Kuwait

In brief

Kuwait is a country in Western Asia. Its capital is Kuwait City. With 4.9 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 126th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 17,818 km². It shares land borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

GDP per capita stands at $32,312 (2025), 40th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 84.6 years (2024). 100% of the population lives in cities.

History of Kuwait

The Al-Sabah family has ruled Kuwait since the 18th century. A British protectorate from 1899, the country struck oil in 1938 and became independent on 19 June 1961. On 2 August 1990 Saddam Hussein’s Iraq invaded it; a US-led coalition liberated it in February 1991, but retreating Iraqi troops set hundreds of oil wells on fire. Kuwait has an elected parliament, long one of the most active in the Gulf.

Geography of Kuwait

A small desert country at the head of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait includes several islands, such as Bubiyan. Its summers are among the hottest in the world. It holds some of the planet’s largest oil reserves.

Map of Kuwait

Download the map (SVG)Interactive world map

Flag of Kuwait

The flag of Kuwait is red, white, green and black. Its official proportions are 1:2 (height to width).

• Green29%
• Red29%
• White25%
• Black17%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Green, white and red, with a black trapezoid at the hoist: the pan-Arab colours, adopted in 1961.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Kuwait” and “Flag of Kuwait”.

Download the flag (SVG) All 7 red, white, green and black flags All the flags of the world

Fact file

Economy and society