Kuwait is located in Western Asia, and its capital is Kuwait City. It has a population of approximately 4,897,263 and covers an area of about 17,820 km². Its official currency is the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD).
What stands out
People & place
275 /km² across 17,820 km²
Kuwait has a recorded population of 4,897,263 and a reported surface area of 17,820 km².
Economic snapshot
$160.23 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $160.23 billion and GDP per capita at $32,718 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a small but wealthy nation in the Arabian Peninsula. It is known for its significant oil reserves and modern urban landscape, with a population of around 4.3 million people.
Located at the northwestern corner of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait shares borders with Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. The country's terrain is predominantly flat desert, with a hot arid climate and occasional summer sandstorms.
The coastline stretches over 500 km, featuring Kuwait Bay and numerous offshore islands such as Failaka.
Kuwaiti culture is a blend of traditional Arab customs and contemporary influences. Arabic is the official language, and Islam (predominantly Sunni) shapes daily life and holidays.
Family ties, hospitality, and a rich tradition of poetry and music are central, while modern art, cuisine, and a vibrant shopping scene reflect rapid development.
Modern Kuwait traces its roots to the 18th century when the Al‑Salim dynasty established a maritime trading hub. In 1961, Kuwait gained full independence from British protection.
The country endured a brief but devastating Iraqi invasion in 1990‑1991, after which it was liberated by a US‑led coalition. Since then, Kuwait has rebuilt its economy and infrastructure, leveraging its oil wealth while pursuing gradual political reforms.
Key facts
Capital: Kuwait City
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Population (2023): approx. 4.3 million
Area: 17,818 km²
Government: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system
Major export: Crude oil
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Kuwait has a recorded population of approximately 4,897,263 people.
How big is Kuwait?
Kuwait covers an area of about 17,820 km².
What is the population density of Kuwait?
Kuwait has a population density of roughly 275 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Kuwait?
Kuwait has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $160.23 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Kuwait?
Kuwait has a GDP per capita of approximately $32,718.
What currency is used in Kuwait?
Kuwait uses the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD), with the symbol ك.د.
Where is Kuwait located?
Kuwait is located in Western Asia, Asia.
What is the native name of Kuwait?
The native name of Kuwait is الكويت.
What are people from Kuwait called?
People from Kuwait are referred to as Kuwaiti.
What is the phone calling code for Kuwait?
The international dialing code for Kuwait is +965.
What is the internet domain for Kuwait?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Kuwait is .kw.
What time zone is Kuwait in?
Kuwait uses the Asia/Kuwait time zone.
What is Kuwait known for?
Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a small but wealthy nation in the Arabian Peninsula. It is known for its significant oil reserves and modern urban landscape, with a population of around 4.3 million people.
Western Asia