General Information » Facts & Figures » Population

The local population has increased dramatically since 2003, primarily due to the large number of companies that have based themselves in Kuwait to support their operations in Iraq.

By the end of 2004 the expatriate population had increased by 11.1% over 2003’s figure. Expatriates now number almost 1.8 million and account for around two thirds of the population, which stood at 2,753 million at the end of 2004. The indigenous population of 956,000 accounts for 34.7% of the total population.

Asians, who number over one million, make up the largest contingent in Kuwait. Europeans number 9,000, Americans 12,000 and Australians approximately 1,000.

The last available official figures are those issued by the Ministry of Planning following the 1995 census. A population census is undertaken once every 10 years. The 2005 statistics are scheduled to be released in the third quarter of the year.

Average size of local family household: 10

Ratio of men to women: 1.37:1

Highest life expectancy: 77.86 (female 2004 est)

Population growth rate: 8.1% (2004) – according to PACI (NBK report)