Kuwait has one of the world’s highest-valued currencies, the Kuwaiti Dinar.
The State of Kuwait
KuwaitWestern Asia-1:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Arabic
National CurrencyKuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
National Day(s)25 February (National Day)
26 February (Liberation Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalKuwait City
Economic CapitalKuwait City
Cultural CapitalKuwait City
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 1.5 – 2 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportKuwait International Airport (KWI)
Primary PortShuwaikh Port
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline499 km
Highest PointMutla Ridge (306 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverNone
ClimateArid desert
Border Countries
IraqSaudi Arabia
2Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
From the 1960s to the 1980s, Kuwait led the region in theatre, publishing and television, earning it the nickname "Hollywood of the Gulf."
Machboos is Kuwait's national dish, combining spiced rice with meat or seafood and is a staple of Kuwaiti cuisine.
Kuwait has no permanent rivers or lakes and depends on desalination; it opened one of the world's first large desalination plants in 1951.
Hala February Festival is one of Kuwait's largest annual festivals, featuring entertainment, cultural events, and celebrations.
Kuwait International Book Fair is one of the largest and oldest book fairs in the Arab world.
Kuwait has one of the highest per-capita incomes globally due to its strong oil-based economy.
Kuwait was the first Gulf nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, achieving the feat in 1982.
Kuwait’s Sadu weaving is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Bedouin women weave geometric red, black and white patterns in goat and camel hair. The Sadu House in Kuwait City keeps the craft alive.
Kuwait was the first Arab state in the Gulf to establish a written constitution, adopted in 1962.
Kuwait's National Assembly, established in 1962, is one of the oldest and most active elected parliaments in the Gulf region.
Kuwait’s Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway is one of the longest sea bridges in the world.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | KuwaitUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.H. Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Since December 2023
H.H. Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah
Since June 2024
H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Since May 2024
H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Since February 2026
H.E. Dr. Yaqoub Al-Sayed Yousef Al-Rifai
Since February 2026
H.E. Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Marzouq
Since February 2026
H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah
Since February 2025
Political Summary
Political System
Constitutional Monarchy
Hereditary constitutional emirate under the 1962 constitution. The Emir appoints the Prime Minister and the cabinet. On 10 May 2024, the Emir dissolved the National Assembly and suspended several constitutional articles for up to four years; the Emir and the cabinet currently legislate by decree while the constitution is reviewed.
Ruling Party
-
Main Opposition Force(s)
-
Next Presidential Election
Not applicable (Hereditary)
Next Legislative Election
Not yet scheduled; the National Assembly suspension may last until May 2028.
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
48Organizations
29Member
6Founding Member
6Partner, Observer or Participant
7Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Kuwait | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations197254 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Matar Hamed Al NeyadiUAE Ambassador to Kuwait · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Jamal Mohammad Al GhunaimAmbassador of Kuwait to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kuwait Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Kuwait | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed and entered into force on 26 Sep 2021. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 11 Feb 2024.Entered into force on 13 Jul 2024. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 28 May 2015.Ratified on 18 Feb 2016. |
FTAFree Trade Agreement | Ratified | The GCC Free Trade Area was launched in 1983.The GCC Customs Union was launched in 2003.The Gulf Common Market was launched in 2008. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Kuwait | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesJul2026
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign AffairsJan2026
- H.E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al JaberMinister of Industry and Advanced TechnologyOct2025
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesOct2025
- H.E. Khalifa bin Shaheen Al MararMinister of StateOct2025
- H.E. Ahmed bin Ali Al SayeghMinister of Health and PreventionOct2025
- H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al HussainiMinister of State for Financial AffairsOct2025
- H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al AwarMinister of Human Resources and EmiratisationSep2025
- H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al NahyanVice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential CourtJun2025
- H.E. Khalifa bin Shaheen Al MararMinister of StateJun2025
- H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al HussainiMinister of State for Financial AffairsJun2025
- H.E. Suhail bin Mohammed Al MazroueiMinister of Energy and InfrastructureMay2025
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeApr2025
- H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al NahyanDeputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security AdviserFeb2025
- H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al NahyanVice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential CourtDec2024
- H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanPresident of the United Arab EmiratesNov2024
- H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumCrown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of DefenseOct2024
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeApr2024
- H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al QasimiRuler of Ras Al KhaimahJan2024
- H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al SharqiSupreme Council Member and Ruler of FujairahDec2023
- H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumVice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of DubaiOct2012
- H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanRuler of Abu DhabiJan1968
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-SabahMinister of Foreign Affairs of KuwaitApr2026
- H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-SabahPrime Minister of KuwaitFeb2026
- H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-SabahMinister of Defense of KuwaitJan2026
- H.E. Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-SabahFirst Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of KuwaitNov2025
- H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-SabahMinister of Defense of KuwaitFeb2025
- H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-SabahPrime Minister of KuwaitFeb2025
- H.E. Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-SabahFirst Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of KuwaitFeb2025
- H.E. Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-YahyaMinister of Foreign Affairs of KuwaitNov2024
- H.E. Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-SabahFirst Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior of KuwaitSep2024
- H.E. Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-YahyaMinister of Foreign Affairs of KuwaitSep2024
- H.E. Abdulrahman Baddah Al-MutairiMinister of Information and Culture of KuwaitMay2024
- H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-SabahMinister of Amiri Diwan Affairs of KuwaitMay2024
- H.H. Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahEmir of KuwaitMar2024
- H.E. Dr. Anwar Ali Al-MudhafMinister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments of KuwaitFeb2024
- H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-SabahDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of KuwaitSep2023
- H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-SabahPrime Minister of KuwaitJul2023
- H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-SabahPrime Minister of KuwaitFeb2023
- H.E. Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-SabahFirst Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of KuwaitFeb2023
- H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-SabahPrime Minister of KuwaitMay2022
- H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-SabahPrime Minister of KuwaitMar2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)1,135.4USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)882.7USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Kuwaiti Companies in the UAE
National Bank of Kuwait (NBK)Banking
Alshaya GroupRetail
AgilityLogistics and real estate
Zain Group (UAE-ZainTech)Information and communication technology
Mezzan HoldingFast-moving consumer goods
Gulf Insurance GroupInsurance
Americana RestaurantsFood service
National Investment Company (NIC)Investment
Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK)Banking
Major UAE Companies in Kuwait
Mubadala Investment Company-
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)Kuwaiti Business Council
International Office(s)-
Joint Business Council(s)-
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research