Population.
2.274 million
(June 30th 1999; Source: Public Authority for Civil Info.)
Kuwaitis: 798,200 (35.1% of total)
Non-Kuwaitis: 1.476 million (64.9% of total)
Urban population 97.1% (1996)
Adult Literacy Rate 85% (age 15+)
Male/Female Ratio: 1.57 Males for every Female

Religion.
Most Kuwaitis are Sunni Muslims. About 25% of citizens are Shia Muslims. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by law and foreigners practise Islam and Christianity as well as other religions. There are several Christian churches in Kuwait.

Languages.
Arabic (official).
English is widely understood

Basic Data.
Currency
Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils.
Notes: 20, 10, 5, 1, 1/2, & 1/4 KD
Coins: 100, 50, 20, 10, & 5 fils
Average Exchange rate in 2003: (Central Bank Figures)
GBP£1.00 = KD0.482 (approx.)

Time
3 hours ahead of GMT.

Electricity
220 - 240 Volt, AC, 50 Cycles, Single Phase

Country Code
++(965) Kuwait has no city codes
(Note: International Direct Dialing Codes, which must be dialled before the country code and number, differ depending on where the call is placed. From the U.K., it is "00")

Weights and Measures
Metric system and regional measures

Weekend
Thursday and Friday

Public Holidays

Secular:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Kuwait National Day (February 25)
Liberation Day (February 26)

Islamic:
Eid Al-Fitr
Eid Al-Adha
Rass Al-Sana Al-Hijria
Mawlid Al-Nabi
Lailat al-Isra' wa al-Mir'aaj
(Note: The dates of religious holidays change yearly, because Kuwait uses the Islamic or Hijra calendar, dating from the year 622 AD and based on the lunar year, which is roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.)

During the Holy month of Ramadan, office hours are shorter than normal.