Kuwait is grappling with a severe shortage of domestic workers, with over 30,000 leaving the country in the past 18 months, averaging 55 departures per day. The decline, reported by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), has brought the total number of domestic workers down to 780,930 by the end of December 2024, compared to 811,307 in mid-2023.
Recruitment challenges, regional competition, and shifting labor policies have contributed to the drop. Hamad Al Ali, a recruitment office official, cited stricter pre-arrival fees imposed on workers by some Asian countries as a major factor. Additionally, ongoing labor disputes involving Filipino domestic workers have further disrupted supply.
Kuwaiti families are also reportedly reducing their reliance on household staff amid concerns over worker-related crimes. Meanwhile, better job offers and improved working conditions in neighboring Gulf countries have drawn many workers away from Kuwait.
Despite the presence of 450 licensed recruitment offices, demand continues to outpace supply. Experts warn that unless Kuwait revises its labor policies or secures new agreements with source countries, the shortage is likely to persist, posing challenges for households and the broader care sector.
