Kuwait: immigration

What share of Kuwait's population are expats?

International migrants made up 67.30% of Kuwait's population in 2024, according to the World Bank's international migrant stock series, based on UN estimates. The share was 68.90% in 2020.

The Central Statistical Bureau's labour market information system publishes quarterly counts of Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti workers by sector, nationality and sex, most recently for 31 March 2026. The Public Authority for Civil Information publishes population counts by nationality, but its site did not respond on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: International migrant stock, Kuwait · CSB: Labour market data, 31 March 2026

How many stateless people live in Kuwait?

UNHCR counts 92,000 stateless people in Kuwait at the end of 2025, unchanged from 2024, according to its refugee population statistics. Kuwait also hosted 386 refugees and 611 asylum seekers at the end of 2025.

Stateless people are those not considered nationals by any state. UNHCR publishes the figure each year alongside refugee and asylum seeker counts; no national statistics on stateless residents were found on Kuwaiti official sites, checked on 15 October 2026. Refugee and asylum numbers are small compared with Kuwait's foreign population, which the World Bank puts at 67.30% of residents in 2024.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee population statistics

How many Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis live in Kuwait?

Kuwait's population was estimated at 4,881,254 on 1 January 2025, of whom 1,566,168 (32.1%) were Kuwaitis and 3,315,086 (67.9%) non-Kuwaitis, according to the Central Statistical Bureau's population estimates. Non-Kuwaitis included 2,214,667 men and 1,100,419 women.

The CSB estimates Kuwaitis from births, deaths and naturalisations, and non-Kuwaitis from births, deaths and arrivals and departures, using Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior data. Non-Kuwaitis are concentrated in working ages: 506,904 were aged 35 to 39, compared with 105,978 Kuwaitis.

Official sources: population estimates

How many immigrants live in Kuwait?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 67.3%. It was 68.1% in 2015. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 11.5%; Kuwait is 3rd highest of 22. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 5th highest.

What is net migration in Kuwait?

42,775: that is net migration in Kuwait for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 368,560 in 2022 and the low -168,379 in 2020. It is 6th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -376. Worldwide: 23rd of 193.

How many refugees live in Kuwait?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Kuwait at 386 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 49 (2006) to 38,237 (2008). It is 19th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 15,377. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 132nd highest.

How many refugees come from Kuwait?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Kuwait was 3,369 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 7,322, and Kuwait placed 14th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 83rd of 189.

How big are remittances in Kuwait's economy?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Kuwait was 0.0% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2010 was 2021, at 0.5% of GDP; its low point was 2012, at 0.0% of GDP. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 0.6% of GDP, and Kuwait placed 11th highest of 11. Worldwide: 127th of 127.