Kuwait Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Kuwait's unemployment rate was 2.18% in 2025, ranked 20th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's unemployment rate stood at 2.18% in 2025, a rise of +0.03pp from 2024. Kuwait ranked 20th globally.
Kuwait’s unemployment rate has risen modestly over the 35‑year series, moving from a low of 0.88% in 1991 to a peak of 3.49% in 2020 before settling at 2.18% in 2025, ranking twentieth globally. The trough of 0.69% recorded in 1995 reflects the country’s historically tight labour market, while the recent increase coincides with broader regional economic adjustments after the pandemic‑induced slowdown. Compared with its peers, Kuwait’s 2025 rate is almost identical to the United Arab Emirates’ 2.17% and slightly below the Philippines’ 2.23%, suggesting similar labour market pressures in oil‑rich and emerging economies. The modest upward trajectory since the 2020 peak indicates that structural reforms, diversification away from hydrocarbons, and youth‑skill mismatches will be key determinants of future unemployment dynamics; continued policy focus on private‑sector growth could temper any further rise.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.18% | +0.03pp | #20 |
| 2024 | 2.15% | +0.07pp | #19 |
| 2023 | 2.08% | −0.05pp | #19 |
| 2022 | 2.13% | −0.84pp | #19 |
| 2021 | 2.97% | −0.52pp | #25 |
| 2020 | 3.49% | +1.28pp | #35 |
| 2019 | 2.21% | +0.01pp | #22 |
| 2018 | 2.20% | −0.03pp | #19 |
| 2017 | 2.23% | +0.07pp | #19 |
| 2016 | 2.16% | −0.04pp | #21 |
| 2015 | 2.20% | −0.70pp | #20 |
| 2014 | 2.90% | +0.44pp | #32 |
| 2013 | 2.47% | +0.24pp | #24 |
| 2012 | 2.23% | +0.18pp | #21 |
| 2011 | 2.05% | +0.23pp | #16 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's unemployment rate was 2.18% in 2025. Ranked 20th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's unemployment rate peaked at 3.49% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Kuwait was 0.69% in 1995.
Kuwait ranks 20th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Kuwait in 2025 was 2.18%. This ranks 20th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_unemployment-rate,
title = {Kuwait Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}