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Photo: Jack Versloot · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Kuwait
Kuwait places highest on Cereal Yield (top 2% worldwide) and lowest on Water Stress (bottom 1%).
Kuwait in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
4,838,782
people
since 1950
Land area
17,820
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
48,254
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
80.4
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.852
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
2.181
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Kuwait
Key facts about Kuwait
- Capital
- Kuwait City
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
- ISO code
- KWT · KW
- Domain · dialling
- .kw · +965
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Kuwait’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
12thof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
23rdof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
57thof 201
From 3 of 4 key statistics
joint51stof 150
From 3 of 3 key statistics
88thof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
75thof 147
From 2 of 3 key statistics
106thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
113thof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
122ndof 177
From 3 of 3 key statistics
joint142ndof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
156thof 161
From 2 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Kuwait holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Kuwait’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Kuwait in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Kuwait stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Kuwait sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Kuwait does best7
In the top third of all countries measured. 4 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0 · ▲ 45 pts since 2015
- 1st
Position · derived 104th of 104 · 1 = worst · 2.5 · 2023
world median 5.2 (better) · ▼ 3 pts since 2013
- 4th
- 5thVulnerable Employmenttop 2%
Position · derived 178th of 182 · 1 = worst · 2.403 · 2025
world median 28.67 (better)
Position · derived 14th of 194 · 146.03 · 2022
world median 107.06 (better) · ▲ 63 pts since 2012
Position · derived 18th of 182 · 71.77 · 2025
world median 57.72 (better)
- Food Production Indextop 10%
Position · derived 20th of 195 · 130.87 · 2022
world median 106.08 (better) · ▲ 29 pts since 2012
Where Kuwait struggles most6
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 6 are within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1st
Position · derived 181st of 181 · 0 · 2022
world median 2,528 (worse)
- 1stWater Stressbottom 1%
Position · derived 1st of 177 · 1 = worst · 3,851 · 2023
world median 10 (worse) · ▼ 96 pts since 2013
- 6thResearch and Development Spendingbottom 6%
Position · derived 79th of 84 · 0.095 · 2023
world median 0.814 (worse) · ▼ 23 pts since 2013
- 7thFirms with a Female Top Managerbottom 3%
Position · derived 173rd of 179 · 2.776 · 2025
world median 19.16 (worse)
- 7thWomen, Business and the Lawbottom 3%
Position · derived 184th of 190 · 38.13 · 2024
world median 81.25 (worse)
- 8thGlobal Militarisation Indexbottom 5%
Rank 8th of 149 · 1 = worst · 210.43 · 2023
world median 100.66 (worse) · ▼ 4 pts since 2013
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Kuwait can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
50th
of 141 · 1990
52nd
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
65th
of 173 · 2012
65th
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 14 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
95th
of 101 · 1995
51st
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 29 of 34 editions
Global Innovation Index
World Intellectual Property Organization
62nd
of 132 · 2022
73rd
of 139 · 2025
Ranked in 4 of 4 editions
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
51st
of 140 · 1995
62nd
of 145 · 2024
Ranked in 30 of 30 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
54th
of 172 · 2020
83rd
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 6 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Kuwait has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff+42 pts since 2009
Losing ground
Where Kuwait has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Crop Production Index-18 pts since 2012
05In context
Kuwait and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Kuwait
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions14
Civic Space Ratings149th of 198position · derived27.97Civic space score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Kuwait 27.97 · world median 50.46 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index65th of 181rank46CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
Upper middle · top 36% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Kuwait 46 · world median 39 (better)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2015
Government AI Readiness Index83rd of 195rank43.79AI readiness score (0–100)2025
Middle · top 42% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Kuwait 43.79 · world median 40.19 (better)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▼ -11 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness79th of 209position · derived0.328Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
Upper middle · top 38% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Kuwait 0.328 · world median 0.01 (better)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2014
Government Spending on Education30th of 123position · derived5.026Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)2023
Upper middle · top 24% of 123 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Kuwait 5.026 · world median 3.709 (better)
Best in the world 16.39 (Kiribati)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2016
Open Data Inventory104th of 168rank52ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
Kuwait 52 · world median 59 (worse)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2016
Public Sector Wage Bill6th of 168position · derived16.83Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)2022
Top fifth · top 3% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)
Kuwait 16.83 · world median 7.975
Highest 42.65 (Nauru)
▲ +28 percentile points since 2012
Regulatory Quality66th of 209position · derived0.404Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Upper middle · top 31% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Kuwait 0.404 · world median -0.09 (better)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▲ +16 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law90th of 211position · derived0.231Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Middle · top 42% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Kuwait 0.231 · world median -0.1 (better)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
No real change since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators121st of 188position · derived63.38SPI overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 36% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Kuwait 63.38 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2016
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index161st of 176position · derived0.138Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Kuwait 0.138 · world median 0.497 (worse)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
▼ -17 percentile points since 2015
Voice and Accountability140th of 208position · derived-0.718Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Kuwait -0.718 · world median -0.02 (worse)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
No real change since 2014
Women, Business and the Law184th of 190position · derived38.13WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Kuwait 38.13 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
No real change since 2014
Economy & Innovation20
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution67th of 139position · derived74.46Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)2024
Middle · top 48% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Kuwait 74.46 · world median 72.83 (better)
Best in the world 99.85 (Iceland)
▼ -14 percentile points since 2014
Agricultural Land184th of 209position · derived8.418Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 12% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Kuwait 8.418 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
No real change since 2013
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)152nd of 158position · derived0.531Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)
Kuwait 0.531 · world median 6.572
Highest 47.59 (Niger)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Cereal Yield4th of 179position · derived14,957Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
Top fifth · top 2% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Kuwait 14,957 · world median 3,072 (better)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
No real change since 2013
Crop Production Index76th of 195position · derived109.27Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Upper middle · top 39% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Kuwait 109.27 · world median 106.23 (better)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -18 percentile points since 2012
Economic Complexity Index62nd of 145rank0.314ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)2024
Middle · top 42% of 145 countries measured
Growth Lab at Harvard University · ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Kuwait 0.314 · world median 0.131 (better)
Best in the world 1.729 (Japan)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2014
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare2nd of 188position · derived2,009Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
Top fifth · top 1% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Kuwait 2,009 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index20th of 195position · derived130.87Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Top fifth · top 10% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Kuwait 130.87 · world median 106.08 (better)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▲ +29 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth115th of 186position · derived2.732GDP growth (annual %)2025
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Kuwait 2.732 · world median 3.396 (worse)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
▲ +21 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)37th of 185position · derived48,254GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Top fifth · top 20% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Kuwait 48,254 · world median 17,265 (better)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Global Innovation Index73rd of 139rank28.21GII score (0–100)2025
Middle · bottom 48% of 139 countries measured
World Intellectual Property Organization · GII score (0–100)
Kuwait 28.21 · world median 28.52 (worse)
Best in the world 65.96 (Switzerland)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2022
Gross Savings (% of GDP)3rd of 146position · derived44.13Gross savings (% of GDP)2024
Top fifth · top 1% of 146 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross savings (% of GDP)
Kuwait 44.13 · world median 22.06
Highest 47.82 (Macau)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2014
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)5th of 158position · derived54.12Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 3% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)
Kuwait 54.12 · world median 24.65
Highest 75.09 (Guyana)
No real change since 2015
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index115th of 175rank28.05LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)2026
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 167 countries measured · 167 share 175 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Kuwait 28.05 · world median 56.21 (worse)
Best in the world 1,319 (China)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2016
Livestock Density7th of 188position · derived4.89Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
Top fifth · top 3% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Kuwait 4.89 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Production Index14th of 194position · derived146.03Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Top fifth · top 7% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Kuwait 146.03 · world median 107.06 (better)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▲ +63 percentile points since 2012
Logistics Performance Index51st of 139rank3.2LPI score (1–5)2023
Upper middle · top 38% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · LPI score (1–5)
Kuwait 3.2 · world median 2.9 (better)
Best in the world 4.3 (Singapore)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)96th of 132position · derived7.743Manufacturing value added (% of GDP)2025
Lower middle · bottom 27% of 132 countries measured
World Bank Group · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP)
Kuwait 7.743 · world median 11.26
Highest 43.97 (Puerto Rico)
No real change since 2015
Research and Development Spending79th of 84position · derived0.095Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 6% of 84 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP)
Kuwait 0.095 · world median 0.814 (worse)
Best in the world 6.346 (Israel)
▼ -23 percentile points since 2013
World Energy Trilemma Index41st of 99rank65.8Trilemma score (0–100)2023
Middle · top 41% of 126 countries measured · 126 share 99 positions
World Energy Council · Trilemma score (0–100)
Kuwait 65.8 · world median 63.8 (better)
Best in the world 83.2 (Denmark)
No earlier reading to compare
Work & Labour15
Average Weekly Hours Worked16th of 182position · derived45.75Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
Top fifth · top 8% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Kuwait 45.75 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Agriculture157th of 182position · derived1.891Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 14% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Kuwait 1.891 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Industry44th of 182position · derived24.61Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 24% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Kuwait 24.61 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Services43rd of 182position · derived73.5Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 23% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Kuwait 73.5 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio18th of 182position · derived71.77Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
Top fifth · top 9% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Kuwait 71.77 · world median 57.72 (better)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate131st of 182position · derived47.2Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Kuwait 47.2 · world median 53.36 (worse)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
▼ -12 percentile points since 2015
Firms with a Female Top Manager173rd of 179position · derived2.776Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Kuwait 2.776 · world median 19.16 (worse)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
GDP per Person Employed48th of 168position · derived81,972GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
Upper middle · top 28% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Kuwait 81,972 · world median 47,384 (better)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2015
Labour Force Participation Rate21st of 182position · derived73.36Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Top fifth · top 11% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Kuwait 73.36 · world median 61.66 (better)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked65th of 182position · derived32.93Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Kuwait 32.93 · world median 22.16 (better)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
▼ -14 percentile points since 2015
Self-Employment Rate180th of 182position · derived3.161Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 1% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Kuwait 3.161 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
No real change since 2015
Unemployment Rate163rd of 182position · derived · 1 = worst2.181Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
Top fifth · top 10% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Kuwait 2.181 · world median 5.084 (better)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Vulnerable Employment178th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst2.403Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
Top fifth · top 2% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Kuwait 2.403 · world median 28.67 (better)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Youth Unemployment Rate75th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst15.06Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
Middle · bottom 41% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Kuwait 15.06 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge4
Adult Literacy Rate66th of 172position · derived96.46Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
Upper middle · top 38% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Kuwait 96.46 · world median 93.99 (better)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling49th of 195position · derived15.9Expected years of schooling2023
Upper middle · top 25% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Kuwait 15.9 · world median 13.34 (better)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▲ +19 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling132nd of 193position · derived7.566Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
Lower middle · bottom 32% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Kuwait 7.566 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
No real change since 2013
Youth Literacy Ratetop 32%99.315–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
Upper middle · top 32% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Kuwait 99.3 · world median 98.22 (better)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing11
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff12th of 86position · derived99.9Births attended by skilled health staff (%)2019
Top fifth · top 18% of 86 countries measured
UNICEF · Births attended by skilled health staff (%)
Kuwait 99.9 · world median 98.8 (better)
Best in the world 100 (11 countries tied)
▲ +42 percentile points since 2009
Gender Inequality Index51st of 172rank0.188GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
Upper middle · top 29% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Kuwait 0.188 · world median 0.351 (better)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2013
Global Violent Deaths183rd of 206position · derived · 1 = worst0.61Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
Top fifth · top 12% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Kuwait 0.61 · world median 4.02 (better)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▲ +18 percentile points since 2011
Human Capital Index87th of 172position · derived0.563HCI score (0–1)2020
Middle · bottom 50% of 172 countries measured
World Bank Group · HCI score (0–1)
Kuwait 0.563 · world median 0.564 (worse)
Best in the world 0.879 (Singapore)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2010
Human Development Index52nd of 193rank0.852HDI score (0–1)2023
Upper middle · top 27% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Kuwait 0.852 · world median 0.762 (better)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2013
Life Expectancy at Birth48th of 222position · derived80.4Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
Upper middle · top 21% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Kuwait 80.4 · world median 74.63 (better)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
No real change since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio155th of 195position · derived · 1 = worst7.75Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
Upper middle · top 21% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Kuwait 7.75 · world median 46.65 (better)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2013
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity77th of 127position · derived · 1 = worst3.4Population in severe food insecurity (%)2023
Middle · top 41% of 133 countries measured · 133 share 127 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Kuwait 3.4 · world median 4.7 (better)
Best in the world 0 (7 countries tied)
▲ +17 percentile points since 2015
Prevalence of Undernourishment104th of 104position · derived · 1 = worst2.5Population undernourished (%)2023
Top fifth · top 19% of 165 countries measured · 165 share 104 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population undernourished (%)
Kuwait 2.5 · world median 5.2 (better)
Best in the world 2.5 (62 countries tied)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five144th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst3.205Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
Top fifth · top 11% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Kuwait 3.205 · world median 13.8 (better)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate140th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst8.104Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
Upper middle · top 30% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Kuwait 8.104 · world median 14.54 (better)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
No real change since 2014
Development & Human Capital8
Access to Electricitytop 28%100Population with electricity access (%)2024
Upper middle · top 28% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Kuwait 100 · world median 100
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Arable Land per Person201st of 206position · derived0.002Arable land (hectares per person)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 2% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Kuwait 0.002 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
No real change since 2013
Cereal Import Dependency Ratiotop 10%99.4Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)2022
Top fifth · top 10% of 161 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)
Kuwait 99.4 · world median 42.8
Highest 100 (16 countries tied)
No real change since 2012
Gender Development Index40th of 184position · derived1.011Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
Upper middle · top 22% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Kuwait 1.011 · world median 0.971 (better)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production158th of 179position · derived2,070Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 12% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Kuwait 2,070 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
No real change since 2013
Organic Agricultural Area139th of 150position · derived0.02Organic share of agricultural land (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 156 countries measured · 156 share 150 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Kuwait 0.02 · world median 0.725 (worse)
Best in the world 86.38 (Samoa)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI129th of 156position · derived0.531PHDI (0–1)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 156 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · PHDI (0–1)
Kuwait 0.531 · world median 0.678 (worse)
Best in the world 0.827 (United Kingdom)
No real change since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector86th of 171position · derived62.27Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
Middle · top 49% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Kuwait 62.27 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2012
Environment & Sustainability6
Agricultural Emissions142nd of 193position · derived1,500Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Kuwait 1,500 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2013
Forest Area201st of 210position · derived0.351Forest area (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 6% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Kuwait 0.351 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita181st of 181position · derived0Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 1% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Kuwait 0 · world median 2,528 (worse)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation176th of 190position · derived2.238Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Kuwait 2.238 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2014
Water Stress1st of 177position · derived · 1 = worst3,851Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 1% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Kuwait 3,851 · world median 10 (worse)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
▼ -96 percentile points since 2013
World Risk Index141st of 193position · derived · 1 = worst2.42WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
Upper middle · top 27% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Kuwait 2.42 · world median 4.17 (better)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
No real change since 2015
Gender & Equality1
Peace & Security5
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Kuwait 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
▲ +45 percentile points since 2015
Global Militarisation Index8th of 149rank · 1 = worst210.43GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 5% of 149 countries measured
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) · GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)
Kuwait 210.43 · world median 100.66 (worse)
Best in the world 3.512 (Haiti)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2013
INFORM Risk Index130th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst2.8INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
Upper middle · top 31% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Kuwait 2.8 · world median 3.7 (better)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
▲ +11 percentile points since 2016
Physical Violence Index99th of 176position · derived0.713Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
Middle · bottom 44% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Kuwait 0.713 · world median 0.79 (worse)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence94th of 211position · derived0.294Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Middle · top 44% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Kuwait 0.294 · world median 0.04 (better)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Kuwait. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Adjusted Net Savings · last seen 2019
- Agricultural Irrigated Land
- Agriculture Orientation Index · last seen 2022
- Business Ready: Operational Efficiency
- Business Ready: Public Services
- Business Ready: Regulatory Framework
- Child Marriage
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Coefficient of Human Inequality
- Completeness of Birth Registration
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2020
- Cost of Sending Remittances
- Country Policy and Institutional Assessment
- Debt Service on External Debt
- Dietary Energy Supply
- Ecological Footprint
- Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months
- Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Female Share of Senior and Middle Management
- General Government Consumption · last seen 2024
- Gini Index
- Global Multidimensional Poverty Index
- Global Report on Food Crises
- GNI per Capita (PPP) · last seen 2024
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2014
- Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Household Consumption · last seen 2024
- ICT Goods Exports · last seen 2023
- Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20%
- Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index
- INFORM Severity Index
- Informal Employment Rate
- Internal Displacements by Disaster · last seen 2022
- Net Official Development Assistance Received · last seen 1995
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary · last seen 2016
- Pesticide Use per Hectare
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day
- Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate · last seen 2021
- Primary Completion Rate
- Prosperity Gap
- Public Sector Employment
- School Life Expectancy · last seen 2015
- Secondary School Enrolment · last seen 2015
- Social Institutions and Gender Index
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · last seen 2021
- Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP) · last seen 2020
- Trade (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Trade Union Density
- Upper Secondary Attainment · last seen 2018
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate
- Violent Discipline of Children
- Working Poverty Rate
- Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Kuwait can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 25 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Kuwait on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Kuwait: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/kuwait