Prices go up in Kuwait: Food, health, and clothes cost more.

KUWAIT CITY, July 20: Domestic inflation in Kuwait rose by 2.32 percent year-on-year (YoY) in June, according to data released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on Sunday.

The CSB also reported a 0.29 percent increase in the consumer price index (CPI) month-on-month for June compared to May.

The bureau attributed the annual inflation rise primarily to price increases across key sectors, especially food, health, clothing, and education — with the exception of transportation, which saw a decline.

Food and beverages prices surged by 5.11 percent in June compared to the same month last year. The prices of cigarettes and tobacco saw a slight increase of 0.07 percent. Clothing costs rose by 3.93 percent, while housing services increased by 0.98 percent. Home furnishings also recorded a notable inflation of 3.30 percent.

Health-related expenses climbed by 2.94 percent, whereas transportation costs dropped by 1.81 percent year-on-year. Communication services experienced a modest rise of 0.64 percent, and entertainment and culture expenses went up by 1.92 percent. Education costs increased by 0.71 percent.

The prices for restaurants and hotels rose by 1.94 percent annually, while miscellaneous goods and services recorded an inflation rate of 4.8 percent.

Excluding the food and beverages category, inflation in Kuwait stood at 1.69 percent year-on-year and 0.23 percent month-on-month in June.

KUWAIT CITY, July 19: In an unprecedented development for the Gulf region, 41 percent of startups in Kuwait are now spearheaded by women. This figure — among the highest in the Middle East — is a manifestation of a sweeping transformation in the entrepreneurial landscape of Kuwait, driven by women who are redefining the boundaries of economic participation.

Female entrepreneurs are playing a vital role in challenging long-standing societal stereotypes about women’s roles in the economy. From e-commerce and financial technology to creative ventures that celebrate culture and identity, many women-led projects have shown profitability and significant social impact. Experts attribute this surge to several factors as follows:

Social media has also played an instrumental role; giving Kuwaiti women the tools to market their products, build communities, and bypass traditional barriers that once limited their opportunities.

Among the standout examples is a startup founded by a young female Kuwaiti entrepreneur producing modern feminist cultural content, as well as another that develops smart e-commerce solutions targeting regional markets in the Gulf. Despite these achievements, certain challenges remain. Many women entrepreneurs report difficulties in securing funding on par with their male peers, citing persistent bias in investment circles and bureaucratic hurdles.

Yet, the success and profitability of women-led ventures are beginning to prompt some investors to rethink their priorities and allocate more resources to female founders. The wave of women entrepreneurship aligns with the vision of Kuwait to diversify its economy, away from oil dependency by investing in innovation and the private sector. Programs such as the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development have been established to incubate emerging businesses and focus on empowering youth and women.