Kuwait

Kuwaitis refer to August 2, 1990, as "Black Thursday," the day Iraq invaded their small oil-rich nation. In Kuwait today, life is brighter, although people say they worry about their national security and they cannot forget the 605 Kuwaitis and other citizens who disappeared during the occupation and are presumed to be prisoners captured by Iraq. While Kuwait has rebuilt its military, its leaders say they learned to be ready for anything and only trust themselves.

Almost one in five Kuwaitis, government psychologists say, suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder. They can't cope with memories of 1990 and 1991 and doctors say that is one reason the country is experiencing an escalating drug problem.

Here is a democraphic look at Kuwait before and after the invasion.

Population:
1,973,572 (2000)
2,123,711 (1990)
1,500,000 (1981)

Infant mortality rate:
11.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2000)
15 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
39.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1979)

Life expectancy at birth:
76.08 years (2000)
69.5 (1980)

Literacy:
78.6% (2000)
71% (1990)
60% (1978)

Economy:
GDP, per capita: $22,500 (1999)
GDP, per capita: $10,500 (1990)
GDP, per capita: $11,431 (1975)

Labor force:
1.3 million (1998 est.)
566,000 (1986)

Budget: Revenues -- $10 billion (2000)
$7.1 billion (1990)
$24.7 billion (1980)

Expenditures -- $13 billion (1999)
$10.5 billion (FY 1988)
$7.6 billion (1980)

Exports:
$13.5 billion (1999)
$7.1 billion (1988)
$19.97 billion (1980)

Imports:
$8.1 billion (1999)
$5.2 billion (1988)
$7.29 billion (1980)

Defense expenditures:
8% of GDP, or $2.518 billion (FY 1999)
5.8% of GDP, or $1.2 billion (FY89)
(Sources: CIA World Factbook 2000, CIA World Factbook 1990 and the World Almanac 1983)