MEPI in Kuwait

• Ongoing MEPI Programs

• Completed MEPI Programs

About Kuwait

Location

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

Area

17,820 sq km

Population

2,418,393 including 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.9%; 15-64 years: 70.3%; 65 years and over: 2.8% (2006 est.)

Median age

25.9 years

Population growth rate

3.52%

Ethnic groups

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

Religions

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

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Literacy

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

Government type

constitutional hereditary emirate

Capital

Kuwait

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma

Judicial Branch

High Court of Appeal

Gross Domestic Product

$47.36 billion, per capita $20,300 (2005 est.)

GDP Growth Rate

8.3% (2005 est.)