Reality?
    Jan 16, 2022 · In this regard, only about 30 per cent of students major in STEM-related subjects whereas the majority are enrolled in the field of arts and ...
  253. [253]
    Kuwait STEM Education Programs: Paving the Way for a Brighter ...
    Aug 22, 2025 · The government is revising school and university curricula to integrate more STEM-focused subjects. This includes: Introducing coding, robotics, ...
  254. [254]
    Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education Scholarship Program (MOHE)
    Fully Funded: covers a student's, tuition fees, monthly housing/living expenses, annual return ticket, and annual clothing/books/supplies allowance. Restricted ...
  255. [255]
    MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION (MOHE) SCHOLARSHIP ...
    Applicants must be Kuwaiti, under 30, have 27 credits towards major, 2.5 GPA, and submit transcripts, transfer credit evaluation, and a study plan.
  256. [256]
    INVESTIGATING THE SKILLS-GAP IN THE KUWAITI LABOUR ...
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the mismatch between outputs from higher education and labour market requirements.
  257. [257]
    The Job Market in Kuwait: Trends That Matter - Expertise Recruitment
    Skill Gaps: A mismatch between the skills of graduates and the needs of employers, especially in STEM fields, continues to challenge recruitment. Economic ...
  258. [258]
    [PDF] [UN Kuwait Policy Brief] Human Capital and Knowledge ...
    could help address the issue of skills mismatch and would enable educational institutions to review their programmes and curricula in line with private sector ...
  259. [259]
    [PDF] Skills needs in Kuwait following the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Skills management and development are especially relevant for Kuwait, which must contend with both the skills relevance of Kuwaiti nationals and that of foreign ...
  260. [260]
    [PDF] White Paper for the Human Capital Pillar
    the foundation for a skills-based education system. A skills mismatch in Kuwait is due to a lack of information and transparency. The underuse of skills is ...
  261. [261]
    Vision 2035 and the Challenge of Diversification
    The paper provides policy recommendations to help Kuwait meet the challenge of diversification, with particular focus on reforming the education system ...
  262. [262]
    [PDF] Kuwait - Health systems
    Jul 24, 2023 · Health systems summary. Kuwait has a state-funded health system that is 'free at the point of entry' for Kuwaiti nationals. Non-citizens who.
  263. [263]
    How Kuwait's Vision 2035 development plan is driving healthcare ...
    Aug 15, 2024 · In 2023, healthcare expenditure accounted for 5.1% of Kuwait's GDP, the second-highest in the GCC after Saudi Arabia. Per capita, healthcare ...
  264. [264]
    Kuwait - Healthcare - International Trade Administration
    Dec 30, 2023 · Kuwait aspires to create world-class healthcare providers as well as to improve the quality of healthcare in treatment centers.
  265. [265]
    [PDF] Kuwait : Health Systems Profile Key health system indicators
    Health workforce per 10 000 population (2011). 0.2. Primary health care facilities per 10 000 population. 27. Physicians. 22. Hospital beds per 10 000 ...
  266. [266]
    Kuwait COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer
    Apr 13, 2024 · Coronavirus Cases: 667,158 ; Deaths: 2,570 ; Recovered: N/A.
  267. [267]
    Kuwait Life Expectancy (1950-2025) - Macrotrends
    Kuwait life expectancy for 2023 was 83.19, a 3.23% increase from 2022. Kuwait life expectancy for 2022 was 80.59, a 2.35% increase from 2021. Life expectancy at ...
  268. [268]
    Kuwait - WHO Data
    Overall Population over time​​ In Kuwait, the current population is 4,838,782 as of 2023 with a projected increase of 32% to 6,367,756 by 2050.
  269. [269]
    Kuwait first worldwide in obesity, second in diabetes
    May 17, 2023 · Kuwait has a staggering 39.7 percent rate of prevalence of obesity among the population over the age of 18, ahead of the United States which has ...<|separator|>
  270. [270]
    Kuwait - International Diabetes Federation
    Diabetes in Kuwait (2024) ; 3,203,000. Total adult population ; 25.6% prevalence. of diabetes in adults ; 908,500. Total cases of diabetes in adults ...
  271. [271]
    The economic impact of obesity in Kuwait: a micro-costing study ...
    In Kuwait, a cross-sectional study showed that adults with obesity were 1.8 times more prone to have diabetes than adults with a BMI < 25 kg/m24.
  272. [272]
    Social development - Kuwait - Encyclopedia of the Nations
    In 1999, retirement benefits ranged from 65% to 95% of earnings, depending upon the length of employment. Large subsidies for electricity, gasoline, and rice ...Missing: entitlements housing fuel
  273. [273]
    Publication: Towards a National Jobs Strategy in Kuwait
    Kuwaiti citizens are used to the state providing public sector jobs, free education, free healthcare, and subsidized fuel to all citizens. These benefits ...Missing: welfare entitlements housing
  274. [274]
    [PDF] Kuwait - International Social Security Association (ISSA)
    Social assistance. Needy citizens of Kuwait. ... Social assistance. Family and household benefits. Family allowance – Social assistance. Qualifying conditions.
  275. [275]
    Poverty in the GCC countries: 2010–2021 - ESCWA
    In Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the poverty rates are below 2 per cent. Poverty in the GCC countries has declined since 2010 – except in Bahrain ...
  276. [276]
    Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Kuwait - The Borgen Project
    Sep 27, 2024 · ... rights. These workers often endure overcrowded housing, abuse, non ... Kuwait, particularly through housing subsidies and health care services for ...
  277. [277]
    Socioeconomic Indicators - Kuwait | Market Forecast - Statista
    The gini coefficient in Kuwait is forecast to amount to 0.37 in 2025. The unemployment rate in Kuwait is forecast to 7.29% in 2025. The unemployed people in ...
  278. [278]
    Countries > Kuwait > Gini Coefficient - World Economics
    ... inequality means a country's total income is owned by a single individual. Kuwait's Gini Coefficient Index is 47.1 and was most recently measured in 2019.
  279. [279]
    [PDF] KUWAIT'S WELFARE SYSTEM - Sciences Po
    receiving this rent replacement allowance is 120,600; approximately 9.3% of Kuwait's citizens. ... benefits – rather than social assistance or allowances.
  280. [280]
    [PDF] Social spending, expenditure efficiency and fiscal sustainability
    Economic growth in Kuwait is heavily reliant on natural resources; slow diversification and limited non-oil revenues maintain its dependence on oil. The ...
  281. [281]
    Depleting funds highlight Kuwait's oil dependency dilemma
    Jul 8, 2024 · To achieve the dreaded 'financial sustainability,' Kuwait must address its economic distortions, relieve the state from its various commitments ...Missing: strain | Show results with:strain
  282. [282]
    Could universal basic income rewrite Kuwait's future? - The Banker
    Mar 17, 2021 · Modelling by Mr Hertog suggests that removing subsidies on domestic energy consumption could generate a $200 monthly cash grant for each Kuwaiti ...Missing: pilots | Show results with:pilots
  283. [283]
    New policy paper in Kuwait proposes that a high universal basic ...
    Oct 7, 2020 · The proposal is to replace subsidies with a USD 50,000 annual basic income for all working-age citizens, aiming for a more sustainable economy ...
  284. [284]
    Family Law in Kuwait
    The Kuwait family law code, which governs matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance, was enacted in 1984 and contains 347 articles.
  285. [285]
    Trapped: How Male Guardianship Policies Restrict Women's Travel ...
    Jul 18, 2023 · Women across the Middle East and North Africa region face varying restrictions preventing them from moving freely in their own country and from traveling abroad
  286. [286]
    Kuwait grants women right to vote - May 16, 2005 - CNN
    May 16, 2005 · The Kuwaiti parliament has voted to give women the right to vote and to run for office -- if they observe Islamic laws.
  287. [287]
    17th female minister marks significant milestone in Kuwait's political ...
    Aug 28, 2024 · Dr Massouma Al-Mubarak made history as the first Kuwaiti female minister when she was appointed as Minister of Planning and Minister of ...
  288. [288]
    KUNA : Kuwait celebrates Women's Day: Legacy of leadership ... - كونا
    May 16, 2025 · Today, Kuwait's current cabinet includes three female ministers: Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan as Minister of Public Works, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah as ...
  289. [289]
    School enrollment, tertiary, female (% gross) - Kuwait | Data
    ... Kuwait ... Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population 25+, female (%) (cumulative). Tertiary education, academic staff (% female).
  290. [290]
    Kuwait | World Bank Gender Data Portal
    In Kuwait, the labor force participation rate among females is 48.6% and among males is 88.4% for 2024. The labor force participation rate is the proportion ...
  291. [291]
    Kuwait - Family Life
    The family has always been important in Kuwaiti society and traditionally the family meant the whole extended family or clan. The homes of most Kuwaiti ...Missing: structure | Show results with:structure
  292. [292]
    Culture of Kuwait - history, people, clothing, traditions, women ...
    Family forms the basis of Kuwaiti society. Extended families live together, both out of necessity caused by limited housing space, and so that all family ...<|separator|>
  293. [293]
    Kuwait: Family Law - International Divorce
    The Kuwaiti legal system is based on Islam and is codified into an “Islamicized” code as to marriage, divorce and child custody. 2. The governing laws that ...
  294. [294]
    Kuwait Marriage and Divorce Rates in 2025: A Nation's Emotional ...
    Jul 22, 2025 · In 2025, Kuwait recorded 7,640 divorces, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. This marks one of the highest divorce rates in the Gulf ...Divorce Numbers in Kuwait... · Divorce Impact on Children...
  295. [295]
    (PDF) Modernization and Family Structure in Kuwait. - ResearchGate
    Traditionally, Kuwaitis practiced consanguineous marriages and resided in extended family households with their adult children and grandchildren, ...
  296. [296]
    Personal Status Law for Custody in Kuwait
    If the custodian is the father, custody of a male child ends upon reaching the age of majority—21 years under Kuwaiti law—and becoming financially independent.
  297. [297]
    What Is the Kafala System? | Council on Foreign Relations
    Nov 18, 2022 · The kafala, or sponsorship, system defines the relationship between foreign workers and their local sponsor, or kafeel, which is usually their ...
  298. [298]
    [PDF] Employer-Migrant Worker Relationships in the Middle East
    The modern use of the kafala system appeared in GCC countries during the 1960s and. 1970s, when it was developed as a means to regulate the entry of migrant ...
  299. [299]
    The kafala system | Kuwait Times Newspaper
    Jul 27, 2023 · The sponsorship system, also known as the 'kafala' system, has been around since the 1950s. It was initially created to control migration into Arab countries.
  300. [300]
    Walls at Every Turn: Abuse of Migrant Domestic Workers through ...
    Oct 6, 2010 · While some workers were able to report abuse through their embassies or directly to the police, very few could successfully pursue claims to ...
  301. [301]
    Kuwait's Exit Permit Requirement Puts Migrant Workers at Risk
    Jun 15, 2025 · Kuwaiti authorities recently announced that starting July 2025, migrant workers will require permission to leave the country.
  302. [302]
    Human rights in Kuwait - Amnesty International
    Migrants' rights. Migrant workers lacked legal protections and remained at risk of abuse because of the kafala sponsorship system. On 12 June at least 49 ...
  303. [303]
    Reform the Kafala System - Migrant-Rights.org
    In 2016, Kuwait issued a decree allowing employees to transfer sponsors without permission after three years of consecutive service and with three months notice ...
  304. [304]
    Kuwait becomes first Gulf state to set minimum wage for domestic ...
    Jul 15, 2016 · Kuwait has set a minimum wage of 60 dinars ($200) a month for hundreds of thousands of mostly Asian domestic workers, local media reported on Thursday.
  305. [305]
    Life under the kafala system | Walk Free
    The kafala system is a set of laws and policies that delegate responsibility for migrant workers to employers, including control over their ability to enter, ...
  306. [306]
    [PDF] COVID-19 Pandemic: Wage protection of migrant workers in the ...
    Currently, there are minimum wage laws covering migrant workers in Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar; however, only Qatar applies a non-discriminatory minimum wage ...<|separator|>
  307. [307]
    World Report 2024: Kuwait | Human Rights Watch
    Two-thirds of Kuwait's population are migrant workers, who remain vulnerable to abuse, largely due to the kafala (sponsorship) system, which ties migrants ...Missing: Amnesty International
  308. [308]
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/kuwait/
  309. [309]
    Kuwait Sea Songs: Traditional Music of Arabian Gulf Pearl Divers
    Songs of Arabian Gulf Pearl divers are explained in this free booklet with audio sound files. The recordings and detailed essay, with over 30 images and ...
  310. [310]
    A Brief History of Pearl Diving Music | Smithsonian Folklife Festival
    Jul 1, 2022 · Fijiri is a vocal music sung by pearl divers on wooden dhows as entertainment and inspiration. It typically features one main singer, called a ...
  311. [311]
    Arabian Gulf Pearl Divers' Songs Inspire Fusion Music | AramcoWorld
    Sep 3, 2025 · Two decades later, Al-Mulaifi learned that music played a central role in the hunt for pearls. “It made pearl-diving life possible,” he says.
  312. [312]
    Fijiri: Collective Work Songs of the Gulf Pearl Divers - EastEast
    The musical arrangements of fijiri are performed without melodic instruments and singing was accompanied mainly by clapping.
  313. [313]
    Ardah folk dance - Folk Culture
    The dance has been celebrated in numerous Arabic poems. Ardah is derived from an Arabic word that refers to the march of a huge army and soldiers gathering in ...
  314. [314]
    Riyadh Ardah: A martial dance celebrates Kingdom's history ...
    Sep 23, 2023 · The Ardah is a UNESCO-listed dance that combines traditional chanting, swordplay, and rhythmic drums. It was originally used to motivate warriors.
  315. [315]
    The Saudi Ardah - Saudipedia
    The Ardah's origin as a war dance means that it requires strong dramatic recitation without elaborate musical embellishments. This style is commonly followed ...
  316. [316]
    Diwaniyas: A fascinating cultural tradition | Kuwait Times Newspaper
    Feb 23, 2023 · A diwaniya is a reception area that is either near or inside the owner's house, where patriarchs gather to discuss various issues such as politics, economy and ...
  317. [317]
    Nabat Poets Diwaniya .. Kuwait's rich literature heritage - Culture & Art
    Oct 14, 2023 · The diwaniya aspires to present its Kuwaiti heritage during its participation in the Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival 2023.Missing: oratory traditions
  318. [318]
    The Fascinating Craft of Traditional Kuwaiti Music Instruments
    Oct 6, 2025 · The Oud, a pear-shaped string instrument, is central to Kuwaiti music. ... The Mirwas is a small, hand-held drum with deep roots in Kuwaiti folk ...
  319. [319]
    Thinking Historically, Being Present: Kuwait, Summer 2016
    Oct 20, 2016 · The genre's instrumentation usually features oud, violin, and small cylindrical drums called merwas. There is a dynamic and ever developing ...Missing: folk | Show results with:folk
  320. [320]
    Kuwaiti Music: Pioneering Sounds of Sand and Sea - Fanack
    Dec 18, 2019 · Kuwaiti music became a rich melting pot of styles and origins and produced many regionally famous singers such as the brothers Saleh and Daoud al-Kuwaiti.
  321. [321]
    The Influence of Bedouin Traditions on Modern Kuwait Culture and ...
    Oct 9, 2025 · The oral traditions of the Bedouins, including poetry, storytelling, and proverbs, have left an indelible mark on Kuwaiti culture. The use of ...
  322. [322]
    Kuwaiti Literature and Poetry: A Window into the Nation's Soul
    May 2, 2024 · Writers draw inspiration from Bedouin folklore, Islamic teachings, and the oral traditions of the Arabian Peninsula, weaving tales of ...
  323. [323]
    American council confers prize on Kuwaiti poet - Kuwait Times
    Sep 9, 2017 · ... Kuwaiti poet and activist for his work to promote the Islamic faith. The ... Sheikh Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with the program's partners ...
  324. [324]
    Kuwait's Contribution to Arab Literature & Arts - Eastern Chronicles
    Mar 25, 2024 · Kuwaiti contribution to Arabic literature in the 20th century is substantial. Its writers and poets, well-placed in the Arab literary scene, have left a mark.
  325. [325]
    Six Kuwaiti Authors That You Have to Read Now - Other Things
    Mar 21, 2022 · Kuwaiti literature has a rich history and is growing quickly. We explore Kuwaiti authors like Saud Alsanousi, Bothanya Al-Essa, ...
  326. [326]
    50 most important Arabic novels of the 20th century
    Oct 16, 2024 · by Taleb Al Refai​​ Focusing on the suffering of foreign migrant workers in Kuwait, Taleb Al Refai's first novel was the culmination of years of ...
  327. [327]
    From Orwell to 'Little Mermaid,' Kuwait Steps Up Book Banning
    Oct 1, 2018 · Responding to political pressure, Kuwait has outlawed more than 4000 books in the last five years.
  328. [328]
    Kuwait relaxes book censorship laws after banning thousands of titles
    Aug 25, 2020 · After banning almost 5,000 books in the last seven years, Kuwait's government has relaxed its book censorship laws in a move that has been ...
  329. [329]
    'Literary Massacre in Kuwait': The State of Book Banning
    Sep 10, 2018 · Kuwait is currently experiencing a serious crisis of censorship. To the sorrow of many, it depicts almost literally the nightmare that Ray Bradbury portrayed ...
  330. [330]
    Machboos: All about Kuwait's National Dish - Remitly Blog
    A traditional Machboos recipe calls for long-grain rice—usually basmati—cooked with a variety of spices such as turmeric, coriander, black lime (loomi), and bay ...
  331. [331]
    An Expat guide to Kuwaiti Cuisine - NoGarlicNoOnions
    Apr 13, 2020 · Back in the day, Kuwaiti inhabitants were nomads who moved from the inner part of the country towards the seaside in search of food. Once they ...
  332. [332]
    Taste of Kuwait - Kuwait Cuisines - Apartment for Rent
    Nov 9, 2024 · No meal in Kuwait is complete without the pairing of dates and Arabic coffee (or Gahwa). The importance of dates in Kuwaiti culture cannot be ...
  333. [333]
    A Glimpse into Kuwaiti Culture: Hospitality, Dress & Etiquette ...
    Kuwaitis are known for warmly welcoming guests into their homes or offices. Upon arrival, visitors are typically greeted with Arabic coffee (qahwa) and dates.<|separator|>
  334. [334]
    Ramadan in Kuwait: A journey of faith and tradition
    Mar 12, 2024 · Ramadan in Kuwait includes ghabgas, Girgaan, traditional dishes, short work hours, family gatherings, fine attire, and the Grand Mosque ...Realigning Our Priorities · Short Working Hours · Celebrating Diverse...Missing: customs | Show results with:customs
  335. [335]
    Embracing Family Traditions: Ramadan in Kuwait - AIU
    Mar 25, 2024 · Ramadan in Kuwait includes the Suhoor meal, the Iftar meal with traditional dishes, and the sharing of stories of gratitude and blessings.
  336. [336]
    Trends in Fast-food Consumption among Kuwaiti Youth - PMC - NIH
    Apr 17, 2019 · Most Kuwaiti college students (81.4%) consume fast food more than twice a week, with taste being a key motivator. Fast food is a key part of ...Missing: Western | Show results with:Western
  337. [337]
    [PDF] kuwait nutritional surveillance system 2020
    -. Overall, 74.6% [95% CI: 71.9 – 77.1] were found to be overweight (including obesity). Conclusion: The nutrition transition has impacted the population health ...
  338. [338]
    Evidence for nutrition transition in Kuwait: over-consumption of ...
    Traditional foods have been replaced by foods typical of the Western diet through fast-food outlets and restaurants( ). Increased food availability and reduced ...Missing: integration | Show results with:integration
  339. [339]
    Sport in Kuwait
    They were the AFC Asian Cup champions (1980) as well as a runner-up in 1976 and third place in 1982. They did step foot in the World Cup but did not perform as ...
  340. [340]
    AFC Cup winners: Full list of champions - Olympics.com
    May 5, 2024 · Kuwaiti clubs have won the competition four times, making it the most successful country in the competition. Teams from Iraq and Jordan have won ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  341. [341]
    Asian football I Greatest Olympic moments - FIFA
    Jul 21, 2024 · Such was the quality of Kuwait side at the Moscow Olympics that Parreira named 14 of them in his 1982 World Cup squad.<|separator|>
  342. [342]
    Arabian Gulf Cup: Why Kuwait is most successful team ... - Doha News
    Jan 13, 2023 · Kuwait has been the most successful team in the tournament's history, winning 10 tournaments out of 24 in total, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq all have ...
  343. [343]
    Traditional Kuwaiti Sports Celebrated Through Cultural Festivals
    Aug 15, 2025 · Activities like camel racing, falconry, dhow sailing, and traditional boat rowing have been practices for centuries. Each sport is more than a ...
  344. [344]
    https://kuwaittimes.com/article/34657/sports/other-sports/full-support-for-inaugural-uae-world-falcon-racing-cup-in-kuwait-al-mutairi/
  345. [345]
    Kuwait Government Online News
    Apr 18, 2025 · The growth reflects the establishment of women's teams in sports such as football, basketball, fencing, and taekwondo, contributing to increased ...
  346. [346]
    Rise of Women's Sports in Kuwait: Empowering Female Athletes ...
    Aug 15, 2025 · Despite the tremendous progress, Kuwaiti women athletes still face challenges. Cultural expectations, social pressures, and logistical ...
  347. [347]
    Challenges facing Kuwaiti female athletes | Kuwait Times Newspaper
    Oct 6, 2016 · Sexism in the media and society. But the change is far from complete. · Government discrimination · Growing support for sports and athleticism.
  348. [348]
    Rising Popularity of Badminton in Kuwait: Fitness, Fun, and ...
    Aug 18, 2025 · Over the last few years, badminton has quietly transformed from being just another sport into one of Kuwait's favorite recreational activities. ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  349. [349]
    AL QABAS, KUWAIT – 2020 - Gulf Media Rates
    AL QABAS, KUWAIT – 2020 ... Arabic daily has a circulation of 90,000 copies. Al Qabas, Kuwait Media Rate PDFDownload. Leave a Reply.Missing: major Anba
  350. [350]
    Kuwait - The Media - Country Studies
    The largest daily is Al Qabas (Firebrand), which is independent and had a circulation of about 120,000 before the war. Two smaller dailies, Al Anba (News) ...Missing: major | Show results with:major
  351. [351]
    New media, globalization and Kuwaiti national identity - ResearchGate
    Aug 6, 2025 · More than 94 percent of the households in the country have access to satellite television (Mitchell et al. 2014). In a survey conducted at ...
  352. [352]
    Kuwait - RSF
    But in reality, the law is thwarted by censorship laws that prohibit journalists, bloggers and online activists from criticising the government, the emir, the ...
  353. [353]
    KUNA : Kuwait press enjoys substantial freedoms -- top editors - Media
    May 2, 2024 · Top Kuwaiti journalists have affirmed that the national press enjoys substantial freedoms, noted that national personnel observe self-censorship.Missing: landscape | Show results with:landscape
  354. [354]
    Kuwait: Cybercrime Law a Blow to Free Speech - Human Rights Watch
    Jul 22, 2015 · Article 25 of the national security law provides for sentences of up to five years in prison for anyone who publicly insults the emir or “mocks ...
  355. [355]
    Kuwaiti university student sentenced to three years in prison for ...
    May 21, 2025 · A university student in Kuwait has been sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour after the country's top court upheld her conviction for insulting ...Missing: cybercrime penalties