Geography ::Kosovo
Location:
Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 10,887 sq km country comparison to the world: 168 land: 10,887 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 702 km
border countries: Albania 112 km, Macedonia 159 km, Montenegro 79 km, Serbia 352 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December
Terrain:
flat fluvial basin with an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim 297 m (located on the border with Albania)
highest point: Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m
Natural resources:
nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite
People ::Kosovo
Population:
1,815,048 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.7% (male 260,678/female 239,779)
15-64 years: 65.7% (male 617,890/female 567,939)
65 years and over: 6.6% (male 50,463/female 68,089) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.3 years
male: 25.8 years
female: 26.8 years (2010 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.086 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovac (Serbian)
adjective: Kosovar (Albanian), Kosovski (Serbian)
note: Kosovan, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective
Ethnic groups:
Albanians 92%, other (Serb, Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Turk, Ashkali,Egyptian) 8% (2008)
Religions:
Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic
Languages:
Albanian (official), Serbian (official), Bosnian, Turkish, Roma
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.9%
male: 96.6%
female: 87.5% (2007 Census)
Government ::Kosovo
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Kosovo
conventional short form: Kosovo
local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Republika Kosovo)
local short form: Kosova (Kosovo)
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)
geographic coordinates: 42 40 N, 21 10 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
30 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna in Albanian; opstine,singular - opstina in Serbian); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas),Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica),Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc/Drenas (Glogovac), Istog (Istok),Kacanik, Kamenice/Dardana (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Leposaviq(Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mitrovice(Mitrovica), Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Peje (Pec),Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec(Orahovac), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica),Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), ZubinPotok, Zvecan
note - the Government of Kosovo has announced the establishment of eight additional municipalities in accordance with UN Special Envoy AHTISAARI's mandated decentralization process; the boundaries of several municipalities are pending final approval; the municipalities are: Gracanice (Gracanica), Hani i Elezit (Dzeneral Jankovic), Junik, Kllokot-Verboc (Klokot-Vrbovac), Mamushe (Mamusa), Partes, and Ranillug (Ranilug); in addition, the current Mitrovice (Mitrovica) municipality is to be split into Mitrovice (Mitrovica) North and Mitrovice (Mitrovica) South
Independence:
17 February 2008 (from Serbia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 February (2008)
Constitution:
adopted by the Kosovo Assembly on 9 April 2008; effective 15 June 2008
Legal system:
evolving legal system based on terms of former UN Special Envoy Martti AHTISAARI's Plan for Kosovo's supervised independence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Acting President Jakup KRASNIQI (since 27 September 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Hashim THACI (since 9 January 2008)
cabinet: ministers; elected by the Kosovo Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the president elected for a five-year term by the Kosovo Assembly; election last held on 9 January 2008 (next to be held - a special election in 2011); the prime minister elected by the Kosovo Assembly
election results: Fatmir SEJDIU reelected president after three rounds; note - resigned from the office of president on 27 Septermber 2010; Hashim THACI elected prime minister by the Assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral national Assembly (120 seats; 100 seats directly elected, 10 seats guaranteed for ethnic Serbs, 10 seats guaranteed for other ethnic minorities; members to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 November 2007 (next expected to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PDK 34.3%, LDK 22.6%, AKR 12.3%, LDD 10.0%, AAK 9.6%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PDK 37, LDK 25, AKR 13, LDD 11, AAK 10, other 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; district courts; municipal courts
note: the Kosovo Constitution dictates that the Supreme Court of Kosovo is the highest judicial authority, and provides for a Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) that proposes to the president candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors; the KJC is also responsible for decisions on the promotion and transfer of judges and disciplinary proceedings against judges; at least 15 percent of Supreme Court and district court judges shall be from non-majority communities
Political parties and leaders:
Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo or PShDK [Ton MARKU];Alliance for a New Kosovo or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI]; Alliance for theFuture of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]; Alliance of IndependentSocial Democrats of Kosovo and Metohija or SDSKIM [Ljubisa ZIVIC];Bosniak Vakat Coalition or DSV [Sadik IDRIZI]; Citizens' Initiativeof Gora or GIG [Murselj HALJILJI]; Democratic Action Party or SDA[Numan BALIC]; Democratic League of Dardania or LDD [Nexhat DACI];Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Fatmir SEJDIU]; Democratic Partyof Ashkali of Kosovo or PDAK [Berat QERIMI]; Democratic Party ofBosniaks [Dzezair MURATI]; Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [HashimTHACI]; Independent Liberal Party or SLS [Slobadan PETROVIC]; KosovoDemocratic Turkish Party of KDTP [Mahir YAGCILAR]; New DemocraticInitiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Xhevdet NEZIRAJ]; New Democratic Partyor ND [Predrag JOVIC]; New Kosovo Alliance or AKR [Behxhet PACOLLI];Reform Party Ora [Teuta SAHATCIA]; Serb National Party or SNS[Mihailo SCEPANOVIC]; Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo andMetohija or SDS KiM [Slavisa PETKOVIC]; Serbian Kosovo and MetohijaParty or SKMS [Dragisa MIRIC]; Serbian National Council of NorthernKosovo and Metohija or SNV [Milan IVANOVIC]; Social Democratic Partyof Kosovo or PSDK [Agim CEKU]; Socialist Party of Kosovo or PSK[Emrush XHEMAJLI]; United Roma Party of Kosovo or PREBK [Haxhi ZylfiMERXHA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedom (human rights);Humanitarian Law Centre (human rights); Movement forSelf-Determination; Serb National Council (SNV)
International organization participation:
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Avni SPAHIU
chancery: 1101 30th Street NW, Suites 330/340, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: 202-380-3581
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL
embassy: Arberia/Dragodan, Nazim Hikmet 30, Pristina, Kosovo
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [381] 38 59 59 3000
Flag description:
centered on a dark blue field is the geographical shape of Kosovo in a gold color surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars arrayed in a slight arc; each star represents one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and Bosniaks
National anthem:
name: "Europe"
lyrics/music: none/Mendi MENGJIQI
note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to not include lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend minority ethnic groups in the country
Economy ::Kosovo
Economy - overview:
Over the past few years Kosovo's economy has shown significant progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany and Switzerland - are estimated to account for about 14% of GDP, and donor-financed activities and aid for another 7.5%. Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe with an average annual per capita income of only $2,500. Unemployment, around 40% of the population, is a significant problem that encourages outward migration and black market activity. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and lack of technical expertise. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize 50% of its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by number, and over 90% of SOEs by value. Minerals and metals - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once formed the backbone of industry, but output has declined because of ageing equipment and insufficient investment. A limited and unreliable electricity supply due to technical and financial problems is a major impediment to economic development. Kosovo's Ministry of Energy and Mining has solicited expressions of interest from private investors to develop a new power plant in order to address Kosovo and the region's unmet and growing demands for power. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used in Serb enclaves. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Kosovo has one of the most open economies in the region, and continues to work with the international community on measures to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment. Kosovo has kept the government budget in balance as a result of efficient value added tax (VAT) collection at the borders and inefficient budget execution. In order to help integrate Kosovo into regional economic structures, UNMIK signed (on behalf of Kosovo) its accession to the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006. However, Serbia and Bosnia have refused to recognize Kosovo's customs stamp or extend reduced tariff privileges for Kosovo products under CEFTA. In July 2008, Kosovo received pledges of $1.9 billion from 37 countries in support of its reform priorities. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and Kosovo began servicing its share of the former Yugoslavia's debt.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.3 billion (2008); $4.7 billion country comparison to the world: 158
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.237 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2007) country comparison to the world: 174
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.9%
industry: 22.6%
services: 64.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
NA (2009 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 16.5%
industry: NA
services: NA (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
16.6% (2009 est.); 14% country comparison to the world: 157
Population below poverty line:
35% (2007 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Investment (gross fixed):
15.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Public debt:
NA% of GDP
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.09% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 13.79% (31 December 2008 est.)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers
Industries:
mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances
Electricity - production:
832 million kWh (2006) country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - consumption:
4.281 billion kWh (2006) country comparison to the world: 115
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007) country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - consumption:
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
NA bbl
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007) country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007) country comparison to the world: 123
Natural gas - proved reserves:
NA cu m
Current account balance:
-$2.716 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 -$2.408 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$527 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances
Imports:
$2.6 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery and electrical equipment
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Debt - external:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$21.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $21.32 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7338 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007)
Communications ::Kosovo
Telephones - main lines in use:
106,300 (2006) country comparison to the world: 143
Telephones - mobile cellular:
562,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 157
Transportation ::Kosovo
Airports:
8 (2010) country comparison to the world: 165
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Railways:
total: 430 km country comparison to the world: 116 standard gauge: 430 km 1.435-m gauge (2007)
Roadways:
total: 1,926 km country comparison to the world: 175 paved: 1,668 km
unpaved: 258 km (2009)
Military ::Kosovo
Military branches:
Kosovo Security Force (2010)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 429,645
females age 16-49: 389,071 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues ::Kosovo
Disputes - international:
Serbia with several other states protest the US and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDP's: 21,000 (2007)
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Kuwait (Middle East)
Introduction ::Kuwait
Background:
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.
Geography ::Kuwait
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and SaudiArabia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 17,818 sq km country comparison to the world: 157 land: 17,818 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 462 km
border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline:
499 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain:
flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation 306 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0.84%
permanent crops: 0.17%
other: 98.99% (2005)
Irrigated land:
130 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.02 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.44 cu km/yr (45%/2%/52%)
per capita: 164 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year but are most common between March and August
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
Geography - note:
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
People ::Kuwait
Population:
2,789,132 country comparison to the world: 139 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.4% (male 361,274/female 348,351)
15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,219,674/female 683,494)
65 years and over: 3% (male 49,807/female 29,926) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.4 years
male: 28.2 years
female: 22.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.501% country comparison to the world: 5 note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2010 est.)
Birth rate:
21.64 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Death rate:
2.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 224
Net migration rate:
15.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Urbanization:
urban population: 98% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.041 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.79 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.65 male(s)/female
total population: 1.54 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 159 male: 9.35 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.89 years country comparison to the world: 51 male: 76.64 years
female: 79.18 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.7 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Kuwaiti(s)
adjective: Kuwaiti
Ethnic groups:
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions:
Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu,Parsi) 15%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.3%
male: 94.4%
female: 91% (2005 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 118
Government ::Kuwait
Country name:
conventional long form: State of Kuwait
conventional short form: Kuwait
local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form: Al Kuwayt
Government type:
constitutional emirate
Capital:
name: Kuwait City
geographic coordinates: 29 22 N, 47 58 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
Independence:
19 June 1961 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution:
approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system:
civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal (adult); note - males in the military or police are not allowed to vote; adult females were allowed to vote as of 16 May 2005; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years
Executive branch:
chief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 7 February 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister NASIR AL-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 3 April 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBAREK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD AL-SABAH al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly)
elections: last held on 16 May 2009 (next election to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by bloc - NA; seats by bloc - tribal MPs 25 (all Sunni Muslims, and represented primarily by the Al-Mutairi, Al-Azmi, Al-Ajmi, and Al-Rasheedi tribes), Shia Muslims 9, liberals 7, independents 6, Salafi (Sunni) Islamists 3
Judicial branch:
High Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
none; formation of political parties is in practice illegal but is not forbidden by law
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: Islamists; merchants; political groups; secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies; Shia activists; tribal groups
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO,G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC,LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah
chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah K. JONES
embassy: Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City
mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000
telephone: [965] 2259-1001
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I; green represents fertile fields, white stands for purity, red denotes blood on Kuwaiti swords, black signifies the defeat of the enemy
National anthem:
name: "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA
note: adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions
Economy ::Kuwait
Economy - overview:
Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with self-reported crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - about 9% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 95% of government income. Kuwaiti officials have committed to increasing oil production to 4 million barrels per day by 2020. The rise in global oil prices throughout 2010 is reviving government consumption and economic growth as Kuwait experiences a 20% increase in government budget revenue. Kuwait has done little to diversify its economy, in part, because of this positive fiscal situation, and, in part, due to the poor business climate and the acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch, which has stymied most movement on economic reforms. Nonetheless, the government in May 2010 passed a privatization bill that allows the government to sell assets to private investors, and in January passed an economic development plan that pledges to spend up to $130 billion in five years to diversify the economy away from oil, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy. Increasing government expenditures by so large an amount during the planned time frame may be difficult to accomplish.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$144.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $139.8 billion (2009 est.)
$146.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$117.3 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 -4.6% (2009 est.)
8.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$51,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $51,900 (2009 est.)
$56,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 48.1%
services: 51.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.154 million country comparison to the world: 118 note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
2.2% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
13.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Public debt:
12.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 13.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 109 3.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.9% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 121 7.61% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$18.12 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 65 $16.38 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$88.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $86.53 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$96.71 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $90.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$95.94 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 33 $107.2 billion (31 December 2008)
$188 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
fish
Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate:
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - production:
45.83 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Electricity - consumption:
40.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.494 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Oil - consumption:
320,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Oil - exports:
2.349 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Oil - proved reserves:
104 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - production:
12.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - consumption:
12.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - imports:
300 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 note: Kuwait signed a deal with ?XX? to import 2 billion cu m per year in 2010 and beyond (2009 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.798 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Current account balance:
$38.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $28.61 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$65.03 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $50.34 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners:
Japan 17.9%, South Korea 17.31%, India 12.43%, Taiwan 9.07%, US 7.9%, China 7.55%, Singapore 5.48% (2009)
Imports:
$20.36 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $17.08 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners:
US 11.18%, China 9.07%, Germany 7.63%, Japan 7.14%, Saudi Arabia 6.24%, Italy 5%, France 4.77%, India 4.09%, UK 4.02% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$22.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $20.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$56.81 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $55.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$1.281 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $1.081 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$44.31 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $34.73 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.2888 (2010), 0.2877 (2009), 0.2679 (2008), 0.2844 (2007), 0.29 (2006)
Communications ::Kuwait
Telephones - main lines in use:
553,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 94
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.876 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 105
Telephone system:
general assessment: the quality of service is excellent
domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a mobile-cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones
international: country code - 965; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat)
Broadcast media:
state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters have emerged since 2003; satellite TV is available with pan-Arab TV stations especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station emerged in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.kw
Internet hosts:
2,485 (2010) country comparison to the world: 151
Internet users:
1.1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 96
Transportation ::Kuwait
Airports:
7 (2010) country comparison to the world: 168
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Heliports:
4 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 269 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 5,749 km country comparison to the world: 150 paved: 4,887 km
unpaved: 862 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
total: 30 country comparison to the world: 83 by type: bulk carrier 1, carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 16
registered in other countries: 47 (Bahamas 2, Bahrain 5, Comoros 1, Libya 1, Malta 2, Panama 12, Qatar 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saudi Arabia 4, UAE 10) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'AbdAllah, Mina' al Ahmadi
Military ::Kuwait
Military branches:
Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for compulsory and 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; women age 18-30 may be subject to compulsory military service; conscription suspended in 2001 (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,131,529
females age 16-49: 612,126 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 979,832
females age 16-49: 539,574 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 19,038
female: 19,787 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
5.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 14
Transnational Issues ::Kuwait
Disputes - international:
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Kuwait is a destination country for men and women who migrate legally from South and Southeast Asia for domestic or low-skilled labor, but are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude by employers in Kuwait including conditions of physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement to the home, and withholding of passports to restrict their freedom of movement; Kuwait is reportedly a transit point for South and East Asian workers recruited for low-skilled work in Iraq; some of these workers are deceived as to the true location and nature of this work, and others are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude in Iraq
tier rating: Tier 3 - Kuwaiti government has shown an inability to define trafficking and has demonstrated insufficient political will to address human trafficking adequately; much of the human trafficking found in Kuwait involves domestic workers in private residences and the government is reluctant to prosecute Kuwaiti citizens; the government has not enacted legislation targeting human trafficking nor established a permanent shelter for victims of trafficking (2009)
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia)
Introduction ::Kyrgyzstan
Background:
A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by President Roza OTUNBAEVA who will serve as president until 31 December 2011 according to a presidential decree issued 19 May 2010. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in October 2011. Continuing concerns include: endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.
Geography ::Kyrgyzstan
Location:
Central Asia, west of China