--- title: Kuwait — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 5 description: Wikipedia's «Kuwait», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in West Asia. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/5/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Kuwait # Kuwait · page 5 From Wikipedia, [«Kuwait»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/4/) **5** [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/6/) The Kuwait Ports Public Authority manages and operates ports across Kuwait.[450](../../450/ "tree and pragmatics") The country's principal commercial seaports are [Shuwaikh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuwaikh) and Shuaiba, which handled combined cargo of 753,334 TEU in 2006.[\[362\]](../../page/6/#ref-362 "note 362")[451](../../451/ "tree and pragmatics") Mina Al-Ahmadi is the largest port in the country.[452](../../452/ "tree and pragmatics") There are two airports in Kuwait.[453](../../453/ "tree and pragmatics") [Kuwait International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_International_Airport) serves as the principal hub for international air travel.[454](../../454/ "tree and pragmatics") State-owned [Kuwait Airways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Airways) is the largest airline in the country.[455](../../455/ "tree and pragmatics") A portion of the airport complex is designated as Al Mubarak Air Base, which contains the headquarters of the [Kuwait Air Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Air_Force), as well as the Kuwait Air Force Museum.[456](../../456/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2004, the first private airline of Kuwait, [Jazeera Airways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazeera_Airways), was launched.[457](../../457/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2005, the second private airline, [Wataniya Airways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wataniya_Airways) was founded.[458](../../458/ "tree and pragmatics") as of 2025 05, Kuwait International Airport is facing serious problems, as 14 international airlines have stopped flying to the airport.[459](../../459/ "tree and pragmatics") This is due to issues such as management problems, a weak economy, and tough competition from nearby airports.[460](../../460/ "tree and pragmatics") Fewer flights have led to fewer passengers, causing worries about the airport's future and its dwindling importance in the region.[\[363\]](../../page/6/#ref-363 "note 363")[461](../../461/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Education Main article: [Education in Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Kuwait) The general education system consists of four levels: [kindergarten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindergarten) (lasting for 2 years), [primary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_education) (lasting for 5 years), [intermediate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_school) (lasting for 4 years) and [secondary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_education) (lasting for 3 years).[\[364\]](../../page/6/#ref-364 "note 364")[462](../../462/ "tree and pragmatics") Schooling at primary and intermediate level is compulsory for all students aged 6 – 14.[463](../../463/ "tree and pragmatics") All the levels of state education, including higher education, are free.[\[365\]](../../page/6/#ref-365 "note 365")[464](../../464/ "tree and pragmatics") The public education system is undergoing a revamp due to a project in conjunction with the [World Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank).[\[366\]](../../page/6/#ref-366 "note 366")[\[367\]](../../page/6/#ref-367 "note 367")[465](../../465/ "tree and pragmatics") There are two public universities and 14 private universities.[466](../../466/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Finance The [Kuwait Investment Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Investment_Authority) (KIA) is Kuwait's largest [sovereign wealth fund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_wealth_fund) specializing in foreign investment.[467](../../467/ "tree and pragmatics") The KIA is the world's oldest sovereign wealth fund.[468](../../468/ "tree and pragmatics") Since 1953, the Kuwaiti government has directed investments into Europe, the United States and the [Asia–Pacific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia–Pacific).[469](../../469/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2021, the holdings were valued at around $700 billion in assets.[470](../../470/ "tree and pragmatics") It is the [3rd largest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_wealth_fund#Largest_sovereign_wealth_funds) sovereign wealth fund in the world.[\[368\]](../../page/6/#ref-368 "note 368")[\[369\]](../../page/6/#ref-369 "note 369")[471](../../471/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait previously had a leading position in the financial industry in the GCC.[472](../../472/ "tree and pragmatics") The previous Emir had promoted the idea that Kuwait should focus its energies, in terms of economic development, on the financial industry.[473](../../473/ "tree and pragmatics") The historical preeminence of Kuwait (among the GCC monarchies) in finance dated back to the founding of the [National Bank of Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bank_of_Kuwait) in 1952.[474](../../474/ "tree and pragmatics") The bank was the first local publicly traded corporation in the GCC region.[475](../../475/ "tree and pragmatics") In the late 1970s and early 1980s, an alternative stock market, trading in shares of GCC companies, emerged in Kuwait, the [Souk Al-Manakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souk_Al-Manakh_stock_market_crash).[476](../../476/ "tree and pragmatics") At its peak, its market capitalization was the third highest in the world, behind only the United States and Japan, and ahead of the United Kingdom and France.[\[370\]](../../page/6/#ref-370 "note 370")[477](../../477/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait's Islamic banking sector expanded following the enactment of Law No. 33 of 2003, which established a dedicated regulatory framework for Islamic banking.[478](../../478/ "tree and pragmatics") [Boubyan Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boubyan_Bank) was subsequently established in 2004 as Kuwait's first Islamic bank under the new framework.[\[371\]](../../page/6/#ref-371 "note 371")[479](../../479/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait is a major source of foreign economic assistance to other states through the [Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Fund_for_Arab_Economic_Development), an autonomous state institution created in 1961 on the pattern of international development agencies.[480](../../480/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1974, the fund's lending mandate was expanded to include all [developing countries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developing_countries) in the world.[481](../../481/ "tree and pragmatics") In the past five years, there has been a rise in [entrepreneurship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneurship) and small business start-ups in Kuwait.[\[372\]](../../page/6/#ref-372 "note 372")[\[373\]](../../page/6/#ref-373 "note 373")[482](../../482/ "tree and pragmatics") The [informal sector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informal_sector) is also on the rise,[\[374\]](../../page/6/#ref-374 "note 374") mainly due to the popularity of Instagram businesses.[\[375\]](../../page/6/#ref-375 "note 375")[\[376\]](../../page/6/#ref-376 "note 376")[\[377\]](../../page/6/#ref-377 "note 377")[483](../../483/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2020, Kuwait ranked fourth in the MENA region in startup funding after the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.[\[378\]](../../page/6/#ref-378 "note 378")[484](../../484/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Other non-oil industries The biggest non-oil industry is steel manufacturing.[\[379\]](../../page/6/#ref-379 "note 379")[\[380\]](../../page/6/#ref-380 "note 380")[\[381\]](../../page/6/#ref-381 "note 381")[\[382\]](../../page/6/#ref-382 "note 382")[\[383\]](../../page/6/#ref-383 "note 383")[485](../../485/ "tree and pragmatics") United Steel Industrial Company (KWT Steel) is Kuwait's main steel manufacturing company, which caters to all of Kuwait's domestic market demands (particularly construction).[486](../../486/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait is self-sufficient in steel.[\[380\]](../../page/6/#ref-380 "note 380")[\[379\]](../../page/6/#ref-379 "note 379")[\[381\]](../../page/6/#ref-381 "note 381")[\[382\]](../../page/6/#ref-382 "note 382")[487](../../487/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2016, Kuwait's food self-sufficiency ratio was 49.5% in vegetables, 38.7% in meat, 12.4% in dairy, 24.9% in fruits, and 0.4% in cereals.[\[384\]](../../page/6/#ref-384 "note 384")[488](../../488/ "tree and pragmatics") 8.5% of Kuwait's entire territory consists of agricultural land, although arable land constitutes 0.6% of Kuwait's entire territory.[\[385\]](../../page/6/#ref-385 "note 385")[\[386\]](../../page/6/#ref-386 "note 386")[489](../../489/ "tree and pragmatics") Historically, Jahra was a predominantly agricultural area.[490](../../490/ "tree and pragmatics") There are currently various farms in Jahra.[\[387\]](../../page/6/#ref-387 "note 387")[491](../../491/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait was ranked 73rd in the [Global Innovation Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Innovation_Index) in 2025.[\[388\]](../../page/6/#ref-388 "note 388")[\[389\]](../../page/6/#ref-389 "note 389")[492](../../492/ "tree and pragmatics") According to the [United States Patent and Trademark Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Patent_and_Trademark_Office), Kuwait registered 448 [patents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patents) as of 31 December 2015.[\[390\]](../../page/6/#ref-390 "note 390")[\[391\]](../../page/6/#ref-391 "note 391")[\[392\]](../../page/6/#ref-392 "note 392")[\[393\]](../../page/6/#ref-393 "note 393")[493](../../493/ "tree and pragmatics") In the early to mid 2010s, Kuwait produced the largest number of scientific publications and patents per capita in the region and registered the highest growth regionally.[\[394\]](../../page/6/#ref-394 "note 394")[\[395\]](../../page/6/#ref-395 "note 395")[\[396\]](../../page/6/#ref-396 "note 396")[\[397\]](../../page/6/#ref-397 "note 397")[\[398\]](../../page/6/#ref-398 "note 398")[\[392\]](../../page/6/#ref-392 "note 392")[494](../../494/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait was the first country in the region to implement [5G](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5G) technology.[495](../../495/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait is among the world's leading markets in 5G penetration.[\[399\]](../../page/6/#ref-399 "note 399")[\[400\]](../../page/6/#ref-400 "note 400")[496](../../496/ "tree and pragmatics") Tourism in Kuwait still remains very limited due to poor infrastructure and the alcohol ban.[497](../../497/ "tree and pragmatics") The annual "Hala Febrayer" festival somewhat attracts tourists from neighboring GCC countries, and includes a variety of events including music concerts, parades, and carnivals.[\[401\]](../../page/6/#ref-401 "note 401")[\[402\]](../../page/6/#ref-402 "note 402")[\[403\]](../../page/6/#ref-403 "note 403")[498](../../498/ "tree and pragmatics") The festival is a month-long commemoration of the [liberation of Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Kuwait), and runs from 1 to 28 February.[499](../../499/ "tree and pragmatics") [Liberation Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Day) itself is celebrated on 26 February.[\[404\]](../../page/6/#ref-404 "note 404")[500](../../500/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2020, Kuwait's domestic travel and tourism spending was $6.1 billion.[501](../../501/ "tree and pragmatics") The [WTTC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Travel_and_Tourism_Council) named Kuwait as one of the world's fastest-growing countries in travel and tourism [GDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GDP) in 2019, with 11.6% year-on-year growth.[\[405\]](../../page/6/#ref-405 "note 405")[502](../../502/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2016, the tourism industry generated nearly $500 million in revenue.[\[406\]](../../page/6/#ref-406 "note 406")[503](../../503/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2015, tourism accounted for 1.5 percent of the GDP.[\[407\]](../../page/6/#ref-407 "note 407")[\[408\]](../../page/6/#ref-408 "note 408")[504](../../504/ "tree and pragmatics") [Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabah_Al_Ahmad_Sea_City) is one of Kuwait's biggest attractions.[505](../../505/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Amiri Diwan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiri_Diwan_of_Kuwait) recently inaugurated the new [Kuwait National Cultural District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_National_Cultural_District) (KNCD), which comprises [Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Abdullah_Al_Salem_Cultural_Centre), [Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Jaber_Al_Ahmad_Cultural_Centre), [Al Shaheed Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Shaheed_Park), and [Al Salam Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Salam_Palace_%28Kuwait%29).[\[409\]](../../page/6/#ref-409 "note 409")[\[410\]](../../page/6/#ref-410 "note 410")[\[411\]](../../page/6/#ref-411 "note 411")[\[412\]](../../page/6/#ref-412 "note 412")[506](../../506/ "tree and pragmatics") With a capital cost of more than US$1 billion, the project is one of the largest cultural investments in the world.[\[410\]](../../page/6/#ref-410 "note 410")[507](../../507/ "tree and pragmatics") The Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the [Global Cultural Districts Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Cultural_Districts_Network).[\[413\]](../../page/6/#ref-413 "note 413")[508](../../508/ "tree and pragmatics") Al Shaheed Park is the largest green roof project ever undertaken in the region.[\[414\]](../../page/6/#ref-414 "note 414")[509](../../509/ "tree and pragmatics") Space and satellite programmes[510](../../510/ "tree and pragmatics") See also: [Kuwait Space Rocket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Space_Rocket) Kuwait has an emerging space industry which is largely driven by private sector initiatives.[\[415\]](../../page/6/#ref-415 "note 415")[511](../../511/ "tree and pragmatics") Seven years after the launch of the world's first communications satellite, [Telstar 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstar_1), Kuwait in October 1969 inaugurated the first satellite [ground station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_station) in the Middle East, "Um Alaish".[\[416\]](../../page/6/#ref-416 "note 416")[512](../../512/ "tree and pragmatics") The Um Alaish satellite station complex housed several satellite ground stations including Um Alaish 1 (1969), Um Alaish 2 (1977), and Um Alaish 3 (1981).[513](../../513/ "tree and pragmatics") It provided satellite communication services in Kuwait until 1990 when it was destroyed by the Iraqi armed forces during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.[\[417\]](../../page/6/#ref-417 "note 417")[514](../../514/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2019, Kuwait's Orbital Space established an amateur satellite ground station to provide free access to signals from satellites in orbit passing over Kuwait.[515](../../515/ "tree and pragmatics") The station was named Um Alaish 4 to continue the legacy of "Um Alaish" satellite station.[\[418\]](../../page/6/#ref-418 "note 418")[516](../../516/ "tree and pragmatics") Um Alaish 4 is a member of FUNcube distributed ground station network[\[419\]](../../page/6/#ref-419 "note 419") and the Satellite Networked Open Ground Station project ([SatNOGS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SatNOGS)).[\[420\]](../../page/6/#ref-420 "note 420")[517](../../517/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait's Orbital Space in collaboration with the Space Challenges Program[\[421\]](../../page/6/#ref-421 "note 421") and [EnduroSat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EnduroSat)[\[422\]](../../page/6/#ref-422 "note 422") introduced an international initiative called "Code in Space".[518](../../518/ "tree and pragmatics") The initiative allows students from around the world to send and execute their own code in space.[\[423\]](../../page/6/#ref-423 "note 423")[519](../../519/ "tree and pragmatics") The code is transmitted from a satellite ground station to a [cubesat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CubeSat) ([nanosatellite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_satellite)) orbiting earth 500 km above sea level.[520](../../520/ "tree and pragmatics") The code is then executed by the satellite's onboard computer and tested under real space environment conditions.[521](../../521/ "tree and pragmatics") The nanosatellite is called "QMR-KWT" (Arabic: قمر الكويت) which means "Moon of Kuwait", translated from Arabic.[\[424\]](../../page/6/#ref-424 "note 424")[522](../../522/ "tree and pragmatics") QMR-KWT launched to space on 30 June 2021[\[425\]](../../page/6/#ref-425 "note 425") on [SpaceX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX) [Falcon 9 Block 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9_Block_5) rocket and was part of the payload of a satellite carrier called ION SCV Dauntless David by D-Orbit.[\[426\]](../../page/6/#ref-426 "note 426")[523](../../523/ "tree and pragmatics") It was deployed into its final orbit ([Sun-synchronous orbit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-synchronous_orbit)) on 16 July 2021.[\[427\]](../../page/6/#ref-427 "note 427")[524](../../524/ "tree and pragmatics") QMR-KWT is Kuwait's first satellite.[\[425\]](../../page/6/#ref-425 "note 425")[\[428\]](../../page/6/#ref-428 "note 428")[\[424\]](../../page/6/#ref-424 "note 424")[525](../../525/ "tree and pragmatics") Building on the achievements of QMR-KWT, Orbital Space launched QMR-KWT 2 as Kuwait's 3rd satellite on 28 December 2025 aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia.[526](../../526/ "tree and pragmatics") Like its predecessor, QMR-KWT 2 mission emphasizes accessibility, allowing students and young engineers to interact with an operational spacecraft in orbit.[\[429\]](../../page/6/#ref-429 "note 429")[\[430\]](../../page/6/#ref-430 "note 430")[\[431\]](../../page/6/#ref-431 "note 431")[527](../../527/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Kuwait Space Rocket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Space_Rocket) (KSR) is a Kuwaiti project to build and launch the first [suborbital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suborbital_spaceflight) [liquid bi-propellant rocket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid-propellant_rocket) in [Arabia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabia).[\[432\]](../../page/6/#ref-432 "note 432")[528](../../528/ "tree and pragmatics") The project is divided into two phases with two separate vehicles: an initial testing phase with KSR-1 as a [test vehicle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_article_%28aerospace%29) capable of reaching an altitude of 8 km and a more expansive suborbital test phase with the KSR-2 planned to fly to an altitude of 100 km.[\[433\]](../../page/6/#ref-433 "note 433")[529](../../529/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait's Orbital Space in collaboration with the [Kuwait Scientific Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Scientific_Center) (TSCK) introduced for the first time in Kuwait the opportunity for students to send a science experiment to space.[530](../../530/ "tree and pragmatics") The objectives of this initiative was to allow students to learn about (a) how science space missions are done; (b) [microgravity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-g_environment) (weightlessness) environment; (c) how to do science like a real scientist.[531](../../531/ "tree and pragmatics") This opportunity was made possible through Orbital Space agreement with [DreamUp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DreamUp) PBC and [Nanoracks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NanoRacks) LLC, which are collaborating with [NASA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA) under a Space Act Agreement.[\[434\]](../../page/6/#ref-434 "note 434")[532](../../532/ "tree and pragmatics") The students' experiment was named "Kuwait's Experiment: E.coli Consuming Carbon Dioxide to Combat Climate Change".[\[435\]](../../page/6/#ref-435 "note 435")[\[436\]](../../page/6/#ref-436 "note 436")[533](../../533/ "tree and pragmatics") The experiment was launched on [SpaceX CRS-21](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_CRS-21) (SpX-21) spaceflight to the [International Space Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station) (ISS) on 6 December 2020.[534](../../534/ "tree and pragmatics") Astronaut [Shannon Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_Walker) (member of the ISS [Expedition 64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_64)) conducted the experiment on behalf of the students.[535](../../535/ "tree and pragmatics") In July 2021, Kuwait University announced that it is launching a national satellite project as part of state-led efforts to pioneer the country's sustainable space sector.[\[437\]](../../page/6/#ref-437 "note 437")[\[438\]](../../page/6/#ref-438 "note 438")[536](../../536/ "tree and pragmatics") KuwaitSat-1 was launched on 3 Jaunray 2023.[\[439\]](../../page/6/#ref-439 "note 439")[537](../../537/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2024, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) established the Kuwait National Space Research Center (KNSRC), providing a dedicated institutional platform for space research, policy, and international cooperation.[538](../../538/ "tree and pragmatics") KNSRC is located at Kuwait University.[\[440\]](../../page/6/#ref-440 "note 440")[\[441\]](../../page/6/#ref-441 "note 441")[539](../../539/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Demographics Main article: [Demographics of Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Kuwait) Kuwait's 2023 population was 4.82 million people, of which 1.53 million were Kuwaitis and 3.29 million expatriates.[\[18\]](../../page/6/#ref-18 "note 18")[540](../../540/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Ethnic groups [Expatriates in Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriates_in_Kuwait) account for around 60% of Kuwait's total population.[541](../../541/ "tree and pragmatics") At the end of December 2018, 57.65% of Kuwait's total population were [Arabs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabs) (including Arab expats).[\[442\]](../../page/6/#ref-442 "note 442")[542](../../542/ "tree and pragmatics") [Indians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_people) and [Egyptians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptians) are the largest expat communities respectively.[\[443\]](../../page/6/#ref-443 "note 443")[\[18\]](../../page/6/#ref-18 "note 18")[543](../../543/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Religion Main article: [Religion in Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Kuwait) Kuwait's official state religion is [Maliki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maliki_school) Sunni Islam.[544](../../544/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Al Sabah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sabah) ruling family adhere to the Maliki school of Sunni Islam.[545](../../545/ "tree and pragmatics") Most Kuwaiti citizens are Muslim; there is no official national census but it is estimated that 60%–70% are Sunni and 30%–40% are Shia.[\[444\]](../../page/6/#ref-444 "note 444")[\[445\]](../../page/6/#ref-445 "note 445")[546](../../546/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait also has a large community of expatriate [Christians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians), [Hindus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism), [Buddhists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism), and [Sikhs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism).[\[446\]](../../page/6/#ref-446 "note 446")[547](../../547/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 2020, there are an estimated 837,585 Christians, comprising 17.93% of the population—the second largest religious group.[\[442\]](../../page/6/#ref-442 "note 442")[548](../../548/ "tree and pragmatics") Most Christians in Kuwait are from [Kerala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala) in India, namely [Malankara Orthodox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malankara_Orthodox_Syrian_Church), [Mar Thoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Thoma_Syrian_Church), and [Roman Catholic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church).[549](../../549/ "tree and pragmatics") The first Malankara Orthodox parish was St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Pazhayapally Ahmadi, established in 1934.[\[447\]](../../page/6/#ref-447 "note 447")[550](../../550/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait includes a [native Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Kuwait#Kuwaiti_Christians) community, estimated to be composed of between 259 and 400 Kuwaiti citizens.[\[448\]](../../page/6/#ref-448 "note 448")[551](../../551/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait is the only [GCC country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperation_Council_for_the_Arab_States_of_the_Gulf) besides Bahrain to have a local Christian population who hold citizenship.[552](../../552/ "tree and pragmatics") A small number of Kuwaiti citizens follow the [Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baháʼí_Faith).[\[446\]](../../page/6/#ref-446 "note 446")[\[449\]](../../page/6/#ref-449 "note 449")[553](../../553/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Languages See also: [Kuwaiti Arabic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_Arabic), [Kuwaiti Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_Persian) Kuwait's official language is [Modern Standard Arabic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Standard_Arabic), but its everyday usage is limited to journalism and education.[554](../../554/ "tree and pragmatics") [Kuwaiti Arabic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_Arabic) is the variant of Arabic used in everyday life.[\[450\]](../../page/6/#ref-450 "note 450")[555](../../555/ "tree and pragmatics") English is widely understood and often used as a business language.[556](../../556/ "tree and pragmatics") Besides English, French is taught as a third language for the students of the [humanities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanities) at schools, but for two years only.[557](../../557/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwaiti Arabic is a variant of [Gulf Arabic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Arabic), sharing similarities with the dialects of neighboring coastal areas in Eastern Arabia.[\[451\]](../../page/6/#ref-451 "note 451")[558](../../558/ "tree and pragmatics") Due to immigration during its pre-oil history as well as trade, Kuwaiti Arabic borrowed a lot of words from [Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_language), [Indian languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India), [Balochi language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balochi_language), Turkish, English and Italian.[\[452\]](../../page/6/#ref-452 "note 452")[559](../../559/ "tree and pragmatics") Due to historical immigration, [Kuwaiti Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_Persian) is used among [Ajam Kuwaitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Ajam_of_Kuwait).[\[453\]](../../page/6/#ref-453 "note 453")[\[454\]](../../page/6/#ref-454 "note 454")[560](../../560/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Iranian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_languages) sub-dialects of [Larestani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larestani), Khonji, Bastaki and Gerashi also influenced the vocabulary of Kuwaiti Arabic.[\[455\]](../../page/6/#ref-455 "note 455")[561](../../561/ "tree and pragmatics") Most Shia Kuwaiti citizens are of Iranian ancestry.[\[456\]](../../page/6/#ref-456 "note 456")[\[457\]](../../page/6/#ref-457 "note 457")[\[458\]](../../page/6/#ref-458 "note 458")[\[459\]](../../page/6/#ref-459 "note 459")[\[460\]](../../page/6/#ref-460 "note 460")[\[461\]](../../page/6/#ref-461 "note 461")[562](../../562/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Culture Main article: [Culture of Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Kuwait) Kuwait is considered to be a pioneer in the region when it comes to the arts and [popular culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture).[\[462\]](../../page/6/#ref-462 "note 462")[\[463\]](../../page/6/#ref-463 "note 463")[563](../../563/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwaiti popular culture, in the form of theatre, radio, music, and television soap opera, flourishes and is even exported to neighboring states.[\[464\]](../../page/6/#ref-464 "note 464")[\[465\]](../../page/6/#ref-465 "note 465")[564](../../564/ "tree and pragmatics") Within the [Arab states of the Persian Gulf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_states_of_the_Persian_Gulf), the culture of Kuwait is the closest to the culture of [Bahrain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain) [corpus](../../../Bahrain/ "in our corpus"); this is evident in the close association between the two states in theatrical productions and soap operas.[\[466\]](../../page/6/#ref-466 "note 466")[565](../../565/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Performing arts See also: [Music of Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Kuwait), [Television in Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_Kuwait), [Cinema of Kuwait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Kuwait) Kuwait has the oldest [performing arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performing_arts) industry in the Arabian Peninsula.[\[467\]](../../page/6/#ref-467 "note 467")[566](../../566/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait's television drama industry is the largest and most active Gulf Arab drama industry and annually produces a minimum of fifteen serials.[\[468\]](../../page/6/#ref-468 "note 468")[\[469\]](../../page/6/#ref-469 "note 469")[\[470\]](../../page/6/#ref-470 "note 470")[567](../../567/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait is the main production center of the Gulf television drama and comedy scene.[\[469\]](../../page/6/#ref-469 "note 469")[568](../../568/ "tree and pragmatics") Most Gulf television drama and comedy productions are filmed in Kuwait.[\[469\]](../../page/6/#ref-469 "note 469")[\[471\]](../../page/6/#ref-471 "note 471")[\[472\]](../../page/6/#ref-472 "note 472")[569](../../569/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwaiti soap operas are the most-watched soap operas from the Gulf region.[\[468\]](../../page/6/#ref-468 "note 468")[\[473\]](../../page/6/#ref-473 "note 473")[\[474\]](../../page/6/#ref-474 "note 474")[570](../../570/ "tree and pragmatics") Soap operas are most popular during the time of [Ramadan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan), when families gather to break their fast.[\[475\]](../../page/6/#ref-475 "note 475")[571](../../571/ "tree and pragmatics") Although usually performed in the [Kuwaiti dialect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwaiti_Arabic), they have been shown with success as far away as [Tunisia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia) [corpus](../../../Tunisia/ "in our corpus").[\[476\]](../../page/6/#ref-476 "note 476")[572](../../572/ "tree and pragmatics") Kuwait is frequently dubbed the "[Hollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood,_Los_Angeles) of the Gulf" due to the popularity of its television soap operas and theatre.[\[477\]](../../page/6/#ref-477 "note 477")[\[478\]](../../page/6/#ref-478 "note 478")[573](../../573/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/4/) **5** [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/6/) - ← previous: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/4/) - next →: [page 6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kuwait/page/6/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)