Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kuwait
Kuwait: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 2.2% in 2016. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kuwait, 1983–2016
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Kuwait recorded 2.2% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 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, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kuwait peaked at 5.8% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 0.7%, in 1994.
Kuwait ranks 166th of 187 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1.1% | — |
| 1988 | 1.9% | +67.6% |
| 1993 | 0.8% | -58.0% |
| 1994 | 0.7% | -12.5% |
| 1996 | 0.7% | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 0.7% | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 0.7% | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 0.7% | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 0.8% | +14.3% |
| 2001 | 0.8% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 1.1% | +37.5% |
| 2003 | 5.8% | +422.9% |
| 2004 | 1.7% | -70.4% |
| 2005 | 2.0% | +14.8% |
| 2006 | 1.3% | -33.4% |
| 2007 | 1.5% | +15.4% |
| 2008 | 1.8% | +16.9% |
| 2009 | 1.6% | -6.4% |
| 2010 | 1.8% | +10.7% |
| 2011 | 3.6% | +98.1% |
| 2014 | 2.9% | -19.4% |
| 2015 | 1.9% | -32.9% |
| 2016 | 2.2% | +11.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.5% | 1.1% | 1.9% | 2 |
| 1990s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 6 |
| 2000s | 1.8% | 0.8% | 5.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.5% | 1.8% | 3.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
- 163 Philippines 2.4% compare
- 164 Côte d'Ivoire 2.3% compare
- 164 Liechtenstein 2.3% compare
- 167 Russian Federation 2.1% compare
- 168 Palau 2.1% compare
- 169 Togo 2.0% 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 unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kuwait?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kuwait was 2.2% in 2016, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 5.8% in 2003.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.7% in 1994.
- How does Kuwait rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Kuwait ranks 166th out of 187 countries with data for 2016.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 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 Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.