Kuwait - 37.50
125
Modernizing politically but not economically
Kuwait has long been content to keep its business to itself. Generally regarded as isolationist and a moderate and mediator in Middle Eastern politics, Kuwait lacks the outgoing reputation of Dubai or Doha or the traditionalist reputation of Muscat, Kuwait has long been content to keep to itself. Despite this, Kuwait stands out. Kuwait finished with the highest democracy score among Persian Gulf states, beating out second-place Qatar by five points. While the process to participate in Kuwaiti democracy is stringent, Kuwait’s democratically elected parliament holds significantly more power than any other parliament in the Gulf. Additionally, there are significantly more freedoms for expression, demonstration, and the press in Kuwait than in many other Gulf states. However, Kuwait has been slow to make economic reforms. Kuwait’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil and the country has not made significant effort to expand into other industries. While Kuwait’s neighbors work to become more attractive to expats, Kuwait continues to disallow foreign-born non-Muslims from naturalizing. Tourism in Kuwait is virtually nonexistent and Kuwait is far from the financial hub that Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh are. As the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain all make investments in sports, Kuwait has not. While the wealth of this generation’s pseudo-noble elite remains secure, the next generation has plenty of cause for concern.
Human Rights - 22
Kuwait retains the death penalty; the last execution was carried out in 2017. In August 2020, parliament repealed the Ministry of Information's control over imported publications, meaning that foreign news is not subject to significantly fewer restrictions. Despite these reforms, the Ministry of Information retains broad provisions and intensified social media surveillance during COVID to prevent the “broadcast of lies or provocation of sedition.” The ministry has publicly acknowledged twenty-five sites under surveillance. The government has prosecuted twelve people under the country’s cybercrime law, which criminalizes insulting the emir or “allied neighbors,” insulting Islam, disclosing private information, or calling for the overthrow of the emir. Membership in a number of different organizations that are banned in Kuwait can result in severe fines and prison sentences. Several Bedoon activists have been jailed for their membership in various banned organizations. On the opposite note, the government overturned sentences for several Bedoon rights activists and commuted others to probation or house arrest. All public demonstrations must be registered with the government before being held. The government retains the power to reject any demonstration for any reason. In accordance with this, the government rarely approves demonstrations and regularly shuts down peaceful protests, often with excessive force. The Bedoon people are considered stateless and lack adequate access to citizenship. Unemployed non-citizens (which the vast majority of Bedoon are) lack access to public services in Kuwait. Migrant workers under Kuwait’s interpretation of the Kafala system have very few rights. It is very difficult for Kafala migrants to complain about abuses, but the government recently prosecuted several people for abusing migrant workers. Kuwait recently instated a minimum wage, different from the minimum wage for citizens, for migrant workers. Kafala migrants are prohibited from leaving the country without the permission of their employers. Due to the pandemic, the government granted a one-month amnesty for migrant workers to return to their home countries. Despite this, many were stranded in Kuwait without work for months due to travel restrictions and lockdown measures. Rape is seldom prosecuted in Kuwait and marital rape is not illegal. It is very difficult for rape victims to seek justice and a rape conviction requires a testimony from a male witness. Rapists can receive amnesty if they marry their victims. Women face open discrimination in marriage, divorce, and inheritance and struggle to keep custody of their children in divorce. Murder can be punishable by a fine in “honor killings>” Homosexuality is illegal for men but legal for women. The military checks for anus stretching before conscription. Abortion is legal to preserve the physical health of the woman as well as in cases of fetal impairment. Spousal authorization is required when applicable.
Democracy - 25
The emir holds all power over the executive branch. The emir appoints the prime minister and cabinet and has the ability to dissolve the Assembly and call snap elections at any time. Thirty-five members of the National Assembly are directly elected and fifteen are appointed by the emir. Elections are ostensibly free and fair with a few noted irregularities. Vote-buying remains a persistent issue and only five international observers were allowed in to monitor the elections. Opposition candidates established a majority over elected, seats, winning 24/35. Political parties are banned but informal coalitions and voting blocs still exist. The Muslim Brotherhood won several seats in parliament. Having a father with Kuwaiti citizenship is necessary to participate in elections. Participants in elections must also be Kuwaiti citizens for twenty years but do not need to be natural-born citizens. Non-Muslims born abroad are not allowed to naturalize even if they meet all requirements. Shiites, non-Muslims, women, LGBT, and ethnic minorities all face disenfranchisement.
Freedom - 16
In August 2020, parliament lifted the Ministry of Information’s control over imported publications. Foreign news is now subject to significantly fewer restrictions. Despite these recent reforms, the Ministry of Information retains broad provisions. Social media surveillance was recently intensified to prevent the “broadcast of lies or provocation of sedition.” In a public statement, the Ministry of Information stated that they had twenty-five sites under surveillance. The government recently prosecuted twelve people under a cybercrime law that criminalizes offending the emir or “allied neighbors,” insulting Islam, disclosing private information, or calling for the overthrowing of the emir. A number of organizations are banned in Kuwait and members of these organizations face severe fines or prison time. Several Bedoon rights activists were jailed for their membership in these organizations. Despite this, the government overturned sentences for several Bedoon rights activists and commuted others to probation or house arrest. All public demonstrations must be registered with the government prior to being held. The government retains the power to reject any demonstration for any reason and rarely approves demonstrations at all. Illegal protests are regularly shut down with excessive force. Thousands of books are banned in Kuwait. Sunni Islam receives preferential treatment from the government. Prosletyzation by non-Muslims is banned and there are a number of restrictions on the rights of practitioners of non-Abrahamic religions to worship in public. All drugs are illegal in Kuwait with strictly enforced penalties. All guns are effectively illegal in Kuwait.
Economy - 67
Health - 74
Kuwait has a life expectancy of 76 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.68%. 37.9% of Kuwaitis are obese and No Kuwaiti citizens are malnourished. There is no data on foreign citizens living in Kuwait. Malnourishment statistics are not officially measured for stateless Bedoon nomads or migrant workers. Malnourishment rates among Bedoon nomads and migrant workers are likely significantly higher. Kuwait’s healthcare system offers free, high-quality care to Kuwaiti citizens, while employers are expected to provide for migrant workers. Despite this, migrant workers are often neglected. Stateless Bedoon nomads also lack access to healthcare. 99% of Kuwaiti citizens have access to clean, running water, but the country’s Bedoon nomads overwhelmingly lack access to clean, running water.
Corruption - 48
The judicial system is highly subject to political pressure. While Kuwaiti courts are not subject to bribery they consistently side with government interests. Extreme favoritism is shown among Kuwaiti police and well-connected Kuwaitis regularly get off without charge. Public services must be bribed into action. Non-GCC citizens often must pay bribes to purchase land despite it being legal for them to do so. The Iraqi border is subject to extreme corruption as migrants are often harassed and extorted for bribes and it is very easy to smuggle goods across the border. Public contracts are impossible to obtain without bribery.
Competency - 53
The government is failing to provide for migrant workers and Bedoon nomads. The Kuwaiti economy remains a command-and-control petro economy that lacks diversity and the government has failed to change it in the face of changing times. Corruption is prevalent at a significantly higher rate than in other GCC countries.
Future - 16
Kuwait’s oil economy is highly unstable and Kuwait has failed to diversify its economy in the fashion of its neighbors. The Kuwaiti economy took a major hit due to COVID and previous slow growth means that it is unlikely to recover quickly.
Actions Abroad - 57
Kuwait maintains close relations with the United States and has cooperated with American military campaigns in the area. Kuwait hosts the Camp Spearhead Army Base. Kuwait maintains close relations with China and supports the Hong Kong Security Law. Kuwait has built and financially backs a number of charity schools for Muslims in India. While Kuwait recognizes Palestine and not Israel, reports have surfaced that Kuwait is in discussion with the United States to normalize relations with Israel. Kuwait is currently attempting to claim $2.5 billion in reparations from Iraq. Kuwait often acts as a mediator in intra-Arab politics, most notably in the Qatar dispute.
Kuwait’s poverty rate is difficult to ascertain. Poverty is minimal among Kuwait’s overwhelmingly wealthy citizens but runs rampant among Bedoon nomads and migrant workers. 6.79% of Kuwaitis are unemployed. Kuwait has a strong healthcare system, providing care for free to all Kuwaiti citizens. Employers are expected to provide for migrant workers but they often neglect their employees and many migrant workers lack access to healthcare. Healthcare is of consistently high quality throughout the country. Kuwait is failing to diversify its economy, which remains heavily dependent on oil. The Kuwaiti economy shrunk 8.6% in 2020 and grew 0.4% in 2019.