Kuwait (State of Kuwait)

Kuwait State of Kuwait
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	91st best
Capital	Kuwait
Land Area	17 820km21
Location	Asia, The Middle East
Population	4.1m2
Life Expectancy	78.67yrs (2017)3
GNI	$52 920 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	KW, KWT, 4145
Internet Domain	.kw6
Currency	Dinar (KWD)7
Telephone	+9658

1. Overview
2. Kuwait National and Social Development
3. Kuwait's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Kuwait's Health
6. Kuwait's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Kuwait's Modernity and Learning
8. Religion and Beliefs
9. Links

---

1. Overview

#iraq #islam #UK

“Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as bidoon, staged small protests in February and March 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Youth activist groups - supported by opposition legislators and the prime minister's rivals within the ruling family - rallied repeatedly in 2011 for an end to corruption and the ouster of the prime minister and his cabinet. Opposition legislators forced the prime minister to resign in late 2011. In October-December 2012, Kuwait witnessed unprecedented protests in response to the Amir's changes to the electoral law by decree reducing the number of votes per person from four to one. The opposition, led by a coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribalists, some liberals, and myriad youth groups, boycotted the December 2012 legislative election, resulting in a historic number of Shia candidates winning seats. Since 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on five occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly once in June 2012) and reshuffled the cabinet 12 times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Long an oasis in the parched desert, Kuwait is now at the vanguard of political change and cultural development in the Gulf. Kuwait, in the cradle of one of the most ancient and most contested corners of the world, is best described as a city state. For centuries Kuwait City has been like a magnet, attracting Bedouin people from the interior in search of a sea breeze and escape from recurring drought. Today the metropolis is still an oasis in a land of desert plains, but rather more of the cultural and culinary kind. Excellent museums, a corniche of combed beaches and lively restaurants, malls and souqs mark the Kuwait City experience.

Outside the capital there are few attractions other than coastal resorts. Oil excavation dominates the flat desert plains and there are few distinctive geographical features. That said, there is always something to see in a desert, with a bit of patience and an eye for detail; when it comes to the ritual camping expedition, Kuwaitis have plenty of both.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Kuwait National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
47	Argentina	0.842
48	Turkey	0.838
49	Montenegro	0.832
50	Kuwait	0.831
51	Brunei	0.829
52	Russia	0.822
53	Romania	0.821
54	Oman	0.816
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
15	Germany	$54 534
16	Sweden	$54 489
17	Austria	$53 619
18	Kuwait	$52 920
19	San Marino	$52 654
20	Belgium	$52 293
21	Andorra	$51 167
22	Finland	$49 452
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.0
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.8
	...
88	Qatar	85.3
89	Seychelles	85.4
90	Dominican Rep.	85.5
91	Kuwait	86.0
92	Grenada	86.3
93	El Salvador	86.5
94	Fiji	87.4
95	Belarus	87.7
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	88.6
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Kuwait's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Kuwait's population is predicted to fall to 4 012 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 2.09. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
126	Mauritania	4.4m
127	Panama	4.2m
128	Croatia	4.2m
129	Kuwait	4.1m
130	Moldova	4.1m
131	Georgia	4.0m
132	Eritrea	3.5m
133	Uruguay	3.4m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
43	Czechia	77.7
44	Croatia	77.6
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
12	Georgia	2.06
13	Tunisia	2.06
14	Lebanon	2.08
15	Kuwait	2.09
16	Turkey	1.88
17	Cape Verde	1.88
18	Argentina	1.88
19	Myanmar (Burma)	2.13
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
42	Central African Rep.	06.8
43=	Sudan	06.8
43=	Mauritania	06.8
43=	Kuwait	06.8
46	Congo, (Brazzaville)	07.0
47=	Solomon Islands	07.0
47=	Rwanda	07.0
49	Namibia	07.4
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
4	Liechtenstein	65.1%
5	Monaco	54.9%
6	Andorra	53.3%
7	Bahrain	48.4%
8	Singapore	46.0%
9	Luxembourg	45.3%
10	Oman	44.7%
11	Hong Kong	39.1%
12	Saudi Arabia	37.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
74	Morocco	9.3%
75	Sri Lanka	9.1%
76	Somalia	8.7%
77	Kuwait	8.5%
78	Ecuador	8.3%
79	Poland	8.3%
80	Afghanistan	8.1%
81	Paraguay	7.9%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #islam #kuwait #kuwait_slavery #morals #politics #prejudice #slavery #tolerance #yemen

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
133	Indonesia	107.7
134	Gambia	108.1
135	Sierra Leone	108.4
136	Kuwait	108.4
137	Gabon	108.8
138	Tanzania	108.9
	Asia Avg	103.00
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

Kuwait is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Kuwait comes in the best 20 when it comes to eliminating modern slavery₁₉. It does better than average in opposing gender inequality₂₀. But unfortunately Kuwait gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₁, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₂ (still good for Asia), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₃, supporting press freedom₂₄ (still high for Asia), its average Freedom in the World rating, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₅ and in freethought₂₆. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₇ (one of the worst in Asia) and in LGBT equality₂₈ (one of the lowest in Asia). Native Bidun peoples are oppressed and abused₂₉. Free speech is overly restricted and dissenters and political opponents are frequently harassed and persecuted, often in the name of national security₂₉. Despite making some positive reforms, more needs to be done to protect migrant workers (who make up 2/3 of the population) against abuse and forced labour₂₉. Kuwait does not accept the concept of freedom of belief and religious persecution is rife₃₀; anyone convicted of insulting Islam cannot run for office nor vote₂₉. Male homosexuality is punishable by up to seven years in prison or expulsion₂₉. Kuwait has participated in coalition battles in Yemen, and has possibly been involved in some attacks which constituted serious war crimes there₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Kuwait

5. Kuwait's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #kuwait #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2025)31
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank31
1=	Japan	44.1
2	Hong Kong	48.2
3	Singapore	49.5
	...
7	Malaysia	58.6
8	Brunei	61.4
9	Cyprus	63.1
10=	Kuwait	66.8
10=	China	66.8
12	Bahrain	69.3
13	Israel	70.2
14	Qatar	70.7
15	Thailand	74.5
	Asia Avg	80.90
q=50.

Health (2025)31
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank31
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
51	Montenegro	63.8
52	St Martin	66.7
53=	China	66.8
53=	Kuwait	66.8
55	Estonia	67.8
56	Tunisia	69.2
57	Mauritius	69.2
58	Bahrain	69.3
	World Avg	96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₂. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₂.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₂, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₂.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Public health in Kuwait is very good. Kuwait performs the best in its alcohol consumption rate₃₃. It comes in the best 20 for its suicide rate₃₄ and in its fertility rate₁₄. It does better than average for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, its adolescent birth rate₃₆, its immunizations take-up₃₇ and in its average life expectancy₁₁. But, things could still be better. Kuwait does worse than average in its smoking rate₃₈. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Kuwait improved by +6.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Kuwait is amongst only 7 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 5 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 7.34 in 1966.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
43	Czechia	77.7
44	Croatia	77.6
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better33
Pos.		2016 Per Capita33
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
4	Mauritania	0.0
5	Somalia	0.0
6	Yemen	0.1
7=	Afghanistan	0.2
7=	Saudi Arabia	0.2
9	Syria	0.3
10=	Pakistan	0.3
11	Kiribati	0.4
12=	Iraq	0.4
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
12	Georgia	2.06
13	Tunisia	2.06
14	Lebanon	2.08
15	Kuwait	2.09
16	Turkey	1.88
17	Cape Verde	1.88
18	Argentina	1.88
19	Myanmar (Burma)	2.13
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better38
Pos.		201438
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
149	Italy	1 443
150	Germany	1 480
151	Bulgaria	1 505
152	Kuwait	1 517
153	Armenia	1 545
154	Turkey	1 581
155	Slovakia	1 618
156	Romania	1 620
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate34
Pos.		2013 Per 100k34
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
7	S. Africa	1.8
8	Bahamas	2.5
9	Peru	2.9
10	Kuwait	3.6
11	Armenia	3.9
12	Dominican Rep.	4.6
13	St Lucia	4.9
14	Tajikistan	5.2
	Asia Avg	19.50
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
17	New Zealand	17
18	Jordan	18
19	S. Korea	19
20	Kuwait	20
21	Japan	21
22	Spain	22
23	France	23
24	Italy	24
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better39
Pos.		2016 %39
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
178	Jordan	69.6
179	Saudi Arabia	69.7
180	Qatar	71.7
181	Kuwait	73.4
182	Micronesia	75.9
183	Samoa	77.6
184	Tonga	78.5
185	Kiribati	78.7
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better36
Pos.		2022 Per 100036
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
18	Iceland	5.1
19	Belgium	5.1
20	Austria	5.2
21	Kuwait	5.3
22	Ireland	5.9
23	Andorra	5.9
24	Spain	6.3
25	Canada	6.6
	Asia Avg	25.9
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better37
Pos.		2015 Avg %37
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
20	Thailand	97.8
21=	Mauritius	97.6
21=	Fiji	97.6
23	Kuwait	97.5
24	Morocco	97.5
25=	Monaco	97.3
25=	Cook Islands	97.3
27	Greece	97.3
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Kuwait's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #internationalism #kuwait #meat #over-exploitation #saudi_arabia #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2025)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Nepal	47.9
3	India	49.5
	...
32=	Laos	97.0
33	Russia	99.2
34	Myanmar (Burma)	99.9
35	Kuwait	100.5
36	Azerbaijan	101.2
37	Oman	101.8
38	Iraq	102.8
39	Lebanon	103.9
40	Bahrain	107.9
	Asia Avg	86.44
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)40
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank40
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
148	Comoros	99.1
149	Russia	99.2
150	Myanmar (Burma)	99.9
151	Kuwait	100.5
152	Bahamas	100.9
153	Azerbaijan	101.2
154	Mauritania	101.2
155	Oman	101.8
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

In terms of its responsibility towards the environment, Kuwait comes 151st in the world. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. Kuwait comes in the best 20 in terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₁. It does better than average for its environmental performance₄₂. But that's it. Kuwait has problems. It does worse than average when it comes to reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₃, energy to GDP efficiency₄₄ and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in its score on the Green Future Index₄₅ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆.

Environmental Performance Higher is better42
Pos.		201842
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
58	Tunisia	62.4
59	Azerbaijan	62.3
60	S. Korea	62.3
61	Kuwait	62.3
62	Jordan	62.2
63	Armenia	62.1
64	Peru	61.9
65	Montenegro	61.3
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better44
Pos.		2022 Avg44
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
142	Jamaica	1.83
143	Moldova	1.88
144	S. Africa	1.97
145	Kuwait	2.02
146	Barbados	2.04
147	Libya	2.05
148	Singapore	2.06
149	Lebanon	2.06
	Asia Avg	1.50
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

After a decade of decreasing efficiency, from the 1960s to the 1970s, Kuwait was one of only 4 countries that improved its energy-to-GDP efficiency by more than 1.0 (Saudi Arabia was another, and done slightly better). It continued making strong efficiency gains until the 1990s. After a decade of decreasing efficiency, from the 1960s to the 1970s, Kuwait was one of only 4 countries that improved its energy-to-GDP efficiency by more than 1.0 (Saudi Arabia

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
150	Moldova	50%
151	Bahrain	50%
152	Swaziland	50%
153	Kuwait	49%
154	Lebanon	49%
155	Oman	48%
156	Yemen	48%
157	Comoros	48%
	Asia Avg	55.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better46
Pos.		2011 %46
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
128	Norway	20.5%
129	Botswana	20.4%
130	USA	19.7%
131	Kuwait	19.6%
132	Zimbabwe	19.6%
133	Latvia	19.5%
134	Tunisia	19.3%
135	Czechia	16.0%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better43
Pos.		2021 kg43
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
142	Bolivia	78.4
143	Grenada	78.6
144	Ireland	80.2
145	Kuwait	81.3
146	New Zealand	81.4
147	S. Korea	81.5
148	Dominica	81.6
149	Hungary	82.1
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Kuwait was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment. But it reduced consumption significantly during the 2010s.₄₃

Green Future Index Higher is better45
Pos.		2023 Score45
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
54=	Vietnam	4.1
55	Thailand	4.1
56	Saudi Arabia	4.1
57	Kuwait	4.1
58	Ethiopia	4.0
59	Angola	4.0
60	Egypt	4.0
61	Dominican Rep.	4.0
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index scored Kuwait 5th-best for its recent efforts to transition to clean energy sources.₄₇

7. Kuwait's Modernity and Learning

#corruption #education #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #it_security #life_expectancy #modernity #peace #politics #religious_violence #research #science #technology #terrorism #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	S. Korea	22.2
2	Japan	24.7
3	Israel	29.5
	...
13	Georgia	65.6
14	Bahrain	66.2
15	China	71.4
16	Kuwait	74.7
17	Qatar	74.8
18	Thailand	75.0
19	Uzbekistan	76.5
20	Vietnam	76.9
21	Kyrgyzstan	77.3
	Asia Avg	78.26
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
71	Fiji	71.5
72	Cuba	72.8
73	Trinidad & Tobago	74.5
74	Kuwait	74.7
75	Ecuador	74.8
76	Qatar	74.8
77	Thailand	75.0
78	Albania	76.4
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₄₉. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₉. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₀.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₁

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₉, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₉.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2952
2	Israel	4.1152
3	Japan	3.5852
	...
77	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.3353
78	Iran	0.3154
79=	Nepal	0.3054
79=	Kuwait	0.3053
81	Pakistan	0.2953
82	Zambia	0.2855
83	Botswana	0.2556
84	Armenia	0.2453
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better57
Pos.		201857
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
107	Ecuador	51.9%
108	Tunisia	51.8%
109	India	51.6%
110	Kuwait	51.5%
111	Congo, DR	50.7%
112	Macedonia	49.8%
113	Indonesia	48.8%
114	Congo, (Brazzaville)	48.8%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better58
Pos.		2021 Years58
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
51	St Kitts & Nevis	15.4
52	Tunisia	15.4
53	Peru	15.4
54	Kuwait	15.3
55	Japan	15.2
56	Liechtenstein	15.2
57	Mauritius	15.2
58	Belarus	15.2
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
124	Chad	124
125	Brunei	125
126	Ivory Coast	126
127	Kuwait	127
128	Vietnam	128
129	Azerbaijan	129
130	Bangladesh	130
131	Mongolia	131
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

IQ Higher is better59
Pos.		200659
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
67=	Indonesia	87
67=	Turkmenistan	87
67=	Uzbekistan	87
70	Kuwait	86
71=	Philippines	86
72	Yemen	85
73=	Trinidad & Tobago	85
73=	Peru	85
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

“The Cybercrime Law, which went into effect in 2016, includes far-reaching restrictions on internet-based speech, such as prison sentences, and fines for insulting religion, religious figures, and the emir.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₂₉

Internet Users Higher is better60
Pos.		201660
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
36	Ireland	81%
37	Barbados	80%
38	Hungary	80%
39	Kuwait	80%
40	Malta	80%
41	Chile	78%
42	Lithuania	77%
43	Latvia	76%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better61
Pos.		201361
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
37	Iran	0.85
38	Laos	0.86
39	Spain	0.88
40	Kuwait	0.93
41	Saudi Arabia	0.93
42	Malaysia	0.96
43	Canada	0.96
44	Tajikistan	1.01
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better62
Pos.		2017 Ratio62
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
107=	Turkmenistan	0.0
107=	Bangladesh	0.0
107=	Qatar	0.0
107=	Kuwait	0.0
107=	Guernsey	0.0
107=	Bahamas	0.0
107=	Antigua & Barbuda	0.0
107=	Venezuela	0.0
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better63
Pos.		202463
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
64	Macedonia	45.7%
65	Moldova	45.5%
66	S. Africa	45.4%
67	Kuwait	44.9%
68	Montenegro	44.9%
69	Morocco	44.8%
70	Mexico	44.6%
71	Vietnam	44.2%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

National Culture:

Corruption Higher is better64
Pos.		2022 Points64
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
79	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
80=	Burkina Faso	42.0
80=	Solomon Islands	42.0
80=	Kuwait	42.0
80=	Hungary	42.0
84	Kosovo	41.0
85=	Tunisia	40.0
85=	Suriname	40.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better65
Pos.		2024 Score65
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
27	Taiwan	6.7
28	Uruguay	6.7
29	Kosovo	6.7
30	Kuwait	6.6
31	Serbia	6.6
32	Saudi Arabia	6.6
33	France	6.6
34	Singapore	6.6
	Asia Avg	5.41
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
107	Uganda	107
108	Lesotho	108
109	Georgia	109
110	Kuwait	110
111	China	111
112	Swaziland	112
113	Argentina	113
114	Qatar	114
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
80	Latvia	80
81	Romania	81
82	Costa Rica	82
83	Kuwait	83
84	Belarus	84
85	Saudi Arabia	85
86	Azerbaijan	86
87	Uganda	87
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better66
Pos.		2023 Score66
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
32=	Romania	1.65
32=	Taiwan	1.65
34	Italy	1.66
35	Kuwait	1.67
36	Lithuania	1.67
37	UK	1.69
38	Macedonia	1.71
39	Costa Rica	1.73
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
137	Dominica	137
138	Cape Verde	138
139	St Lucia	139
140	Kuwait	140
141	Saudi Arabia	141
142	St Vincent & Grenadines	142
143	Belize	143
144	Haiti	144
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
78	Sri Lanka	78
79	Algeria	79
80	Ecuador	80
81	Kuwait	81
82	Paraguay	82
83	Sierra Leone	83
84	Israel	84
85	Tanzania	85
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better67
Pos.		2019 Score67
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
73	Japan	2.29
74	Netherlands	2.35
75	Ecuador	2.46
76	Kuwait	2.49
77	Malaysia	2.50
78	Brazil	2.53
79	Ivory Coast	2.60
80	Australia	2.65
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better68
Pos.		201968
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
43	Lithuania	5.50
44=	Bahrain	5.50
45	Qatar	5.70
46	Kuwait	5.90
47	Maldives	6.00
48=	Malaysia	6.10
48=	Bulgaria	6.10
50	Chile	6.30
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

8. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #kuwait #religion #religion_in_kuwait

Disbelief In God (2007)69
Pos.		Higher is better %69
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
122=	Niger	0
122=	Saudi Arabia	0
122=	Rwanda	0
122=	Cameroon	0
122=	Philippines	0
122=	Kuwait	0
122=	Madagascar	0
122=	Nigeria	0
122=	Malawi	0
122=	Chad	0
122=	Nepal	0
122=	Morocco	0
122=	Mauritania	0
122=	Mali	0
122=	Senegal	0
122=	Oman	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₀:

Christian	14.3%
Muslim	74.1%
Hindu	8.5%
Buddhist	2.8%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.1%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Muslim (official) 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%₇₁.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Kuwait does not accept the concept of freedom of belief and sociologists Grim & Finke place Kuwait into the worst category for religious persecution, along with just 13 other countries₃₀. Since 2016 anyone convicted of blasphemy against Islam cannot run for office, nor vote₂₉, therefore routinely discriminating against people based on their beliefs.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Kuwait: 4.3. Freedom of Thought