Kuwait is stepping up efforts to expand the role of nationals in private sector employment under its Vision 2035 development plan, which aims to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on government jobs, and create sustainable opportunities for young Kuwaitis.

At the heart of the strategy is “Kuwaitisation,” a policy designed to increase citizen participation in private enterprises while aligning workforce development with national growth priorities.

Mohammad Al Muzaini, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Public Authority for Manpower, told state news agency KUNA that the plan includes legislative measures to raise the proportion of Kuwaitis in the private sector, along with training programs and business incentives.

These measures include higher fees for hiring expatriates in roles that can be filled by nationals, initiatives to narrow wage gaps, revisions to labor support policies, and collaboration with educational institutions to better prepare students for private-sector careers through curriculum reforms, awareness campaigns, and mandatory internships.

The Authority has also proposed incentives for companies to expand opportunities for Kuwaitis and established a Labor Relations Department to safeguard employee rights.

Despite these reforms, challenges remain. Private-sector roles often require specialized skills that are not widely available locally, and longer working hours and fewer benefits compare unfavorably with public-sector advantages such as job security, maternity leave, and patient care leave.

Muhannad Mohammad Al Sane, Board Member of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, said the private sector has long been a key pillar of Kuwait’s economy, particularly in banking, finance, real estate, and services. He noted that Kuwaiti youth are well-positioned to take on leadership roles in these industries as reforms progress.

Former Finance Ministry adviser Mohammad Ramadan said that while job security continues to drive preferences for government employment, the right combination of policies, such as adjusting pay scales, strengthening private-sector opportunities, and linking foreign labor fees to national hiring, could shift the balance.

He added that a carefully implemented Kuwaitisation strategy could create more jobs for nationals without undermining productivity in the private sector.