Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait
Kuwait: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 2.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait, 1991–2025
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.
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 6.1% | — |
| 1992 | 5.3% | -12.0% |
| 1993 | 4.6% | -13.3% |
| 1994 | 4.1% | -10.7% |
| 1995 | 3.7% | -11.3% |
| 1996 | 3.2% | -11.6% |
| 1997 | 3.1% | -4.4% |
| 1998 | 3.2% | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 3.0% | -4.7% |
| 2000 | 2.8% | -6.2% |
| 2001 | 2.9% | +2.3% |
| 2002 | 3.0% | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 2.8% | -6.5% |
| 2004 | 2.5% | -9.4% |
| 2005 | 2.2% | -11.6% |
| 2006 | 1.7% | -25.1% |
| 2007 | 1.3% | -21.2% |
| 2008 | 0.8% | -37.0% |
| 2009 | 1.0% | +24.7% |
| 2010 | 1.0% | -6.3% |
| 2011 | 0.7% | -25.0% |
| 2012 | 0.6% | -18.3% |
| 2013 | 0.6% | -4.7% |
| 2014 | 0.6% | +6.0% |
| 2015 | 0.6% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 1.1% | +93.0% |
| 2017 | 1.2% | +6.1% |
| 2018 | 1.3% | +8.4% |
| 2019 | 1.5% | +15.9% |
| 2020 | 2.1% | +38.7% |
| 2021 | 2.1% | -3.1% |
| 2022 | 1.9% | -6.4% |
| 2023 | 2.2% | +12.6% |
| 2024 | 2.3% | +7.9% |
| 2025 | 2.4% | +2.7% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 2.4% is below the median for high income countries, which is 9.5%, 25% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 2.4% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 19.4%, 12% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Kuwait changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | +93.0% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
- 179 Oman 3.8% compare
- 180 United States 3.8% compare
- 181 Macao 3.3% compare
- 183 Saudi Arabia 1.7% compare
- 184 United Arab Emirates 1.5% compare
- 185 Bahrain 0.7% compare
More work & labour data for Kuwait
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.7211 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.9054 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2002)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.4407 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,644 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 0 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,171 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,431 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 9,602 1000 No (2100)
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
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).