Of the countryís total population, approximately 2.1 million are Muslims, including nearly all of its 956,000 citizens. While the national census does not distinguish between Sunni and Shiía adherents, the majority of citizens, including the ruling family, belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. The total Sunni Muslim population is approximately 1.7 million, 669,000 of whom are citizens. The remaining 30% of Muslim citizens (approximately 287,000) are Shiía, as are approximately 100,000 noncitizen residents. Estimates of the Christian population range from 250,000-300,000 residents, including about 200 citizens. There also are communities of Hindus (estimated at 100,000) and Sikhs (estimated at 10,000).

Kuwaitís 83% literacy rate, one of the Arab world's highest, is the result of extensive government support for the education system. Public school education, including Kuwait University, is free, but access is restricted for foreign residents. The government sponsors the foreign study of qualified students abroad for degrees not offered at Kuwait University. In 2004, approximately 1,720 Kuwaitis were enrolled in U.S. universities, down 6.8% from the previous year.