Kuwaiti wages see modest growth in 2024, with stronger gains in private sector

In 2024, Kuwaiti workers experienced a slight increase in average monthly wages, reflecting broader trends in both the public and private sectors.

According to the latest labor force statistics, the average monthly salary for Kuwaiti citizens rose by 0.64 percent, reaching 1,568 dinars compared to 1,558 dinars in 2023, reports Al-Rai daily.

The growth was more pronounced in the private sector, where wages increased by 2.55 percent, bringing the average to 1,365 dinars, up from 1,331 dinars.

Meanwhile, the public sector saw a modest rise of 0.37 percent, with the average wage climbing from 1,601 dinars to 1,607 dinars.

Gender-based wage data revealed further nuances. The average monthly income for Kuwaiti men increased by 0.5 percent to 1,892 dinars, while women saw a slightly higher growth of 0.8 percent, rising to 1,334 dinars from 1,323 dinars.

Breaking it down by sector and gender, Kuwaiti men working in the public sector earned an average of 1,953 dinars —up by just 0.1 percent — women in the same sector saw their wages increase by 0.65 percent to 1,375 dinars. In the private sector, men enjoyed a 2.68 percent increase in wages, reaching 1,643 dinars, while women’s salaries rose by 2.3 percent to 1,066 dinars.

Expatriate workers in Kuwait also saw modest gains. Their average monthly wage grew by 0.9 percent in 2024, reaching 340 dinars, compared to 337 dinars the previous year. Government-employed expatriates experienced a 1.33 percent increase to 762 dinars, while those in the private sector saw a 0.94 percent rise to 320 dinars.

Among expatriates, men’s wages increased by 0.63 percent to 320 dinars, while women saw a rise of 0.8 percent, reaching 479 dinars. In the public sector, expatriate men earned 805 dinars on average (up 1.38 percent), and women earned 721 dinars (up 1.4 percent).

Private-sector wages for expatriate men and women grew more modestly by 0.98 percent and 0.47 percent, respectively.

Looking over a five-year horizon, the average monthly wage for Kuwaiti citizens rose by 6.3 percent since 2020, when it stood at 1,474 dinars. Public sector wages increased by 4.8 percent during that period, while the private sector saw a notable 13.27 percent surge. The average wage for Kuwaiti men rose by 5.8 percent over five years, while women enjoyed a 7.14 percent increase.

In the public sector over the past five years, Kuwaiti men’s wages grew by 4.3 percent and women by 5.6 percent. In the private sector, the rise was more significant — 11.46 percent for men and 13.64 percent for women.

Expatriate workers also saw a 6.9 percent rise in wages since 2020. Public sector wages for expatriates grew by 6 percent, while private sector wages increased by 7 percent. Male expatriates’ wages rose by 6.3 percent overall, while female expatriates experienced a more modest 3.67 percent increase.

These figures highlight a continuing, though gradual, upward trend in wage growth for both Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates, with the private sector emerging as the more dynamic contributor to income improvements — especially for women.