Net migration (UNICEF) in Kuwait
Kuwait: Net migration was 42,775 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
42,775
Change on year
down 30.6%
World rank
14th
of 74 countries
All-time high
460,628
in 1991
All-time low
-1.20 million
in 1990
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Kuwait, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in Kuwait is 42,775, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is 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.
That places Kuwait 14th out of 74 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 9,502, 4.5× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 42,775 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is -376.5. (20 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 population data for Kuwait
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,155 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0278 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2043)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.8% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 563,011 people (2100)
- Population density 538.83 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.8% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.9514 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Kuwait?
- Net migration in Kuwait was 42,775 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- 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 14th out of 74 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 UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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