International Migrant Population Statistics in Kuwait (2026)
In 2024, 67.3% of the population in Kuwait were international migrants, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data. Down from 68.9% in 2020 to 67.3% in 2024 (−1.6 percentage points). Kuwait ranks #3 of 23 economies in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan on this measure, and #7 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 67.3% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in Kuwait as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- −1.6 pp (2024)
- Down from 68.9% in 2020 to 67.3% in 2024 (−1.6 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 62.7% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 62.7% in 1990 to 67.3% in 2024.
- Peak value (2020)
- 68.9% (2020)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 67.3%.
- Rank in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
- #3 of 23 (2024)
- Kuwait ranks 3 of 23 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #7 of 216 (2024)
- Kuwait ranks 7 of 216 countries with data globally.
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan average
- 22.8% (2024)
- Kuwait (67.3%) is above the average of 22.8% across the 23 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $20.4 million (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Kuwait (2025)
- 100% (2025)
- 100% of the population in Kuwait used the internet in 2025 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 4.9 million (2024)
- Kuwait had a population of 4.9 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 67.3% | −1.6 pp |
| 2020 | 68.9% | +0.8 pp |
| 2015 | 68.1% | +4.5 pp |
| 2010 | 63.6% | +3.1 pp |
| 2005 | 60.5% | +3.4 pp |
| 2000 | 57.1% | +1.5 pp |
| 1995 | 55.6% | −7.1 pp |
| 1990 | 62.7% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Kuwait were international migrants?
67.3% of the population in Kuwait were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Where does the international migrant population data for Kuwait come from?
The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator SM.POP.TOTL.ZS). The latest observation for Kuwait is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has international migrant population in Kuwait changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 62.7% in 1990 to 67.3% in 2024.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .