Economy, jobs and prices in Capital Governorate, Kuwait: official figures
The 2021 census counted 334,131 people aged 15 and over in the labour force in Capital Governorate, of whom 4,053 were unemployed: an unemployment rate of 1.2% (3rd highest of 6 governorates). Domestic workers are counted as employed.
How many people work in Capital Governorate?
330,078 people aged 15 and over were in work in Capital Governorate at the 2021 census, of whom 80,484 (24.4%) worked in government, 112,236 for a non-government employer and 137,358 (41.6%) as domestic workers.
Source: Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information) · saved copyHow many retired people live in Capital Governorate?
31,680 residents of Capital Governorate aged 15 and over were retired with an income at the 2021 census (6.7% of that age group), and 55,615 (11.8%) were students.
Source: Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information) · saved copyHow many people work in public administration in Capital Governorate?
Public administration, defence and compulsory social security employed 46,915 people in Capital Governorate at the 2021 census, 14.2% of its 330,078 employed residents (3rd highest of 6 governorates).
Source: Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information) · saved copyHow many people work in retail and trade in Capital Governorate?
Wholesale and retail trade (including vehicle repair) employed 37,670 residents of Capital Governorate in the 2021 census, 11.4% of employed residents (3rd lowest of 6 governorates).
Source: Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information) · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Capital Governorate?
Construction employed 16,831 residents of Capital Governorate in the 2021 census (5.1% of those in work, 3rd lowest of 6 governorates), and mining and quarrying, which includes oil, 2,409 (0.7%).
Source: Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information) · saved copyHow many teachers and health workers live in Capital Governorate?
Education employed 18,355 residents of Capital Governorate (5.6% of those in work) and human health and social work 5,849 (1.8%) in the 2021 census.
Source: Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information) · saved copyHow Capital Governorate compares with other governorates
Unemployment rate, residents aged 15+ (2021 census)
Capital Governorate ranks 3 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, residents aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate | 1.9% |
| 2 | Al-Jahra Governorate | 1.7% |
| 3 | Capital Governorate | 1.2% |
| 4 | Al-Ahmadi Governorate | 1.0% |
| 5 | Hawalli Governorate | 0.7% |
| 6 | Al-Farwaniya Governorate | 0.5% |
Share of employed residents working in government (2021 census)
Capital Governorate ranks 3 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of employed residents working in government |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate | 34.5% |
| 2 | Al-Jahra Governorate | 26.5% |
| 3 | Capital Governorate | 24.4% |
| 4 | Hawalli Governorate | 17.5% |
| 5 | Al-Ahmadi Governorate | 16.2% |
| 6 | Al-Farwaniya Governorate | 13.0% |
Share of employed residents in public administration and defence (2021 census)
Capital Governorate ranks 3 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of employed residents in public administration and defence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate | 18.5% |
| 2 | Al-Jahra Governorate | 14.5% |
| 3 | Capital Governorate | 14.2% |
| 4 | Hawalli Governorate | 8.8% |
| 5 | Al-Ahmadi Governorate | 7.2% |
| 6 | Al-Farwaniya Governorate | 6.3% |
More on Capital Governorate: overview · health · education and schools · Kuwait
Sources
- Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information): Census 2021, Table 35: employed persons aged 15 and over in each governorate by gender and economic activity, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 360489709c98…)
- Central Statistical Bureau (Kuwait), General Census 2021 (source data: Public Authority for Civil Information): Census 2021, Table 26: population aged 15 and over in each governorate by gender and work status, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1b6e1a9e9292…)
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