Kuwait's expat population surges, Indian community hits record high

Kuwait: According to statistics released by the Public Authority for Civil Information, non-Kuwaiti residents now constitute two-thirds of the country's total population, marking a notable increase from previous years. This states that Kuwait has witnessed a surge in its expatriate population, with numbers nearing pre-COVID levels.

As of the end of 2023, Kuwait's population makeup stood at 31.7 percent of Kuwaiti nationals and 68.3 percent of non-Kuwaiti residents, with an average ratio of 1 to 3. This reflects a 1.9 percent increase in the Kuwaiti population, reaching 1.53 million, and an impressive 11 percent increase in the non-Kuwaiti population, reaching approximately 3.29 million.

India retains its position as the leading expatriate community in Kuwait, comprising 21 percent of the population. The Indian community surged to the highest level since 2019, reaching over 1 million residents by the end of 2023. Following India, Egypt holds the second-largest expatriate community in Kuwait constituting 13 percent of the population, despite a slight decrease in numbers compared to the previous year.

The expat communities from Bangladesh, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Nepal and Pakistan also contribute significantly to Kuwait's expatriate population, each comprising varying percentages of the total population.

A noteworthy aspect of the rise in the non-Kuwaiti workforce is attributed to the increase in domestic workers, which hits a significant 16 percent annual increase. The total number of workers is approximately 811,000. They now constitute around 25 percent of the total expatriate population, up from 22 percent in 2019.

The statistics further reveal that the total labour force constitutes 61 percent of Kuwait's total population, with expatriate workers accounting for 75 percent of the total expatriate population. Indians comprise the largest percentage among them, at 30 percent, followed by Egyptians, Bangladeshis, Filipinos and Sri Lankans.

The surge in expatriate communities comes amid Kuwait's long-term strategy to address demographic imbalances in the country. A specialized committee initiated measures in 2022 to curb the visa trade and address workforce issues, aiming to ensure a more sustainable demographic composition.

The rebound in expatriate populations signals a positive trend for Kuwait's economy and societal dynamics, with diverse communities contributing to its growth and development.

Source: Kuwait Times