2013 Edition

Background

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as bidun, staged small protests in February and March 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Youth activist groups - supported by opposition legislators and the prime minister's rivals within the ruling family - rallied repeatedly in 2011 for an end to corruption and the ouster of the prime minister and his cabinet. Opposition legislators forced the prime minister to resign in late 2011. In October-December 2012, Kuwait witnessed unprecedented protests in response to the Amir's changes to the electoral law by decree reducing the number of votes per person from four to one. The opposition, led by a coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribalists, some liberals, and myriad youth groups, boycotted the December 2012 legislative election, resulting in a historic number of Shia candidates winning seats. Since 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on five occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly once in June 2012) and reshuffled the cabinet 12 times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government.

Area

17,818 sq km 17,818 sq km 0 sq km

total

17,818 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Coastline

499 km

Elevation extremes

Persian Gulf 0 m unnamed elevation 306 m

highest point

unnamed elevation 306 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Marine Dumping

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Marine Dumping

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.91 cu km/yr (47%/2%/51%) 441.2 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

441.2 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.91 cu km/yr (47%/2%/51%)

Geographic coordinates

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Geography - note

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Irrigated land

86 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

462 km Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

border countries

Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

total

462 km

Land use

0.62% 0.28% 99.1% (2011)

arable land

0.62%

other

99.1% (2011)

permanent crops

0.28%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year but are most common between March and August

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Terrain

flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Total renewable water resources

0.02 cu km (2011)

Age structure

25.6% (male 358,415/female 330,467) 15.4% (male 228,147/female 187,035) 52.3% (male 896,693/female 514,196) 4.5% (male 70,863/female 51,660) 2.1% (male 27,995/female 29,845) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

25.6% (male 358,415/female 330,467)

15-24 years

15.4% (male 228,147/female 187,035)

25-54 years

52.3% (male 896,693/female 514,196)

55-64 years

4.5% (male 70,863/female 51,660)

65 years and over

2.1% (male 27,995/female 29,845) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

20.61 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.7% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

52% (1999)

Death rate

2.14 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

37.2 % 34 % 3.2 % 31.3 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

3.2 %

potential support ratio

31.3 (2013)

total dependency ratio

37.2 %

youth dependency ratio

34 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1% of population (2010 est.)

rural

1% of population

total

1% of population (2010 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Health expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA (2007 est.)

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

7.68 deaths/1,000 live births 7.41 deaths/1,000 live births 7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

7.68 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Life expectancy at birth

77.46 years 76.24 years 78.75 years (2013 est.)

female

78.75 years (2013 est.)

total population

77.46 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93.9% 95% 91.8% (2008 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.8% (2008 est.)

male

95%

total population

93.9%

Major urban areas - population

KUWAIT (capital) 2.23 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

28.8 years 30 years 26.6 years (2013 est.)

female

26.6 years (2013 est.)

male

30 years

total

28.8 years

Nationality

Kuwaiti(s) Kuwaiti

adjective

Kuwaiti

noun

Kuwaiti(s)

Net migration rate

-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

42% (2008)

Physicians density

1.79 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

2,695,316 (July 2013 est.) includes 1,291,354 non-nationals

Population growth rate

1.79% this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2013 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 15 years (2004)

female

15 years (2004)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1.22 male(s)/female 1.75 male(s)/female 1.4 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 1.43 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.09 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.22 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.75 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.4 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.96 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.43 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.56 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11.3% 11.8% 10% (2005)

female

10% (2005)

total

11.3%

Urbanization

98.3% of total population (2011) 2.42% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.42% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

98.3% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir

Capital

Kuwait City 29 22 N, 47 58 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

29 22 N, 47 58 E

name

Kuwait City

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 (2013)

Country name

State of Kuwait Kuwait Dawlat al Kuwayt Al Kuwayt

conventional long form

State of Kuwait

conventional short form

Kuwait

local long form

Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form

Al Kuwayt

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Matthew H. TUELLER (since 9 September 2011) Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000 [965] 2259-1001 [965] 2538-0282

chief of mission

Ambassador Matthew H. TUELLER (since 9 September 2011)

embassy

Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City

FAX

[965] 2538-0282

mailing address

P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000

telephone

[965] 2259-1001

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 10 October 2001) 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-0702 [1] (202) 364-2868 Los Angeles

chancery

2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 10 October 2001)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 364-2868

telephone

[1] (202) 966-0702

Executive branch

Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (born 25 June 1937) Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 30 November 2011); First Deputy Prime Minister KHALID al-Jarrah al-Sabah; Deputy Prime Ministers MUHAMMAD AL-KHALID al-Hamad al-Sabah, SALIM al-Abd al-Aziz al-Saud al-Sabah, Mustafa al-Jassim al-SHAMALI Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir; new cabinet formed in February 2012 none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir; new cabinet formed in February 2012

chief of state

Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (born 25 June 1937)

elections

none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers

head of government

Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 30 November 2011); First Deputy Prime Minister KHALID al-Jarrah al-Sabah; Deputy Prime Ministers MUHAMMAD AL-KHALID al-Hamad al-Sabah, SALIM al-Abd al-Aziz al-Saud al-Sabah, Mustafa al-Jassim al-SHAMALI

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I; green represents fertile fields, white stands for purity, red denotes blood on Kuwaiti swords, black signifies the defeat of the enemy

Government type

constitutional emirate

Independence

19 June 1961 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court (five judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (organized into several circuits, each with five judges) all Kuwaiti judges appointed by the Amir upon recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, a consultative body comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials High Court of Appeal; Court of First Instance; Summary Court

highest court(s)

Constitutional Court (five judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (organized into several circuits, each with five judges)

judge selection and term of office

all Kuwaiti judges appointed by the Amir upon recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, a consultative body comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials

subordinate courts

High Court of Appeal; Court of First Instance; Summary Court

Legal system

mixed legal system consisting of English common law, French civil law, and Islamic religious law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (65 seats - 50 members elected by popular vote plus 16 cabinet ministers, one of whom is also an elected MP, appointed by the prime minister as ex officio voting members; elected members serve four-year terms) last held 27 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2017) percent of vote - NA; seats won - tribal and liberal groups 27, Shiite 8, Sunni 7, other 8

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats won - tribal and liberal groups 27, Shiite 8, Sunni 7, other 8

elections

last held 27 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2017)

National anthem

"Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem) Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions

lyrics/music

Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA

name

"Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)

National holiday

National Day, 25 February (1950)

National symbol(s)

golden falcon

Political parties and leaders

none; while the formation of political parties is not permitted, they are not forbidden by law

Political pressure groups and leaders

Islamists; merchants; political groups; secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies; Shia activists; tribal groups

other

Islamists; merchants; political groups; secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies; Shia activists; tribal groups

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal; note - males in the military or police are by law not allowed to vote; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years

Agriculture - products

fish

Budget

$115.8 billion $58.08 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$58.08 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$115.8 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

31.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.2% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$80.33 billion (2012 est.) $67.14 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$29.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $32.02 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - about 7% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 95% of government income. Kuwaiti officials have committed to increasing oil production to 4 million barrels per day by 2020. The rise in global oil prices throughout 2011 and 2012 is reviving government consumption and economic growth. Kuwait has experienced a 20% increase in government budget revenue, which has led to higher budget expenditures, particularly wage hikes for many public sector employees. Kuwait has done little to diversify its economy, in part, because of this positive fiscal situation, and, in part, due to the poor business climate and the historically acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch, which has stymied most movement on economic reforms. In 2010, Kuwait passed an economic development plan that pledges to spend up to $130 billion over five years to diversify the economy away from oil, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy.

Exchange rates

Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.28 (2012 est.) 0.28 (2011 est.) 0.29 (2010 est.) 0.29 (2009) 0.27 (2008)

Exports

$121 billion (2012 est.) $102.9 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports - partners

South Korea 16.1%, India 15.7%, Japan 13.4%, US 11.7%, China 9.2%, Singapore 4.2% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

21.8% 14.7% 14% 0% 73.4% -23.9% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

73.4%

government consumption

14.7%

household consumption

21.8%

imports of goods and services

-23.9%

investment in fixed capital

14%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.3% 49.9% 49.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

0.3%

industry

49.9%

services

49.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$39,900 (2012 est.) $38,600 (2011 est.) $37,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2012 est.) 6.3% (2011 est.) -2.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$182 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$150.9 billion (2012 est.) $142.1 billion (2011 est.) $133.7 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

59% of GDP (2012 est.) 57.3% of GDP (2011 est.) 51.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$22.79 billion (2012 est.) $22.08 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports - partners

US 11.8%, China 9.2%, Saudi Arabia 8.6%, Japan 8.2%, South Korea 6.9%, Germany 5.1%, Italy 4.7%, India 4.6%, UAE 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

9.3% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2012 est.) 4.7% (2011 est.)

Labor force

2.304 million non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$100.9 billion (31 December 2011) $119.6 billion (31 December 2010) $95.94 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

6% of GDP (2012 est.) 7.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$29 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $25.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$109.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $99.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$52.59 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $45.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$5.212 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.361 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$89.13 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $90.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$27.55 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $22.85 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

63.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.2% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

82.37 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.395 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

2.797 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

104 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

46.71 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

12.68 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

55.55 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

12.62 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

688 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

13.53 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.798 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

339,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

656,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

915,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters have emerged since 2003; satellite TV available with pan-Arab TV stations especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station emerged in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.kw

Internet hosts

2,771 (2012)

Internet users

1.1 million (2009)

Telephone system

the quality of service is excellent new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a mobile-cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones country code - 965; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) (2011)

domestic

new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a mobile-cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones

general assessment

the quality of service is excellent

international

country code - 965; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

510,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.526 million (2012)

Airports

7 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

total

3

Heliports

4 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 2, carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 19 45 (Bahamas 1, Bahrain 5, Comoros 1, Libya 1, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 2, Panama 12, Qatar 6, Saudi Arabia 4, UAE 10) (2010)

registered in other countries

45 (Bahamas 1, Bahrain 5, Comoros 1, Libya 1, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 2, Panama 12, Qatar 6, Saudi Arabia 4, UAE 10) (2010)

total

34

Pipelines

gas 261 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi

Roadways

6,608 km (2010)

total

6,608 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

1,002,480 616,958 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

616,958 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,002,480

Manpower fit for military service

840,912 523,206 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

523,206 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

840,912

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

17,653 16,232 (2010 est.)

female

16,232 (2010 est.)

male

17,653

Military branches

Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya; includes Kuwaiti Air Defense Force, KADF), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG) (2013)

Military expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

17-21 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2012)

Disputes - international

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf

Refugees and internally displaced persons

93,000 (2012); note - Kuwait's 1959 Nationality Law defined citizens as persons who settled in the country before 1920 and who had maintained normal residence since then; one-third of the population, descendants of Bedouin tribes, missed the window of opportunity to register for nationality rights after Kuwait became independent in 1961 and were classified as bidun (meaning without); since the 1980s Kuwait's bidun have progressively lost their rights, including opportunities for employment and education, amid official claims that they are nationals of other countries who have destroyed their identification documents in hopes of gaining Kuwaiti citizenship; Kuwaiti authorities have delayed processing citizenship applications and labeled biduns as "illegal residents," denying them access to civil documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates; 2011 bidun demonstrations for the recognition of their Kuwaiti nationality led to several arrests

stateless persons

93,000 (2012); note - Kuwait's 1959 Nationality Law defined citizens as persons who settled in the country before 1920 and who had maintained normal residence since then; one-third of the population, descendants of Bedouin tribes, missed the window of opportunity to register for nationality rights after Kuwait became independent in 1961 and were classified as bidun (meaning without); since the 1980s Kuwait's bidun have progressively lost their rights, including opportunities for employment and education, amid official claims that they are nationals of other countries who have destroyed their identification documents in hopes of gaining Kuwaiti citizenship; Kuwaiti authorities have delayed processing citizenship applications and labeled biduns as "illegal residents," denying them access to civil documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates; 2011 bidun demonstrations for the recognition of their Kuwaiti nationality led to several arrests

Trafficking in persons

Kuwait is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a lesser degree, forced prostitution; men and women migrate from India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Iraq to work in Kuwait, most of them in the domestic service, construction, and sanitation sectors; although most of these migrants enter Kuwait voluntarily, upon arrival some are subjected to conditions of forced labor by their sponsors and labor agents, including nonpayment of wages, long working hours without rest, deprivation of food, threats, physical or sexual abuse, and restrictions on movement, such as the withholding of passports or confinement to the workplace Tier 3 - Kuwait does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making sufficient efforts to do so; the government enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in 2013 but did not report any arrests, prosecutions, convictions, or sentences of traffickers for either forced labor or sex trafficking in the last year; Kuwait's victim protection measures remain weak, particularly due to its lack of proactive victim identification procedures and continued reliance on the sponsorship system, which causes victims of trafficking to be punished for immigration violations rather than protected (2013)

current situation

Kuwait is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a lesser degree, forced prostitution; men and women migrate from India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Iraq to work in Kuwait, most of them in the domestic service, construction, and sanitation sectors; although most of these migrants enter Kuwait voluntarily, upon arrival some are subjected to conditions of forced labor by their sponsors and labor agents, including nonpayment of wages, long working hours without rest, deprivation of food, threats, physical or sexual abuse, and restrictions on movement, such as the withholding of passports or confinement to the workplace

tier rating

Tier 3 - Kuwait does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making sufficient efforts to do so; the government enacted comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation in 2013 but did not report any arrests, prosecutions, convictions, or sentences of traffickers for either forced labor or sex trafficking in the last year; Kuwait's victim protection measures remain weak, particularly due to its lack of proactive victim identification procedures and continued reliance on the sponsorship system, which causes victims of trafficking to be punished for immigration violations rather than protected (2013)