Kuwait

Kuwait

Introduction

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 bidoon, 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 in March 2011 for an end to corruption and the ouster of the prime minister and his cabinet. Similar protests continued sporadically throughout April and May. In late September 2011 government inquiries of widespread corruption drew more public anger and renewed calls for the prime minister’s removal.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 17,818 sq km
country comparison to the world: 158 land:17,818 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries

total: 462 km
border countries:Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Coastline

499 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate

dry desert

intensely hot summers

short, cool winters

Terrain

flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:unnamed elevation 306 m

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Land use

arable land: 0.84%
permanent crops:0.17%
other:98.99% (2005)

Irrigated land

100 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

0.02 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.44cu km/yr (45%/2%/52%)
per capita:164cu m/yr (2000)

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

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

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

Geography – note

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Kuwaiti(s)
adjective:Kuwaiti

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Religions

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

Population

2,595,628 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140 note:includes 1,291,354 non-nationals

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.8% (male 348,816/female 321,565)
15-64 years:72.2% (male 1,153,433/female 720,392)
65 years and over:2% (male 25,443/female 25,979) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 28.5 years
male:29.8 years
female:26.3 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.986%
country comparison to the world: 54 note:this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2011 est.)

Birth rate

21.32 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Death rate

2.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222

Net migration rate

0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Urbanization

urban population: 98% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

KUWAIT (capital) 2.23 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.79 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.65 male(s)/female
total population:1.54 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.07 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 160 male:7.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female:8.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.09 years
country comparison to the world: 66 male:75.95 years
female:78.3 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.64 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Health expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 87

Physicians density

1.793 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 74

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 99% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 1% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

28.8% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 9

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 111

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:93.3%
male:94.4%
female:91% (2005 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years
male:12 years
female:13 years (2006)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: State of Kuwait
conventional short form:Kuwait
local long form:Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form:Al Kuwayt

Government type

constitutional emirate

Capital

name: Kuwait City
geographic coordinates:29 22 N, 47 58 E
time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

6 governorates (muhafazat, singular – muhafazah)

Al Ahmadi, Al ‘Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra’, Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir

Independence

19 June 1961 (from the UK)

National holiday

National Day, 25 February (1950)

Constitution

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Legal system

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

21 years of age

universal

note – males in the military or police are not allowed to vote

adult females were allowed to vote as of 16 May 2005

all voters must have been citizens for 20 years

Executive branch

chief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006)

Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 7 February 2006)
head of government:Prime Minister SABAH AL-KHALID al-Hamad al-Sabah

First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006)

Deputy Prime Ministers MUHAMMAD AL-SABAH al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006), Muhammad Muhsin al-AFASI
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir

the cabinet of Prime Minister NASIR AL-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah resigned on 31 March 2011
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:none

the amir is hereditary

the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms

all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly)
elections:last held on 16 May 2009 (next election to be held in 2013)
election results:percent of vote by bloc – NA

seats by bloc – tribal MPs 25 (all Sunni Muslims, and represented primarily by the Al-Mutairi, Al-Azmi, Al-Ajmi, and Al-Rasheedi tribes), Shia Muslims 9, liberals 7, independents 6, Salafi (Sunni) Islamists 3

Judicial branch

High Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders

none

formation of political parties is in practice illegal but is not forbidden by law

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: Islamists

merchants

political groups

secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies

Shia activists

tribal groups

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah
chancery:2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 966-0702
FAX:[1] (202) 364-2868
consulate(s) general:Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew H. TUELLER
embassy:Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City
mailing address:P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait

or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000
telephone:[965] 2259-1001
FAX:[965] 2538-0282

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

National symbol(s)

golden falcon

National anthem

name: “Al-Nasheed Al-Watani” (National Anthem)
lyrics/music:Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA
note:adopted 1978

the anthem is only used on formal occasions

Economy

Economy – overview

Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with self-reported crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels – about 9% 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 2010 is reviving government consumption and economic growth as Kuwait experiences a 20% increase in government budget revenue. 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 acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch, which has stymied most movement on economic reforms. Nonetheless, the government in May 2010 passed a privatization bill that allows the government to sell assets to private investors, and in January passed an economic development plan that pledges to spend up to $130 billion in five years to diversify the economy away from oil, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy. Increasing government expenditures by so large an amount during the planned time frame may be difficult to accomplish.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$136.5 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60 $133.9 billion (2009 est.)
$141.2 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$131.3 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147 -5.2% (2009 est.)
5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$48,900 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10 $49,700 (2009 est.)
$54,300 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0.3%
industry:48%
services:51.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.158 million
country comparison to the world: 116 note:non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: NA%
industry:NA%
services:NA%

Unemployment rate

2.2% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

12.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Budget

revenues: $75.01 billion
expenditures:$56.59 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

57.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

14% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

Public debt

9.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121 11% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132 4% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.9% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144 6.2% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$20.05 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65 $16.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$91.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54 $86.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$99.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 $91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$119.6 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 42 $95.94 billion (31 December 2009)
$107.2 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

fish

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Electricity – production

49.82 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Electricity – consumption

42.58 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

2.45 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Oil – consumption

354,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Oil – exports

2.127 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7

Oil – imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

Oil – proved reserves

104 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

Natural gas – production

11.49 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas – consumption

12.38 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Natural gas – imports

890 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Natural gas – proved reserves

1.798 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21

Current account balance

$43.14 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10 $25.78 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$66.96 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47 $51.69 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports – partners

Japan 15.5%, India 15.3%, South Korea 13.5%, China 10.1%, US 8.4% (2010)

Imports

$19.06 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73 $17.29 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports – partners

US 14.2%, China 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.3%, Japan 7.2%, Germany 6.1%, Italy 4.7%, India 4.4% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$21.36 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 $20.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$45.43 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60 $45.49 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$2.128 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89 $2.048 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$36.73 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36 $34.66 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar -
0.2888 (2010)
0.2877 (2009)
0.2679 (2008)
0.2844 (2007)
0.29 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

7 (2010)
country comparison to the world:169

Airports – with paved runways

total: 4
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
under 914 m:2 (2010)

Heliports

4 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 269 km

oil 540 km

refined products 57 km (2010)

Roadways

total: 5,749 km
country comparison to the world: 150 paved:4,887 km
unpaved:862 km (2004)

Merchant marine

total: 30
country comparison to the world: 84 by type:bulk carrier 1, carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 16
registered in other countries:47 (Bahamas 2, Bahrain 5, Comoros 1, Libya 1, Malta 2, Panama 12, Qatar 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saudi Arabia 4, UAE 10) (2010)

Ports and terminals

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

Military

Military branches

Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG) (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for compulsory and 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service

women age 18-30 may be subject to compulsory military service

conscription suspended in 2001 (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,002,480
females age 16-49:616,958 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 840,912
females age 16-49:523,206 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 17,653
female:16,232 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 15

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime boundary with Iran

no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Kuwait is a destination country for men and women who are 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 did not enact its draft comprehensive anti-trafficking law

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 (2011)