Kuwait
Asia · Western Asia
High expat salaries and oil wealth; conservative, with a limited social scene.
At a Glance
📈Kuwait's Human Development Index
0.847
Very High human development#48 of 191 countries worldwide, #10 of 43 in Asia.
Higher than 75% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Kuwait
Kuwait is a small, wealthy Gulf state with a culture shaped by its Bedouin roots, its oil wealth, and its position as a traditional Arab trading city on the Persian Gulf. The old city has given way almost entirely to modern development, and life is largely lived indoors in air-conditioned malls and restaurants given the intense summer heat. It suits those with a specific interest in Gulf culture or business connections rather than conventional tourism.
- No income tax — ever. Citizens also receive government housing subsidies.
- Nearly 70% of the population are foreign nationals.
- Has the world's sixth-largest proven oil reserves in a country smaller than New Jersey.
Quick Facts
Capital
Kuwait City
Language
Arabic
Currency
د.ك KWD
Area
17,820 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
225Mbps
Mobile
380Mbps
GDP / Capita
$32K
PPP / Capita
$56K
Inflation
2.4%
Unemployment
2.2%
Innovation (GII)
28.2
GNI / Capita
$41K
FDI Inflows
0.3%
Education Spend
6.4%
Cost of Living
42.5
Price Level Index
32nd pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.698 → 0.847 (+0.149)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Kuwait for real?
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Kuwait head-to-head
💬Quick answers
What is Kuwait's Human Development Index?
Kuwait's Human Development Index is 0.847 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #48 of 191 countries.
Is Kuwait safe?
Kuwait scores 1.81 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #49 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Kuwait?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Kuwait at 42.5 (New York = 100); that is #76 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Kuwait?
Life expectancy at birth in Kuwait is 84.6 yrs (World Bank), ranked #3 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Kuwait?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Kuwait at 162.7, ranked #33 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.