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Traffic violations plunge 72%, road discipline hailed

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By Faten Omar & B Izzak

KUWAIT: The interior ministry said on Tuesday that main traffic offenses monitored by cameras dropped by a massive 72 percent in the first week of applying the new traffic law on April 22. The ministry said cameras captured just 6,342 violations between April 22-28, compared to 22,651 violations in the week between April 15-21.

Offenses of failing to use seatbelts dropped by 71 percent from 18,208 to 5,176 in the same period, while using mobile phones while driving dived 86 percent to just 422 violations from 2,962. Offenses of not abiding by road lanes dropped from 1,081 to 700, a slide of 35 percent, while driving against the traffic decreased to just 44 from 400, an 89 percent decline. The ministry thanked motorists for abiding by the new traffic law.

A week into the new traffic law, drivers across the country are already feeling its impact — from noticeable improvements in road discipline to concerns over steep penalties and unresolved traffic issues. Kuwait Times spoke with motorists to gauge a range of reactions to the changes reshaping the nation’s roads.

Duaa Sami said that after several days of the new traffic law being enforced, she noticed a level of discipline on the roads she hadn’t seen before — from adherence to speed limits and seatbelt use to a clear reduction in reckless drivers, particularly those driving pickups, who were previously a common source of complaints. Ali Al-Radaan remarked that while the new law mainly addresses speeding and mobile phone usage, it fails to tackle traffic congestion and the overwhelming number of vehicles on the roads. He questioned whether every driver truly deserves to hold a license, suggesting that those with a high record of accidents should be required to retake their driving tests.

He added that in the US and Europe, passing a driving test is extremely difficult due to the rigorous focus on vehicle control, adherence to laws and ensuring the safety of others, expressing hope that Kuwait would adopt similarly strict standards alongside ongoing awareness campaigns.

Fahad Al-Fadhli praised the ministry of interior’s efforts in curbing violations but pointed out that improvements are needed on the Sixth Ring Road, particularly near Sabah Al-Nasser, where faded ground markings cause vehicles to weave dangerously, leading to accidents. He also called for expanding the use of traffic cameras into residential areas to deter reckless driving, highlighting concerns about taxis and delivery bikes speeding on highways, as well as abandoned buses and trucks in residential neighborhoods. He emphasized that fixing damaged roads is critical, as they pose major safety risks.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Hamdan observed that with the new law, the presence of traffic police on the streets has significantly decreased — by about 90 percent, in his view — and questioned why traffic officers are not more actively stopping and ticketing drivers who commit blatant violations such as reckless overtaking, turning without signaling and sudden stops by taxi drivers.

Majed Ziyad pointed out that people need more awareness about the purpose of strict traffic penalties, which is to ensure safer roads free from sudden stops and collisions. He noted that the decrease in accidents and violations is unsurprising, given that fines have increased tenfold, combined with a three-month public awareness campaign — both of which he credits as key reasons for the improvement.

However, some drivers believe that certain violations are excessive. Ahmad Azzam argued that if he is sitting at a red light with his car at a complete stop and briefly checks his phone, it should not be considered a violation. He pointed out the contradiction in penalizing drivers for phone use while allowing large, distracting digital billboards along the highways. He also added: “Given Kuwait’s harsh desert climate, drinking water while driving should not be considered a violation.”

Azzam criticized the high fines and suggested that Kuwait adopt Saudi Arabia’s approach of periodically offering discounted traffic fine payments. Furthermore, he highlighted the issue of faded lane markings on some roads, which makes it difficult for drivers to stay in their lanes. He stressed that public vehicles must also comply with the new traffic law, noting that buses and taxis often stop anywhere they please, disrupting traffic and nearly causing accidents.

Passant Hisham shared a different perspective, stating that since the new traffic laws were enforced, driving has become a source of constant anxiety for her. “Since the new traffic laws were enforced, driving has become a source of constant anxiety — so overwhelming that I sometimes end up putting myself at greater risk just to avoid breaking the rules,” she said.

“Every time I approach a green light, I find myself hesitating, slowing down in fear that it might turn yellow. And when it does turn yellow, I panic, either stopping too quickly or rushing through it, not knowing what to do. In those moments, I feel stuck between two terrifying outcomes: either get arrested or get hit by the car behind me,” she added.

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Kuwait population reaches 5.099 million; Budget revenues could hit KD 18.276bn

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KUWAIT: The total population in Kuwait reached approximately 5.099 million people by the end of June 2025, marking a growth of about 2.2 percent—or an absolute increase of around 111,000 people—compared to the end of 2024 when the population was 4.988 million, according to the data released by the Public Authority for Civil Information. The PACI has released the latest detailed data on population and labor statistics as of the end of June 2025.

The proportion of Kuwaitis in the total population also dropped— from about 31.7 percent at the end of the first half of 2024 to around 30.4 percent according to the latest figures. The number of Kuwaiti males, at approximately 776.7 thousand, slightly exceeds that of Kuwaiti females, at around 773.9 thousand. Meanwhile, the number of non-Kuwaiti residents increased by about 189.3 thousand people, representing a growth rate of approximately 5.6 percent, bringing their total to around 3.548 million. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the non-Kuwaiti population from 2015 to June 2025 was about 2.0 percent.

The total number of workers in Kuwait reached approximately 3.142 million, representing about 61.6 percent of the total population. For Kuwaiti citizens, the employment-to-population ratio stood at about 31.7 percent of the total Kuwaiti population. Notably, the percentage of employed non-Kuwaitis out of the total non-Kuwaiti population was around 74.7 percent. When compared to the end of June 2024, the share of Kuwaiti workers within the total workforce in Kuwait decreased from about 16.6 percent to approximately 15.6 percent in June 2025.

Additionally, the proportion of female workers among the total Kuwaiti workforce declined to around 49.3 percent by the end of the first half of the current year, down from 51.2 percent in June 2024. Female workers made up around 30.3 percent of the total workforce in Kuwait. The number of employed Kuwaiti nationals declined by approximately 15.2 thousand, bringing the total to around 491.1 thousand workers, down from about 506.4 thousand at the end of June 2024. Of these, about 392.9 thousand were employed in the government sector, accounting for 80.0 percent of all working Kuwaitis. This figure differs from the 83.8 percent reported by the CSB, both entities being government institutions, which may be due to the inclusion of unemployed individuals or those on waiting lists in the latter’s figures.

It is believed that the number of openly unemployed Kuwaitis slightly increased to around 30.7 thousand individuals, representing approximately 6.2 percent of the total Kuwaiti labor force by the end of June 2025, compared to about 29.9 thousand or 5.9 percent at the end of June 2024. The total number of workers (both Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti) in the government sector reached about 520 thousand, which accounts for roughly 16.5 percent of the total population. Kuwaitis made up approximately 75.6 percent of all employees in the public sector.

Kuwait oil price edges up

By the end of July 2025, the fourth month of the current fiscal year 2025/2026 had concluded. The average price of Kuwaiti oil per barrel for July was around $71.4, an increase of $1.5 per barrel or by 2.2 percent compared to the June’s average of $69.9 per barrel. It was also higher by $3.4 per barrel or by 5.0 percent, compared to the new assumed price in the current budget which is set at $68 per barrel. When comparing this figure to the approved expenditures of KD 24.538 billion, it is likely that the general budget for the current fiscal year 2025/2026 will record a deficit of KD 6.262 billion. However, the dominant factor remains the developments in oil revenues and the potential for savings in expenditures.

Furthermore, the average price of Kuwaiti oil per barrel for the elapsed period of the current fiscal year stood at $69, that is lower by $10.7 or by-13.4 percent compared to the average price per barrel of the previous fiscal year 2024/2025, which was around $79.7. It is also lower by $21.5 or by 23.7 percent, compared to the breakeven price in the current budget at $90.5, according to estimates by the Ministry of Finance and following the suspension of the 10 percent deduction from total revenues for the Future Generations Reserve. It is assumed that Kuwait generated oil revenues of KD 1.352 billion in July. Assuming that production levels and prices remain unchanged, an assumption that may not hold, total oil revenues for the entire current fiscal year are expected to reach KD 15.350 billion after deducting production costs.

This figure is around KD 45 million higher than the estimated amount in the current fiscal year’s budget, which is at KD 15.305 billion. With the addition of around KD 2.926 billion in non-oil revenues, the total budget revenues for the current fiscal year would amount to KD 18.276 billion. An announcement was made on July 22, 2025, regarding the actual budget deficit (the final account) for the previous fiscal year 2024/2025, which amounted to KD 1.056 billion. However, the detailed figures of that final account have not yet been published, making it difficult to analyze the situation.

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NBK sponsors the ‘Green Adventure’ program in collaboration with LOYAC

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KUWAIT: As part of its strategic partnership with LOYAC, and within its ongoing commitment to youth and society development, NBK sponsored the “Green Adventure” program aimed to build future leaders. The “Green Adventure” program, which is a unique initiative that combines physical and educational sustainability-related activities, took place in Portugal for seven days.

Through interactive theoretical sessions and practical field activities, the program targeted instilling values of environmental responsibility and sustainability for the youth to become future leaders and change makers. In the program, the students learned sustainable natural landscape and garden designing, in addition to applying sustainable daily agricultural practices to make a positive environmental impact.

The adventure opened many golden opportunities for the participants, such as exploring Portugal’s charming nature, diverse wildlife, and unique environmental systems. They also visited the ancient Moorish castle, and they were able to build connections with same-interest individuals and experts in the field, in addition to achieving a deeper understanding of the relationship between nature and society.

This sponsorship comes as an emphasis of NBK’s leadership in social responsibility and its commitment to investing in future generations, as it firmly believes in the effectiveness of such initiatives that contribute to shaping deeper understandings of global environmental issues, which consequently builds a generation that is strongly aware and capable of facing future sustainability-related challenges.

Additionally, NBK highlights the importance of private sector and non-profit organizations collaborations that aim to achieve sustainable development, and this sponsorship is part of a wider strategy that supports initiatives of youth education and environmental development for a better future for Kuwait and the region.

In this light, NBK will continue to promote social responsibility and support all society’s segments and non-profit organizations, particularly those institutions and programs that care for the youth and address their needs and requirements for a better future, as it strongly believes in the effective role of these programs in serving society and people. LOYAC is a non-profit organization that aims to support the youth by providing training opportunities and specialized educational and volunteer development programs.

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Kuwait Acting PM, FM receive Antigua and Barbuda’s FM

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KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah receives on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation. --KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah receives on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation. –KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah received on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them, in addition to exchanging views on issues of mutual interest.

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During the meeting, they reviewed the close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and the frameworks for strengthening and developing them in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments and the developments taking place in the region. — KUNA

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