Kuwaits population falls to 4.88 million in 2025: expat numbers decline, nationals on the rise

Kuwait's population dipped to 4.88 million in 2025, as revealed by the Central Statistical Bureau, marking a 0.65% decrease. This shift is largely due to a decline in expatriates, while the number of Kuwaiti nationals has increased. New labour policies, including unified visa fees and stricter exit-permit rules, are reshaping the country's labour landscape.