ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
An engaged and dynamic youth population is essential for national development, acting as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and social progress. A trained and energetic Kuwaiti young workforce represents a demographic dividend capable of boosting productivity, embracing new technologies, and driving entrepreneurship. Empowering today’s youth is not merely a choice, it is a necessity for a nation’s sustainable future.
Kuwait is taking commendable steps to strengthen youth participation in the workforce by prioritizing quality education, vocational training, entrepreneurial skills, and civic engagement. Educational reforms aim to align learning outcomes with labor market needs, while revamped Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs prepare young people with future-ready skills, especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital sectors.
This focus is reflected in the 2023 Global Knowledge Index (GKI), where Kuwait ranks 44th out of 133 countries. The index, developed by the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, highlights Kuwait’s growing knowledge infrastructure and commitment to aligning youth skills with global trends.
Initiatives like Knowledge Journey Kuwait, launched in October 2024, have brought together policymakers, experts, and young citizens to foster leadership, innovation, and digital transformation skills. As UNDP’s Resident Representative Emma Morley noted, investing in knowledge, innovation, and human capital is key to positioning youth as central players in building a diversified, inclusive economy.
The shift toward a knowledge-based economy is also critical to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons, diversify sectors, and address demographic changes. Kuwait’s demographic dividend, its period of economic advantage from a youthful population, is expected to end by 2045. By 2030, the youth labor force is projected to increase by 53%, adding 80,000 new job seekers, with a potential rise in unemployment if measures are not taken.
