Kuwait sees a population growth of one person every five minutes

• Expatriates accounted for 69% of Kuwait’s total population as of the end of 2024, including about 1.1 million Arab expatriates, 1.4 million from Asian countries, and the remainder from other nationalities, along with members of the ‘Bedoon’ community.

• As of the end of 2024, Kuwait’s population is 4,987,826, with a growth rate of 2.12%, ranking 52nd globally and accounting for 0.06% of the world’s population.

• With a total area of 17,818 square kilometers, Kuwait is ranked 157th in terms of land area worldwide. In conjunction with its total population, the population density at the end of 2024 stood at approximately 237 people per square kilometer.

The 2025 World Population Review, published annually, revealed that Kuwait’s population grows by approximately one person every five minutes, the Al Rai newspaper reported.

The report, which included Kuwait among 180 countries covered in its 2025 edition, analyzed population changes in the country. It noted that Kuwait records a birth every ten minutes, a death every 57 minutes, and a new arrival approximately every nine minutes, resulting in a net population increase of one person every 5.22 minutes.

As with all countries covered, the report sources its data on Kuwait from several official entities, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Kuwait’s Central Statistical Bureau.

This annual report provides a comprehensive global population review, offering updated demographic data, including statistics on population, gross domestic product (GDP), population density, maps, and classifications.

According to the report, expatriates accounted for 69 percent of Kuwait’s total population as of the end of 2024, including approximately 1.1 million Arab expatriates, 1.4 million from Asian countries, and the remainder from other nationalities, along with members of the ‘Bedoon’community.

The report stated that Kuwait views its high percentage of non-citizens as a demographic challenge and has already announced plans to reduce it.

Significant rise in migrant population

Historically, the report highlighted that “Kuwait recorded the third-highest net migration rate in the world in 2007, at 16.01 percent of its total population at the time. This is partly due to the country’s oil wealth and relatively high living standards, which led—and continue to lead—to a significant increase in the migrant population.”

With a total area of 17,818 square kilometers, Kuwait is ranked 157th in terms of land area worldwide. In conjunction with its total population, the population density at the end of 2024 stood at approximately 237 people per square kilometer, placing Kuwait 37th globally in terms of population density.

Regarding the age distribution of Kuwaitis, the report indicated that 25.32 percent of Kuwaiti citizens are under the age of 15, 15.21 percent are between the ages of 15 and 24, 52.32 percent are between 25 and 54, 4.82 percent are between 55 and 64, and only 2.33 percent are aged 65 or older.

Kuwait has average life expectancy of 78.2 years

The report noted that “Kuwait has a relatively high average age, as well as low maternal and newborn mortality rates. These figures correspond to an average life expectancy of 78.2 years, a maternal mortality rate of 4 deaths per 100,000 live births, and an infant mortality rate of 7 deaths per 1,000 live births.”

Fertility rate in Kuwait for 2024 was 2.48 children per woman

Additionally, the report stated that “the total fertility rate in Kuwait for 2024 was 2.48 children per woman, with a relatively high prevalence of contraceptive use. Kuwait’s fertility rate is expected to decline to 2.1 children per woman by 2035, while the proportion of the young population will gradually decrease.”

Kuwait’s population statistics

As of the end of 2024, Kuwait’s population statistics and projections reveal significant insights, according to the latest report. The total population stands at 4,987,826, placing Kuwait 128th globally. The population growth rate is 2.12%, ranking 52nd in the world, while Kuwait accounts for 0.06% of the global population.

With a population density of 276.91 people per square kilometer, Kuwait is ranked 50th globally in terms of population density. These figures highlight Kuwait’s continued demographic growth and its position in global population rankings.

Population change in real time: Key stats by the minute

In Kuwait, a person is born every 10.92 minutes, a death occurs every 57.6 minutes, a new arrival takes place every 8.52 minutes, and the net change is an increase of one person every 5.22 minutes.

Breakdown of population distribution by percentage

While expatriates accounted for 69% of Kuwait’s total population, Kuwaitis make up 31%, with the growth rate of Kuwaitis standing at 2.65%.

Workforce

There are 504,878 Kuwaitis and 2,560,252 non-Kuwaitis. Outside the workforce, there are 501,088 Kuwaitis and 342,161 non-Kuwaitis.

In the government sector, 78% of employees are Kuwaitis, while 22% are non-Kuwaitis. In the private sector, 4% of employees are Kuwaiti, and 96% are non-Kuwaitis.

The total number of domestic workers is 780,930, and the percentage of unemployed individuals is 90% Kuwaiti and 10% non-Kuwaiti.

Kuwaiti families average seven members, non-Kuwaiti families just two

The average number of family members per Kuwaiti family is seven, while the average number per non-Kuwaiti family is two. The birth rate per thousand people is 21 for Kuwaitis and four for non-Kuwaitis, while the mortality rate per thousand people is 2.4% for Kuwaitis and 0.94% for non-Kuwaitis.

The percentage of contribution to economic activity is 47% for Kuwaitis and 84% for non-Kuwaitis.