Kuwait: Introductory country profile

The UK has strong diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Kuwait. In January 2024, the UK and Kuwait marked 125 years of diplomatic relations. The UK is currently negotiating a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, whose six members include Kuwait.

This briefing introduces Kuwait’s politics, human rights, trade, and international relations. It also signposts further reading. Please visit the Library’s Middle East pages for further analysis on the region’s politics.

What does this paper cover?

This 16-page briefing provides an introduction to Kuwait’s: 

• Leadership, politics, and political rights, including the 2024 dissolution of the National Assembly by the Emir
• Human rights, such as the rights of women and migrant workers
• Trade with the UK and current negotiations on a trade agreement 
• Economy, including key statistics on population, economic growth and leading industries 
• Foreign relations with the US, China, neighbouring Gulf states and Iran

The paper signposts further reading on each of these topics on pages 13 to 16. This includes links to UK Parliament proceedings on Kuwait and relevant Library briefing papers. 

Please visit the Library’s Middle East pages for further analysis on the region’s politics.