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.

YearRate of Natural IncreasePopulation
19852.9131,732,824
19901.6692,131,155
19952.2471,664,326
20001.9081,972,225
20052.0452,256,621
20101.9642,543,299
20151.7822,789,302
20201.5812,995,271
20241.5223,138,355
20251.5063,172,511
20261.4943,206,155
20301.4373,336,613
20351.3673,492,016
20401.283,638,826
20451.1753,774,252
20501.0783,896,539
20551.0034,007,695
20600.9414,110,128
20650.8764,203,811
20700.8034,286,420
20750.7234,355,146
20800.6424,408,053
20850.5684,445,079
20900.5014,466,948
20950.4384,474,488
21000.3814,468,319

Data from US Census International Database