Kuwait’s education sector traditionally prepared students for public sector employment, creating a growing skills gap with graduates who are underequipped for private sector jobs. Education reform, alongside an overhaul of both the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the national curricula, is expected to improve academic outcomes over the coming decades.
At the same time, the prioritisation of health care by the government has helped transform that sector, adding modern infrastructure, facilitating access and improving the training of medical staff. As Kuwait confronts a growing and ageing population, the government is focusing on expanding preventive care, such as the management of chronic diseases, in line with the New Kuwait 2035 development plan. Greater digitalisation is expected to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and support medical tourism ambitions.
Education Oversight & Structure
In July 2025, the Minister of Education, Jalal Al Tabtabaei, approved a new organisational structure for the MoE, to be leaner and to eliminate redundant high-level positions. Under the new structure, the deputy minister and two assistant secretaries will oversee the departments of educational affairs and administrative, financial and technical affairs. This overhaul reflects the MoE’s commitment to effective governance and digital transformation in line with a new national education reform programme announced in January 2025. It also introduces a new framework for school administrations, adding assistant principal and assistant administrative director roles to reduce the administrative load on teachers.
Further changes establish several new departments within the ministry, including the General Administration of Technical Guidance, Research and Curricula, which oversees the technical education sector; and the Evaluation and Measurement Administration, which manages student, teacher and curricula assessment processes in line with international standards. Meanwhile, the Administrative, Financial and Technical Affairs Department manages infrastructure, human resources, strategic planning and technology systems.
Reform
The six-pillar education reform approved in January 2025 aims to create a knowledge-driven economy in line with the goals of New Kuwait 2035. Its key priorities include comprehensive administrative and financial enhancement, alignment with international standards for education, education development, improving infrastructure, ministry automation, and expanding digital education. As of August 2025, the implementation had reached 60% completion.
As part of the reform, the MoE has developed a new curriculum for the pre-primary, primary and middle school levels. The ministry reported in July 2025 that 88 pre-primary, primary and intermediate textbooks had been completed for the first semester and were undergoing review. The new curriculum is divided into four smaller textbooks per semester, supporting the government’s aim to reduce the weight of school bags.
The new curriculum incorporates 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, self-learning and problem-solving. One of the most notable changes is in English teaching, which now aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference and international tests such as IELTS and TOEFL, while critical thinking and communication skills are included in the Arabic curriculum. The government recently announced a collaboration with the OECD to improve curriculum benchmarking in mathematics, science and English, and Kuwait will participate in the OECD’s 2029 Programme for International Student Assessment.
Spending
Government expenditure on education has remained stable, at between 6% and 7% of GDP since 2016, with the exception of 2021 and 2023 when it totalled 7.8% and 5% of GDP, respectively. Education spending as a share of the national budget rose from 11.3% in 2016 to 12.6% in 2023. In FY 2025/26, the government allocated KD3.6bn ($11.7bn), or 14.5% of the budget, to education. Of this, 4.6% was directed to the pre-primary and primary levels, 4.4% to secondary and 2.8% to the tertiary level.
Public & Private Education
Public education is divided into four levels: pre-primary for children aged three to five, primary for grades one to five for the ages six to 10, middle school for grades six to 10 for the ages 11 to 14, and secondary for grades 11 and 12 from ages 15 to 17. Secondary school graduates can apply to study a four-year bachelor’s degree at a university or continue into technical education.
Public schools are free for Kuwaiti citizens at all levels. Improvements to the education system have also contributed to a significant reduction in out-of-school children. The number of girls not attending school at the primary level fell from 46,558 in 1988 to 6,197 in 2014, an 86.7% decrease, while the number of boys decreased from 45,214 to 7,659, an 83% decrease, over the exact same period. Meanwhile, the adult literacy rate also increased from 94% in 2010 to 96% in 2020.
A persistent lack of alignment between education outcomes and labour market needs has, however, constrained progress. The traditional system did not emphasise key skills such as critical thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and science and technology. Teachers also lacked adequate digital competencies. Kuwait’s overhaul of its education sector aims to address this gap by equipping students with the skills required in the private sector workplace, in line with the goals of New Kuwait 2035.
Demographic growth further underscores the need for reform. Around 37% of Kuwait’s population is under the age of 14, and by 2030 the youth labour force is expected to increase by 53% compared to 2015. At the same time, the country’s private sector has expanded and has the potential to absorb a larger share of future graduates if the skills gap is reduced.
Private education fees vary by type of school. In 2022, American institutions charged between $9800 and $14,900 per year, Canadian schools between $10,500 and $14,800, and British schools from $6600 to $12,125. Indian schools, by contrast, charged between $1240 and $1600 per year. Private schools may increase fees annually by up to 3%, however, this requires MoE approval.
Kuwait is expanding its public-private partnership (PPP) approach, launching new PPP schools in Sabah Al Ahmed City and Jaber Al Ahmed City. These institutions are designed to admit both Arab and non-Arab students. The government supports enrolment at private schools through financial aid, including $1.6bn in external and internal scholarships and $2.6bn in subsidies from the 2021/22 budget.
Teachers & Training
The MoE has faced several challenges related to educational staffing in recent years. In October 2024 it reported receiving around 2,500 retirement applications from employees, resulting in significant shortages. In response, the government introduced a number of initiatives to encourage students to train as teachers, including the approval of a financial bonus for Kuwaiti and other Gulf nationals who teach undersupplied subjects. Improvements to teacher preparation raised the share of trained teachers in primary education from 78% in 2011 to 100% in 2021. Teachers also received training ahead of the rollout of the new curriculum for the 2025/26 academic year, delivered both in person and online. The MoE is also offering digital literacy training for teachers.
The public University of Kuwait offers a range of education degrees at the pre-primary, primary and secondary levels, with 19 specialisations across the sciences and humanities. Several public and private universities in Kuwait also provide a broad selection of education-related courses.
Higher Education
The Ministry of Higher Education oversees tertiary level education and comprises several entities, including the Public Universities Council, the Private Universities Council, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, the National Bureau for Academic Accreditation and Education Quality Assurance, and the Kuwait Academy of Arts.
Kuwait has two public universities – Abdullah Al Salem University (AASU) and Kuwait University – along with fully 15 licensed private universities operating. AASU was established by Emiri decree in 2019, while Kuwait University was founded in 1966. An additional five private universities have been proposed: the Technical University of Munich in Kuwait, the University College of Management in Kuwait, the Canadian University of Kuwait, the British College of Kuwait and the American University for Medical Sciences – Kuwait. Student enrolment at tertiary institutions rose from 153,344 students in the 2016/17 academic year to 174,865 in the 2019/20 academic year, representing a notable 14% increase. As participation rates increase, universities in Kuwait will need to expand capacity to ensure that programmes are aligned with labour market needs.
With oil revenues historically underpinning Kuwait’s GDP, the government aims to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons, as set out in New Kuwait 2035, by diversifying the economy and expanding the private sector. Around 85% of Kuwaitis work in the public sector, and youth unemployment stands at an estimated 16.5%, highlighting the need for universities to align courses with constantly changing labour market demands. Institutions also have an opportunity to offer graduate upskilling programmes to help narrow the skills gap.
Universities are working on expanding capacity and offering more science- and technology-based curricula. A $6bn public investment in the new Kuwait University campus – Sabah Al-Salem University City, inaugurated in 2021, expanded the university’s capacity to 40,000 students and delivered modern facilities. Kuwait University also recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with technology firm Zain to support the development of a knowledge-based economy, with a focus on innovation, science, technology and digital literacy. It held a Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Learning workshop in cooperation with Microsoft in November 2024. Kuwait’s first private university, the Gulf University for Science and Technology, has three colleges in arts and sciences, business administration and engineering and architecture. Its Innovation Hub provides students with direct experience in fields such as cloud computing, AI and cybersecurity.
Professional & Vocational Training
The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) oversees the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector, including licensing private companies that offer programmes in fields such as telecommunications and air navigation, electricity and water, nursing, office administration and industrial trades. The authority received $1.2m from the 2022/23 national budget to support its activities.
In May 2025 PAAET hosted the 31st GCC meeting on TVET, bringing together heads and directors of TVET institutions from across the region. As regional cooperation continues to strengthen, the annual meeting serves as a platform for aligning TVET priorities and advancing technical and vocational training.
Education Technology
Kuwait’s new education reform places strong emphasis on advancing digital capabilities and preparing a generation of highly digitally literate graduates. Building on investments made during the Covid-19 pandemic – including e-learning platforms, AI-integrated curricula and cloud-based content delivery – the government continues to modernise teaching and learning environments. “The pandemic underscored the importance of being technologically agile, and pushed universities to adopt hybrid and online learning models. This shift has made the education sector more resilient and better equipped to handle future challenges, ultimately producing graduates who are well-versed in the practical and theoretical aspects of modern technology,” Richard Johnson, CEO of American International University Kuwait, told OBG.
Kuwait’s progress in education technology is gaining international recognition. In April 2025, the MoE received the Technology Initiative Award at the Bett Middle East Awards for accelerating digital transformation through a comprehensive suite of innovative digital strategies that are designed to better equip students and teachers alike with essential digital skills.
Health Care Oversight & Structure
The Ministry of Health (MoH) oversees Kuwait’s public health system, managing sector policy, public spending and the training of medical staff. It operates and regulates the majority of the country’s health care services and pharmaceuticals, administering 14 hospitals, and 93 health care centres and clinics. The system is organised into six different health districts – Kuwait City, Hawali, Ahmadi, Al Jahra, Al Farwaniya and Al Sabah – each with autonomy over local service delivery.
Kuwait records one of the highest levels of health care spending as a share of GDP in the GCC, and health care is a central pillar of the New Kuwait 2035 plan. This strategic focus is driving major upgrades across infrastructure, facilities and services. In 2023, the government dedicated 5.1% of GDP to health care, just behind Saudi Arabia’s 5.6%, with public institutions accounting for more than 80% of total expenditure.
For FY 2024/25, health care spending reached $10bn, or 11% of the national budget. The government also allocated $608m to health infrastructure – including plans to build or expand 10 hospitals over the next five years – and a further $56m to accelerate digital transformation across the sector.
General Health Indicators
Kuwait’s health care sector is undergoing significant transformation, supported by sustained investment in large-scale hospitals equipped with advanced specialist units that meet international standards, as well as improved training for medical staff. These efforts have strengthened system resilience and contributed to Kuwait’s rise in the Global Health Security Index, moving from 88th out of 195 countries in 2021 to 43rd in 2023.
Life expectancy in Kuwait has also improved considerably, increasing from 69 years in 1973 to 83 years in 2023. At the same time, the birth rate fell from 22 per 1,000 people in 1993 to 10 in 2023, reflecting shifting demographics. As a result, Kuwait is now beginning to experience the health challenges associated with an ageing population: the share of residents aged 65 and older rose from 2% in 2004 to 3% in 2024. This demographic shift has prompted a stronger focus on preventive health care, as well as the expansion of specialist services and treatments.
To address emerging needs, in March 2025, the MoH announced a KD243m ($791.2m) investment in a new medical city in Amghara, dedicated to retirees and to be managed by the Public Institution for Social Security. Supported by increased private sector participation, the 860,000-sq-metre health care facility will have five specialist centres covering cardiac and respiratory care, digestive disorders, urology and nephrology, and orthopaedics. It will offer advanced medical treatment, long-term care and rehabilitation services, with 400 beds initially with plans to expand to a total of 800. Scheduled to open in 2030, the facility is expected to strengthen domestic capacity and ultimately reduce reliance on overseas medical treatment.
Some of Kuwait’s key health indicators have shown steady improvement over the past two decades. The maternal mortality rate declined from 11 per 100,000 live births in 2003 to eight in 2023 – a 27.3% decrease – supported by the fact that 100% of births are now attended by skilled medical staff. The under-five mortality rate also showed significant improvement over the years, falling from 12 per 1000 live births to nine over the same period, a 25% reduction.
However, several challenges remain as Kuwait’s population continues to grow. The availability of nurses and midwives dropped from 6.6 per 1000 people in 2010 to 4.6 in 2020, representing a 30.3% decline. Although this remains broadly in line with the GCC average, it is still below the OECD average of eight per 1000. The number of physicians per 1000 people also edged downwards – from 2.5 in 2010 to 2.3 in 2020, an 8% decrease. In addition, Kuwait’s two hospital beds per 1000 people as of 2019 remained lower than the global average of 3.3, further underscoring the need for continued investment in health care infrastructure and skilled workforce expansion to meet capacity needs.
Disease Burden
The disease burden in Kuwait mirrors global trends, with a rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, while the incidence of communicable diseases has fallen due to increased vaccine uptake among residents. Deaths caused by communicable diseases fell from 10% of all deaths in 2010 to 7% in 2019, while fatalities from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increased from 72% to 79% over the same period.
Hypertension was identified as the most common NCD in Kuwait in 2022 and was associated with a 75% higher rate of hospital utilisation. NCDs were estimated to cost Kuwait around $5.2bn, or 3.9% of the country’s GDP in 2019, with cardiovascular disease exerting the greatest economic burden, causing approximately KD989m ($3.2bn) in economic losses, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The prevalence of diabetes in the country has risen in recent years, from 20.7% of the population aged 20-79 years in 2011 to 25.6% in 2024. Overweight rates have also increased among children under five, rising from 6.8% in 2003 to 8.1% in 2023. Among adults, 33.8% are classified as obese and 41.4% as overweight, highlighting that weight-related challenges in the country extend beyond childhood. In contrast, preventable communicable diseases have declined in line with the uptake of Kuwait’s national vaccination initiatives. In 2023, 99% of children aged 12-23 months received measles immunisation, while the incidence of tuberculosis fell from 31 per 100,000 people in 2003 to 10 in 2023.
The MoH is actively responding to the rise of NCDs in the country by strengthening its preventive and detection health care services, enhancing medical staff training and increasing investments in modern medical equipment and laboratories. A 2021 WHO report on the prevention and control of NCDs in Kuwait highlighted the success of the government’s partnership with the UN Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. Analyses indicate that reducing exposure to behavioural risk factors – such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity – could significantly curb the prevalence of NCDs in adults.
Public Health Facilities
Kuwait nationals have free access to public health facilities, while non-citizens can join a public health insurance scheme that reduces the cost of health care services. There are 117 primary health care centres, 38 maternity clinics, 72 mental health clinics, 35 preventive health care centres and 20 ophthalmology clinics across Kuwait, with the project pipeline continuing to expand.
Between 2016 and 2023, Kuwait completed 13 major public health care projects worth $4.6bn, adding a further 5400 beds to the existing 7095 hospital beds, alongside 150 modern operating rooms and 500 outpatient clinics across the country. Major recent developments include the $1.1bn Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Hospital, inaugurated in 2020, and the $1.1bn New Jahra Hospital, completed a year later. The latest addition to public health care, the New Maternity Hospital in the Sabah Medical Zone, opened in April 2025, was built using green building practices with a focus on energy efficiency and provides comprehensive women’s health care and neonatal services.
Additionally, the MoH is developing nine public health care projects with a combined value of $5.3bn. The three tower Al Sabah Hospital in the Sabah Medical Zone will deliver both general and specialised care, with 512 inpatient beds, 105 intensive care beds, 72 outpatient clinics and a helipad. The 618-bed Kuwait Cancer Control Centre, also in the Sabah Medical Zone, consists of an outpatient and an inpatient tower and will be fitted with fully automated systems and advanced mechanical and electrical infrastructure to support specialised oncology care. The New Al-Adan Hospital Complex in the Al-Adan Hospital area will include seven interconnected buildings, with maternity and paediatrics departments and physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities. It will have 637 fixed and 471 mobile beds across 14 floors, as well as a helipad.
In August 2025, the Cabinet discussed plans for the Ahmadi health zone, with the aim of developing a fully integrated, modern medical city and further expanding Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital. “Kuwait’s multibillion-dollar investment in new public hospitals and digital infrastructure is transforming capacity, while insurance regulations are expected to restructure the sector,” Alexander Jankuloski, CEO of Kuwait Hospital, told OBG. He further added that “these dynamics put real pressure on private providers to differentiate our services as we face the challenge of balancing demand with affordability constraints, regulatory requirements and the need for long-term sustainability in cost structures.”
Private Care
Private health care in Kuwait is steadily expanding as demand rises. A growing number of Kuwaitis are willing to pay a premium for private treatment to reduce waiting times and gain faster access to services. The MoH also refers patients to specialist private facilities for treatments such as in vitro fertilization and physiotherapy, further supporting the segment’s continued growth. While expatriates living can access public services at subsidised rates, they are generally discouraged from using public facilities, which prioritise nationals. This often results in longer queues and extended waiting times for non-nationals, prompting many to rely on private providers.
Private sector health care is forecast to expand markedly in the coming years, driven by rising demand, ongoing infrastructure investment, and government initiatives to support public-private partnerships. As of end-2025, private firms accounted for an estimated 15-20% of health care spending. The 16 private hospitals currently in operation provide 1200 beds nationwide, with a further 1800 beds under development, reflecting ongoing investment.
The decline in outbound medical tourism across the GCC during the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of strengthening domestic health care capacity. Kuwait was an early adopter of PPP legislation, passing its PPP law in 2014 and establishing a detailed framework for collaboration in health care and other sectors. The government anticipates increased PPP investment in advanced medical technologies and knowledge-sharing to improve service quality. Two 600-bed hospitals were completed under a $600m PPP agreement in the Ahmadi and Jahra governorates in 2023, and a $300m hospital is scheduled for completion by 2027, further enhancing local health care infrastructure and services for the country.
Staff & Training
The government is investing in human capital by expanding training programmes, scholarships and partnerships with academic and medical institutions both locally and abroad, supporting its goal of developing a new generation of highly skilled health care professionals. Although shortages in medical staff became particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, significant efforts are underway to address long-term workforce needs.
Kuwait continues to rely heavily on foreign workers, with a national workforce of 17,000 doctors, only 4000 of whom are Kuwaiti. This dynamic supports service delivery, but introduces challenges such as language barriers and cultural differences. Kuwait’s doctor-to-patient ratio stands at around 1.7 per 1000 people, putting it on par with the global average. To meet this growing demand, the MoH estimates that the country requires approximately 1000 new medical graduates each year. Various workforce planning initiatives are now focused on retaining skilled staff and ensuring the continuity of quality care across public and private health facilities.
To expand clinical capacity, the MoH signed an MoU in 2024 with Oman College of Health Sciences to train nurses and subsequently launched 11 new programmes in 2025. Running from April to November 2025, these initiatives provided both specialised and general training for nursing staff across the country. The government also fostered several partnerships with international institutions to enhance professional standards. An international MoU was signed with five French hospitals in Paris in July 2025 to bolster local treatment capabilities and improve knowledge exchange in areas such as diagnostics and telemedicine. Ongoing improvements in medical infrastructure, clinical expertise and staff training are expected to expand Kuwait’s domestic treatment capabilities, enabling more patients to access high-quality care locally and decreasing the need for overseas treatment.
Pharmaceuticals
The GCC pharmaceuticals market is projected to reach $9.9bn by 2025 and grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5% to $12.6bn by 2030. Demand for patented drugs across the region remains strong, accounting for around 75% of total market value, with approximately 80% of all medicines coming from the US and the EU. Kuwait’s sole local manufacturer, the Kuwait Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries Company, produces around 120 generic pharmaceutical products, mainly painkillers and antibiotics, which are distributed domestically and exported across the MENA region. A number of multinational pharmaceutical companies operate in Kuwait, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson. However, medicine distribution remains limited to local suppliers, and the MoH regulates the pricing of pharmaceuticals in public and private hospitals, as well as pharmacies.
Outlook
Education and health care reforms mark important progress in the broader New Kuwait 2035 agenda, supporting the country’s transition towards a more diversified, competitive and knowledge-driven economy. Their long-term success will hinge on sustained implementation of structural improvements, the development and retention of skilled professionals, and deeper private sector engagement.
In education, the continued investment in modernised curricula, digital learning and international partnerships is expected to help narrow the skills gap, foster innovation and adaptability, and strengthen graduate readiness for a constantly evolving jobs market. In health care, the expansion of infrastructure, growing focus on preventive services, and the wider adoption of advanced medical technologies are set to improve both quality of care and access for residents in Kuwait. These efforts are also likely to create an increasingly favourable environment for private investment, strategically positioning Kuwait to meet the needs of a growing population while responding more effectively to rising demand for specialised and efficient services.
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