Kuwait Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Kuwait, state of northwestern Persian Gulf; 17,820 km², 4.1 million residents (2019).Kuwait borders Iraq on the north and west, and Saudi Arabia on the south and west. The capital of Kuwait City in 2010 had 2.7 million residents, including suburbs.

Country facts

Dawlat al-Kuwayt / States of Kuwait
Country abbreviation: KW
Area: 17 820 km²
Population (2019): 4.1 million residents
Capital: Kuwait City
Main languages: Arabic
State: emirate
Head of State: Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir as-Sabah (emir)
Head of Government: Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad as-Sabah
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 34,244
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 33,690
Currency unit: 1 dinar = 1,000 fils
Currency code: KWD
Country number (telephony): 965
Internet domain name: kw
Time difference compared to Sweden: +2
National Day: February 25 (Abd Allah as-Salim as-Sabah became emir, 1950)
Independence Day: June 19, 1961

Nature

Highest mountain: unnamed height (306 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 230 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.3%; birth rate 15 ‰, death rate 2 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (21%), 15-64 (77%), 65- (2%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 75 years, women 76 years
Infant mortality (2019): 7 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 5 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.803 (place 56 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 100%
Most populous city (2010): Kuwait City (2.7 million residents, including suburbs)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017: industry (59%), service (41%)
Exports (2017): US $ 55 170 million
Main export products: oil and oil products
Main exporting countries: South Korea, China, Japan
Imports (2017): US $ 29 530 million
Main import products: food, building materials, transport
Main Importing Countries: China, USA, United Arab Emirates
Railway network: nothing in operation

The majority of Kuwait is a 75-90 km wide desert of lowland nature. The climate is desert climate with very hot summers and cool winters.

The country gained full independence in 1961. The following year, a constitution was adopted giving the emir the executive power. Parliament with 66 members has the formal legislative power. However, the Emir can dissolve Parliament.

Since oil began to be mined in 1946, Kuwait has developed into a major oil and gas exporter. Almost all oil extraction is done by the state, and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation is one of the world’s largest oil companies with its own oil tanks, refineries and Q8 gas stations. Petroleum products form the basis of the economy, but since oil is a finite resource, Kuwait has made major investments abroad.