Kuwait Rate of Natural Increase

Kuwait’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—has historically been relatively high, reflecting a young population and robust birth rates. As of recent years, Kuwait’s RNI hovers around 1.5% per year, though this figure is somewhat lower than in previous decades due to a gradual decline in fertility rates. When compared to its Gulf neighbors, Kuwait’s RNI is similar to that of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which also experience moderate natural increases as their populations age and fertility rates decrease. However, Kuwait’s RNI is generally higher than that of Bahrain and Qatar, where lower birth rates and higher proportions of expatriate workers (who are not counted in natural increase statistics) contribute to slower natural population growth. In contrast, countries like Iraq, which borders Kuwait to the north, still maintain a higher RNI due to higher fertility rates and a younger population structure. Overall, while Kuwait’s RNI remains positive and contributes to population growth, it is part of a broader regional trend of declining natural increase rates as Gulf countries undergo demographic transitions.

Data from US Census International Database