The labor market continued to generate jobs despite the war

Ali Ibrahim

Data from the Kuwaiti labor market showed its continued ability to generate employment opportunities during the first quarter of 2026, despite the challenges posed by geopolitical developments in the region, which began in late February and continued through March. The figures reflect the resilience of economic activity and the ongoing demand for labor across various sectors, as the total number of workers in Kuwait continued to grow, driven by increases in the number of expatriate workers and domestic workers, at a time when the composition of the labor market saw limited changes between nationalities and sectors.

This coincided with an improvement in average salaries for both Kuwaiti citizens and residents, reflecting the continued momentum of the economy and the maintenance of labor demand levels despite exceptional regional conditions.

Specifically, the net total number of workers across all sectors in Kuwait, including domestic workers, rose by 0.6% during the first three months of 2026, adding 18,339 workers, bringing the total to 3.065 million by the end of March, compared to 3.046 million at the end of December 2025.

The data showed that seven of the top 10 nationalities working in the Kuwaiti labor market experienced a decline in their numbers: Kuwait, India, Egypt, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the number of workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Jordan increased.

The top 10 nationalities in the Kuwaiti labor market, including domestic workers, were as follows:

1. India: Their numbers reached approximately 887,060 workers by the end of March 2026, a decrease of 2,515 people compared to 889,575 workers at the end of December 2025.

2. Egypt: Their numbers stood at 468,420 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 468,760 workers at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 340 people.

3. Kuwait: Their numbers reached 435,570 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 441,200 workers at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 5,637 people.

4. Bangladesh: Their numbers reached 303,030 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 299,600 workers at the end of December 2025, an increase of 3,425 people.

5. The Philippines: Their numbers reached 196,220 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 196,390 workers at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 166 people.

6. Nepal: Their numbers reached 174,400 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 168,640 workers at the end of December 2025, an increase of 5,753 people.

7. Sri Lanka: Their numbers reached 167,330 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 168,480 workers at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 1,144 people.

8. Syria: Their numbers reached 76,140 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 76,290 workers at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 149 people.

9. Pakistan: Their numbers reached 74,600 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 74,950 workers at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 358 people.

10. Jordan: Their numbers reached 30,940 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 30,880 workers at the end of December 2025, an increase of 57 people.

As for the remaining nationalities, their numbers reached 251,550 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 232,130 workers at the end of December 2025, an increase of 19,413 people.

The net total labor force in Kuwait, excluding domestic workers, rose by 0.33%, amounting to 7,652 workers, to reach 2.281 million people by the end of March 2026, compared to 2.273 million at the end of December 2025. The number of Kuwaiti workers stood at 435,572 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 441,209 citizens at the end of December 2025, a decrease of 5,637 citizens.

The total number of non-Kuwaiti workers increased by 0.72%, amounting to 13,289 workers, to reach 1.845 million workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 1.832 million at the end of December 2025.

Breakdown by sector for Kuwaiti citizens:

1. Government: The number of Kuwaitis working in the government sector reached approximately 322,087 citizens by the end of March 2026, compared to 325,842 citizens at the end of December 2025.

2. Oil: The number of workers in the oil sector reached approximately 1,301 citizens by the end of March 2026, compared to 1,349 citizens at the end of December 2025.

3. State-owned Oil: The number of citizens working in the state-owned oil sector reached 20,161 citizens by the end of March 2026, compared to 20,394 citizens at the end of December 2025.

4. Private: The number of citizens working in the private sector reached 44,502 citizens by the end of March 2026, compared to 45,157 workers at the end of December 2025.

5. Fifth Sector: The number of workers at the end of March 2026 reached approximately 19,712 workers, compared to 19,498 workers at the end of December 2025.

6. Unspecified: The number of workers reached approximately 27,800 workers by the end of March 2026, compared to 28,960 workers at the end of December 2025.

The total average salary of Kuwaiti citizens rose during the first three months of 2026 to 1,592 dinars per month by the end of March 2026, compared to 1,582 dinars at the end of December 2025. Regarding average salaries for residents, the total average salary of residents in Kuwait rose to 352 dinars per month by the end of March 2026, compared to 350 dinars per month at the end of December 2025.

The number of workers in the household sector (domestic workers) increased by 1.38%, amounting to 10,687 workers, during the first three months of 2026. Their numbers reached approximately 783,900 by the end of March 2026, compared to 773,200 at the end of December 2025. Notably, there was an increase in the number of domestic workers from Ethiopia, which nearly doubled over the three months after their numbers rose by 94.7%, amounting to an increase of 10,489 workers.