Kuwaiti workforce grows to 457,567, makes up 21.3% of labor market

• Kuwait’s labor market grew by 3.6% annually in Q1 2024, adding 74,315 workers and reaching a total of 2,936,459, including domestic workers.

• Kuwait’s private sector accounted for about 56.8% of the total workforce, while the family sector represented 26.8% and the government sector 16.4%.

• Most citizens hold university degrees, totaling 213,835. The government sector had 96,499 expatriates, a 1.3% decrease since March 2023.

The Central Statistical Administration’s quarterly labor report revealed that Kuwait’s labor market grew by 3.6% annually by the end of Q1 2024, adding 74,315 workers. The total number of workers rose from 2,071,333 in Q1 2023 to 2,147,426 (excluding domestic workers), while the overall number, including domestic workers, reached 2,936,459, according to Al Rai newspaper.

The number of Kuwaitis rose to 457,567, representing 21.3% of the labor market, including 192,712 males and 264,855 females. This compares to 1,689,859 non-Kuwaitis, who make up 78.7% of the labor market and include 1,478,934 males and 210,925 females, marking an increase of 61,570 since March 2023.

The private sector accounted for about 56.8% of the total workforce, while the family sector represented 26.8% and the government sector 16.4%.

Eighty-three point nine percent of Kuwaiti workers were concentrated in the government sector, compared to sixteen point one percent in the private sector. Kuwaiti citizens made up seventy-nine point nine percent of the total workers in the government sector and four point four percent in the private sector, totaling 73,574 citizens.

Non-Kuwaiti workers were predominantly in the private sector, with 1,593,360 individuals representing sixty-four point three percent.

In the family sector, non-Kuwaitis comprised thirty-one point eight percent (789,033 individuals), while in the government sector, there were 96,499 expatriates, representing three point nine percent, a decrease of about 1.3 percent since March 2023.

According to educational level, the largest number of citizens hold university degrees, totaling 213,835. This is followed by secondary school certificate holders with 93,147, those with secondary school and lower university certificates with 58,247, intermediate school graduates with 41,387, and post-university degree holders with 22,928. Additionally, 19,340 are listed as unaware, 8,526 have completed primary school, 155 can read and write, and two are illiterate.

For non-Kuwaiti workers, the largest number hold an intermediate certificate, totaling 827,665 expatriates. This is followed by those with a secondary school certificate (392,619), a university degree (255,272), an elementary certificate (126,106), secondary school or lower university certificates (40,776), post-university qualifications (18,010), those who can only read and write (17,966), the unspecified (11,172), and 273 illiterate individuals.

Statistics reveal that over 54.5 percent of Kuwaiti workers in the private sector are concentrated in just three economic activities. Accommodation and food services account for 30.7 percent, financial and insurance activities make up 12.8 percent, and construction comprises 11 percent.