SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Kuwait

Kuwait: SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) was 2.16 in 2016. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2016)
2.16
Change on year
up 11.1%
World rank
158th
of 179 countries
All-time high
5.75
in 2003
All-time low
0.8
in 2000
Years of data
15
2000–2016

SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Kuwait, 2000–2016

1234562000200820162000: 0.82001: 0.82002: 1.12003: 5.82004: 1.72005: 22006: 1.32007: 1.52008: 1.82009: 1.62010: 1.82011: 3.62014: 2.92015: 1.92016: 2.2

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

Kuwait recorded 2.16 for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in 2016.

That represents a change of up 11.1% on the previous year and up 66.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Kuwait peaked at 5.75 in 2003 and was at its lowest, 0.8, in 2000.

Kuwait ranks 158th of 179 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Kuwait, year by year

Annual values for SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Kuwait, 2000 to 2016.
Year Value Change
2000 0.8
2001 0.8 +0.0%
2002 1.1 +37.5%
2003 5.75 +422.9%
2004 1.7 -70.4%
2005 1.95 +14.8%
2006 1.3 -33.4%
2007 1.5 +15.4%
2008 1.75 +16.9%
2009 1.64 -6.4%
2010 1.82 +10.7%
2011 3.6 +98.1%
2014 2.9 -19.4%
2015 1.95 -32.9%
2016 2.16 +11.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1.83 0.8 5.75 10
2010s 2.48 1.82 3.6 5

Countries ranked near Kuwait

  1. 155 Philippines 2.41 compare
  2. 156 Guatemala 2.33 compare
  3. 157 Côte d'Ivoire 2.31 compare
  4. 159 Russian Federation 2.13 compare
  5. 160 Palau 2.09 compare
  6. 161 Liechtenstein 2.01 compare

See the full ranking of 266 places →

More work & labour data for Kuwait

All data for Kuwait →

Frequently asked questions

What is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Kuwait?
Sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Kuwait was 2.16 in 2016, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in Kuwait?
The highest recorded value was 5.75 in 2003.
What is the lowest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in Kuwait?
The lowest recorded value was 0.8 in 2000.
How does Kuwait rank for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition)?
Kuwait ranks 158th out of 179 countries with data for 2016.
Is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) rising or falling in Kuwait?
Over the last ten years it is up 66.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Kuwait data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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CSV · JSON — 15 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).

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SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Kuwait. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/sdg-indicator-8-5-2-unemployment-rate-previous-ilo-definition-icls13-15/kuwait/

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About this data

Indicator
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
266 places, 5,648 data points, 2000–2027
Last refreshed

Data may differ from nationally reported figures and the Global SDG Indicators Database due to differences in sources and/or reference years. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. For more information, refer to the Labour Market-related SDG Indicators (ILOSDG) database description.