World Factbook
Kuwait
Dawlat al Kuwayt
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a black trapezoid based on the left side meaning: green stands for fertile fields, white for purity, red for blood on Kuwaiti swords, and black for defeating the enemy history: colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
Capital
name
Kuwait City
etymology
the name comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt , a diminutive of the Hindustani term kut , meaning a fortress-like house
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
29 22 N, 47 58 E
Suffrage
21 years of age and at least 20-year citizenship
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
not specified
Constitution
note
note: in May 2024, Amir Sheikh MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and suspended several articles of the constitution for up to four years
history
approved and promulgated 11 November 1962; suspended 1976 to 1981 (4 articles); 1986 to 1991; May to July 1999
amendment process
proposed by the amir or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds consent of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the amir; constitutional articles on the initiation, approval, and promulgation of general legislation cannot be amended
Country name
etymology
the name derives from the capital city, which comes from the Arabic al-kuwayt , itself a diminutive of the Hindustani term kut , meaning a fortress-like house
local long form
Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form
Al Kuwayt
conventional long form
State of Kuwait
conventional short form
Kuwait
Independence
19 June 1961 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system consisting of English common law, French civil law, and Islamic sharia law
Government type
constitutional monarchy (emirate)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (organized into several circuits, each with 5 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court of Appeal; Court of First Instance; Summary Court
judge selection and term of office
all Kuwaiti judges appointed by the Amir on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, a consultative body comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by the amir
chief of state
Amir MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 16 December 2023)
head of government
Prime Minister AHMAD ABDULLAH Al-Ahmad al Sabah (since 15 May 2024)
election/appointment process
amir chosen from within the ruling family, confirmed by the National Assembly; prime minister appointed by the amir
National holiday
National Day, 25 February (1950)
National color(s)
green, white, red, black
Political parties
none; the government does not recognize any political parties or allow their formation, although no formal law bans political parties
Legislative branch
note
note: the unicameral National Assembly was dissolved on 10 May 2024 by Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad AL-SABAH for a period of up to four years; the Emir and cabinet officials have assumed the role of the parliament
expected date of next election
April 2028
National anthem(s)
title
"Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)
history
adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions
lyrics/music
Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA
National symbol(s)
golden falcon
Administrative divisions
6 governorates ( muhafazat , singular - muhafazah ); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 966-8468
chancery
2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 966-0702
chief of mission
Ambassador AL-ZAIN Sabah Naser Saud Al-Sabah (since 19 April 2023)
consulate(s) general
Beverly Hills (CA), New York
email address and website
info@kuwaitembassy.us https://www.kuwaitembassy.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[00] (965) 2538-0282
embassy
P.O. Box 77, Safat 13001
telephone
[00] (965) 2259-1001
mailing address
6200 Kuwait Place, Washington DC 20521-6200
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Steven R. BUTLER (since July 2025)
email address and website
KuwaitACS@state.gov https://kw.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt