With 5 Million People, Expatriates Make 70% Of Kuwait's Population
KUWAIT CITY, May 14: Kuwait, a small but wealthy nation in the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its striking blend of modern architecture and vast desert landscapes. With a population nearing 5 million, it ranks as the 128th largest country globally. The nation's economy is heavily reliant on oil, though its financial sector has also shown promising growth in recent years.
Recent data from the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) reveals that expatriates continue to dominate Kuwait's demographic composition. As of December 2024, the population stood at 4,987,826, with non-Kuwaitis making up a significant 68.6%, or 3,419,843 people. Of these expatriates, Indians form the largest group, numbering over 1 million, followed by Egyptians at 657,280. Together, these two nationalities account for nearly half of all foreign residents.
The Indian community, the largest foreign group in the country, comprises 21% of the total population and 29% of the expatriate population. Egyptians, the second-largest group, have increased by 2% year-on-year, reflecting steady migration from the region. Kuwaiti nationals number 1,567,983, making up about 32% of the population.
The employment landscape in Kuwait reveals a clear divide between nationals and expatriates. Kuwaitis dominate the public sector, accounting for 78% of the workforce, but their presence in the private sector is minimal, comprising just 4%. Conversely, expatriates make up the vast majority of the private sector workforce, with non-Kuwaitis filling 96% of private sector jobs. In total, expatriate workers number 2.56 million, far outnumbering the 540,878 working Kuwaitis. A particularly notable statistic is the 780,930 domestic workers, emphasizing Kuwait's heavy reliance on foreign labor for household services.
Kuwait's household composition also reflects this divide. The average Kuwaiti family consists of seven members, while expatriate families average only two members per household. This difference is further mirrored in birth rates: Kuwaitis have 21 births per 1,000 people, while the rate for non-Kuwaitis is just 4 per 1,000.
In terms of occupation, Kuwaitis typically hold roles in government, education, and executive positions, whereas expatriates dominate the domestic labor sector and perform manual labor or low-wage services, such as driving, cleaning, and working in restaurants.
Gender demographics in Kuwait show that while Kuwaiti women slightly outnumber men (794,923 to 773,060), men make up 61% of the total population. This skew is primarily due to the male-heavy expatriate workforce.
Overall, Kuwait's population dynamics reveal the central role expatriates play in the country's workforce and societal structure, with Kuwaitis primarily engaged in government roles and expatriates filling critical positions in labor-intensive industries.
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