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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.kw

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3,437 (2001)

Internet users [time series]

567,000 (2003)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

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, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: country code - 965; 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]

486,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.42 million (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

practically no crops; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $29.41 billion expenditures: $17.57 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

KWD

Current account balance [time series]

$8.652 billion (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$12.18 billion (2003 est.)

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

NA (2001)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% 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. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

29.29 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

31.49 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.298 (2003), 0.3039 (2002), 0.3067 (2001), 0.3068 (2000), 0.3044 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$22.29 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 21.3%, South Korea 14.9%, US 11.5%, Singapore 9.8%, Taiwan 9.3% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

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

purchasing power parity - $41.46 billion (2003 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.4% industry: 59.5% services: 40% (2003)

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

purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2003 est.)

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

4.6% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$9.606 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports - partners [time series]

US 14.7%, Japan 10.3%, Germany 9.6%, China 6.6%, UK 6.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%, Italy 5%, France 4.2% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-5% (2002 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.2% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

8% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

1.38 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force. (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

1.548 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

293,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

1.97 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2003)

Oil - production [time series]

2.27 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

97.68 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

29.5% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$7.685 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.1% (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 17,820 sq km land: 17,820 sq km water: 0 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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: 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: 0.73% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 99.16% (2001)

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 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

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Terrain [time series]

flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Government

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 long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard LEBARON embassy: Bayan, Area 14, 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] 539-5307, 5308 FAX: [965] 538-0282

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977); Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdullah al-Salim Al Sabah head of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior NAWWAF al-Ahmad Al Sabah (since 2003); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad Al Sabah (since 2001) and Muhammad Dayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003) 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; design, which dates to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I

Government type [time series]

nominal constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

19 June 1961 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

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 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - Islamists 21, government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; 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

Introduction

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

Military

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

Land Forces, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$2,500.4 million (2003)

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

5.8% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 880,461 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 531,556 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 18,849 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 27.5% (male 316,237; female 304,671) 15-64 years: 69.8% (male 1,007,298; female 569,128) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 38,408; female 21,807) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.85 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

2.44 deaths/1,000 population (2004 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% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

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

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.84 years male: 75.86 years female: 77.86 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 85.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 25.9 years male: 28.2 years female: 22 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti

Net migration rate [time series]

14.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

2,257,549 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.36% note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2004 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: 1.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.03 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf

Transportation

Airports [time series]

7 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2003 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 4,450 km paved: 3,587 km unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,319,082 GRT/3,768,828 DWT by type: bulk 1, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 4, petroleum tanker 21, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: India 1, Saudi Arabia 1 registered in other countries: 5 (2004 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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