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

2,691,157 including 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2009 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.4%; 15-64 years: 70.7%; 65 years and over: 2.9% (2009 est.)

Median age

26.2 years

Population growth rate

3.55% (2009 estimates)

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 15%

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Literacy

(Age 15 and over can read and write) total population: 93.3%; male: 94.4%; female: 91% (2005 census)

Government type

constitutional emirate

Capital

Kuwait

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma

Judicial Branch

High Court of Appeal

Gross Domestic Product

$149.1 billion, per capita $57,400 (2008 est.)

GDP Growth Rate

8.5% (2008 est.)