Net migration in Kuwait

Kuwait: Net migration was 42,775 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
42,775
Change on year
down 30.6%
World rank
23rd
of 215 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

-1.0M-500.0k0500.0k196019922025

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 215 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 20 South Korea 65,731 compare
  2. 21 Chile 51,712 compare
  3. 22 Sweden 47,079 compare
  4. 24 Switzerland 37,253 compare
  5. 25 Qatar 36,288 compare
  6. 26 Ireland 35,417 compare

See the full ranking of 264 places →

More financial sector data for Kuwait

All data for Kuwait →

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 215 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

CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).

About this data

Indicator
Net migration
Source
World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
264 places, 17,424 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

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.