Safest cities in Kuwait
2 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in KuwaitIn the context of regional escalation, Iran-aligned militia groups have threatened to target US interests across the region and have claimed attacks in Jordan and Iraq. US bases in Kuwait have also been hit by missile and drone fire. These groups are likely to continue to carry out these attacks in Kuwait.
Political situation
- Recent developments in the Middle East have heightened tensions in the region. Planned and pre-approved peaceful protests are legal, however these are for Kuwaiti citizens only.
Crime
- Violent crime against foreigners is rare. However, take care if you plan to travel to Jahra or Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, where there have been incidents of robberies, petty theft and road rage.
Border crossings
- Kuwait-Saudi Arabia borderIt is easy to miss the border posts between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. You must only use an authorised land border crossing and make sure to get an exit or entry stamp before you continue your journey.
- Kuwait-Iraq borderIf you plan to cross the border from Kuwait into Iraq, make sure you have the correct paperwork. See the Iraqi Embassy to Kuwait website for more information.
Landmines and unexploded weapons
- There are landmines and other unexploded weapons in Kuwait.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAs a visiting foreign national, you must always carry your passport. If you are resident in Kuwait, you must always carry your Kuwaiti civil identification card.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:
- Dress codeDress and behave modestly in public, particularly in downtown or conservative areas. Women should avoid wearing shorts or tight-fitting or revealing clothing.
- Relationships outside of marriageIt is illegal for an unmarried couple to live together in the same house or stay in the same hotel room. You will be asked to provide a marriage certificate if sharing a hotel room.
- Public behaviourIt’s illegal to insult or humiliate any person verbally or through obscene gestures in a public place, including a police officer, public official or private individual. Police may arrest you and conviction may lead to prosecution, imprisonment, or immediate deportation.
- Alcohol lawsAlcohol is illegal. Buying, selling or carrying it, as well as public intoxication, can lead to fines, imprisonment and deportation. Consuming illegally produced alcohol poses severe health risks, including methanol poisoning, which can cause blindness, organ failure or death.
- Illegal drugs penaltiesKuwait has zero tolerance for drug-related offences. Penalties for drug smuggling or trafficking include the death sentence. Offences involving minors or committed in schools, hospitals, prisons or other protected locations can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.
- Using cameras in secure areasIt is illegal to photograph or take videos of:
- Unpaid fines and billsAll foreign nationals must pay traffic fines, phone bills and utility bills before they leave Kuwait. The Kuwaiti authorities may:
- Financial crimesBouncing cheques is illegal and the law does not provide for offenders to be released from custody on bail.
- Commercial disputesIf you’re involved in a commercial dispute with a Kuwaiti company or individual, the Kuwaiti authorities may prevent you from leaving the country until it is resolved.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex activity is illegal.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Kuwait, see information on driving abroad.
- Driving offencesKuwait has introduced stricter traffic laws, with significantly increased fines and penalties. Offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, and running red lights can result in heavy fines, imprisonment or deportation.
- Car insuranceYou must get third-party insurance in Kuwait before you drive.
- Car accidentsIf you have a major accident, where there are serious injuries or a vehicle is not drivable:
- Drink-drivingDrink-driving is a serious offence in Kuwait. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol in your system, you may get a fine, imprisonment, or deportation and the withdrawal of your driving licence.
- Driving conditionsDriving conditions are hazardous. Many drivers pay little attention to other road users and may:
- Sea travelMany areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near:
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Kuwait, updated 2026-08-20 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.78 /100k2022
- Income inequality
- no data
- Human development
- HDI 0.8522023
- Income
- $64,040/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 15.4 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 71/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 61/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 46/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.72GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 62.3 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 2.3 doctors /1k2.3 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 3.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 2.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Kuwait (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Kuwait compares
| Measure | Kuwait | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.6 /100k — better for Kuwait |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 35.2 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.852 | 0.763 | +0.089 — better for Kuwait |
| Road deaths | 15.4 /100k | 15.4 /100k | ±0.0 /100k |
| Rule of law | 61/100 | 52/100 | +9/100 — better for Kuwait |
| Corruption perceptions | 46/100 | 39/100 | +7/100 — better for Kuwait |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 62.3 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +42.6 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.0/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.8/10 — better for Kuwait |
| Measure | Kuwait | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 1.8 /100k | −1.0 /100k — better for Kuwait |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 33.5 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.852 | 0.766 | +0.086 — better for Kuwait |
| Road deaths | 15.4 /100k | 14.9 /100k | +0.5 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Rule of law | 61/100 | 52/100 | +9/100 — better for Kuwait |
| Corruption perceptions | 46/100 | 35/100 | +12/100 — better for Kuwait |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 62.3 µg/m³ | 26.7 µg/m³ | +35.6 µg/m³ — better for Asia median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.0/10 | 3.7/10 | −0.7/10 — better for Kuwait |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 2 cities, safest first
- Kuwait City85.3 · #221 worldwide
- Al Jahra85.3 · #222 worldwide