Challenges facing policy makers

According to Kuwait's Economic Society, the challenge has never been greater for Kuwait’s policy makers. during the last three years, the government’s budget has recorded unprecedented surpluses due to high crude oil prices; with practically no strategic decisions on what to do with these surpluses. Various debates and discussions have been undertaken with propositions ranging from saving all of the surpluses for future generations to distributing them among citizens.

Recognizing the need to inform decision-makers and leaders about the public's

view to government policies and performance, the Kuwait Economic Society has

undertaken a comprehensive public opinion survey to measure citizens’

perceptions about Kuwait’s:

• Direction, Performance & Trust

• Awareness of & Support for Reforms

• Societal & Economic Trends

• Information Sources & Media

Here are the findings of the surveys:

• Kuwaitis are most concerned about the high cost of living and expenses

(64%).

• 40-45% of respondents think Kuwait is headed in the right direction, while

nearly one-third (30-35%) think it’s going in the wrong direction.

• An overwhelming majority of Kuwaitis (79%) believe that corruption is

widespread in Kuwait. However, they largely believe (74%) that judiciary is

fair in Kuwait.

• More than half of Kuwaitis (55%) said that the (then) administration's

performance is excellent/good, whereas only 40% of Kuwaitis think the

MPs' performance is excellent/good.

• Kuwaitis are almost equally split as to what should be done about electoral

districts in Kuwait, however, a combined total majority of 48% wants

change to the current system.

• 65% of Kuwaitis plan to vote in the 2007 parliamentary election.

• Half of Kuwaitis support and believe in women's ability to make good

voting decisions and will vote for women, as well as encourage women to

vote.

• Kuwaitis have a high degree of trust in the (then) government (76%) and

think that Kuwait does not need political parties (60%).

• Kuwaitis strongly believe that it's time for women to have political rights

and women will actively participate in the 2007 parliamentary elections

(64%).

• Kuwaitis get political information mainly through newspapers (72%), TV

(59%) and word of mouth (35%).