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Index / Demographics
   Kuwait /
Demographics
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Key figures
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Fertility
2.8 children/woman.
MENA rank: 12 of 22.
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Demographics
With comparison tables for all countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
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Through the 20th century, the population of Kuwait doubled almost 50 times, the indigenous population doubled 35 times. This is a very, very high figure, and had it not been for the Gulf War which cause a fall in population in the 1990's, it could have been even higher.
Population growth in the 2000's is very high at 3.5% per year. Yet, the normal factors for such a high growth are not there. Fertility rate is not dramatic at all, at 2.8 children per mother, and median age is rather high, the average age of the Kuwaiti population is 28 years, one of the highest in the MENA region.
What brings about the rapid growth is that although median age is fairly high, life expectancy is so high (Kuwait is ranked no. 3 in the MENA region) that the correlation between births and deaths, give a ratio of 9 births for every 1 death case.
However, it seems likely that crucial changes to the demographic factors will come about in the coming 10-20 years. Projections give Kuwait a 2050 population of 3.5 million, which is only 30% higher than today's population, and involves a much smaller growth than what is seen with other countries with the same population growth. It must be noted that it is expected that a large part of the foreign workers will return to their home countries in the coming decades.
More information of demography is found in other Kuwait articles about ethnic composition, first languages spoken and religious adherence. There is also information relevant to demographics under education and health.
| Year |
Total |
Density
(per km²) |
Change |
Nationals |
Foreigners |
| 1900 |
40,000 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
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| 1910 |
45,000 |
3 |
12% |
|
|
|
|
| 1920 |
50,000 |
3 |
11% |
|
|
|
|
| 1930 |
80,000 |
4 |
60% |
|
|
|
|
| 1940 |
100,000 |
6 |
25% |
|
|
|
|
| 1950 |
152,000 |
9 |
52% |
|
|
|
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| 1960 |
280,000 |
16 |
84% |
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|
|
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| 1970 |
740,000 |
42 |
164% |
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|
|
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| 1980 |
1,380,000 |
78 |
86% |
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|
|
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| 1990 |
2,120,000 |
119 |
54% |
28% |
590,000 |
82% |
1,530,000 |
| 2000 |
1,970,000 |
110 |
7% |
41% |
810,000 |
59% |
1,160,000 |
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2009
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2,690,000 |
151 |
37% |
52% |
1,400,000 |
48% |
1,290,000 |
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