Country Information

The population of Kuwait is 2,111,561 (of which 1,159,913 are non-nationals). Ethnic groups include Kuwaiti (45%), other Arab (35%), South Asian (9%), Iranian (4%) and other (7%). Kuwait is predominantly Muslim (85%): 70% of Muslims are Sunni and 30% are Shi'a. Other religions include Christian, Hindu, and Parsi. The government is a nominal constitutional monarchy.

Political and Economic Environment

After World War I, France and Britain divided up the remains of the Ottoman Empire and Kuwait became a British protectorate, separate from the newly created kingdom of Iraq, which claimed it as a province. Independence was negotiated in 1961.

Iran attacked Kuwaiti ships in 1987, alleging its port was being used by Iraq. The United States and Britain sent forces to protect the Gulf. At war's end, regional tensions again began to mount when Kuwait asked Iraq to repay loans and Iraq demanded compensation for oil it accused Kuwait of stealing. Iraq invaded Kuwait, overwhelmed its army, and installed a government. The U.S. responded by dispatching troops, aircraft and warships to protect Saudi Arabia and to enforce U.N. economic sanctions against Iraq and occupied Kuwait. Diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis failed, and on November 20, 1990, the U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S. draft resolution authorizing the use of force. "Operation Desert Storm" commenced on the nights of January 16 and 17, 1991. During the nights of February 23 and 24, the multi-national force entered Kuwait and defeated the Iraqis. On March 3, Iraq accepted the cease-fire terms, which created a demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait. Between 150,000 and 200,000 people, mostly Iraqi civilians, died in the war.

Kuwait has a small but rich economy with abundant crude reserves. The economy is highly dependent on the energy sector. Despite Kuwait's stated emphasis on open markets, the local economy is dominated by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, direct expenditures, government owned companies, and equity. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and 75 percent of government income. With the exception of fish, Kuwait depends almost wholly on food imports due to its arid climate. Ninety-three percent of the indigenous workforce is employed in the public sector, while foreigners constitute 94 percent of the private sector workforce.

Humanitarian Situation

Kuwait has largely maintained a closed-door policy toward refugees. However, the country hosted 35,000 Palestinians, 15,000 Iraqis, and 2,000 Somalis refugees throughout the 1990's, most of whom have become long-term residents. Currently, the country shelters some 13,000 Iraqis of concern to UNHCR, plus an additional small number of asylum seekers from various countries. Kuwait is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and lacks established asylum procedures and domestic laws relating to refugees. Since Kuwait does not officially recognize refugees, but only tolerates the presence of foreigners as part of the expatriate labor force, the exact number of refugees remains a rough estimate.

Kuwait signed and ratified an agreement with UNHCR in 1996 recognizing UNHCR's mandate to protect refugees. In practice, the government allows UNHCR to adjudicate refugee claims, to date, 2,000 to 3,000 refugees have been registered by UNHCR. Primarily, UNHCR pursues local integration as a sustainable solution for these and other refugee groups. Kuwait however denies the option of local settlement, citing the threat to security. Moreover, the government reserves the authority to deport foreigners without trial, including stateless persons born in Kuwait and other non-indigenous residents of Kuwait. Considering the obligation of non-refoulement is now a generally accepted principle of customary international law, Kuwait's prohibitive policy is questionable. Though the government does not forcibly repatriate those slated for deportation, the government has prolonged the detention of 100 foreigners and Bidoons because it cannot find a lasting solution for these detainees who do not wish to return to their countries or have no country of citizenship to return.Updated January 2004