Gov't amends expats property ownership rules
Head of the union Ibrahim Al-Awadhi revealed that listed companies in general, and real estate companies in particular, were unable to buy or sell real estate properties and transfer ownership through the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice due to the presence of foreign owners among their shareholders for the past five years. He said this is considered an unjustified disruption in their work and a clash with the reality imposed by previous laws that were not implemented at the time and a step backwards in the State's efforts to attract and encourage foreign capital to participate in such types of investments.
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Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait population reaches 5.099 million; Budget revenues could hit KD 18.276bn
Kuwaitis make up 75.6% of employees in public sector KUWAIT: The total population in Kuwait reached approximately 5.099 million people by the end of June 2025, marking a growth of about 2.2 percent—or an absolute increase of around 111,000 people—compared to the end of 2024 when the population was 4.988 million, according to the data released by the Public Authority for Civil Information. The PACI has released the latest detailed data on population and labor statistics as of the end of June 2025. The proportion of Kuwaitis in the total population also dropped— from about 31.7 percent at the end of the first half of 2024 to around 30.4 percent according to the latest figures. The number of Kuwaiti males, at approximately 776.7 thousand, slightly exceeds that of Kuwaiti females, at around 773.9 thousand. Meanwhile, the number of non-Kuwaiti residents increased by about 189.3 thousand people, representing a growth rate of approximately 5.6 percent, bringing their total to around 3.548 million. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the non-Kuwaiti population from 2015 to June 2025 was about 2.0 percent. The total number of workers in Kuwait reached approximately 3.142 million, representing about 61.6 percent of the total population. For Kuwaiti citizens, the employment-to-population ratio stood at about 31.7 percent of the total Kuwaiti population. Notably, the percentage of employed non-Kuwaitis out of the total non-Kuwaiti population was around 74.7 percent. When compared to the end of June 2024, the share of Kuwaiti workers within the total workforce in Kuwait decreased from about 16.6 percent to approximately 15.6 percent in June 2025. Additionally, the proportion of female workers among the total Kuwaiti workforce declined to around 49.3 percent by the end of the first half of the current year, down from 51.2 percent in June 2024. Female workers made up around 30.3 percent of the total workforce in Kuwait. The number of employed Kuwaiti nationals declined by approximately 15.2 thousand, bringing the total to around 491.1 thousand workers, down from about 506.4 thousand at the end of June 2024. Of these, about 392.9 thousand were employed in the government sector, accounting for 80.0 percent of all working Kuwaitis. This figure differs from the 83.8 percent reported by the CSB, both entities being government institutions, which may be due to the inclusion of unemployed individuals or those on waiting lists in the latter's figures. It is believed that the number of openly unemployed Kuwaitis slightly increased to around 30.7 thousand individuals, representing approximately 6.2 percent of the total Kuwaiti labor force by the end of June 2025, compared to about 29.9 thousand or 5.9 percent at the end of June 2024. The total number of workers (both Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti) in the government sector reached about 520 thousand, which accounts for roughly 16.5 percent of the total population. Kuwaitis made up approximately 75.6 percent of all employees in the public sector. Kuwait oil price edges up By the end of July 2025, the fourth month of the current fiscal year 2025/2026 had concluded. The average price of Kuwaiti oil per barrel for July was around $71.4, an increase of $1.5 per barrel or by 2.2 percent compared to the June's average of $69.9 per barrel. It was also higher by $3.4 per barrel or by 5.0 percent, compared to the new assumed price in the current budget which is set at $68 per barrel. When comparing this figure to the approved expenditures of KD 24.538 billion, it is likely that the general budget for the current fiscal year 2025/2026 will record a deficit of KD 6.262 billion. However, the dominant factor remains the developments in oil revenues and the potential for savings in expenditures. Furthermore, the average price of Kuwaiti oil per barrel for the elapsed period of the current fiscal year stood at $69, that is lower by $10.7 or by-13.4 percent compared to the average price per barrel of the previous fiscal year 2024/2025, which was around $79.7. It is also lower by $21.5 or by 23.7 percent, compared to the breakeven price in the current budget at $90.5, according to estimates by the Ministry of Finance and following the suspension of the 10 percent deduction from total revenues for the Future Generations Reserve. It is assumed that Kuwait generated oil revenues of KD 1.352 billion in July. Assuming that production levels and prices remain unchanged, an assumption that may not hold, total oil revenues for the entire current fiscal year are expected to reach KD 15.350 billion after deducting production costs. This figure is around KD 45 million higher than the estimated amount in the current fiscal year's budget, which is at KD 15.305 billion. With the addition of around KD 2.926 billion in non-oil revenues, the total budget revenues for the current fiscal year would amount to KD 18.276 billion. An announcement was made on July 22, 2025, regarding the actual budget deficit (the final account) for the previous fiscal year 2024/2025, which amounted to KD 1.056 billion. However, the detailed figures of that final account have not yet been published, making it difficult to analyze the situation.
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait launches 2025-2030 youth strategic plan
KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi on Tuesday unveiled the Public Authority for Youth's new strategic plan for 2025-2030, outlining five key priorities aimed at empowering young Kuwaitis. The strategy focuses on Leadership, Employment, and Entrepreneurship; Community Engagement; Culture, Innovation, and Creativity; Health and Wellbeing; and Governance and Resource Development. Speaking during a visual presentation at the Government Communication Center, Al-Mutairi described the plan as 'a clear and ambitious roadmap' aligned with the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and the directives of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Coinciding with International Youth Day, the strategy introduces 23 initiatives developed through extensive consultations with youth and experts, reflecting what Al-Mutairi called the 'active and pivotal role' of young people in building security, stability, and prosperity. Under the Leadership, Employment, and Entrepreneurship priority, the plan seeks to qualify 3,000 young leaders, offer career guidance to 5,000 youth, and run 30 entrepreneurship programs. It will also launch major projects, including the Kuwait Tech Hub for Entrepreneurship and the Kuwait Creative Industries Complex. For Community Engagement, the authority aims to register 15,000 volunteers on the national 'Ayadina' platform and support 100 youth-led initiatives. The Culture, Innovation, and Creativity priority will involve 4,000 youth in cultural events and provide three annual incubator programs for creative projects. The Health and Wellbeing pillar will promote healthy lifestyles, raise environmental awareness, and boost youth participation in peace and security issues. Meanwhile, the Governance and Resource Development track targets 100 percent digitization of services and increasing self-generated revenues to ensure program sustainability. Al-Mutairi noted that the strategy was shaped by reviewing the previous plan, analyzing 75 local and international reference documents, holding 19 specialized workshops, and consulting academics and experts. It adopts a 'three-lens methodology,' placing youth as leaders, partners, and beneficiaries. The minister underscored the importance of partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, and other institutions to expand opportunities and unify national efforts in youth service. He praised the support of government, private sector, and civil society partners, calling them 'the winning bet,' and urged young people to 'take initiative, engage, and innovate,' describing the strategy as 'from them, for them, and by them.' The plan envisions Kuwaiti youth as prosperous, aware, skilled, healthy, and engaged in their communities, capable of innovation and ambition, and committed to building a sustainable future. — KUNA
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
‘Cambodia-Kuwait ties progress despite hurdles'
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 12: Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Kuwait Sman Manan disclosed that bilateral relations between the two countries started with the visit of former Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad to Cambodia, during which a number of memoranda of understanding were signed. In a press conference held at the embassy recently, Manan added that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited Kuwait in 2009 and signed additional memoranda of understanding, bringing the total to 11. These agreements cover various fields like labor, investment, agriculture, civil aviation and trade, among others. The ambassador explained that despite the signing of these memoranda, they have not been fully implemented or utilized. He pointed out that political and economic factors have hindered the ability of investors to engage as needed, despite the efforts of senior Cambodian officials to promote the initiative. These efforts included a visit to Kuwait by Minister of State for the Development Council of Cambodia, Asman Hassan who invited Kuwaiti investors to explore opportunities in Cambodia. Regarding visa procedures, Manan clarified that Kuwaitis require a visa to enter Cambodia, which can be obtained through three methods: applying directly at the embassy, with processing completed within one to two days; applying online; or obtaining a visa upon arrival, provided the tourist is affiliated with a travel agency. Business travelers also need an agency or sponsor. He added that the number of Kuwaiti visitors remains small, with most traveling for tourism or humanitarian purposes. He affirmed that Kuwait ranks first in supporting humanitarian projects in Cambodia; including building schools for Muslim communities, constructing mosques, and providing homes for the poor and orphanages. He praised Kuwait's reputation in Cambodia, stating that the country's name is closely associated with its globally recognized humanitarian efforts. He also confirmed the presence of 635 mosques in Cambodia's 25 provinces, as well as the availability of halal food and high-end hotel services. On labor, Manan said an agreement has been signed between the two countries to recruit workers, but it has not yet been fully implemented. He attributed the delay to cultural and environmental differences, as well as salary expectations, which are comparable to those in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, where salaries start at $2,000 or more. He stated 'this makes it challenging to convince Cambodian workers to come to Kuwait. Nevertheless, the Cambodian Ministry of Labor is coordinating with its Kuwaiti counterpart to activate the agreement, particularly for the recruitment of domestic workers.' He mentioned that the current number of Cambodians working in Kuwait is small and primarily limited to the hospitality sector, including hotels and resorts. About his diplomatic career, he revealed that he served two terms as Cambodian Ambassador to Kuwait—the first in 2015 and the second in 2023. He has completed two out of the five total terms Cambodian ambassadors have served in Kuwait. He emphasized that his primary objective is to strengthen joint government efforts and enhance bilateral relations, particularly by boosting trade and investment and promoting tourism cooperation. The ambassador stated that he is actively engaging with travel agencies in both countries to promote tourism exchange, although progress has been limited so far. He added 'I will again request the relevant authorities in my country to come to Kuwait to discuss and activate this cooperation.' He revealed that he met with Cambodia's new Minister of Tourism in 2024 and again in 2025 to strengthen tourism and investment ties between the two nations. Regarding education, the ambassador disclosed that there are currently 38 Cambodian students studying in Kuwait; most of whom are enrolled in Arabic language programs and are supported by religious institutions. He stressed that Cambodia has potential in key sectors such as real estate, hospitality, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and construction. In conclusion, he highlighted a major strategic project for Cambodia -- the opening of a new international airport on Sept 9. He said this development will expand air connectivity and pave the way for direct fl ights between Cambodia and Kuwait.
