Kuwait
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Geography
Area 17,818 sq.km. An oil-rich wedge of desert between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the northwest end of the Arabian Gulf.
| Year | Population | Ann.Gr. | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,971,634 | +3.14% | 111 per sq. km. |
| 2010 | 2,419,713 | +1.85% | 136 per sq. km. |
| 2025 | 2,974,454 | +1.12% | 167 per sq. km. |
The fluctuating expatriate community dramatically affects the size and composition of the population.
Capital Kuwait 1,300,000. Urbanites 97%.
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Peoples
Arab 68%.
Kuwaiti 37%.
Foreign Arab 24.6% (Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian).
Bidoun 6.4%. Stateless Arab refugees.
Non-Arab 32%. Filipino, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, Western, several others.
Literacy 79%. Official language Arabic. All languages 3. Languages with Scriptures 1Bi 1por 1w.i.p.
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Economy
The massive capital and petroleum reserves of this oil rich state were seriously damaged by the Iraqi invasion and Gulf War in 1990-91, but due to generous aid/loans, the oil is again being pumped out to the permitted OPEC limits. Warning signs: the budget deficit is ballooning, and 83% of the workforce is foreign. HDI 0.833; 35th/174. Public debt n/a. Income/person $20,470 (65% of USA).
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Politics
Former British protectorate; became independent in 1961. Constitutional monarchy, but with the Amir and his family exercising quasi-autocratic control. Stuttering democratic progress since 1986. The 1990s were marked by politicized xenophobia due to the Iraqi invasion, suspicions of Kuwaiti-based Iraqi collaborators, and increasing Islamist agitation.
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Religion
Sunni Islam is the state religion with a large Shi’a minority. Immigrant religious minorities are permitted some worship facilities. Diverse Christian community in a relatively liberal Islamic regime. Proselytizing Muslims is forbidden. Persecution index 20th in the world.
| Religions | Population | % Adherents |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 87.43 | 1,723,800 |
| Christian | 8.17 | 161,082 |
| Hindu | 2.50 | 49,291 |
| non-Religious/other | 1.10 | 21,688 |
| Baha’i | 0.50 | 9,858 |
| Buddhist | 0.30 | 5,915 |
| Christians | Denom. | Affil. % | ,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protestant | 30 | 0.46 | 9 |
| Independent | 15 | 0.25 | 5 |
| Anglican | 1 | 0.01 | 0 |
| Catholic | 2 | 3.91 | 77 |
| Orthodox | 5 | 3.54 | 70 |
| Churches | Cong. | Members | Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 8 | 46,584 | 75,000 |
| Coptic Orthodox | 6 | 31,579 | 60,000 |
| National Evang [15] | 3 | 1,250 | 5,000 |
| Independent [15] | 28 | 2,778 | 5,000 |
| Armenian Apostolic | 1 | 2,564 | 4,000 |
| Greek Orthodox | 1 | 2,244 | 3,500 |
| Syrian Orthodox | 2 | 1,366 | 2,200 |
| Mar Thoma Syrian | 2 | 1,242 | 2,000 |
| Melkite Greek Catholic | 1 | 1,111 | 2,000 |
| Pentecostal Churches | 6 | 974 | 1,500 |
| Other denoms [16] | 11 | 689 | 1,231 |
| Total Christians [54] | 69 | 92,381 | 161,431 |
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Internet Links
- CIA World Factbook (http://www.cia.gov/) - Country profile, with only very brief information on religion or society. Brief, largely statistical information on geography, people, government, economy, and more.
- Global Harvest Ministries - Kuwait (http://www.globalharvestministries.org/home.qry?ID=667) - A great resource of articles, history, maps, ministry networks, and news.
- World Skip - Kuwait (http://www.worldskip.com/region.asp?PartnerID=&RegionID=kw) - News, information, products and services from every nation on earth.
- Web Pages In and About Kuwait (www.kuwait.net/kuwait.html) - A simple, limited Web guide.
- Kuwait Pictures (www.kuwaitpictures.com) - A collection of photos. Captions in 4 languages.