Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Iraq attacked and overran Kuwait in 1990. After several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs known as Bidoon staged small protests demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated with the resignation of the prime minister amid allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in 2012 in response to a decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs.
An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government’s agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the 2016 election, winning nearly half the seats, but the opposition became increasingly factionalized. Between 2006 and his death in 2020, the Amir dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government.Â
The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a “National Dialogue” in 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of this initiative, the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet has been reshuffled six times since 2020.Â
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
land: 17,818 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 157
Area – comparative
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 475 km
border countries (2): Iraq 254 km; Saudi Arabia 221 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
highest point: 3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
mean elevation: 108 m
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use
agricultural land: 8.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.4% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 7.6% (2022 est.)
forest: 0.4% (2022 est.)
other: 91.2% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
100 sq km (2015)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Population distribution
densest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country
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
Geography – note
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
People and Society
Population
total: 3,138,355 (2024 est.)
male: 1,810,542
female: 1,327,813
comparison rankings: total 136; female 142; male 133
Nationality
noun: Kuwaiti(s)
adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic groups
Kuwaiti 30.4%, other Arab 27.4%, Asian 40.3%, African 1%, other 0.9% (includes European, North American, South American, and Australian) (2018 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
major-language sample(s):
كتاب Øقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Arabic audio sample:
Religions
Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.)
note: data represent the total population; about 72% of the population consists of immigrants
Age structure
0-14 years: 23% (male 376,415/female 346,190)
15-64 years: 73.4% (male 1,386,349/female 917,465)
65 years and over: 3.6% (2024 est.) (male 47,778/female 64,158)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 36.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 31.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 20.6 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 30.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 31.1 years
female: 28.9 years
comparison ranking: total 138
Population growth rate
1.1% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 85
Birth rate
17.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 85
Death rate
2.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 227
Net migration rate
-4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 196
Population distribution
densest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
3.298 million KUWAIT (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.51 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 1.36 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 155
Infant mortality rate
total: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 155
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 78.1 years
female: 81.1 years
comparison ranking: total population 63
Total fertility rate
2.21 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 82
Gross reproduction rate
1.08 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
5.8% of GDP (2021)
9.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.27 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density
2.4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
37.9% (2016)
comparison ranking: 11
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 189
Tobacco use
total: 22.4% (2025 est.)
male: 34.9% (2025 est.)
female: 1.9% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 50
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.5% (2020)
comparison ranking: 90
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.6% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
5% of GDP (2023 est.)
12.6% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 66
Literacy
total population: 96% (2020 est.)
male: 97% (2020 est.)
female: 95% (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years
male: 13 years
female: 16 years (2015)
Environment
Environment – current issues
limited natural freshwater resources; air and water pollution; desertification; loss of biodiversity
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping-London Convention
Climate
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Land use
agricultural land: 8.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.4% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 7.6% (2022 est.)
forest: 0.4% (2022 est.)
other: 91.2% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 64.08 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 98.73 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 6.21 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.75 million tons (2010 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 450 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 780 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: State of Kuwait
conventional short form: Kuwait
local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form: Al Kuwayt
etymology: the name derives from the capital city, which comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt, itself a diminutive of the Hindustani term kut, meaning a fortress-like house
Government type
constitutional monarchy (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)
etymology: the name comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt, a diminutive of the Hindustani term kut, meaning a fortress-like house
Administrative divisions
6 governorates (muhafazat, singular – muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al ‘Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra’, Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
Legal system
mixed system consisting of English common law, French civil law, and Islamic sharia law
Constitution
history: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962; suspended 1976 to 1981 (4 articles); 1986 to 1991; May to July 1999
amendment process: proposed by the amir or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds consent of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the amir; constitutional articles on the initiation, approval, and promulgation of general legislation cannot be amended
Note: on 10 May 2024, Amir Sheikh MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and suspended several articles of the constitution for up to four years
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: not specified
Suffrage
21 years of age and at least 20-year citizenship
Executive branch
chief of state: Amir MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 16 December 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister AHMAD ABDULLAH Al-Ahmad al Sabah (since 15 May 2024)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by the amir
elections/appointments: amir chosen from within the ruling family, confirmed by the National Assembly; prime minister appointed by the amir
Legislative branch
expected date of next election: April 2028
note: the unicameral National Assembly was dissolved on 10 May 2024 by Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad AL-SABAH for a period of up to four years; the Emir and cabinet officials have assumed the role of the parliament
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (organized into several circuits, each with 5 judges)
judge selection and term of office: all Kuwaiti judges appointed by the Amir on 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
Political parties
none; the government does not recognize any political parties or allow their formation, although no formal law bans political parties
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador AL-ZAIN Sabah Naser Saud Al-Sabah (since 19 April 2023)
chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702
FAX: [1] (202) 966-8468
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.kuwaitembassy.us/
consulate(s) general: Beverly Hills (CA), New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Karen Hideko SASAHARA (since 10 March 2024)
embassy: P.O. Box 77, Safat 13001
mailing address: 6200 Kuwait Place, Washington DC 20521-6200
telephone: [00] (965) 2259-1001
FAX: [00] (965) 2538-0282
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://kw.usembassy.gov/
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, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
19 June 1961 (from the UK)
National holiday
National Day, 25 February (1950)
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 stands for fertile fields, white for purity, red for blood on Kuwaiti swords, and black for defeating the enemy
National symbol(s)
golden falcon
National colors
green, white, red, black
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
Economic overview
small, high-income, oil-based Middle East economy; renewable energy proponent; regional finance and investment leader; maintains oldest sovereign wealth fund; emerging space and tourism industries; mid-way through 25-year development program
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$225.481 billion (2023 est.)
$234 billion (2022 est.)
$221.048 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 72
Real GDP growth rate
-3.64% (2023 est.)
5.86% (2022 est.)
1.7% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 211
Real GDP per capita
$46,500 (2023 est.)
$51,000 (2022 est.)
$50,700 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 49
GDP (official exchange rate)
$163.705 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.9% (2024 est.)
3.6% (2023 est.)
4% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 96
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 0.5% (2023 est.)
industry: 60.7% (2023 est.)
services: 51.3% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 140; industry 4; agriculture 198
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 32.5% (2022 est.)
government consumption: 20.7% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.1% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.8% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 60.3% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -30.4% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
dates, eggs, milk, tomatoes, chicken, lamb/mutton, cucumbers/gherkins, vegetables, maize, eggplants (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate
-5.37% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 199
Labor force
2.991 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 112
Unemployment rate
2.1% (2024 est.)
2.1% (2023 est.)
2.2% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 20
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 15.4% (2024 est.)
male: 9.3% (2024 est.)
female: 28.9% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 86
Average household expenditures
on food: 19.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 0.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
0.01% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.01% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.54% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $44.254 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $59.584 billion (2015 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
20.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 184
Taxes and other revenues
41.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 8
Current account balance
$51.396 billion (2023 est.)
$63.078 billion (2022 est.)
$34.943 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 9
Exports
$95.476 billion (2023 est.)
$110.923 billion (2022 est.)
$77.121 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 50
Exports – partners
China 25%, India 13%, Japan 13%, Taiwan 7%, UK 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, hydrocarbons, plastics (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$63.43 billion (2023 est.)
$55.909 billion (2022 est.)
$48.954 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 60
Imports – partners
China 18%, UAE 10%, USA 9%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
cars, natural gas, garments, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$44.104 billion (2024 est.)
$52.619 billion (2023 est.)
$52.462 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 44
Exchange rates
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
0.307 (2024 est.)
0.307 (2023 est.)
0.306 (2022 est.)
0.302 (2021 est.)
0.306 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 20.294 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 78.047 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 7.516 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 173; consumption 40; installed generating capacity 51
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 97.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 60,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 11 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 152,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 2.91 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 430,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 101.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 19.207 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 26.296 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 8.433 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1.784 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
100.459 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 149,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 48.723 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 51.587 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 43
Energy consumption per capita
389.848 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 6
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 573,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 88
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 8.11 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 181 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 101
Broadcast media
state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters; satellite TV available, and pan-Arab TV stations are especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2019)
Internet country code
.kw
Internet users
percent of population: 100% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 49,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 146
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9K
Airports
6 (2025)
comparison ranking: 174
Heliports
20 (2025)
comparison ranking: 54
Merchant marine
total: 176 (2023)
by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 28, other 133
comparison ranking: total 72
Ports
total ports: 6 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 2
small: 1
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 4
key ports: Al Kuwayt, Doha Harbor, Mina Abd Allah, Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Ash Shuaybah, Mina Az Zawr
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Kuwait Armed Forces (KAF): Kuwait Army (aka Kuwait Land Forces, KLF), Kuwait Navy (aka Kuwait Naval Force), Kuwait Air Force; Kuwait National Guard (KNG)
Ministry of Interior: Kuwait Police, State Security, Kuwait Coast Guard (2025)
note 1: the Emiri Guard Authority and the 25th Commando Brigade are special units within the KAF that exercise independent command authority, although activities such as training and equipment procurement are often coordinated with the other services; the 25th Commando Brigade is Kuwait’s leading special forces unit; the Emiri Guard Authority (aka Emiri Guard Brigade) is responsible for protecting Kuwait’s heads of state
note 2: the National Guard reports directly to the prime minister and the amir and possesses an independent command structure, equipment inventory, and logistics corps separate from the Ministry of Defense, the regular armed services, and the Ministry of Interior; it is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and providing support for the Ministries of Interior and Defense as required
Military expenditures
4.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
4.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
4.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
6.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
6.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 17,000 active Kuwait Armed Forces; approximately 7,000 National Guard (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory consists of weapons from a wide variety of sources, including Western Europe, Russia, and particularly the US (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18-55 years of age for voluntary military service; Kuwait reintroduced 12-month mandatory service for men aged 18-35 in May 2017 after having suspended conscription in 2001; mandatory service is divided in two phases – 4 months for training and 8 months for military service; women were allowed to volunteer in 2021 (2023)
note: the National Guard is restricted to citizens, but in 2018, the Army began allowing non-Kuwaitis to join on contract or as non-commissioned officers; that same year, it also began allowing stateless people (Bidoon) to join
Military – note
the Kuwaiti Armed Forces (KAF) are responsible for external defense; the independent National Guard is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and providing support for the Ministries of Interior and Defense as required, including supporting the KAF Land Forces during a conflict; the National Guard and the Ministry of Interior are the Kuwaiti Government’s lead counterterrorism organizations; Kuwait’s primary security concerns are potential threats emanating from Iran, including regional militias loyal to Iran, and Islamist terrorist groups
the KAF participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises, as well as a limited number of multinational security operations such as maritime patrols in the Persian Gulf; it also provided a few fighter aircraft to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015; the KAF is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region
Kuwait’s key security partner since the 1991 Gulf War has been the US; the US maintains thousands of military personnel as well as logistics and training facilities in Kuwait as part of a 1991 Defense Cooperation Agreement and a 2013 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement; the KAF conducts bilateral exercises with the US military and would look to US assistance in the event of an external attack; Kuwait has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2024)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons: 92,000 (2022); 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
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Kuwait does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, Kuwait was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/kuwait/
