Net migration in Kuwait
Kuwait: Net migration was 42,775 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Kuwait, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
Kuwait recorded 42,775 for net migration in 2025.
That represents a change of down 30.6% on the previous year and down 67.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Kuwait peaked at 460,628 in 1991 and was at its lowest, -1.20 million, in 1990.
Kuwait ranks 23rd of 218 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 21,769 | — |
| 1961 | 24,618 | +13.1% |
| 1962 | 27,417 | +11.4% |
| 1963 | 28,889 | +5.4% |
| 1964 | 29,537 | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 30,580 | +3.5% |
| 1966 | 32,383 | +5.9% |
| 1967 | 34,177 | +5.5% |
| 1968 | 35,399 | +3.6% |
| 1969 | 33,143 | -6.4% |
| 1970 | 26,614 | -19.7% |
| 1971 | 22,182 | -16.7% |
| 1972 | 21,984 | -0.9% |
| 1973 | 22,830 | +3.8% |
| 1974 | 25,398 | +11.2% |
| 1975 | 30,909 | +21.7% |
| 1976 | 36,050 | +16.6% |
| 1977 | 38,225 | +6.0% |
| 1978 | 39,159 | +2.4% |
| 1979 | 37,383 | -4.5% |
| 1980 | 32,483 | -13.1% |
| 1981 | 29,600 | -8.9% |
| 1982 | 30,437 | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 31,758 | +4.3% |
| 1984 | 17,020 | -46.4% |
| 1985 | 25,777 | +51.5% |
| 1986 | 27,187 | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 31,243 | +14.9% |
| 1988 | 31,455 | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 34,643 | +10.1% |
| 1990 | -1.20 million | -3552.5% |
| 1991 | 460,628 | -138.5% |
| 1992 | 52,620 | -88.6% |
| 1993 | -43,501 | -182.7% |
| 1994 | -41,862 | -3.8% |
| 1995 | 438 | -101.0% |
| 1996 | 17,914 | +3990.0% |
| 1997 | 17,457 | -2.6% |
| 1998 | 16,878 | -3.3% |
| 1999 | 15,912 | -5.7% |
| 2000 | 14,296 | -10.2% |
| 2001 | 12,055 | -15.7% |
| 2002 | 9,335 | -22.6% |
| 2003 | 5,895 | -36.9% |
| 2004 | 1,713 | -70.9% |
| 2005 | 67,638 | +3848.5% |
| 2006 | 97,087 | +43.5% |
| 2007 | 96,765 | -0.3% |
| 2008 | 96,268 | -0.5% |
| 2009 | 95,483 | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 101,566 | +6.4% |
| 2011 | 176,732 | +74.0% |
| 2012 | 127,777 | -27.7% |
| 2013 | 107,821 | -15.6% |
| 2014 | 100,891 | -6.4% |
| 2015 | 129,695 | +28.5% |
| 2016 | 105,818 | -18.4% |
| 2017 | 92,717 | -12.4% |
| 2018 | 145,973 | +57.4% |
| 2019 | 181 | -99.9% |
| 2020 | -168,379 | -93127.1% |
| 2021 | 19,678 | -111.7% |
| 2022 | 368,560 | +1773.0% |
| 2023 | 50,008 | -86.4% |
| 2024 | 61,624 | +23.2% |
| 2025 | 42,775 | -30.6% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 42,775 is above the median for high income countries, which is 843, 50.7× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 42,775 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -581. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Kuwait changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -93127.1% | 181 | -168,379 |
| 1996 | +3990.0% | 438 | 17,914 |
| 2005 | +3848.5% | 1,713 | 67,638 |
| 1990 | -3552.5% | 34,643 | -1.20 million |
| 2022 | +1773.0% | 19,678 | 368,560 |
| 1993 | -182.7% | 52,620 | -43,501 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 29,791 | 21,769 | 35,399 | 10 |
| 1970s | 30,073 | 21,984 | 39,159 | 10 |
| 1980s | 29,160 | 17,020 | 34,643 | 10 |
| 1990s | -69,957 | -1.20 million | 460,628 | 10 |
| 2000s | 49,654 | 1,713 | 97,087 | 10 |
| 2010s | 108,917 | 181 | 176,732 | 10 |
| 2020s | 62,378 | -168,379 | 368,560 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More financial sector data for Kuwait
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 11.16 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0044 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 142.41 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 5.86 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0032 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 103.99 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 11.16 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0044 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 142.41 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 5.86 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Kuwait?
- Net migration in Kuwait was 42,775 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 460,628 in 1991.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.20 million in 1990.
- How does Kuwait rank for net migration?
- Kuwait ranks 23rd out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 67.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.