Kuwait tops Gulf and Arab countries on 2025 Social Progress Index

Kuwait has emerged as the regional leader in social development, topping the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and all Arab nations in the 2025 edition of the Social Progress Index, published by the research organization AlTi.

Ranked 44th globally out of 170 countries, Kuwait’s performance signals notable progress in meeting human and social development goals.

This notable achievement positions Kuwait ahead of its regional peers. The United Arab Emirates followed in 49th place, Qatar in 50th, and Oman in 59th, while Bahrain and Saudi Arabia ranked 71st and 79th, respectively.

These results underscore Kuwait’s leadership in the region and reflect a broader trend of national commitment to improving quality of life and public services.

The Social Progress Index evaluates countries based on three core dimensions: basic human needs, foundations of well-being, and opportunities.

Kuwait performed particularly well in the area of basic human needs, demonstrating a strong dedication to providing its population with essential services such as nutrition, healthcare, and secure housing. The country also achieved high marks in the “Foundations of Well-being” category, which includes access to education and environmental quality.

However, despite these positive indicators, there remains room for improvement in the “Opportunities” dimension, which assesses personal rights, freedom of choice, and inclusiveness.

This suggests that while Kuwait has made significant strides in service delivery and infrastructure, further work is needed to enhance individual liberties and ensure broader societal participation.

With an overall score of 75.63 out of 100, Kuwait’s global standing reflects its sustained investment in human development. Yet, the index highlights that continuous reforms, particularly in civil rights and inclusivity, are essential to unlocking the full potential of the nation’s social fabric.

In comparison, Tunisia ranked 92nd globally, followed by Lebanon in 95th and Algeria in 96th. These rankings illustrate varying degrees of social progress across the Arab world, with each country confronting unique socio-economic challenges.

Tunisia’s relatively better standing is largely attributed to its investments in education and healthcare, whereas Lebanon and Algeria continue to struggle with issues related to governance and infrastructure.

On a global scale, Norway led the Social Progress Index with a score of 91.95, followed by Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Germany.

At the bottom of the index were South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo — countries that remain burdened by ongoing humanitarian crises and institutional instability.

Kuwait’s prominent ranking is a testament to its social development achievements while also signaling the need for continued progress in expanding personal freedoms and equal opportunities for all segments of society.