Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

3 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.kw

Internet users [time series]

200,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

1.175 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

412,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

210,000 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

875,000 (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

practically no crops; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $11.5 billion expenditures: $17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02 )

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Kuwaiti dinar (KD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

KWD

Debt - external [time series]

$6.9 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02 envisioned higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

29.016 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - production [time series]

31.2 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3075 (January 2002), 0.3066, (2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997)

Exports [time series]

$16.2 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 23%, US 14%, South Korea 13%, Singapore 7%, Netherlands 6%, Pakistan 6%, Indonesia 4%, UK 2% (2000)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $30.9 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

industry: 60% services: 40% agriculture: 0% (2000)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2001 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$7.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports - partners [time series]

US 12%, Japan 8%, UK 8%, Germany 7%, China 5%, France 4%, Australia 3%, Netherlands 2% (2000)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (1997 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.7% (2001)

Labor force [time series]

1.3 million note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.) (1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.8% (1996 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 17,820 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Climate [time series]

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Coastline [time series]

499 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

Geographic coordinates [time series]

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Irrigated land [time series]

60 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.34% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.6% (1998 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards [time series]

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they 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 [time series]

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Terrain [time series]

flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Administrative divisions [time series]

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli

Capital [time series]

Kuwait

Constitution [time series]

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240 FAX: [965] 538-0282

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber AL SABAH FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

Government type [time series]

nominal constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

19 June 1961 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

High Court of Appeal

Legal system [time series]

civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 25 February (1950)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none; formation of political parties is illegal

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists

Suffrage [time series]

adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time

Background [time series]

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 completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$1,967.3 million (FY01) note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

5.5% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 812,059 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 486,906 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 18,309 (2002 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 28.3% (male 304,200; female 292,900) 15-64 years: 69.2% (male 934,115; female 527,331) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 34,106; female 18,909) (2002 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.84 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate [time series]

2.46 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.12% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

NA

Infant mortality rate [time series]

10.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.46 years male: 75.56 years female: 77.39 years (2002 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.6% male: 82.2% female: 74.9% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti

Net migration rate [time series]

13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population [time series]

2,111,561 note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.33% note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2002 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.14 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, although the Iraqi Government continues periodic rhetorical challenges

Airports [time series]

7 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

Heliports [time series]

3 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 4,450 km paved: 3,590 km unpaved: 860 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,274,515 GRT/3,627,835 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud

Railways [time series]

0 km

Waterways [time series]

none