About Kuwait

Map of Kuwait © U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook

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Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Area
17,818 sq km

Population
2,646,314 (July 2012 est.) including 1,291,354 non-nationals

Age structure
0-14 years: 25.7%
15-64 years: 72.3% 
65 years and over: 2.1% (2012 est.)

Median age
28.6 years

Population growth rate
1.883% (2012 estimates)

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

Languages
Arabic (official), English widely spoken

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

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
$153.5 billion, $41,700 (2011 est.)

GDP Growth Rate
8.2% (2011 est.)