Quick facts
Kuwait population overview
Kuwait is the 40th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 5,068,095 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 193 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 49,161 births (9.7 per 1,000 people) and 9,123 deaths (1.8 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 30,409 people. The infant mortality rate is 6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 311,060 in 1960 to 4,865,298 in 2025 — a change of +1,464.1%, or +4.3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 34.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 81 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 18% of residents are under 15 and 3.2% are 65 or older (2025); 100% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Kuwait City. Kuwait covers 17,820 km², giving a population density of about 288 people per km². GDP was $157.21B in 2025 — about $32,312 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Kuwait population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,124,274 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,068,095 |
| World rank | #128 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #40 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.062% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.4% |
| Births per year est. | 49,161 |
| Deaths per year est. | 9,123 |
| Net migration per year est. | +30,409 |
| Birth rate | 9.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 1.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 156.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 34.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 81 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 100% |
| Surface area 2023 | 17,820 km² |
| Population density | 288 per km² |
| Capital | Kuwait City |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $157.21B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $32,312 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Kuwait population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,124,274 | – | – |
| 2025 | 4,865,298 | -31,965 | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 4,897,263 | +43,843 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 4,853,420 | +263,777 | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 4,589,643 | +228,778 | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 4,360,865 | -39,402 | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 4,400,267 | +565,693 | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 3,834,574 | +891,202 | +5.4% |
| 2010 | 2,943,372 | +706,584 | +5.6% |
| 2005 | 2,236,788 | +282,079 | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 1,954,709 | +273,196 | +3.1% |
| 1995 | 1,681,513 | -3,306 | 0% |
| 1990 | 1,684,819 | -209,423 | -2.3% |
| 1985 | 1,894,242 | +389,460 | +4.7% |
| 1980 | 1,504,782 | +399,919 | +6.4% |
| 1975 | 1,104,863 | +295,749 | +6.4% |
| 1970 | 809,114 | +287,940 | +9.2% |
| 1965 | 521,174 | +210,114 | +10.9% |
| 1960 | 311,060 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Kuwait
Population over time
- From 311,060 in 1960 to 5,124,274 today — up 1,547.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 84.6 years (2024), up 25.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10 births vs 1.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 8.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 18% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 115.9 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 23.67 t in 2024, vs 49.24 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 8,952.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 66.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 0.1% of final energy in 2021 (-0.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.4% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 0.2% to 0.4% since 1990 — roughly 28 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 100% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 75.4% in 1960 (+24.6 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Renewable freshwater per person: 0 m³ (2022).
Economy
- GDP: $157.21B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 37.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $32,312 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 100% of people used the internet in 2025.
- Mobile subscriptions: 167.7 per 100 people (2023) — more subscriptions than people.
Kuwait in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kuwait in 2026?
As of October 2026, Kuwait has an estimated population of 5,124,274. The United Nations estimated 5,068,095 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Kuwait growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.4% per year — roughly 193 more people every day. Each year there are about 49,161 births and 9,123 deaths, with net migration of +30,409.
What is the population density of Kuwait?
About 288 people per square kilometre: 5,124,274 people living on 17,820 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Kuwait?
The median age is 34.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81 years. 18% of the population is under 15 and 3.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Kuwait rank by population?
Kuwait is the 128th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 40th in Asia, with 0.062% of the global population.
How has the population of Kuwait changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 311,060; by 2025 it had grown to 4,865,298 (+1,464.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
India
China
Indonesia
Pakistan
Costa Rica
New Zealand
Ireland
MauritaniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.