02/07/2025
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02/07/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, July 2: Kuwait has witnessed a noticeable shift in marriage trends during the first five months of 2025, with a significant decline in marriages between Kuwaiti men and non-Kuwaiti women, while unions between Kuwaiti citizens have seen a modest rise.
According to official statistics, marriages between Kuwaiti men and expat women dropped by approximately 21% compared to the same period in 2024. A total of 236 such marriages were recorded this year, down from 297. In contrast, marriage contracts between Kuwaiti men and Kuwaiti women increased by 3%, rising to 2,101 from 2,046 during the same timeframe.
The breakdown of cross-national marriages shows a decline across most categories. Marriages with Gulf women decreased to 75 cases from 96 last year. Marriages with women of unspecified nationality dropped to 33, down from 51. Kuwaiti marriages to Asian women halved, falling to 16 from 36, while those with European women dropped to six, down from ten. Only one marriage was recorded between a Kuwaiti man and an American woman in 2025, compared to four in 2024.
However, not all international pairings declined. Marriages with Syrian, Iraqi, and Lebanese women saw increases. Kuwaiti-Syrian marriages rose to 25 from 17; those with Iraqi women increased to 18 from 16; and marriages to Lebanese women grew from 8 to 12.
Meanwhile, marriage numbers remained steady for some nationalities. Kuwaiti men entered into 12 marriages with Jordanian women—the same as last year—and 9 with Egyptian women, unchanged from 2024.
Summary of Marriage Statistics: January–May 2025 vs. 2024
- Gulf women: 75 (↓ from 96)
- Unspecified nationality: 33 (↓ from 51)
- Asian women: 16 (↓ from 36)
- European women: 6 (↓ from 10)
- American women: 1 (↓ from 4)
- Syrian women: 25 (↑ from 17)
- Iraqi women: 18 (↑ from 16)
- Lebanese women: 12 (↑ from 8)
- Jordanian women: 12 (unchanged)
- Egyptian women: 9 (unchanged)
The data highlights a growing preference for marriages within the local citizenry, alongside shifting dynamics in cross-border unions.
