Kuwait Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Kuwait's services employment was 73.50% in 2025, ranked 140th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's services employment stood at 73.50% in 2025, a rise of +0.14% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 73.72% by 2026. Kuwait ranked 140th globally.
Kuwait’s share of employment in services stood at 73.50 percent in 2025, placing the country 140th in the world and closely aligning with peers such as Uruguay (73.15) and South Africa (73.83). Over the 35‑year series, the indicator fell from a high of 79.65 percent in 2003, a period marked by rapid diversification of the economy, to a low of 72.35 percent in 2008 amid the global financial crisis. The subsequent gradual recovery has left the 2025 figure still below the early‑2000s peak but marginally above the trough, suggesting a modest but persistent shift toward service‑based jobs. Structural reforms aimed at expanding private‑sector participation and enhancing vocational training could accelerate this movement, potentially lifting the services employment share above the 75‑percent threshold in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 74.22% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 73.97% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 73.72% | - | - |
| 2025 | 73.50% | +0.14% | #140 |
| 2024 | 73.35% | +0.51% | #140 |
| 2023 | 72.85% | +0.38% | #141 |
| 2022 | 72.47% | −0.22% | #143 |
| 2021 | 72.69% | −0.49% | #144 |
| 2020 | 73.17% | +0.74% | #145 |
| 2019 | 72.43% | −0.55% | #144 |
| 2018 | 72.98% | +0.20% | #148 |
| 2017 | 72.78% | −0.03% | #148 |
| 2016 | 72.81% | −0.10% | #149 |
| 2015 | 72.91% | −0.10% | #151 |
| 2014 | 73.01% | +0.13% | #153 |
| 2013 | 72.88% | −0.00% | #151 |
| 2012 | 72.88% | −0.30% | #151 |
| 2011 | 73.18% | −0.23% | #155 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's services employment was 73.50% in 2025. Ranked 140th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's services employment peaked at 79.65% in 2003.
The lowest services employment in Kuwait was 72.35% in 2008.
Kuwait ranks 140th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kuwait's services employment is projected to reach 73.72% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Kuwait in 2025 was 73.50%. This ranks 140th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_services-employment,
title = {Kuwait Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}