| Kuwait (2001) | Kuwait (2002) | |
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| Age structure | 0-14 years: 
 28.76% (male 299,080; female 288,125) 15-64 years: 68.82% (male 897,839; female 507,527) 65 years and over: 2.42% (male 31,843; female 17,547) (2001 est.)  | 
				0-14 years: 28.3% (male 304,200; female 292,900) 
 15-64 years: 69.2% (male 934,115; female 527,331) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 34,106; female 18,909) (2002 est.)  | 
				
| Airports | 8 (2000 est.) | 7 (2001) | 
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 
 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2000 est.)  | 
				total: 3 
 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002)  | 
				
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 
 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)  | 
				total: 3 
 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002)  | 
				
| Area | total: 
 17,820 sq km land: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km  | 
				total: 17,820 sq km 
 land: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km  | 
				
| Background | Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. | Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. | 
| Birth rate | 21.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 21.84 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) | 
| Budget | revenues: 
 $11.5 billion expenditures: $17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02)  | 
				revenues: $11.5 billion 
 expenditures: $17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02 )  | 
				
| Country name | conventional long form: 
 State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt  | 
				conventional long form: State of Kuwait 
 conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt  | 
				
| Currency | Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) | Kuwaiti dinar (KD) | 
| Death rate | 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 2.46 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) | 
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: 
 Ambassador James A. LAROCCO embassy: Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 539-5307 FAX: [965] 538-0282  | 
				chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES 
 embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240 FAX: [965] 538-0282  | 
				
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: 
 Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517  | 
				chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber AL SABAH 
 chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517  | 
				
| Disputes - international | in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands | in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, although the Iraqi Government continues periodic rhetorical challenges | 
| Economic aid - recipient | $27.6 million (1995) | NA | 
| Economy - overview | Kuwait is a small, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02, which begins 1 April, contains higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. | Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02 envisioned higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. | 
| Electricity - consumption | 29.357 billion kWh (1999) | 29.016 billion kWh (2000) | 
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (1999) | 0 kWh (2000) | 
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (1999) | 0 kWh (2000) | 
| Electricity - production | 31.567 billion kWh (1999) | 31.2 billion kWh (2000) | 
| Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel: 
 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)  | 
				fossil fuel: 100% 
 hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2000)  | 
				
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: 
 Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m  | 
				lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m 
 highest point: unnamed location 306 m  | 
				
| Environment - international agreements | party to: 
 Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping  | 
				party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection 
 signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping  | 
				
| Exchange rates | Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3057 (January 2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996) | Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3075 (January 2002), 0.3066, (2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997) | 
| Executive branch | chief of state: 
 Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch  | 
				chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) 
 head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch  | 
				
| Exports | $23.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) | $16.2 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) | 
| Exports - partners | Japan 23%, US 12%, Singapore 8%, Netherlands 7% (1999) | Japan 23%, US 14%, South Korea 13%, Singapore 7%, Netherlands 6%, Pakistan 6%, Indonesia 4%, UK 2% (2000) | 
| GDP | purchasing power parity - $29.3 billion (2000 est.) | purchasing power parity - $30.9 billion (2001 est.) | 
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 
 0% industry: 55% services: 45% (1996)  | 
				industry: 60% 
 services: 40% agriculture: 0% (2000)  | 
				
| GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.) | purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2001 est.) | 
| GDP - real growth rate | 6% (2000 est.) | 4% (2001 est.) | 
| Heliports | 3 (2000 est.) | 3 (2002) | 
| Highways | total: 
 4,450 km paved: 3,590 km unpaved: 860 km (1999 est.)  | 
				total: 4,450 km 
 paved: 3,590 km unpaved: 860 km (1999 est.)  | 
				
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: 
 NA% highest 10%: NA%  | 
				lowest 10%: NA% 
 highest 10%: NA%  | 
				
| Imports | $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) | $7.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) | 
| Imports - partners | US 15%, Japan 10%, UK 7%, Germany 7% (1999) | US 12%, Japan 8%, UK 8%, Germany 7%, China 5%, France 4%, Australia 3%, Netherlands 2% (2000) | 
| Infant mortality rate | 11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) | 10.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) | 
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 3% (2000) | 2.7% (2001) | 
| International organization participation | ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO | ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO | 
| Irrigated land | 20 sq km (1993 est.) | 60 sq km (1998 est.) | 
| Labor force | 1.3 million (1998 est.)
 note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)  | 
				1.3 million 
 note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.) (1998 est.)  | 
				
| Land boundaries | total: 
 464 km border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km  | 
				total: 462 km 
 border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km  | 
				
| Land use | arable land: 
 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 8% forests and woodland: 0% other: 92% (1993 est.)  | 
				arable land: 0.34% 
 permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.6% (1998 est.)  | 
				
| Legislative branch | unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
 elections: last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly  | 
				unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) 
 elections: last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly  | 
				
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 
 76.27 years male: 75.42 years female: 77.15 years (2001 est.)  | 
				total population: 76.46 years 
 male: 75.56 years female: 77.39 years (2002 est.)  | 
				
| Literacy | definition: 
 age 15 and over can read and write total population: 78.6% male: 82.2% female: 74.9% (1995 est.)  | 
				definition: age 15 and over can read and write 
 total population: 78.6% male: 82.2% female: 74.9% (1995 est.)  | 
				
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 
 12 NM  | 
				territorial sea: 12 NM | 
| Merchant marine | total: 
 45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,461,072 GRT/3,966,645 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 6, container 6, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20 (2000 est.)  | 
				total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,274,515 GRT/3,627,835 DWT 
 ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.)  | 
				
| Military branches | Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard | Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard | 
| Military expenditures - dollar figure | $1.9 billion (FY00/01) | $1,967.3 million (FY01) 
 note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually  | 
				
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 8.7% (FY00/01) | 5.5% (FY01) | 
| Military manpower - availability | males age 15-49: 
 780,559 (2001 est.)  | 
				males age 15-49: 812,059 (2002 est.) | 
| Military manpower - fit for military service | males age 15-49: 
 466,521 (2001 est.)  | 
				males age 15-49: 486,906 (2002 est.) | 
| Military manpower - military age | 18 years of age | 18 years of age (2002 est.) | 
| Military manpower - reaching military age annually | males: 
 18,309 (2001 est.)  | 
				males: 18,309 (2002 est.) | 
| Nationality | noun: 
 Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti  | 
				noun: Kuwaiti(s) 
 adjective: Kuwaiti  | 
				
| Natural hazards | sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August | sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring heavy rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August | 
| Net migration rate | 14.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) | 
| Population | 2,041,961
 note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2001 est.)  | 
				2,111,561 
 note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)  | 
				
| Population growth rate | 3.38% (2001 est.)
 note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates  | 
				3.33% 
 note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2002 est.)  | 
				
| Religions | Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% | Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% | 
| Sex ratio | 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: 1.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.51 male(s)/female (2001 est.)  | 
				at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 
 under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2002 est.)  | 
				
| Suffrage | 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  | 
				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  | 
				
| Telephone system | general assessment: 
 the quality of service is excellent domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat  | 
				general assessment: the quality of service is excellent 
 domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat  | 
				
| Total fertility rate | 3.2 children born/woman (2001 est.) | 3.14 children born/woman (2002 est.) | 
| Unemployment rate | 1.8% (official 1996 est.) | 1.8% (1996 est.) |