Kuwait
Kuwait is a small, oil-rich state on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait is a small, oil-rich state on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It is a UN member state and a constitutional monarchy with an elected National Assembly. The country’s economy is dominated by petroleum, which accounts for the large majority of government revenue and export earnings. Its residents are heavily expatriate, with non-Kuwaiti nationals outnumbering citizens. The official language is Arabic, and the currency is the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD). Kuwait City is the capital and main political and commercial centre.
Country identifiers
These identifiers come from the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) M49 standard and the World Bank country code list. They are stable reference codes, not political statements. The M49 standard is a statistical grouping; it organises territories by region for data consistency, not for sovereignty claims or border recognition.
- UN M49 code: 414
- ISO alpha-2: KW
- ISO alpha-3: KWT
- UN region: Asia
- UN subregion: Western Asia
- UN member state: yes
- World Bank capital field: Kuwait City
The World Bank uses the ISO alpha-3 code KWT in its API when you request country data. The UN M49 overview (https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/overview/) gives the full classification framework.
How to verify current figures
Population
For population totals, use the World Bank indicators API (for example, SP.POP.TOTL) with the most recent available year, or consult the United Nations World Population Prospects. Both sources update annually but use different post-censal adjustments and base years, so their estimates may differ. The UN’s 2024 World Population Prospects is the usual reference for current figures, but the number is a projection between censuses, not a live count. Always name the source and year when citing a population number. The World Bank country API (https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/KWT?format=json) returns the country code and metadata; for indicator values, use the indicators endpoint.
Kuwait’s demographic structure is unusual. Roughly 70% of residents are non-nationals. The population pyramid is shaped by labour migration, not natural growth. Kuwaiti citizens are a minority within their own borders, a fact that shapes nearly every policy discussion and affects all demographic statistics.
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely used in business and commerce. For current speaker estimates, consult Ethnologue or the CIA World Factbook; both provide figures with methodological caveats.
Currency
The currency is the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD). Exchange rates fluctuate. For current values, check the Central Bank of Kuwait, the IMF’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS), or a reputable financial data provider. Do not rely on a static conversion rate.
Government
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy (emirate). The Head of State is the Emir; the Crown Prince is the heir apparent. The National Assembly is the elected parliament. The political system combines an appointed emir with an elected legislature, making it one of the few elected parliaments in the Gulf. For current leadership, check the official state portal or a recent report from a major international news outlet.
Economy
Kuwait is a high-income economy; the World Bank classifies it as high-income per the latest available year, which should be verified on the World Bank API. Oil dominates the economy, accounting for roughly 90% of export revenue and about half of GDP. The economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, making it vulnerable to oil price swings. Government employment dominates the workforce, with a large share of expatriate workers in the private sector. GDP per capita (PPP) figures change year to year; consult the World Bank API for the latest value. There is no VAT as of the reference year, but this can change; check current legislation.
Travel requirements
For entry, visa and health requirements, consult the IATA Travel Centre, your own foreign ministry travel advisory, and official Kuwaiti government sources. Requirements can change with little notice.
Culture and context
The state religion is Islam, and public life is shaped by Islamic practice. Alcohol is restricted. Modest dress is expected in public. Gender roles are more traditional than in many Western countries. These are cultural norms, not legal requirements; verify current rules with official sources. Kuwait has a rich cultural heritage including traditional music, cuisine, and the maritime history of pearling and trade.
Key sources
- UN M49 overview (https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/overview/)
- World Bank API (https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/KWT?format=json)
- UN World Population Prospects
- CIA World Factbook
- Central Statistical Bureau of Kuwait
- IMF Article IV reports and SDDS
- IATA Travel Centre
- Your own foreign ministry travel advisory
- Ethnologue
- Central Bank of Kuwait
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