Kuwait’s population sharply declined to 4.8 million in 2025
Kuwaitis represent 32% of the population, while expatriates make up the remaining 68%, according to the statistics by the Central Statistical Bureau.
• The number of Kuwaitis rose by 1.32%, reaching 1,566,168 compared to 1,545,781 at the beginning of 2024. Meanwhile, the country’s total population falls by 0.65% from 4,913,271 in 2024 to 4,881,254 at the start of this year.
• The Kuwaiti share of the total population increased from 31.5% in early 2024 to 32.1% in early 2025, marking a gradual demographic shift. This change carries significant implications for national planning, particularly for education, healthcare, and social programs.
The Central Statistical Bureau announced that Kuwait’s population stood at 4,881,254 at the start of 2025, reported Al Qabas newspaper.
The bureau explained that the number of Kuwaitis rose by 1.32 percent, reaching 1,566,168 compared to 1,545,781 at the beginning of 2024. Meanwhile, the country’s total population falls by 0.65 percent from 4,913,271 in 2024 to 4,881,254 at the start of this year. As a result, the proportion of Kuwaitis in the population increased from 31.46 percent to 32.09 percent.
The bureau announced in its population bulletin for 2025 that Kuwait’s non-Kuwaiti population declined by 1.56 percent, falling from 3,367,490 in 2024 to 3,315,086 at the start of this year. The bulletin also noted a slight shift in gender distribution, with the male-to-female ratio narrowing from 61.49–38.51 percent to 61.21–38.79 percent.
On population by age group, the bureau highlighted that growth among Kuwaitis reflects the impact of supportive state policies and a relatively young demographic with high fertility rates.
The Kuwaiti share of the total population increased from 31.5 percent in early 2024 to 32.1 percent in early 2025, marking a gradual demographic shift. This change, the bureau emphasized, carries significant implications for national planning, particularly for education, healthcare, and social programs.
The decline in the non-Kuwaiti population was attributed to labor market fluctuations, adjustments in government policies on foreign labor, and wider regional economic transformations. Despite the decrease, non-Kuwaitis continue to represent the majority, accounting for about 68 percent of the population at the beginning of 2025. However, the data points to a trend of gradual rebalancing.
The bulletin further stated that the number of males declined by 1.1 percent, from 3,021,216 at the start of 2024 to 2,987,971 at the beginning of this year.
Males remain the majority at around 61 percent, a pattern common in countries with large expatriate labor forces. By contrast, the number of females held steady, recording a slight increase of 0.06 percent, from 1,892,055 in early 2024 to 1,893,283 at the start of 2025. Females now account for roughly 39 percent of the total population.
The bureau concluded that while non-Kuwaitis still make up most of the population, their overall share is slowly declining. Expatriate workers—particularly males of working age—continue to dominate the demographic structure.
Among Kuwaitis, however, the gender balance remains relatively healthy, reflecting more stable demographic trends.
- Figures from the population statistics
- 61% of Kuwait’s population is male.
- 39% of the population is female.
- Kuwaitis make up 32% of the total population.
- Non-Kuwaitis account for 68% of the total population.
Age groups
The bulletin noted that the largest age group among Kuwaitis is shifting towards younger ages, while the largest age group among non-Kuwaitis—and the overall population—remains 35–39 years old. It recommended continued monitoring of labor migration trends and their demographic impact, along with planning to meet the rising demand for services for Kuwaitis, including education, healthcare, and employment.
The report also advised studying supportive policies aimed at achieving a more balanced population, such as encouraging family formation and retaining skilled expatriate workers.
