Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait

Kuwait: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 2.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
2.4%
Change on year
up 2.7%
World rank
182nd
of 186 countries
All-time high
6.1%
in 1991
All-time low
0.6%
in 2013
Years of data
35
1991–2025

Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait, 1991–2025

02461991200820251991: 6.1 %1992: 5.3 %1993: 4.6 %1994: 4.1 %1995: 3.7 %1996: 3.2 %1997: 3.1 %1998: 3.2 %1999: 3 %2000: 2.8 %2001: 2.9 %2002: 3 %2003: 2.8 %2004: 2.5 %2005: 2.2 %2006: 1.7 %2007: 1.3 %2008: 0.824 %2009: 1 %2010: 0.962 %2011: 0.722 %2012: 0.59 %2013: 0.562 %2014: 0.596 %2015: 0.595 %2016: 1.1 %2017: 1.2 %2018: 1.3 %2019: 1.5 %2020: 2.1 %2021: 2.1 %2022: 1.9 %2023: 2.2 %2024: 2.3 %2025: 2.4 %

Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2025, share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait stood at 2.4%.

The figure is up 2.7% on the previous year and up 303.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait peaked at 6.1% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 2013.

Kuwait ranks 182nd of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 4.0% 3.0% 6.1% 9
2000s 2.1% 0.8% 3.0% 10
2010s 0.9% 0.6% 1.5% 10
2020s 2.2% 1.9% 2.4% 6

Countries ranked near Kuwait

  1. 179 Oman 3.8% compare
  2. 180 United States 3.8% compare
  3. 181 Macao 3.3% compare
  4. 183 Saudi Arabia 1.7% compare
  5. 184 United Arab Emirates 1.5% compare
  6. 185 Bahrain 0.7% compare

See the full ranking of 186 places →

More work & labour data for Kuwait

All data for Kuwait →

Frequently asked questions

What is share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait?
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait was 2.4% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Kuwait?
The highest recorded value was 6.1% in 1991.
What is the lowest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Kuwait?
The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 2013.
How does Kuwait rank for share of workers in vulnerable employment?
Kuwait ranks 182nd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
Is share of workers in vulnerable employment rising or falling in Kuwait?
Over the last ten years it is up 303.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Kuwait data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in vulnerable employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Share of workers in vulnerable employment
Unit
%
Source
International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
186 places, 6,496 data points, 1991–2025
Last refreshed

Share of employed population who are working as independent own-account workers (self-employed without staff), or contributing family workers (self-employed in a household business or farm).