mic expansion in the country. Kuwaiti society is on average young, fertile, and capable of offsetting the mortality rate. Half the population is in the 4 to 14 age group, while 60 percent are under 20. Most non-Kuwaitis coming to the country are older, as would be expected in this working-age population. Arabs form the largest percentage of the population, accounting for 78 percent of the total, while non-Arabs are dominated by Asians (Kuwait on the March, 1989: 44-45).
Kuwait's economy is thought to be built on sound principles. The country's geographic position has played a role, making it a major trade center. Oil was discovered in the first half of this century, and Kuwait has become fully dependent on oil revenues. However, the social and developmental activity that took place after the discovery of oil activated and reinvigorated all the other sectors of the economy. The government undertook development of the infrastructure of roads, telecommunications projects, medical facilities, housing, and education. Kuwait's rapid expansion brought the economy up to par with most developing countries and in some cases brought it in line with many industrialized countries (Kuwait on the March: 158).
The development of Kuwait City followed closely the general outlines of urban and regional concentration. The difference between the development of Kuwait City and the development of cities in other Third World countries, however, is related to several factors. First, it is related to the lack of a rural region to which the city is tied. Kuwait City has no such rural area, lacking an agricultural base throughout its history and depending much more than is usual on being a trading port. The city supported its population through trade and brought food and water in from outside, a problem that has persisted to this day in some degree. Second, the difference is related to the rapidity of development as a result of the influx of o...