List of Kuwait Governorates and Capitals

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

Kuwait is divided into six governorates, also known as "muhafazah" in Arabic. Here is a list of the governorates in Kuwait:

Kuwait is a small Middle Eastern country located on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf and bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The country is divided into 6 governorates, and those governorates are further divided into districts and residential areas for local administration. Kuwait City is the national capital and also the largest urban center in the country.

The country includes desert plains, coastal zones, oil-producing regions, islands, and rapidly developed urban areas along the Persian Gulf. Different governorates are known for residential districts, industrial zones, commercial centers, ports, and energy infrastructure.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Kuwait City
  • Total population: 4,980,000 (Official estimate 2025)
  • Total area: 17,818 km² (6,880 sq miles)
  • Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
  • Bordering countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia
  • Total Governorates: 6
  • Total Districts: 100+

List of Governorates and Capitals of Kuwait

Total governorates shown: 6 | Combined population: 4,980,000 | Combined area: 17,818 km²

#Governorate NameCapital CityRegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1Al AhmadiAl AhmadiSouthern Kuwait5,1201,150,000
2Al AsimahKuwait CityCapital Region200620,000
3Al FarwaniyahFarwaniyaCentral Kuwait2041,180,000
4Al JahraJahraWestern Kuwait11,230620,000
5HawalliHawalliEastern Urban Belt851,050,000
6Mubarak Al-KabeerMubarak Al-KabeerSouthern Urban Belt979360,000

Largest Governorates by Area

  • Al Jahra - 4,336 sq mi (11,230 km²)
  • Al Ahmadi - 1,977 sq mi (5,120 km²)
  • Mubarak Al-Kabeer - 378 sq mi (979 km²)
  • Al Farwaniyah - 79 sq mi (204 km²)
  • Al Asimah - 77 sq mi (200 km²)
  • Hawalli - 33 sq mi (85 km²)

Most Populous Governorates

  • Al Farwaniyah - Population: 1,180,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Al Ahmadi - Population: 1,150,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Hawalli - Population: 1,050,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Al Asimah - Population: 620,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Al Jahra - Population: 620,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Mubarak Al-Kabeer - Population: 360,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Governorates by Area

  • Hawalli - 33 sq mi (85 km²)
  • Al Asimah - 77 sq mi (200 km²)
  • Al Farwaniyah - 79 sq mi (204 km²)
  • Mubarak Al-Kabeer - 378 sq mi (979 km²)
  • Al Ahmadi - 1,977 sq mi (5,120 km²)
  • Al Jahra - 4,336 sq mi (11,230 km²)

Governorates by Regional Grouping

  • Capital Region: Al Asimah
  • Central Kuwait: Al Farwaniyah
  • Eastern Urban Belt: Hawalli
  • Southern Urban Belt: Mubarak Al-Kabeer
  • Southern Kuwait: Al Ahmadi
  • Western Kuwait: Al Jahra

Landlocked Governorates

  • Al Farwaniyah
  • Mubarak Al-Kabeer

Governorates with Coastline

  • Al Ahmadi
  • Al Asimah
  • Al Jahra
  • Hawalli

Governorates Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Iraq: Al Jahra
  • Saudi Arabia: Al Ahmadi, Al Jahra

Sources