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Kuwait (/kʊˈweɪt/ (About this soundlisten);[7][8] Arabic: الكويت‎ al-Kuwayt, Gulf Arabic pronunciation: [ɪl‿ɪkweːt] or [lɪkweːt]), officially the State of Kuwait (Arabic: دولة الكويت‎ About this soundDawlat al-Kuwayt), is a country in the Middle East. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. As of 2021, Kuwait has a population of 4.5 million people: 1.3 million are Kuwaitis and 3.2 million are expatriates.[9] Expatriates account for approximately 70% of the population.[10] More than 70% of the country's population reside in the urban agglomeration of the capital city Kuwait City.[11]

Historically, Kuwait was a highly strategic location within ancient Mesopotamia.[12] Kuwait lies on the delta of the Persian Gulf and has a coastal length of approximately 499 km (310 mi).[13] Oil reserves were discovered in commercial quantities in 1938. In 1946, crude oil was exported for the first time.[14][15] From 1946 to 1982, the country underwent large-scale modernization. In the 1980s, Kuwait experienced a period of geopolitical instability and an economic crisis following the stock market crash. In 1990, Kuwait was invaded, and later annexed, by Iraq under Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi occupation of Kuwait came to an end in 1991 after military intervention by a military coalition led by the United States. Kuwait is a major ally of China, a regional ally of ASEAN, and a major non-NATO ally.[16][17]

Kuwait is an emirate with an autocratic political system.[18] The Emir is the head of state and the Al Sabah is the ruling family which dominates the country's political system. Kuwait's official state religion is Maliki Sunni Islam. Kuwait has a high-income economy backed by the world's sixth largest oil reserves. Kuwait also has substantial natural gas reserves. The Kuwaiti dinar is the highest valued currency in the world.[19] According to the World Bank, Kuwait has the third highest per capita income in the Middle East.[20] In 2009, Kuwait had the highest Human Development Index in the Arab world.[21][22] According to the Social Progress Index, Kuwait ranks first in social progress in the Arab world and Muslim world and second highest in the Middle East after Israel.[23] Kuwait also ranks among the world's top countries by life expectancy,[24] women's workforce participation,[25][26] global food security,[27] and school order and safety.[28] Kuwait is considered a rentier state with cradle-to-grave welfare benefits to citizens. Human rights abuses in Kuwait are common, Kuwait has the largest number of stateless people in the entire region.[29][30][31][32]

Since 2016, Kuwait has commenced a national development plan, Kuwait Vision 2035, to diversify the economy and become less dependent on oil.[33][34][35] Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, Kuwait and China have many important cooperation projects including Al Mutlaa Residential City and Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.[36][37][38][35] As a result of Kuwait Vision 2035, Kuwait has become the fourth largest infrastructure market in the region.[39] The new Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network,[40] Kuwait is home to the largest opera house in the Middle East.[33] Kuwaiti popular culture (in the form of theatre, radio, music, and television soap opera) flourishes and is often exported to neighboring countries in the region.[41]

Contents1 History1.1 Antiquity1.2 1521–1918: Founding1.3 1919–1945: After World War I1.4 1946–1982: Golden Era of Kuwait1.5 1982–2015: Instability, Gulf War, and terrorism1.6 2016–present: Kuwait Vision 20352 Geography2.1 Climate2.2 National parks2.3 Biodiversity2.4 Water and sanitation3 Government3.1 Political system3.2 Foreign relations3.3 Military3.4 Legal system3.5 Human rights3.6 Administrative divisions4 Economy4.1 Petroleum and natural gas4.2 Finance4.3 Health4.4 Science and technology4.4.1 Space4.5 Education4.6 Tourism4.7 Transport5 Demographics5.1 Ethnic groups5.2 Religion5.3 Languages6 Culture6.1 Society6.2 Television and theatre6.3 Arts6.4 Museums6.5 Music6.6 Media6.7 Literature6.8 Sport7 See also8 References9 Further reading10 External linksHistoryMain article: History of KuwaitAntiquityHistorically and geographically, northern Kuwait was part of ancient Mesopotamia.[12] During the Ubaid period (6500 BC), Kuwait was the central site of interaction between the peoples of Mesopotamia and Neolithic Eastern Arabia,[42][43][44][45] mainly centered around Bahra 1 in Subiya.[46][47][48] The earliest evidence of human habitation in Kuwait dates back 8000 B.C. where Mesolithic tools were found in Burgan.[49]

Mesopotamians first settled in the Kuwaiti island of Failaka in 2000 B.C.[50][51] Traders from the Sumerian city of Ur inhabited Failaka and ran a mercantile business.[50][51] The island had many Mesopotamian-style buildings typical of those found in Iraq dating from around 2000 B.C.[50] The Neolithic inhabitants of Kuwait were among the world's earliest maritime traders.[52] One of the world's earliest reed-boats was discovered in northern Kuwait dating back to the Ubaid period.[53]

In 4000 BC until 2000 BC, the bay of Kuwait was home to the Dilmun civilization.[54][55][56] Dilmun's control of the bay of Kuwait included Kuwait City's Shuwaikh Port (formerly Akkaz Island),[54] Umm an Namil Island[54][57] and Failaka Island.[54] At its peak in 2000 BC, the Dilmun empire controlled the trade routes from Mesopotamia to India and the Indus Valley civilization. Dilmun's commercial power began to decline after 1800 BC. Piracy flourished throughout the region during Dilmun's decline. After 600 BC, the Babylonians added Dilmun to their empire.

Ancient coins found on Failaka Island.During the Dilmun era (from ca. 3000 BC), Failaka was known as 'Agarum', the land of Enzak, a great god in the Dilmun civilization according to Sumerian cuneiform texts found on the island.[58] As part of Dilmun, Failaka became a hub for the civilization from the end of the 3rd to the middle of the 1st millennium BC.[58] Failaka was settled following 2000 BC after a drop in sea level.[59] After the Dilmun civilization, Failaka was inhabited by the Kassites of Mesopotamia,[60] and was formally under the control of the Kassite dynasty of Babylon.[60] Studies indicate traces of human settlement can be found on Failaka dating back to as early as the end of the 3rd millennium BC, and extending until the 20th century AD.[58] Many of the artifacts found in Falaika are linked to Mesopotamian civilizations and seem to show that Failaka was gradually drawn toward the civilization based in Antioch.[61] Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Failaka was under Babylonian control.[62] Cuneiform documents found in Failaka indicate the presence of Babylonians in the island's population.[63] Babylonian Kings were present in Failaka during the Neo-Babylonian Empire period, Nabonidus had a governor in Failaka and Nebuchadnezzar II had a palace and temple in Falaika.[64][65] Failaka also contained temples dedicated to the worship of Shamash, the Mesopotamian sun god in the Babylonian pantheon.[65]

In 4th century BC, the ancient Greeks colonized the bay of Kuwait under Alexander the Great, the ancient Greeks named mainland Kuwait Larissa and Failaka was named Ikaros.[66][67][68][69] According to Strabo and Arrian, Alexander the Great named Failaka Ikaros because it resembled the Aegean island of that name in size and shape. Some elements of Greek mythology were mixed with the local cults in Failaka.[70] 'Ikaros' was also the name of a prominent city situated in Failaka.[71] Remains of Greek colonization include a large Hellenistic fort and Greek temples.[72]

In 127 BC, the kingdom of Characene was established around the Bay of Kuwait. Characene was centered in the region encompassing southern Mesopotamia,[73] including Failaka island.[74] A busy Parthian commercial station existed on Failaka island.[75]

The earliest recorded mention of Kuwait was in 150 AD in the geographical treatise Geography by Greek scholar Ptolemy.[76] Ptolemy mentioned the Bay of Kuwait as Hieros Kolpos (Sacer Sinus in the Latin versions).[76]

In 224 AD, Kuwait became part of the Sassanid Empire. At the time of the Sassanid Empire, Kuwait was known as Meshan,[77] which was an alternative name of the kingdom of Characene.[78][79] Akkaz was a Partho-Sassanian site; the Sassanid religion's tower of silence was discovered in northern Akkaz.[80][81][53][57][82]

In addition to Partho-Sasanian settlements, Akkaz also contained Christian settlements.[82][83][57] Christian Nestorian settlements flourished in Akkaz and Failaka from the 5th century until the 9th century.[84][83] Excavations have revealed several farms, villages and two large churches dating from the 5th and 6th century.[84] Archaeologists are currently excavating nearby sites to understand the extent of the settlements that flourished in the eighth and ninth centuries A.D.[84] An old island tradition is that a community grew up around a Christian mystic and hermit.[84] The small farms and villages were eventually abandoned.[84] Remains of Byzantine era Nestorian churches were found at Al-Qusur in Failaka. Pottery at the site can be dated from as early as the first half of the 7th century through the 9th century.[85][86]

In 636 AD, the Battle of Chains between the Sassanid Empire and Rashidun Caliphate was fought in Kuwait near the town of Kazma.[87][88] At the time, Kuwait was under the control of the Sassanid Empire. The Battle of Chains was the first battle of the Rashidun Caliphate in which the Muslim army sought to extend its frontiers.

As a result of Rashidun victory in 636 AD, the bay of Kuwait was home to the city of Kazma (also known as 'Kadhima' or 'Kāzimah') in the early Islamic era.[88][89][90][91][92][93][94] Medieval Arabic sources contain multiple references to the bay of Kuwait in the early Islamic period.[93][94][95] The city functioned as a trade port and resting place for pilgrims on their way from Iraq to Hejaz. The city was controlled by the kingdom of Al-Hirah in Iraq.[93][96][97] In the early Islamic period, the bay of Kuwait was known for being a fertile area.[88][98][99]

The Kuwaiti city of Kazma was a stop for caravans coming from Persia and Mesopotamia en route to the Arabian Peninsula. The poet Al-Farazdaq was born in the Kuwaiti city of Kazma.[100] Al-Farazdaq is recognized as one of the greatest classical poets of the Arabs.[100]

1521–1918: Founding

Portuguese presence in the Persian Gulf, from the XVI century to the XVIII.In 1521, Kuwait was under Portuguese control.[101] In the late 16th century, the Portuguese built a defensive settlement in Kuwait.[102] In 1613, Kuwait City was founded as a fishing village predominantly populated by fishermen. Administratively, it was a sheikhdom, ruled by local sheikhs from Bani Khalid clan.[103] In 1682 or 1716, the Bani Utbah settled in Kuwait City, which at this time was still inhabited by fishermen and primarily functioned as a fishing village under Bani Khalid control.[104][105] Sometime after the death of the Bani Khalid's leader Barrak Bin Urair and the fall of the Bani Khalid Emirate, the Utub were able to wrest control of Kuwait as a result of successive matrimonial alliances.[105]

In the early eighteenth century, Kuwait prospered as a maritime port city and rapidly became the principal commercial center for the transit of goods between Baghdad, India, Muscat, and Arabian Peninsula.[106][107] By the mid 1700s, Kuwait had established itself as the major trading route from the Persian Gulf to Aleppo.[108] During the Persian siege of Basra in 1775–79, Iraqi merchants took refuge in Kuwait and were partly instrumental in the expansion of Kuwait's boat-building and trading activities.[109] As a result, Kuwait's maritime commerce boomed,[109] as the Indian trade routes with Baghdad, Aleppo, Smyrna and Constantinople were diverted to Kuwait during this time.[108][110][111] The East India Company was diverted to Kuwait in 1792.[112] The East India Company secured the sea routes between Kuwait, India and the east coasts of Africa.[112] After the Persians withdrew from Basra in 1779, Kuwait continued to attract trade away from Basra.[113] The flight of many of Basra's leading merchants to Kuwait continued to play a significant role in Basra's commercial stagnation well into the 1850s.[113]

Marine Museum in Kuwait City. Demonstrates the founding of Kuwait as a sea port for merchants.Instability in Basra helped foster economic prosperity in Kuwait.[114][115] In the late 18th century, Kuwait was a haven for Basra merchants fleeing Ottoman persecution.[116] Kuwait was the center of boat building in the Persian Gulf,[117] its ships renowned throughout the Indian Ocean.[118][119] Kuwaitis also developed a reputation as the best sailors in the Persian Gulf.[106][120][121] In the 19th century, Kuwait became significant in the horse trade,[122] with regular shipments in sailing vessels.[122] In the mid 19th century, it was estimated that Kuwait exported an average of 800 horses to India annually.[114]

In the 1890s, threatened by the Ottoman Empire, ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah signed an agreement with the British government in India (subsequently known as the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899) making Kuwait a British protectorate. This gave Britain exclusive access and trade with Kuwait, while denying Ottoman provinces to the north a port on the Persian Gulf. The Sheikhdom of Kuwait remained a British protectorate until 1961.[103]

During the reign of Mubarak, Kuwait was dubbed the 'Marseilles of the Persian Gulf' because its economic vitality attracted a large variety of people.[123][124] The population was cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse, including Arabs, Persians, Africans, Jews and Armenians. Kuwait was known for its religious tolerance.[125]

In the first decades of the twentieth century, Kuwait had a well-established elite: wealthy trading families linked by marriage and shared economic interests, long-settled and urban, most claiming descent from the original 30 Bani Utubi families.[126] The wealthiest were merchants who acquired their wealth from long-distance commerce, shipbuilding and pearling.[126] They were a cosmopolitan elite who traveled extensively to India, Africa and Europe, and educated their sons abroad more than other Gulf Arab elite.[126] Western visitors noted the Kuwaiti elite used European office systems, typewriters, and followed European culture with curiosity.[126] The richest were involved in general trade.[126] The Kuwaiti merchant families of Al-Ghanim and Al-Hamad were estimated to be worth millions before the 1940s.[126]

In the early 20th century, Kuwait immensely declined in regional economic importance,[119] mainly due to many trade blockades and the world economic depression.[127] Before Mary Bruins Allison visited Kuwait in 1934, Kuwait lost its prominence in long-distance trade.[119] During World War I, the British Empire imposed a trade blockade against Kuwait because Kuwait's ruler supported the Ottoman Empire.[127][128][129] The British economic blockade heavily damaged Kuwait's economy.[129]

1919–1945: After World War IIn 1919, Sheikh Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah intended to build a commercial city in the south of Kuwait. This caused a diplomatic crisis with Najd, but Britain intervened, discouraging Sheikh Salim. In 1920, an attempt by the Ikhwan to build a stronghold in southern Kuwait led to the Battle of Hamdh. The Battle of Hamdh involved 2,000 Ikhwan fighters against 100 Kuwaiti cavalrymen and 200 Kuwaiti infantrymen. The battle lasted for six days and resulted in heavy but unknown casualties on both sides resulting in the victory of the Ikhwan forces and leading to the battle of Jahra around the Kuwait Red Fort. The Battle of Jahra happened as the result of the Battle of Hamdh. A force of three to four thousand Ikhwan, led by Faisal Al-Dawish, attacked the Red Fort at Al-Jahra, defended by fifteen hundred men. The fort was besieged and the Kuwaiti position precarious; had the fort fallen, Kuwait would likely have been incorporated into Ibn Saud's empire.[130] The Ikhwan attack repulsed for the while, negotiations began between Salim and Al-Dawish; the latter threatened another attack if the Kuwaiti forces did not surrender. The local merchant class convinced Salim to call in help from British troops, who showed up with airplanes and three warships, ending the attacks.[130] After the Battle of Jahra, Ibn Saud's warriors, the Ikhwan, demanded that Kuwait follows five rules: evict all the Shias, adopt the Ikhwan doctrine, label the Turks 'heretics', abolish smoking, munkar and prostitution, and destroy the American missionary hospital.[131]

The Kuwait–Najd War of 1919–20 erupted in the aftermath of World War I. The war occurred because Ibn Saud of Najd wanted to annex Kuwait.[127][132] The sharpened conflict between Kuwait and Najd led to the death of hundreds of Kuwaitis. The war resulted in sporadic border clashes throughout 1919–1920.

When Percy Cox was informed of the border clashes in Kuwait, he sent a letter to the Ruler of Arabistan Sheikh Khazʽal Ibn Jabir offering the Kuwaiti throne to either him or one of his heirs, knowing that Khaz'al would be a wiser ruler than the Al Sabah family. Khaz'al, who considered the Al Sabah as his own family, replied 'Do you expect me to allow the stepping down of Al Mubarak from the throne of Kuwait? Do you think I can accept this?'[133] He then asked:...even so, do you think that you have come to me with something new? Al Mubarak's position as ruler of Kuwait means that I am the true ruler of Kuwait. So there is no difference between myself and them, for they are like the dearest of my children and you are aware of this. Had someone else come to me with this offer, I would have complained about them to you. So how do you come to me with this offer when you are well aware that myself and Al Mubarak are one soul and one house, what affects them affects me, whether good or evil.[133]

Following the Kuwait–Najd War in 1919–20, Ibn Saud imposed a trade blockade against Kuwait from the years 1923 until 1937.[134] The goal of the Saudi economic and military attacks on Kuwait was to annex as much of Kuwait's territory as possible. At the Uqair conference in 1922, the boundaries of Kuwait and Najd were set; as a result of British interference, Kuwait had no representative at the Uqair conference. After the Uqair conference, Kuwait was still subjected to a Saudi economic blockade and intermittent Saudi raiding.

Celebration at Seif Palace in 1944The Great Depression harmed Kuwait's economy, starting in the late 1920s.[134] International trading was one of Kuwait's main sources of income before oil.[134] Kuwaiti merchants were mostly intermediary merchants.[134] As a result of the decline of European demand for goods from India and Africa, Kuwait's economy suffered. The decline in international trade resulted in an increase in gold smuggling by Kuwaiti ships to India.[134] Some Kuwaiti merchant families became rich from this smuggling.[135] Kuwait's pearl industry also collapsed as a result of the worldwide economic depression.[135] At its height, Kuwait's pearl industry had led the world's luxury market, regularly sending out between 750 and 800 ships to meet the European elite's desire for pearls.[135] During the economic depression, luxuries like pearls were in little demand.[135] The Japanese invention of cultured pearls also contributed to the collapse of Kuwait's pearl industry.[135]

In 1937, Freya Stark wrote about the extent of poverty in Kuwait at the time:[134]Poverty has settled in Kuwait more heavily since my last visit five years ago, both by sea, where the pearl trade continues to decline, and by land, where the blockade established by Saudi Arabia now harms the merchants.

Throughout the 1930s, Kuwaiti people opposed the British imposed separation of Kuwait from Iraq.[136] In 1938, the 'Free Kuwaiti Movement' was established by Kuwaiti youth who opposed British rule and submitted a petition demanding the Iraqi government reunifies Kuwait and Iraq.[136][137] Due to fears of armed uprising in Kuwait, the Al Sabah agreed to the establishment of a legislative council to represent the 'Free Kuwaiti Movement' demanding the reunification of Iraq and Kuwait.[136] The council's first meeting in 1938 resulted in unanimous resolutions demanding the reunification of Kuwait and Iraq.[136]

In March 1939, a popular armed uprising erupted within Kuwait to reunify with Iraq.[136] The Al Sabah family, along with British military support, violently put down the uprising, and killed and imprisoned its participants.[136] King Ghazi of Iraq publicly demanded the release of the Kuwaiti prisoners and warned the Al Sabah family to end the repression of the 'Free Kuwaiti Movement'.[136][137]

1946–1982: Golden Era of Kuwait

Postage stamp with portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, 1957.Between 1946 and 1982, Kuwait experienced a period of prosperity driven by oil and its liberal atmosphere.[138][139][140] In popular discourse, the years between 1946 and 1982 are referred to as the 'Golden Era of Kuwait'.[138][139][140][141] In 1950, a major public-work programme began to enable Kuwaitis to enjoy a modern standard of living. By 1952, the country became the largest oil exporter in the Persian Gulf region. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from Palestine, India, and Egypt – with the latter being particularly political within the context of the Arab Cold War.[142] In June 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became Emir of Kuwait. Kuwait's national day, however, is celebrated on 25 February, the anniversary of the coronation of Sheikh Abdullah (it was originally celebrated on 19 June, the date of independence, but concerns over the summer heat caused the government to move it).[143] Under the terms of the newly drafted Constitution, Kuwait held its first parliamentary elections in 1963. Kuwait was the first of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to establish a constitution and parliament.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Kuwait was considered the most developed country in the region.[144][145][146] Kuwait was the pioneer in the Middle East in diversifying its earnings away from oil exports.[147] The Kuwait Investment Authority is the world's first sovereign wealth fund. From the 1970s onward, Kuwait scored highest of all Arab countries on the Human Development Index.[146] Kuwait University was established in 1966.[146] Kuwait's theatre industry was well known throughout the Arab world.[138][146]

In the 1960s and 1970s, Kuwait's press was described as one of the freest in the world.[148] Kuwait was the pioneer in the literary renaissance in the Arab region.[149] In 1958, Al-Arabi magazine was first published. The magazine went on to become the most popular magazine in the Arab world.[149] Many Arab writers moved to Kuwait because they enjoyed greater freedom of expression than elsewhere in the Arab world.[150][151] The Iraqi poet Ahmed Matar left Iraq in the 1970s to take refuge in the more liberal environment of Kuwait.

Kuwaiti society embraced liberal and non-traditional attitudes throughout the 1960s and 1970s.[152] For example, most Kuwaiti women did not wear the hijab in the 1960s and 70s.[153][154]

1982–2015: Instability, Gulf War, and terrorismMain articles: Terrorism in Kuwait, Gulf War, and Kuwait and state-sponsored terrorismIn the early 1980s, Kuwait experienced a major economic crisis after the Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash and decrease in oil price.[155][156][157][158]

During the Iran–Iraq War, Kuwait supported Iraq. Throughout the 1980s, there were several terror attacks in Kuwait, including the 1983 Kuwait bombings, hijacking of several Kuwait Airways planes and the attempted assassination of Emir Jaber in 1985. Kuwait was a regional hub of science and technology in the 1960s and 1970s up until the early 1980s; the scientific research sector significantly suffered due to the terror attacks.[159]

Kuwaiti oil fires set by retreating Iraqi forces in 1991.After the Iran–Iraq War ended, Kuwait declined an Iraqi request to forgive its US$65 billion debt.[160] An economic rivalry between the two countries ensued after Kuwait increased its oil production by 40 percent.[161] Tensions between the two countries increased further in July 1990, after Iraq complained to OPEC claiming that Kuwait was stealing its oil from a field near the border by slant drilling of the Rumaila field.[161]

In August 1990, Iraqi forces invaded and annexed Kuwait. After a series of failed diplomatic negotiations, the United States led a coalition to remove the Iraqi forces from Kuwait, in what became known as the Gulf War. On 26 February 1991, the coalition succeeded in driving out the Iraqi forces. As they retreated, Iraqi forces carried out a scorched earth policy by setting oil wells on fire.[162] During the Iraqi occupation, more than 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed. In addition, more than 600 Kuwaitis went missing during Iraq's occupation;[163] remains of approximately 375 were found in mass graves in Iraq.

In the early 1990s, Kuwait expelled approximately 400,000 Palestinian expats.[164] Kuwait's policy was a response to alignment of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the PLO with Saddam Hussein. Kuwait also deported thousands of Iraqis and Yemenis after the Gulf War.[165][166]

In addition, hundreds of thousands of stateless Bedoon were expelled from Kuwait in the early-to-mid 1990s.[30][167][165][29][166] At the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in 1995, it was announced that the Al Sabah ruling family deported 150,000 stateless Bedoon to refugee camps in the Kuwaiti desert near the Iraqi border with minimal water, insufficient food, and no basic shelter.[168][167] The Kuwaiti authorities also threatened to murder the stateless Bedoon.[168][167] As a result, many of the stateless Bedoon fled to Iraq where they still remain stateless people even today.[169][170]

At the time, Human Rights Watch reported the following:[168]

'The totality of the treatment of the Bedoons amounts to a policy of denationalization of native residents, relegating them to an apartheid-like existence in their own country. The Kuwaiti government policy of harassment and intimidation of the Bedoons and of denying them the right to lawful residence, employment, travel and movement, contravene basic principles of human rights . . . Denial of citizenship to the Bedoons clearly violates international law . . .'[168]

In March 2003, Kuwait became the springboard for the US-led invasion of Iraq. Upon the death of the Emir Jaber in January 2006, Sheikh Saad Al-Sabah succeeded him but was removed nine days later due to his ailing health. As a result, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in as Emir.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad led a wide range of national reform policies in the 2000s. From 2001 to 2009, Kuwait had the highest Human Development Index ranking in the Arab world.[171][172][173][174] In 2005, women won the right to vote and run in elections. In 2014 and 2015, Kuwait was ranked first among Arab countries in the Global Gender Gap Report.[175][176][177] Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City was inaugurated in mid-2015.[178][179]

On 26 June 2015, a suicide bombing took place at a Shia Muslim mosque in Kuwait. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack. Twenty-seven people were killed and 227 people were wounded. Kuwait has been frequently described as the world's biggest source of terrorism funding, particularly for ISIS and Al-Qaeda.[180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187] Since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, accusations of Kuwait funding terrorism have been very common and come from a wide variety of sources including intelligence reports, Western government officials, scholarly research, and renowned journalists.[180][181][182][186][187][188][185][189][183][184]

2016–present: Kuwait Vision 2035Since 2016, Kuwait has commenced a national development plan, Kuwait Vision 2035, to diversify the economy and become less dependent on oil.[34][190] As a result, Kuwait has become the fourth largest infrastructure market in the region.[39][191] Additionally, China has been Kuwait's largest trade partner since 2016.[192][193][194][195][196]

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre.[197]As part of Kuwait Vision 2035, the Amiri Diwan in 2016–2019 inaugurated the Kuwait National Cultural District (KNCD), which comprises Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, Al Shaheed Park, and Al Salam Palace.[198][199] With a capital cost of more than US$1 billion, the project is one of the largest cultural investments in the world.[199] In November 2016, the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre opened.[197][200] It is the largest cultural centre and opera house in the Middle East.[33][201][202] The Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre was inaugurated in 2018, it was the world's largest single-delivery museum project.[203][204][205][206] The Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.[40]

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Kuwait and China have many important cooperation projects including Al Mutlaa Residential City which is currently under construction in northern Kuwait.[36][37] The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway is part of the first phase of the Silk City project.[35] The causeway was inaugurated in May 2019,[35] it connects Kuwait City to northern Kuwait.[35] The causeway is part of Kuwait Vision 2035,[35][207] and is named after the 13th Emir of Kuwait to commemorate his leadership. The causeway had an estimated construction value of approximately US$3 billion.[208] It was one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects in the entire world.[209] It crosses two artificial islands (Bay Island North and Bay Island South) which were constructed for entertainment and tourism purposes.[209]

As part of Kuwait Vision 2035, Kuwait inaugurated Shagaya Renewable Energy Park which includes concentrated solar power, solar photovoltaic, and wind power plants.[210][211] Kuwait was the first country in the region to implement 5G technology.[212] Kuwait is among the world's leading countries in 5G penetration.[212][213]

On 30 September 2020, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah became the 16th Emir of Kuwait and the successor to Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who died at the age of 91.[214] On 7 October 2020, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was appointed as the Crown Prince, marking a new era in Kuwait.[215]

In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuwait invested in its health care system at a rate that was proportionally higher than most other GCC countries.[216] As a result, the public hospital sector significantly increased its capacity.[217][218][219] Kuwait currently has 20 public hospitals.[220][219] The new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital is the largest hospital in the Middle East.[221] Kuwait also has 16 private hospitals.[218]

There are various other major infrastructure projects within Kuwait Vision 2035. Al Zour Refinery is the largest refinery in the Middle East.[222][223][224] Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment Plant is the world's largest wastewater purification plant using membrane technology.[225][226][227][228] The new Kuwait International Airport terminal (T2) is currently under construction and will expand the airport's overall capacity to 25–50 million passengers per year.[229] The new terminal is environmentally friendly.[230][229] Kuwait is also expanding the Umm Al Hayman Wastewater Treatment Plant which is set to become one of the world's largest ecologically sustainable sewage treatment plants.[231][232]

Under China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is part of the first phase of the Silk City project.[38][35] As of 2021, the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port is currently under construction.[233][234][235][236] In September 2020, it was reported that the port is 53% complete.[237] In March 2021, it was announced that Kuwait and Pakistan will develop linkages between Gwadar Port and Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.[238][239] As part of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's development, Bubiyan Island will contain power plants and substations.[240][234][241][242] A 5,000-megawatt power plant has already been built in Subiya.[243] There is a current road project connecting Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's first phase to the existing road network in Bubiyan Island.[244][236] Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's first phase is among Kuwait's largest infrastructure projects in 2021.[245][246] Mubarak Al Kabeer Port's fire stations are currently under development.[247]

GeographyMain articles: Geography of Kuwait and Environmental issues in Kuwait

Skyline of Kuwait City, capital and largest city of Kuwait.

A satellite image of Kuwait reveals its desert topography.

Kuwait shares land borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and maritime borders with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.Located in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. Kuwait lies between latitudes 28° and 31° N, and longitudes 46° and 49° E. Kuwait is generally low-lying, with the highest point being 306 m (1,004 ft) above sea level.[3]

Kuwait has nine islands, all of which, with the exception of Failaka Island, are uninhabited.[248] With an area of 860 km2 (330 sq mi), the Bubiyan is the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380-metre-long (7,808 ft) bridge.[249] 0.6% of Kuwaiti land area is considered arable[3] with sparse vegetation found along its 499-kilometre-long (310 mi) coastline.[3] Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor.

Kuwait's Burgan field has a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (11 billion cubic metres) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwaiti oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km2 (13+3⁄4 sq mi).[250] The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.[251] The oil spills during the Gulf War also drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.[252]

ClimateMain article: Climate of KuwaitDue to Kuwait's proximity to Iraq and Iran, the winter season in Kuwait is colder than other coastal countries in the Arabian Peninsula (especially UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain). Kuwait is also less humid than other coastal regions in the Arabian Peninsula. The spring season in March is warm with occasional thunderstorms. The frequent winds from the northwest are cold in winter and hot in summer. Southeasterly damp winds spring up between July and October. Hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.[253] Summers in Kuwait are some of the hottest on earth. The highest recorded temperature was 54 °C (129 °F) at Mitribah on 21 July 2016, which is the highest temperature recorded in Asia.[254][255]

Kuwait emits a lot of carbon dioxide per person compared to other countries.[256] In 2014, Kuwait was the fourth highest country in the world in term of CO2 per capita emissions after Qatar, Curaçao and Trinidad and Tobago according to the World Bank.[257]

Access to biocapacity in Kuwait is lower than world average. In 2016, Kuwait had 0.59 global hectares [258] of biocapacity per person within its territory, much less than the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person.[259] In 2016 Kuwait used 8.6 global hectares of biocapacity per person - their ecological footprint of consumption. This means they use about 14.5 times as much biocapacity as Kuwait contains. As a result, Kuwait is running a biocapacity deficit.[258]

National parksAt present, there are five protected areas in Kuwait recognized by the IUCN. In response to Kuwait becoming the 169th signatory of the Ramsar Convention, Bubiyan Island's Mubarak al-Kabeer reserve was designated as the country's first Wetland of International Importance.[260] The 50,948 ha reserve consists of small lagoons and shallow salt marshes and is important as a stop-over for migrating birds on two migration routes.[260] The reserve is home to the world's largest breeding colony of crab-plover.[260]

BiodiversityMain article: Wildlife of KuwaitMore than 363 species of birds were recorded in Kuwait, 18 species of which breed in the country.[261] Kuwait is situated at the crossroads of several major bird migration routes and between two and three million birds pass each year.[262] The marshes in northern Kuwait and Jahra have become increasingly important as a refuge for passage migrants.[262] Kuwaiti islands are important breeding areas for four species of tern and the socotra cormorant.[262]

Kuwait's marine and littoral ecosystems contain the bulk of the country's biodiversity heritage.[262] Twenty eight species of mammal are found in Kuwait; animals such as gerboa, desert rabbits and hedgehogs are common in the desert.[262] Large carnivores, such as the wolf, caracal and jackal, are not found.[262] Among the endangered mammalian species are the red fox and wild cat.[262] Causes for wildlife extinction are habitat destruction and extensive unregulated hunting.[262] Forty reptile species have been recorded although none are endemic to Kuwait.[262]

Water and sanitationKuwait is part of the Tigris–Euphrates river system basin.[263][264][265][266][267] Several Tigris–Euphrates confluences form parts of the Kuwait–Iraq border.[268] Kuwait does not currently have any permanent rivers within its territory. However, Kuwait does have several wadis, the most notable of which is Wadi Al-Batin which forms the border between Kuwait and Iraq.[269] Kuwait also has several river-like marine channels around Bubiyan Island, most notably Khawr Abd Allah which is now an estuary, but once was the point where the Shatt al-Arab emptied into the Persian Gulf. Khawr Abd Allah is located in southern Iraq and northern Kuwait, the Iraq-Kuwait border divides the lower portion of the estuary, but adjacent to the port of Umm Qasr the estuary becomes wholly Iraqi. It forms the northeast coastline of Bubiyan Island and the north coastline of Warbah Island.[270]

Kuwait relies on water desalination as a primary source of fresh water for drinking and domestic purposes.[271][272] There are currently more than six desalination plants.[272] Kuwait was the first country in the world to use desalination to supply water for large-scale domestic use. The history of desalination in Kuwait dates back to 1951 when the first distillation plant was commissioned.[271]

In 1965, the Kuwaiti government commissioned the Swedish engineering company of VBB (Sweco) to develop and implement a plan for a modern water-supply system for Kuwait City. The company built five groups of water towers, thirty-one towers total, designed by its chief architect Sune Lindström, called 'the mushroom towers'. For a sixth site, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed, wanted a more spectacular design. This last group, known as Kuwait Towers, consists of three towers, two of which also serve as water towers.[273] Water from the desalination facility is pumped up to the tower. The thirty-three towers have a standard capacity of 102,000 cubic meters of water. 'The Water Towers' (Kuwait Tower and the Kuwait Water Towers) were awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1980 Cycle).[274]

Kuwait's fresh water resources are limited to groundwater, desalinated seawater, and treated wastewater effluents.[271] There are three major municipal wastewater treatment plants.[271] Most water demand is currently satisfied through seawater desalination plants.[271][272] Sewage disposal is handled by a national sewage network that covers 98% of facilities in the country.[275]

GovernmentMain articles: Cabinet of Kuwait, Government of Kuwait, and Politics of KuwaitPolitical systemKuwait is an emirate with an autocratic political system,[18] which is sometimes described as 'semi-democratic'.[276] The Emir is the head of state. The political system consists of an appointed judiciary, appointed government (dominated by the Al Sabah ruling family), and nominally elected parliament.[18] The Constitution of Kuwait was promulgated in 1962. The Emir has autocratically suspended the constitution twice: in 1976 and 1986.[277][18] Freedom House rates the country as 'Partly Free' in the Freedom in the World survey,[278] while the Polity data series[281] and Economist Democracy Index[282] both categorise Kuwait as an autocracy (dictatorship).

Kuwait is regularly characterized as being a 'rentier state' in which the ruling family uses oil revenues to buy the political acquiescence of the citizenry. Although Kuwait's political system is autocratic,[18] the Constitution of Kuwait is considered the most liberal constitution in the GCC.[283] It theoretically guarantees a wide range of civil liberties to Kuwaiti citizens. Kuwait has an active public sphere and civil society with political and social organizations that are parties in all but name.[284][285] Professional groups like the Chamber of Commerce maintain their autonomy from the government.[284][285]

The Seif Palace, the original seat of the Government of Kuwait.Executive power is executed by the government.[18] The Emir appoints the prime minister, who in turn chooses the cabinet of ministers comprising the government. In recent decades, numerous policies of the Kuwaiti government have been characterized as 'demographic engineering', especially in relation to Kuwait's stateless Bedoon crisis and the history of naturalization in Kuwait.

The judiciary is not independent of the government,[18] the Emir appoints all the judges and many judges are foreign nationals from Egypt. The Constitutional Court is charged with ruling on the conformity of laws and decrees with the constitution.

The legislative branch consists of the National Assembly, which has nominal oversight authority. The Emir can autocratically dissolve the parliament.[18] Since the 1960s, more than 60% of all Kuwaiti parliaments have been dissolved by the Emir without completing the full four-year term.[18]

Although Kuwaiti women outnumber men in the workforce,[25] the political participation of Kuwaiti women has been limited.[286] Kuwaiti women are considered among the most emancipated women in the Middle East. In 2014 and 2015, Kuwait was ranked first among Arab countries in the Global Gender Gap Report.[175][176][177] In 2013, 53% of Kuwaiti women participated in the labor force.[26] Kuwait has higher female citizen participation in the workforce than other GCC countries.[25][26][287]

Kuwaiti law does not recognize political parties. However, several political groups function as de facto political parties. Major de facto political parties include the National Democratic Alliance, Popular Action Bloc, Hadas (Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood), National Islamic Alliance and the Justice and Peace Alliance.

Foreign relationsMain article: Foreign relations of Kuwait

Location of diplomatic missions of Kuwait: Kuwait EmbassyThe foreign affairs of Kuwait are handled at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first foreign affairs department bureau was established in 1961. Kuwait became the 111th member state of the United Nations in May 1963. It is a long-standing member of the Arab League and Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

Before the Gulf War, Kuwait was the only 'pro-Soviet' state in the Persian Gulf region.[288] Kuwait acted as a conduit for the Soviets to the other Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and Kuwait was used to demonstrate the benefits of a pro-Soviet stance.[288] In July 1987, Kuwait refused to allow U.S. military bases in its territory.[289] As a result of the Gulf War, Kuwait's relations with the U.S. have improved (Major non-NATO ally) and it currently hosts thousands of US military personnel and contractors within active U.S. facilities. Kuwait is also a major ally of ASEAN and enjoys a close relationship with China while working to establish a model of cooperation in numerous fields.[290][291] According to Kuwaiti officials, Kuwait is the largest Arab investor in Germany, particularly with regard to the Mercedes-Benz company.[292]

MilitaryThe Military of Kuwait traces its original roots to the Kuwaiti cavalrymen and infantrymen that used to protect Kuwait and its wall since the early 1900s. These cavalrymen and infantrymen formed the defense and security forces in metropolitan areas and were charged with protecting outposts outside the wall of Kuwait.

The Military of Kuwait consists of several joint defense forces. The governing bodies are the Kuwait Ministry of Defense, the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, the Kuwait National Guard and the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate. The Emir of Kuwait is the commander-in-chief of all defense forces by default.

Legal systemMain article: Legal system of KuwaitKuwait follows the 'civil law system' modeled after the French legal system,[293][294][295] Kuwait's legal system is largely secular.[296][297][298][299] Sharia law governs only family law for Muslim residents,[297][300] while non-Muslims in Kuwait have a secular family law. For the application of family law, there are three separate court sections: Sunni (Maliki), Shia, and non-Muslim. According to the United Nations, Kuwait's legal system is a mix of English common law, French civil law, Egyptian civil law and Islamic law.[301]

The court system in Kuwait is secular.[302][303] Unlike other Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait does not have Sharia courts.[303] Sections of the civil court system administer family law.[303] Kuwait has the most secular commercial law in the Gulf.[304] The parliament criminalized alcohol consumption in 1983.[305] Kuwait's Code of Personal Status was promulgated in 1984.[306]

Human rightsMain articles: Human rights in Kuwait and Bedoon (stateless)Human rights in Kuwait has been the subject of significant criticism, particularly regarding the Bedoon (stateless people).[29][30][307][165] The Kuwaiti government's handling of the stateless Bedoon crisis has come under significant criticism from many human rights organisations and even the United Nations.[308] According to Human Rights Watch in 1995, Kuwait has produced 300,000 stateless Bedoon.[32] Kuwait has the largest number of stateless people in the entire region.[30][31] Since 1986, the Kuwaiti government has refused to grant any form of documentation to the Bedoon including birth certificates, death certificates, identity cards, marriage certificates, and driving licences.[31][309] The Kuwaiti Bedoon crisis resembles the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar (Burma).[310]

On the other hand, human rights organizations have criticized Kuwait for the human rights abuses toward foreign nationals. Foreign nationals account for 70% of Kuwait's total population. The kafala system leaves foreign nationals prone to exploitation. Administrative deportation is very common in Kuwait for minor offenses, including minor traffic violations. Kuwait is one of the world's worst offenders in human trafficking. Hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals are subjected to numerous human rights abuses including involuntary servitude. They are subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, poor work conditions, threats, confinement to the home, and withholding of passports to restrict their freedom of movement.[311][312] Many human rights organizations have accused Kuwait of apartheid policies toward foreign nationals.

In 2009, 20% of the youth in juvenile centres had dyslexia, as compared to the 6% of the general population.[313] Data from a 1993 study found that there is a higher rate of psychiatric morbidity in Kuwaiti prisons than in the general population.[314]

Administrative divisionsMain articles: Governorates of Kuwait and Areas of KuwaitKuwait is divided into six governorates: Al Asimah Governorate (or Capital Governorate); Hawalli Governorate; Farwaniya Governorate; Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate; Ahmadi Governorate; and Jahra Governorate. The governorates are further subdivided into areas.

EconomyMain article: Economy of Kuwait

A proportional representation of Kuwait's exports in 2012.Kuwait has a wealthy petroleum-based economy. The Kuwaiti dinar is the highest-valued unit of currency in the world.[19] According to the World Bank, Kuwait is the seventh richest country in the world per capita.[315] Kuwait is the second richest GCC country per capita (after Qatar).[315][316][317] As a result of various diversification policies, petroleum now accounts for only 43% of total GDP and 70% of export earnings.[195] Non-petroleum industries include financial services.[318] Kuwait's main export products are oil and refined products, motor cars and other motor vehicles, lightvessels, and floating cranes/docks.[195]

In the past five years, there has been a significant rise in entrepreneurship and small business start-ups in Kuwait.[319][320] The informal sector is also on the rise,[321] mainly due to the popularity of Instagram businesses.[322][323][324] In 2020, Kuwait ranked fourth in the MENA region in startup funding after the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.[325]

In 2018 Kuwait enacted certain measures to regulate foreign labor. Citing security concerns, workers from Georgia will be subject to heightened scrutiny when applying for entry visas, and an outright ban was being imposed on the entry of domestic workers from Guinea-Bissau and Vietnam.[326] Workers from Bangladesh are also banned.[327] In April 2019, Kuwait added Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the list of banned countries bringing the total to 20. According to Migrant Rights, the bans are put in place mainly due to the fact that these countries lack embassies and labour corporations in Kuwait.[328]

Petroleum and natural gasMain article: Petroleum industry in KuwaitDespite its relatively small territory, Kuwait has proven crude oil reserves of 104 billion barrels, estimated to be 10% of the world's reserves. Kuwait also has substantial natural gas reserves. All natural resources in the country are state property.

Finance

Al Hamra Tower is the tallest sculpted tower in the world.The Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) is Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund specializing in foreign investment. The KIA is the world's oldest sovereign wealth fund. Since 1953, the Kuwaiti government has directed investments into Europe, United States and Asia Pacific. In 2015, the holdings were valued at $592 billion in assets.[329] It is the 5th largest sovereign wealth fund in the world.

Kuwait has a leading position in the financial industry in the GCC.[330] The Emir has promoted the idea that Kuwait should focus its energies, in terms of economic development, on the financial industry.[330] The historical preeminence of Kuwait (among the GCC monarchies) in finance dates back to the founding of the National Bank of Kuwait in 1952.[330] The bank was the first local publicly traded corporation in the GCC region.[330] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, an alternative stock market, trading in shares of GCC companies, emerged in Kuwait, the Souk Al-Manakh.[330] At its peak, its market capitalization was the third highest in the world, behind only the United States and Japan, and ahead of the United Kingdom and France.[330]

Kuwait has a large wealth-management industry that stands out in the region.[330] Kuwaiti investment companies administer more assets than those of any other GCC country, save the much larger Saudi Arabia.[330] The Kuwait Financial Centre, in a rough calculation, estimated that Kuwaiti firms accounted for over one-third of the total assets under management in the GCC.[330]

The relative strength of Kuwait in the financial industry extends to its stock market.[330] For many years, the total valuation of all companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange far exceeded the value of those on any other GCC bourse, except Saudi Arabia.[330] In 2011, financial and banking companies made up more than half of the market capitalization of the Kuwaiti bourse; among all the GCC states, the market capitalization of Kuwaiti financial-sector firms was, in total, behind only that of Saudi Arabia.[330] In recent years, Kuwaiti investment companies have invested large percentages of their assets abroad, and their foreign assets have become substantially larger than their domestic assets.[330]

Kuwait is a major source of foreign economic assistance to other states through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, an autonomous state institution created in 1961 on the pattern of international development agencies. In 1974, the fund's lending mandate was expanded to include all developing countries in the world.

Complete Free Dating Site In The Kuwait Government

HealthFurther information: Health in KuwaitKuwait has a state-funded healthcare system, which provides treatment without charge to Kuwaiti nationals. There are outpatient clinics in every residential area in Kuwait. A public insurance scheme exists to provide reduced cost healthcare to expatriates. Private healthcare providers also run medical facilities in the country, available to members of their insurance schemes. As part of Kuwait Vision 2035, many new hospitals have opened.[218][219][217] In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuwait invested in its health care system at a rate that was proportionally higher than most other GCC countries.[216] As a result, the public hospital sector significantly increased its capacity.[217][218][219] Kuwait currently has 20 public hospitals.[220][219] The new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital is considered the largest hospital in the Middle East.[221] Kuwait also has 16 private hospitals.[218]

Science and technologyKuwait has a growing scientific research sector. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Kuwait has registered 448 patents as of 31 December 2015,[331] Kuwait is the second largest patent producer in the Arab world.[331][332][333][334] Kuwait produces the largest number of patents per capita in the Arab world and OIC.[335][336][337][338] The government has implemented various programs to foster innovation resulting in patent rights.[339][335] Between 2010 and 2016, Kuwait registered the highest growth in patents in the Arab world.[339][335][333]

Kuwait was the first country in the region to implement 5G technology.[212] Kuwait is among the world's leading countries in 5G penetration.[212][213]

SpaceUm Alaish 4Seven years after the launch of the world's first communications satellite, Telstar 1, Kuwait inaugurated in October 1969 the first satellite ground station in the Middle East about 70 km north of Kuwait City in an area called 'Um Alaish'.[340] The Um Alaish satellite station complex housed several satellite ground stations including Um Alaish 1 (1969), Um Alaish 2 (1977), and Um Alaish 3 (1981). It provided satellite communication services in Kuwait until 1990 when it was destroyed by the Iraqi armed forces during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.[341] In 2019, Kuwait's Orbital Space established an amateur satellite ground station to provide free access to signals from satellites in orbit passing over Kuwait. The station was named Um Alaish 4 to continue the legacy of 'Um Alaish' satellite station.[342] Um Alaish 4 is member of FUNcube distributed ground station network[343] and the Satellite Networked Open Ground Station project (SatNOGS).[344]

TSCK experiment in spaceKuwait's Orbital Space in collaboration with the Kuwait Scientific Center (TSCK) introduced for the first time in Kuwait the opportunity for students to send a science experiment to space. The objectives of this initiative was to allow students to learn about (a) how science space missions are done; (b) microgravity (weightlessness) environment; (c) how to do science like a real scientist. This opportunity was made possible through Orbital Space agreement with DreamUp PBC and Nanoracks LLC, which are collaborating with NASA under a Space Act Agreement.[345] The students' experiment was named 'Kuwait’s Experiment: E.coli Consuming Carbon Dioxide to Combat Climate Change'.[346] The experiment was launched on SpaceX CRS-21 (SpX-21) spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) on 6 December 2020. Astronauts Shannon Walker (member of the ISS Expedition 64) conducted the experiment on behalf of the students.

Code in SpaceTo increase awareness about current opportunities and to encourage solutions to challenges faced by the satellite industry, Kuwait's Orbital Space in collaboration with the Space Challenges Program[347] and EnduroSat[348] introduced an international online students programming opportunity called 'Code in Space'. This opportunity allows students from around the world to send and execute their own code in space.[349] The code is transmitted from a satellite ground station to a cubesat (nanosatellite) orbiting earth 500 km (310 mi) above sea level. The code is then executed by the satellite's onboard computer and tested under real space environment conditions. The nanosatellite is called 'QMR-KWT' (Arabic: قمر الكويت) which means 'Moon of Kuwait', translated from Arabic. QMR-KWT is scheduled to be launched to space in June 2021[350] on SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. It is planned to have QMR-KWT shuttled to its final destination (Sun-synchronous orbit) via Vigoride orbit transfer vehicle by Momentus Space. QMR-KWT is Kuwait's first satellite.[351]

Kuwait Space RocketMain article: Kuwait Space RocketThe Kuwait Space Rocket (KSR) is a Kuwaiti project to build and launch the first suborbital liquid bi-propellant rocket in Arabia.[352] The project is divided into two phases with two separate vehicles: an initial testing phase with KSR-1 as a test vehicle capable of reaching an altitude of 8 km (5.0 mi) and a more expansive suborbital test phase with the KSR-2 planned to fly to an altitude of 100 km (62 mi).[353]

Kuwait's literacy rate from 1975 to 2015.EducationMain article: Education in KuwaitKuwait had the highest literacy rate in the Arab world in 2010.[354] The general education system consists of four levels: kindergarten (lasting for 2 years), primary (lasting for 5 years), intermediate (lasting for 4 years) and secondary (lasting for 3 years).[355] Schooling at primary and intermediate level is compulsory for all students aged 6 – 14. All the levels of state education, including higher education, are free.[356] The public education system is undergoing a revamp due to a project in conjunction with the World Bank.[357][358]

TourismMain article: Tourism in KuwaitIn 2015, tourism accounted for 1.5 percent of the GDP.[359][360] In 2016, the tourism industry generated nearly $500 million in revenue.[361] The annual 'Hala Febrayer' festival attracts many tourists from neighboring GCC countries,[362] and includes a variety of events including music concerts, parades, and carnivals.[362][363][364] The festival is a month-long commemoration of the liberation of Kuwait, and runs from 1 to 28 February. Liberation Day itself is celebrated on 26 February.[365]

The Amiri Diwan recently inaugurated the new Kuwait National Cultural District (KNCD), which comprises Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, Al Shaheed Park, and Al Salam Palace.[199][198] With a capital cost of more than US$1 billion, the project is one of the largest cultural investments in the world.[199] The Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.[40]

TransportMain article: Transport in KuwaitKuwait has an extensive and modern network of highways. Roadways extended 5,749 km (3,572 mi), of which 4,887 km (3,037 mi) is paved. There are more than two million passenger cars, and 500,000 commercial taxis, buses, and trucks in use. On major highways the maximum speed is 120 km/h (75 mph). Since there is no railway system in the country, most people travel by automobiles.

A highway in Kuwait City.The country's public transportation network consists almost entirely of bus routes. The state owned Kuwait Public Transportation Company was established in 1962. It runs local bus routes across Kuwait as well as longer distance services to other Gulf states. The main private bus company is CityBus, which operates about 20 routes across the country. Another private bus company, Kuwait Gulf Link Public Transport Services, was started in 2006. It runs local bus routes across Kuwait and longer distance services to neighbouring Arab countries.

There are two airports in Kuwait. Kuwait International Airport serves as the principal hub for international air travel. State-owned Kuwait Airways is the largest airline in the country. A portion of the airport complex is designated as Al Mubarak Air Base, which contains the headquarters of the Kuwait Air Force, as well as the Kuwait Air Force Museum. In 2004, the first private airline of Kuwait, Jazeera Airways, was launched. In 2005, the second private airline, Wataniya Airways was founded.

Kuwait has one of the largest shipping industries in the region. The Kuwait Ports Public Authority manages and operates ports across Kuwait. The country's principal commercial seaports are Shuwaikh and Shuaiba, which handled combined cargo of 753,334 TEU in 2006.[366] Mina Al-Ahmadi, the largest port in the country, handles most of Kuwait's oil exports.[367] Construction of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port in Bubiyan Island started in 2019. The port is expected to handle 1.3 million TEU when operations start.

DemographicsMain article: Demographics of Kuwait

Kuwaiti youth celebrating Kuwait's independence and liberation, 2011.Kuwait's 2018 population was 4.6 million people, of which 1.4 million were Kuwaitis, 1.2 million are other Arabs, 1.8 million Asian expatriates,[2] and 47,227 Africans.[368]

Ethnic groupsExpatriates in Kuwait account for around 70% of Kuwait's total population. At the end of December 2018, 57.65% of Kuwait's total population were Arabs (including Arab expats).[2] Indians and Egyptians are the largest expat communities respectively.[369]

ReligionMain article: Religion in KuwaitKuwait's official state religion is Maliki Sunni Islam. The Al Sabah ruling family including the Emir, adhere to the Maliki madhhab of Sunni Islam. Most Kuwaiti citizens are Muslim; it is estimated that 60%–65% are Sunni and 35%–40% are Shias.[370][371] The country includes a native Christian community, estimated to be composed of between 259 and 400 Christian Kuwaiti citizens.[372] Kuwait is the only GCC country besides Bahrain to have a local Christian population who hold citizenship. There is also a small number of Kuwaiti citizens who follow the Baháʼí Faith.[373][374] Kuwait also has a large community of expatriate Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs.[373]

LanguagesSee also: Kuwaiti Arabic and Kuwaiti PersianKuwait's official language is Modern Standard Arabic, but its everyday usage is limited to journalism and education. Kuwaiti Arabic is the variant of Arabic used in everyday life.[375] English is widely understood and often used as a business language. Besides English, French is taught as a third language for the students of the humanities at schools, but for two years only. Kuwaiti Arabic is a variant of Gulf Arabic, sharing similarities with the dialects of neighboring coastal areas in Eastern Arabia.[376] Due to immigration during its pre-oil history as well as trade, Kuwaiti Arabic borrowed a lot of words from Persian, Indian languages, Balochi language, Turkish, English and Italian.[377]

Due to historical immigration, Kuwaiti Persian is used among Ajam Kuwaitis.[378][379] The Iranian sub-dialects of Larestani, Khonji, Bastaki and Gerashi also influenced the vocabulary of Kuwaiti Arabic.[380] Most Shia Kuwaiti citizens are of Iranian ancestry.[381][382][383][384][385][386]

CultureMain article: Culture of KuwaitKuwaiti popular culture, in the form of theatre, radio, music, and television soap opera, flourishes and is even exported to neighboring states.[41][387] Within the Gulf Arab states, the culture of Kuwait is the closest to the culture of Bahrain; this is evident in the close association between the two states in theatrical productions and soap operas.[388]

SocietyKuwaiti society is markedly more open than other Gulf Arab societies.[389] Kuwaiti citizens are ethnically diverse, consisting of both Arabs and Persians ('Ajam).[390] Kuwait stands out in the region as the most liberal in empowering women in the public sphere.[391][392][393] Kuwaiti women outnumber men in the workforce.[25] Kuwaiti political scientist Ghanim Alnajjar sees these qualities as a manifestation of Kuwaiti society as a whole, whereby in the Gulf Arab region it is 'the least strict about traditions'.[394]

Television and theatre

Abdulhussain Abdulredha, the most prominent Kuwaiti actor.Kuwait's television drama industry tops other Gulf Arab drama industries and produces a minimum of fifteen serials annually.[395][396][397] Kuwait is the production centre of the Gulf television drama and comedy scene.[396] Most Gulf television drama and comedy productions are filmed in Kuwait.[396][398][399] Kuwaiti soap operas are the most-watched soap operas from the Gulf region.[395][400][401] Soap operas are most popular during the time of Ramadan, when families gather to break their fast.[402] Although usually performed in the Kuwaiti dialect, they have been shown with success as far away as Tunisia.[403] Kuwait is frequently dubbed the 'Hollywood of the Gulf' due to the popularity of its television soap operas and theatre.[404]

Kuwait is known for its home-grown tradition of theatre.[405][406][407] Kuwait is the only country in the Gulf Arab region with a theatrical tradition.[405] The theatrical movement in Kuwait constitutes a major part of the country's cultural life.[408] Theatrical activities in Kuwait began in the 1920s when the first spoken dramas were released.[409] Theatre activities are still popular today.[408] Abdulhussain Abdulredha is the most prominent actor.

Kuwait is the main centre of scenographic and theatrical training in the Gulf region.[410][411] In 1973, the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts was founded by the government to provide higher education in theatrical arts.[411] The institute has several divisions. Many actors have graduated from the institute, such as Souad Abdullah, Mohammed Khalifa, Mansour Al-Mansour, along with a number of prominent critics such as Ismail Fahd Ismail.

Theatre in Kuwait is subsidized by the government, previously by the Ministry of Social Affairs and now by the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL).[412] Every urban district has a public theatre.[413] The public theatre in Salmiya is named after Abdulhussain Abdulredha.

ArtsMain article: Art of KuwaitKuwait has the oldest modern arts movement in the Arabian Peninsula.[414][415][416] Beginning in 1936, Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab country to grant scholarships in the arts.[414] The Kuwaiti artist Mojeb al-Dousari was the earliest recognized visual artist in the Gulf Arab region.[417] He is regarded as the founder of portrait art in the region.[418] The Sultan Gallery was the first professional Arab art gallery in the Gulf.[419][420]

Kuwait is home to more than 30 art galleries.[421][422] In recent years, Kuwait's contemporary art scene has boomed.[423][424][425] Khalifa Al-Qattan was the first artist to hold a solo exhibition in Kuwait. He founded a new art theory in the early 1960s known as 'circulism'.[426][427] Other notable Kuwaiti artists include Sami Mohammad, Thuraya Al-Baqsami and Suzan Bushnaq.

The government organizes various arts festivals, including the Al Qurain Cultural Festival and Formative Arts Festival.[428][429][430] The Kuwait International Biennial was inaugurated in 1967,[431] more than 20 Arab and foreign countries have participated in the biennial.[431] Prominent participants include Layla Al-Attar. In 2004, the Al Kharafi Biennial for Contemporary Arab Art was inaugurated.

MuseumsMain article: List of museums in Kuwait

Sadu House.The new Kuwait National Cultural District (KNCD) consists of various cultural venues including Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, Al Shaheed Park, and Al Salam Palace.[199][198] With a capital cost of more than US$1 billion, it is one of the largest cultural districts in the world.[199] The Abdullah Salem Cultural Centre is the largest museum complex in the Middle East.[432][205] The Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.[40]

Several Kuwaiti museums are devoted to Islamic art, most notably the Tareq Rajab Museums and Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah cultural centres.[433][434] The Dar al Athar al Islamiyyah cultural centres include education wings, conservation labs, and research libraries.[435][436][437] There are several art libraries in Kuwait.[438][437][439] Khalifa Al-Qattan's Mirror House is the most popular art museum in Kuwait.[440] Many museums in Kuwait are private enterprises.[441][433] In contrast to the top-down approach in other Gulf states, museum development in Kuwait reflects a greater sense of civic identity and demonstrates the strength of civil society in Kuwait, which has produced many independent cultural enterprises.[442][433][441]

Sadu House is among Kuwait's most important cultural institutions. Bait Al-Othman is the largest museum specializing in Kuwait's history. The Scientific Center is one of the largest science museums in the Middle East. The Museum of Modern Art showcases the history of modern art in Kuwait and the region.[443] The National Museum, established in 1983, has been described as 'underused and overlooked'.[444]

MusicMain article: Music of KuwaitKuwait is the birthplace of various popular musical genres, such as sawt.[445] Kuwaiti music has considerably influenced the music culture in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.[446][445] Traditional Kuwaiti music is a reflection of the country's seafaring heritage,[447] which is known for genres such as fijiri.[448][449][450] Kuwait pioneered contemporary Khaliji music.[451][452][453] Kuwaitis were the first commercial recording artists in the Gulf region.[451][452][453] The first known Kuwaiti recordings were made between 1912 and 1915.[454]

The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre contains the largest opera house in the Middle East.[455] Kuwait is home to various music festivals, including the International Music Festival hosted by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL).[456][457] Kuwait has several academic institutions specializing in university-level music education.[458][459] The Higher Institute of Musical Arts was established by the government to provide bachelor's degrees in music.[460][458][459] In addition, the College of Basic Education offers bachelor's degrees in music education.[457][458][459] The Institute of Musical Studies offers degrees equivalent to secondary school.[457][459][458]

Media

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The 372 m (1,220 ft) tall Kuwait Telecommunications Tower (leftmost) is the main communication tower of Kuwait.Kuwait's media is annually classified as 'partly free' in the Freedom of Press survey by Freedom House.[461] Since 2005,[462] Kuwait has frequently earned the highest ranking of all Arab countries in the annual Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.[463][464][465][466][467][468][469][470][471] In 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014, Kuwait surpassed Israel as the country with the greatest press freedom in the Middle East.[463][464][465][466][470] Kuwait is also frequently ranked as the Arab country with the greatest press freedom in Freedom House's annual Freedom of Press survey.[472][473][474][475][476][477][478]

Kuwait produces more newspapers and magazines per capita than its neighbors.[479][480] There are limits to Kuwait's press freedom; while criticism of the government and ruling family members is permitted, Kuwait's constitution criminalizes criticism of the Emir.

The state-owned Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) is the largest media house in the country. The Ministry of Information regulates the media industry in Kuwait.

Kuwait has 15 satellite television channels, of which four are controlled by the Ministry of Information. State-owned Kuwait Television (KTV) offered first colored broadcast in 1974 and operates five television channels. Government-funded Radio Kuwait also offers daily informative programming in several languages including Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and English on the AM and SW.

LiteratureMain article: Kuwaiti literatureKuwait has in recent years produced several prominent contemporary writers such as Ismail Fahd Ismail, author of over twenty novels and numerous short story collections. There is also evidence that Kuwaiti literature has long been interactive with English and French literature.[481]

Sport

Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.Football is the most popular sport in Kuwait. The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) is the governing body of football in Kuwait. The KFA organises the men's, women's, and futsal national teams. The Kuwaiti Premier League is the top league of Kuwaiti football, featuring eighteen teams. The Kuwait national football team have been the champions of the 1980 AFC Asian Cup, runners-up of the 1976 AFC Asian Cup, and have taken third place of the 1984 AFC Asian Cup. Kuwait has also been to one FIFA World Cup, in 1982; they drew 1–1 with Czechoslovakia before losing to France and England, failing to advance from the first round. Kuwait is home to many football clubs including Al-Arabi, Al-Fahaheel, Al-Jahra, Al-Kuwait, Al-Naser, Al-Salmiya, Al-Shabab, Al Qadsia, Al-Yarmouk, Kazma, Khaitan, Sulaibikhat, Sahel, and Tadamon. The biggest football rivalry in Kuwait is between Al-Arabi and Al Qadsia.

Basketball is one of the country's most popular sports. The Kuwait national basketball team is governed by the Kuwait Basketball Association (KBA). Kuwait made its international debut in 1959. The national team has been to the FIBA Asian Championship in basketball eleven times. The Kuwaiti Division I Basketball League is the highest professional basketball league in Kuwait. Cricket in Kuwait is governed by the Kuwait Cricket Association. Other growing sports include rugby union. Handball is widely considered to be the national icon of Kuwait, although football is more popular among the overall population.

Ice hockey in Kuwait is governed by the Kuwait Ice Hockey Association. Kuwait first joined the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1985, but was expelled in 1992 due to a lack of ice hockey activity.[482] Kuwait was re-admitted into the IIHF in May 2009.[483] In 2015, Kuwait won the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia.[484][485]

In February 2020 Kuwait held for the first time a leg of the UIM Aquabike World Championship in front of Marina Beach City.

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