Culture
Kuwait has a unique demographic structure defined by a high proportion of expatriate residents, making Kuwaiti citizens a minority in their own country. The total population is estimated to be around 4.82 million as of 2024. Of this total, only about 1.53 million are Kuwaiti citizens, while the remaining 3.29 million are foreign nationals. This means Kuwaitis make up less than 32% of the overall population.
This extraordinary imbalance between citizens and non-citizens is the central demographic factor, which has been consistent for many years and is often a topic of national policy and discussion regarding resource management, jobs, and housing. The overall population has seen significant growth due to the sustained demand for expatriate labor across various sectors, particularly construction and services.
Kuwait has maintained a traditionally high fertility rate among citizens, a pattern generally linked to strong cultural and religious pro-natalist pressures, contributing to the growth of the Kuwaiti population segment.
| Key Demographic Figures | Kuwait Statistics (Approximate) |
| Population of Kuwait (2024 Est.) | 4,820,000 |
| Kuwaiti Citizens Percentage | Less than 32% |
| Kuwait Population Rank to the World | 128 (approx.) |
| The Nationality | Kuwaiti |
| Ethnic Groups (Total Population) | Arab (57.8%), South Asian (40.3%), African (1.0%), other (0.9%) |
| Languages Spoken in Kuwait | Arabic is the official language. English is widely used in business and among the expatriate community. |
| Religions in Kuwait (Total Population) | Muslim (official religion, approx. 74.6%), Christian (approx. 18.2%), Other (including Hindu and Buddhist, approx. 7.2%). |