 DURING
THE 1991 Gulf War, the United States led an international
military force to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Since the conflict, this tiny
Arab nation has strengthened diplomatic and economic ties with its western allies, many of
whom received contracts to repair wartime damage to Kuwait's buildings and petroleum
operations. An estimated 10 percent of the world's oil reserves lie beneath the country,
and petroleum provides 90 percent of Kuwait's export revenues. Such wealth enables the
government to offer its citizens generous education, health and retirement benefits. 
People |
Languages |
Arabic (official), English widely spoken |
| Major Religions |
Muslim
85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% |
| Ethnic groups |
Kuwaiti
45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% |
| Growth rate |
4.1% |
| Birth rate |
20.97
births/1,000 |
| Death rate |
2.29
deaths/1,000 |
| Fertility rate |
3.44
children/woman |
| Male life expectancy |
74 |
| Female life expectancy |
78 |
| Infant mortality rate |
10.74
deaths/1,000 live births |
Economy |
Labor force |
1.1 million (1996) |
| Unemployment rate |
1.8% (1996) |
| Inflation Rate |
3.2% (1996) |
| Gross domestic product (total value of goods and services produced annually) |
$46.3
billion (1997 est.) |
| Budget |
$14.5
billion |
| Debt |
$8.0
billion (1995) |
| Exports |
$14.7
billion (1996 est.), primarily oil and refined products, fertilizers |
| Imports |
$7.7
billion (1996 est.), primarily food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing |
| Defense spending |
12.8% of
GDP (1997 est.) |
| Highways |
4,450 km
(1996) |
Source: 1998 CIA World Factbook
|
