Why did Kuwait cut subsidies for electricity, water, and fuel in the mid-2010s?

In the mid-2010s, Kuwait was forced to cut its subsidies for electricity, water, and fuel—which had previously been among the highest in the world—primarily because the country faced significant budget deficits following a sharp drop in global oil prices that began in late 2014.12

As a "rentier state," Kuwait’s government historically relied on hydrocarbon revenues to fund expansive welfare systems and subsidies rather than domestic taxation. When oil prices fell, the government implemented these austerity measures to manage the resulting fiscal pressure. While these reforms were supported by international organizations like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the sudden increase in consumer prices triggered public discontent and strengthened the political opposition, leading to significant tensions between the government and the parliament.312