According to the latest 2014 Expat Insider report by InterNations, Kuwait ranked last ast the worst country to be an expat. The report is based on responses from 14,000 expats in 160 countries and the categories measued quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, family life, personal finance, and overall satisfaction living abroad. According to the report:
Kuwait ranks last in the overall country ranking. This is largely due to its low results for personal happiness and in the Ease of Settling In Index. Expats in Kuwait do not think it is easy to settle down there, make friends, or feel at home. Only 5% of survey participants feel completely at home there, and only 7% find it very easy to make local friends.
That reasons sound right but I’m not sure how Saudi Arabia managed to rank as a better place than Kuwait. Check out the full report [Here]
Update: Due to the lack of maturity by some I’ve decided to close this post for comments.
119 replies on “Kuwait – The worst country to be an expat”
Finally a statement to prove what I said years ago to be right xD kept telling people this no one agreed ! XD
may I know why are you still living in kuwait? isnt it a chocie? at least you can go back to your own country.
and who told you I am talking about Kuwait? also I choose what I want where I want to live either for bad life or a good one.
GD seriously this is getting old. there are TONNES of ppl living in kuwait that hate it – deal with it or YOU gtfo. we live here cus some things like duty for example are more important than whether we like it or not.
people sometimes have to go to iraq or afghanistan to work to support their families. doesnt mean they love it. get over yourself – AND your country. the stats are proving what tonnes of ppl have been saying all along.
Why is this surprising. Expats who has lived in Saudi and Kuwait both would tel you why.
Even if indices look good, in this UN certified ‘world humanity centre’, the attitudes don’t change.
Every comfort that one enjoy is
If Kuwait is not so attractive to expats, why do they make up 75% of the population?
because they need the mulla + the strong currency :3
I don’t believe these ranking systems anymore!! And if it’s the “last” whyyyy did they stop at 61??? What a stupid ranking system….and KSA is before us? Yeah right! What a joke!
relax
+1 to that.
people tend to get defensive over such subjects.
What surprise me that you keep answering most of the comments over here to express your anger towards Kuwaitis, which you can’t do in real life. Sitting behind your desk or on your mobile ๐
Defensive!!?? Lets turn the tables and we’ll see how you answer to this messed up survey.
You’re “subtly” threatening someone and think you’re somehow not defensive.
Denial is amazing.
Who said anything about Kuwaiti ?
what say to say it fahad
also I forgot I do state whats in my mind about Kuwait and KSA and Lebanon and Syria and Finland and any other country that i wish my state my mind on either here in the cyber world or in real life I do it on cyber to generate traffic that’s is the only reason i comment on such things :D, we have freedom to state our opinion on many things.
I do not care about much things like that like I said these kind of posts = traffic ๐ wither it was good or bad XD
Kuwait SUCKS for expats. ‘Nuff said. Kuwait sucked the life out of everyone I knew there (including ourselves). We left and went to Saudi to work instead. There is a reason they are above Kuwait, simply, it is better here.
Really? KSA is NOT the life out of you? That’s a first!
Well congrats cuz you’re a rare case, in fact the ONLY case I’ve heard expats favor KSA over Kuwait….even Saudis are suffocated from KSA.
Ok then….enjoy your place in 60 instead of 61 ๐ฑ
That’s a HUGE jump
sheesh calm down, lady
You need a Xanax prescription. PRONTO.
Money Money Money!!! and more Money!!!
You shouldn’t take such reports as gospel, it all depends on the sample size of respondents in Kuwait (could be the sample size is too small and too specific), how long they have been here, gender, the age, income level, job type, background etc. etc. so many variances which are not accounted for in such reports. When you are relatively new in any place it can be a daunting and tough experience to assimilate especially if it is a culture which is far from what one is used to in their past. However given enough time and a little effort you can make any place your own. There is nothing wrong with moving to a country to improve your circumstances in life, we all want to better ourselves and our lives.
Having said that there is a huge industry of lying to low income workers, by companies here and by middle men recruitment agencies in their countries of origin (there has to be a profit sharing agreement between the companies here and the recruitment agencies probably a 90:10 split). These low income workers all pay money (KD 1000 plus per worker) to come here and are promised salaries of KD 200 and above + benefits (housing, meals, transportation) but when they get here the reality is very different, more like KD 50 or KD 30, sub-human living conditions and large rusty old smoke spewing Tata buses used to ferry them to and from their places of employment. This scamming has been going on for so long and the people involved have become so powerful and rich from it that frankly I don’t see it stopping soon. This is the reason of discontent for low income workers in the country who in many cases borrow money from friends and relatives to pay the companies in Kuwait to bring them here and no matter how long they stay in Kuwait they have a tough time repaying the initial KD 1k or higher back. Just look around you and every time you see a low income worker just remember they were scammed out of KD 1k to be here, the amount of money involved is huge. If they are not happy? try to make extra money legally or illegally? Protest?, Easy Answer, just Deport them and bring in fresh meat to scam again. Many families on top of the economic/power food chain have become rich from this, empires built on human misery and lies. Not everyone has a oil field in their back yard here folks LoooL ๐ so just follow the money ;-), there are more scams like this.
give me more mula
Doesn’t matter if last or not. What matters is that it is shitty place to be an expat in. In USA people are treated equal, in Kuwait people have different prices and different medicine. It’s like expat are not human here. Prices hikes in apartments which is mostly expats. Any thing bad that happens in Kuwait, blame the expats. Kafala system. Slavery. I loved Kuwait as a child growing up, but as an adult I am starting to dislike what Kuwait turned into. Or maybe I just grown up and saw how racist it is. That no matter how good I am I will always be a second class citizen.
Women in the US are still paid less than men! Not to mention the medical insurance that many can’t afford! Expats live here cuz they have their own reasons….I think the main reason is just that they don’t feel the friendliness from us Kuwaitis, but still many countries are like that!
I’m doing my PhD in the UK and my husband is American and we don’t find the Brits mingling with us a whole lot, and my husband is a white American! Go figure!
Ameen. I am kuwaiti and we treat expats and foreigners at the airport like garbage. We go overseas and drive around in our big cars and buy luxury goods etc., and come back home and treat others like dirt.
Still kuwait is lovely but people are people and to change cultural attitudes of people among other such behaviors is not easy and is a slow arduous process. Please everyone letโs make this nation good in the eyes of people and not some racist nation that has oil and all the wealth but no humanity, etc.
God bless all the expats and locals here in kuwait and abroad.
DUDE – can i be your friend? You’re a dying breed!
God bless you too.
Kuwait is a good place to live. It would be a great place if majority of the locals treat expats (especially Asians) with respect.
Thank fully in my job I don’t have to deal with locals and govt departments.
I enjoy working in Kuwait but I hate landing at Kuwait airport after a holiday. Once I am out of the airport though I feel better:)
maybe Brits don’t mingle with you because you’re an angry person?
You’re my problem….I’m not an angry person.
Stop pushing it to the edge with YOUR passive aggressive bullshit behind your laptop or smart phone and engage in something positive, otherwise be respectful and leave if you have nothing good to say
wow – you need to take a chill pill.
um wow – first world problems. I think us expats have more problems than Kuwaitis who wont be our friends!
@ahmed I am speaking from the perspective of a Puerto Rican/Latino who grew up in the USA and have lived in Kuwait for a while now. The US has always been and still is a VERY racist country where people are NOT treated equally. If you want to talk about slavery you should read up on some of the Visas that exist in the USA as well. As for blaming expats… That is a politician’s go to no matter what country you live in. As an expat here in Kuwait I have faced hardships but nothing compared to what I faced in the USA. We all have our reasons for being here. I love Kuwait and would not trade it for any other place. If you feel like a second class citizen then go some where else where you will feel like a first class citizen. Also, I recommend you read about Puerto Rican’s who are born in Puerto Rico and you will understand what it is to be a second class… no a third class citizen. As a colony of the USA, those of us born in Puerto Rico are born with US “citizenship” but do no have the right of voting for the President. We can only do so if we live in one of the 50 states. Yet as a US “citizen” I do not have the right of the absentee vote will overseas unlike a foreigner who becomes a US citizen and then lives overseas. That person is allowed the absentee vote.
The fact that you identified yourself as a “Puerto Rican/Latino” as opposed to simply “American” may have something to do with why you feel marginalized. It is likely you brought that on yourself. You cannot vote for President because if you are a bona fide resident of PR, you are not even required to file a Federal Tax return, much less pay it. If you want to be treated like anyone else in the system, pay into it. If you want to be equal, you have to BE equal.
@matt I identify myself as Puerto Rican because that is where I am from. I have been a resident of Kuwait for over six years and due to that fact I have been filing my Federal Tax returns every year. You see I have not been a resident of Puerto Rico since I was 18 years old. I am 33 now and when I was a resident in Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Tennessee not only did I pay my taxes but voted too. What bothers me is that fact that even though I served in the US Army as did my father who not only served but retired as a Disabled War Veteran, we are not allowed to vote Absentee. This is because we are neither residents of the USA or of Puerto Rican yet we still have to pay Federal Taxes but we do not get to vote. Now what would you call that? I mean my passport is the same as any US citizen.
so what Puerto Rican are experiencing in the U.S is what other non arabian gulf nationalities and indian/bangaldish/pakastani here in Kuwait, imagine the U.S is Kuwait and the Puerto Rican are the non arabian arabs and indian and pakastanis, but same goes in other arab countries such ksa lebanon and many others but each one got a different level
The point is that it happens every where. There is no country immune from these issues. Social injustices exist EVERYWHERE.
Just so you know. I have a Spanish cousin who is married to an Indian girl from Tamil Nadu and he says he experiences much discrimination while there.
ofcourse your 100% right :3
Matt thats rather naive. Im an Arab American (or do you prefer American?) and the amount of racism in the USA is incredibly high. Most of the time they mistake me for a Latino/Mexican but its uncomfortable most of the time whether during norrmal interactions in shops and restaurants and of course with law enforcement officials at airports, and damn cops who are the most racist of all….
dude – your experiences and citizenship do not speak for the MAJORITY of expats. ie indians, egyptians, bengalis and filipinos…. how you are treated here will NOT be the same as how they are treated.. generally speaking.
that being said – wow that sounds shit how you are treated back home
well said!
Ameen. I am kuwaiti and we treat expats and foreigners at the airport like garbage. We go overseas and drive around in our big cars and buy luxury goods etc., and come back home and treat others like dirt.
Still kuwait is lovely but people are people and to change cultural attitudes of people among other such behaviors is not easy and is a slow arduous process. Please everyone let’s make this nation good in the eyes of people and not some racist nation that has oil and all the wealth but no humanity, etc.
God bless all the expats and locals here in kuwait and abroad.
having said that all 5 fingers are not the same and there are different people doing different things for good and bad. on the flip side we do pay the so called white skinned brit or american a higher wage than say the hard working indian or egyptian engineer or businessman or office worker here. paradoxes of paradox. we want the people to come to our country but do not want to change our attitudes and thinking toward them.
+1 on that second comment especially. And those type of people are the ones who complain the most about Kuwait!
amen brother!
I’m not Kuwaiti and Im not totally satisfied but the fact that we are all still living in Kuwait means that we all have our reasons .. can we stop blaming and judging and start to make a difference at leas for us expacts?
Certainly being a well-off expat helps. But if you’re in the lower income bracket then yes it’s not a good place to be.
@Ahmed:
1.) Price hikes in apartments is something shared with Kuwaitis as well. In fact have you not noticed the signs that explicitly state “Rent, for westerners only”. Yes there’s discrimination, but there’s just as much reverse discrimination and self discrimination as well. Kuwaitis do not pay less rent than expatiates, if anything its the other way around.
2.) As to your statement of being a 2nd class citizen. Lets see what the word “citizen” actually means.
Citizen: a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized.
Kuwait does not grant citizenship to expatriates, and therefore expatriates do not have the same legal rights as citizens. For example, the right to vote, the right to own land, etc. This is not specific to Kuwait however, many countries all over the world both east and west have the same laws and policies.
It’s a logical deduction then, that expatriates cannot be 2nd class citizens, since they have no means of becoming one.
(i.e the exception to this rule is in marriage to a citizen, in which case your argument falls anyway.)
3.) Racism is a global issue, ask an African American who lives and works in the US, they will tell you that they face racism every day. Yes even today in 2014. While I’m a staunch supporter for equal rights no matter race or creed, once again Id like to point out, racism is not an issue that is faced “only” in Kuwait. Its about people, not a geographical boundary. If you think Kuwait is bad.. you should move to the southern states in the US. Or check out Germany, they have “legal” Nazi Political parties. Something that would never be allowed in the middle east.
4.) As for “slaves”, we don’t exactly have cotton farms out here. But yes, Kuwait does need some help with their labour laws, and this change is coming albeit, it is taking its time.
Finally I’d like to point, something that most people conveniently ignore.
Kuwait was founded on the 19th of June, 1961. That means Kuwait is only 53 years old. If people allowed themselves to be a bit more objective, think about this for a moment. For a nation that has only been around for 53 years, Kuwait is doing a lot better than the rest of the world.
And finally before people cast biased judgement, people need to travel the world, and live in different places more often. You will see there’s a reason why the phrase “The grass is always greener on the other side” exists to this very day.
And please don’t mistake this for a typical “Dont like it? GTFO” comment. Cause it is not. I simply wanted to contribute my experience to this discussion.
eventhough I’d agree with most of what you said.. i still have my reservations.
I really don’t have a problem with Kuwait not providing citizenship to expats. i mean the country is the richest in the world and if they start giving out nationality it’s going to be a loss for the real Kuwaities. I mean the Expats doesn’t deserve the government grants and subsidies which is exclusively for the nationals.
However, the Govt should come up with some sort of solution for the expats who spend most of their life here. who doesn’t want to leave.
my Dad has been working in Kuwait since 1975. he retired recently, and now he has to go back. he doesnt want to.
the Govt should provide free residency or something like that for these people.
the hike in rent in the recent past has been outrageous. an avg expats salary is between 300-350. the rents for 1 bedroom flats are around 240 now. thats just not right. plus the size of the apartments are a joke. check out the flats in hawally and salmiya. its a shame.
fair enough but ive lived in 6 different countries and kuwait is still THE Most racist place i have ever been to.
you know there is a REASON these things keep coming up over and over again. we shouldnt compare kuwait to other countries and say see it happens everywhere -but EVEN if we do compare, kuwait still ends up worse off. young country or not, a brutally tortured and raped maid doesnt give a shit about that – and neither should i, and neither should you.
Again … Kuwait ranked in the last or better said THE LAST! Hmmm… it is an Internations survey solely so I wouldn’t take the results as representative for the whole expat community in Kuwait. How many of 248am blog readers are internations members ? I doubt that we all are… I am not … as there activities didn’t appeal to me when I first moved to Kuwait and opted I out although it seemed like the only way to get in touch with like-minded people. I have been an expat here for three years now and if I wouldn’t enjoy my life here I wouldn’t have stayed! The first 6 months I just wanted out as one sees the negatives which are mentioned in the article and by the readers here… the class system …the lack of outdoor(and indoor!) activities… the tough weather .. the (expat) medical care … and last but not least the preconceptions the majority have for (or against!) single females living and exploring the world on their own … almost unheard of in a society like ours here … but it exists ๐ ! … I have in the meantime found a way around it and try to make the best out of it … yes the Quality of Life I was used to … safety…healthcare..nature ..theater… museums..the list can go on… is not the same anymore but I have decided to stay here (NOT FOR ECONOMIC REASONS) for the time being… until I find a new destination full-filling myself ! and while here I have decided to live and enjoy my life here too ! It is up to me and no one else to make the best of what it is ! I call it quality of life when I can drive to work along the gulf road with the view to the sea along the road… I prefer that to the crazy traffic in London ! oh yes it can be jammed on the gulf road with all those people who want to be at work at 8 ! and get the kids to school at 8 and all that .. I get up early instead an drive down at 6:30 am or arrange to go to work an hour later and stay later…medical care ? I do everything possible to stay healthy so I don’t need to go to the clinics (Salmiya clinic next to Sultan terrifies me!!) plus in the meantime I have local friends some of which are doctors who help me out when in need… thank GOD!… yes I have made great local friends here … I am lucky .. we mainly got to know each other at work and through them I have come to like Kuwait more… it has a charm when a local guides you through Mubarakye and shows you where their grandfathers shop was…when they show you the best place to get Darabeel from…Falafel Sharaf is an insider ! …I have come to attend Kuwaiti weddings and got to know their traditions…when in need I know I can rely on my friends ! I have come to understand that the majority of the expat community are the working class who have found a better life here than in their own countries otherwise they wouldn’t flock to Kuwait and accept the conditions they live under … When I first moved here I used to sympathize a lot with the waiters, the shop assistants, the cleaners, the porters, the security guards in my building … it used to break my heart knowing how they are perceived, sometimes mistreated, other times underpaid… and so on .. but in the end it is their choice to stay here..I still sympathize with them but having connected with people in that situation and getting to know them I have found that they can be happy too.. the medical care they receive here is better than what they receive back home…for some the weather here !! even is better than theirs back home … they earn enough to send money back home and give their loved ones a better life.. I am not saying it couldn’t be better for them…of course it could have been better … they could be paid more … they could be treated better …they could be receiving better medical care … but that is not to us individuals to change … that is on the upper level to be changed..governments and policies.. not my area… . but I believe what we can be is THE change … we can be treating each other with love and respect .. we can be helping those we know are in need… we can be the ones greeting and smiling at each other …we can be arranging more events (Mark ?! ;))… how many countries in the world have almost every day sunshine ?? a natural antidepressant for all isn’t it…at least that is how I see it … yes I miss the colors of autumn and the falling leaves and the golden Octobers but I don’t miss the months long rainy and icy winters … it is all how we look at it … in the meantime enjoy Life in Kuwait !
Exactly!! They just think of Dubai! Some think DUBAI is a country!!
The local people of UAE are still very conservative and traditional, Kuwaitis are more social and libral than Emaratis
Besides I think people lie, they say such things so other expats don’t come here and get paid well, I’m not saying ALL expats, but I work in research, some things published are overrated and some answers are not the complete truth….cuz the expats that are living here are more than 50% of the population, and I’ve seen MANY expats say Kuwait is their home and DON’T wanna leave!
Well said !!!!!
I’m European and this where I call home ๐
thats total bullshit,
one of many proof is Mark, he lives in Kuwait and I bet he won’t get any better living in any other country
once I was setting with Arab teachers from Syria, Egypt and they said the fact that 80-90% of people who comes to Kuwait will stay in Kuwait and never return to live in their Countries unless they are forced to
fact is most expat prefer Kuwait that most other countries
uhhh you cant say fact – and then randomly say shit. if you’re gonna use words like fact – i want to citations, references to established literature and suchlike. otherwise it is not a fact – just your biased and uninformed opinion
yeah the clue there is – you’re European
Chill lady, whatโs your glitch?
There are tons of worse places to be an expat including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, North Korea,Pakistan, and at least another couple of dozen places. Besides, its all relative, isnt it? Being an expat means comparing standard of living with income with savings with enjoyment in the city you are living in. And then there is one really important point that should be taken into consideration which is that at least you can get a job and a residency in Kuwait relatively easily unlike in many other countries including most of Europe, the USA and Canada where its almost impossible to get a work permit except under very specific and special circumstances…..
Thank you!!! My husband was NOT let in the UK and was sent back to the US because he didn’t have a “marriage visa”!! So both of us flew to Kuwait and met and got married here in Kuwait….much easier! People are shocked by our story but believe you me….Americans do have a hard time in Heathrow! They want to send a message to Americans “just because you guys enter with only your passport doesn’t give you the right to come in and out anytime you like!”
My husband at least was honest with them and told them I’m here to see my fiance and her dad to get married…..but oh no!! They did not let him through and was sent back to the US!
These things are never talked about and not always reported!
take it easy
Oh great! Is here your friend? You leave his rude comments and block ours?! What a joke this blog is
what are you talking about? Seriously, for your health, you need to relax.
Did you visit any of those country’s you just mentioned being worst then Kuwait ? Can you say yes ?
I have lived and worked in Japan, South Korea, Russia, Oman, Saudi and other places. Every country had its pros and cons. But of all the overseas places I have worked Kuwait does treat the Expat population the worst. And when I say Kuwait I mean the Government and its policies. Add to that the extreme apathetic attitude towards tourism or outside visitors coming in with the exception of a million malls and food places and it can be a very, very boring place to live. And before you tell the Amreeki go back to America because you are butt hurt remember I have been here 5 years and enjoy it. And like America I can also see the cons in addition to the pros. And ask yourself why is it that every holiday or weekend you travel to other countries to have fun? You can’t talk it up and say how amazingly perfect it is when you jet set elsewhere every chance you get. It is hypocrisy at its boldest. Also notice how the UAE and most other GCC destinations are inviting visitors and building amusement parks and things of that nature. Kuwait is all about Kuwait. You either dig it or you don’t. What I would say to you other Expats here is make friends, do some research and subscribe to this and other blogs to find out what things are going on. It can be enjoyable with the right friends and stuff to do. If you need to let loose and have a bit more fun take weekend trips to other places. It will balance itself out.
“Also notice how the UAE and most other GCC destinations are inviting visitors and building amusement parks and things of that nature. Kuwait is all about Kuwait.”
What’s wrong with that though? Not everywhere needs to be a tourist destination. Kuwait’s infrastructure is stretched to the breaking point as is, adding tourists wouldn’t help. Plus where do you think the tourists would be coming from? It would be more Saudis coming over than anyone else and they already don’t mesh well with large parts of Kuwaiti culture.
So having a place for people living on Kuwait to have fun would be bad? Not only that it would generate non oil based income and jobs. So you are telling me malls and restaurants are sufficient as pretty much the only source of entertainment? If so then you more than likely are a frequent traveler out of the country for holidays. Not sure why I bother commenting or posting counterpoint because there will always be naysayers who think everything is perfect how it is and all that. I think I’m just going to stop. It really is a waste of time.
No, you completely misunderstood what I said. You mentioned tourism specifically in your post, I think it’s not something that’s important for the country. Having more entertainment would be good, but tourism isn’t something every single country needs to aspire to
haven’t you heard about “local tourists”.
just for people to let off steam once in a while and ‘forget’ the daily grind.
us low income expats get so much shit – and the fact that many dont speak the greatest english means they cant defend their views on forums like this. In fact if you ask a lot of them they’ll just say – i love kuwait – cus theyre too scared to say anything else.
But i talk to a different taxi driver everyday, even some of those guys in blue, yellow. green jackets – and they are not happy – they are absolutely miserable and sad …
and if they cant get good and fucking angry at kuwait, I sure as hell can on their behalf and mine.
Those taxi drivers that turn around and rip off every single person and refuse to use the meter that is mandated by law? I have no sympathy for them
” Expats in Kuwait do not think it is easy to settle down there, make friends, [b]or feel at home[/b]. Only 5% of survey participants feel [b]completely at home there[/b], and only 7% find it very easy to make local friends.”
Of course that is expected.
Unlike many western European countries where racism still exists strongly and expats find it hard to mix with locals because of their race… In Kuwait the problem is rather clear and simple. People mingle and become friends with those working with them and living among them. If most of the expat population in Kuwait is doing jobs that Kuwaitis are not doing… clearly they’ll be working in environment where no other Kuwaitis are there… so how are they going to become friends exactly?! Once there is something incommon they will become friends regardless of religion, race or whatever. Just log at different blogs and social media and you’ll get my point.
On feeling home part, Kuwaitis still embrace their culture and heritage very strongly… expats tend to live closed upon themselves in close communities to maintain the feeling of still being at home. Expats who mingle with the local population and embrace the culture can feel at home.
‘Unlike many western European countries where racism still exists strongly and expats find it hard to mix with locals because of their raceโฆ’
.
The racism card. Of course, it was only a matter of time for you to come up with this misleading argument.
But tell me, why do all the refugees try to enter Europe? Because we are racists?
As if we Europeans discriminate foreigners and refuse people in need the International Right of shelter, freedom of religion, freedom of speech or equal rights?
If that was true, you were right. But the fact is that they come by thousands a week, year-after-year.
No, the real reason they come is:
Free money, free housing, free healthcare, obtaining citizenship after a few years, free education and when you decide to go back to your home country from age 45, you’ll receive 500 euro each month for the rest of your life. No obligations required.
.
No, these people I’m talking about are no expats.
I’m talking about mostly uneducated people with large families, who are also entitled after a short period to settle themselves legally in my country (Holland) due to the law on family reunification .
Stop whining about racism. You make me sick with your double standards.
“The racism card. Of course, it was only a matter of time for you to come up with this misleading argument.”
No it is not a misleading argument. It is an acknowledged fact that little do people from our region know about. I lived in Germany, Austria, France and the UK… racism is there and it is very VERY strong though the level of it varies from one country to another. Not just toward immigrants, but also towards people who were born and raised there simply because of their skin color and heritage.
“But tell me, why do all the refugees try to enter Europe?”
Because working in Europe means pay with a strong currency that is worth a lot back home. They enter as “refugees” because that will enable them to take advantage of the financial support that they can receive along with residency, the ability (and facilitation of) work, education for their children up to a certain level, and health care.
In short, its money.
“As if we Europeans discriminate foreigners and refuse people in need the International Right of shelter, freedom of religion, freedom of speech or equal rights?”
You are confusing between the law and people actions. Yes there are laws that try to ensure the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and equal rights… but we’re not talking about that here. Are you trying to take us off topic?
“No, the real reason they come is:
Free money, free housing, free healthcare, obtaining citizenship after a few years, free education and when you decide to go back to your home country from age 45, youโll receive 500 euro each month for the rest of your life. No obligations required.”
OK good so we’re on the same page. I guess I should have read the rest of your comment before responding to it piece by piece! oh well.. i’ll conitnue reading… lets se..
“No, these people Iโm talking about are no expats.
Iโm talking about mostly uneducated people with large families, who are also entitled after a short period to settle themselves legally in my country (Holland) due to the law on family reunification .”
Are you calling immigrants to your country “uneducated people with large families”? Is that stereotyping or some kind of racism? hmm.. it is a generalization any way.
“Stop whining about racism. You make me sick with your double standards.”
Honey, if there is anyone with double standard is you as you have just proven with your comment.
Are you 16 years old? cuz ur argument sure sounds like it.
Have a nice evening.
ooooooooor… they cant afford to live in the same fucking neighbourhoods?
and maybe Kuwaitis dont like to work as much as other ppl?
quit with the reverse victimisation
That’s nothing new. Even Kuwaitis dont feel at home anymore.
Exactly…all of my Kuwaiti colleagues would definitely agrre with you.
+1
I have lived here in Kuwait for 24 almost 25 years and I would not trade this country for any other. As for the expats who slap it off….. Please leave! We don’t need your negativity and your harshness.
For such a small country did you know that kuwait is the only country in the world who donates the most amount of money and charity!!!!!
It’s the minority of greedy dissatisfied people who never have anything good to say about any place they live in which is contributing to the statistics of “last country in the world BS)
Kuwait is a lovely little country with a beautiful soul. Get to know it. See her beauty.
@Amy
Exaclty! My husband has been here since the early 80’s and loves it too
yawn – white girl tantrum.
I’m here, I’m not leaving, I hate it. deal with it. if you can’t – YOU leave
@amy “As for expats who slap it off…Please leave!”
Damn right! I keep telling the cleaner expats to either cheer up or stop complaining but they keep ranting about their generous 40kd salaries, and lavish living conditions. Greedy expats, they never learn.
Saudi ranked better than Kuwait perhaps due to ‘fear factor’ of the Saudi expats interviewed…just in case their view got leaked out to the Saudi administration and they get eventually deported.
Chill lady, what’s your glitch?
What the hell is your problem?! GOD! There’s still trolls of the internet?? ุดุฎุจุงุงุงุงุฑู
Please take things seriously….if you can’t, plz leave the page….you’re so boring
Take it easy why’re you full of anger?
I’ve lived & worked here since 1997. I’m sure there are better places, but the WORST? I don’t think so. I can honestly say I have never been treated badly here. I concede others may have a different experience, but it’s not mine.
is it any wonder that people who defend kuwait all have – um – arabic and WESTERN names like amy, matt, fatima wilcott etc?
you cant speak for ANYONES experience other than your own – thats what surveys are for – so ppl dont have to listen to your shit and believe it
This report also says that 70% of Expats don’t have Kuwaiti friends, so no wonder they don’t feel at home ๐
From talking to people at work a large proportion of expats basically see Kuwaitis as the enemy they are all working against for some reason.
That said I’m pretty sure the government is actually actively working to make Kuwait less expat friendly and is probably patting themselves on the back for this rating
We live here because we get good money that Kuwaiti people get back to their pockets with expensive schools, expensive houses and expensive food. Why should we stay here if not? Sorry for those that have to stay, any moment I’ll pack and go.
God I hate this argument. You think every Kuwaiti personally makes money off of the schools and rent? It’s going back into the pockets of the very rich, we have to pay inflated rents and schools too.
“Expats in Kuwait do not think it is easy to settle down there, make friends, or feel at home…7% find it very easy to make local friends”
For the expats who find it difficult to make local friends, I do not mind being your friend. Contact me and we can hang out or something.
YAY!! ๐
We do not need local friends to feel home, since here it is a huge melting pot, we can have friends from all over the world, which is also one of the richness of Kuwait.
There will always be some negative people, if they are not happy, why do they stay, then ? I do not understand. ๐
Kuwait is very easy to settle down, in a few days we can find a flat. Moreover, there is water and electricity everyday, no shortage, no power cut.
They should live in some places like Southern Africa or Bangladesh, and after they will be able to complain …
Cheers,
When my grandfather left Puerto Rico to live in the US, he was not able to fit in and be happy. He had a language barrier and was discriminated against constantly. I found it ironic since he lived in a neighbourhood that was mostly all Puerto Ricans, this is in Tennessee mind you. He stayed for five years but was not happy and used to complain all the time. One day his white American co-worker at the restaurant he worked at told him that if he was not happy to go back to Puerto Rico. My grandfather to this day says that was the best advice anyone gave him. He was not insulted by it nor did he call his co-worker racist. To be honest, who wants to hear someone talk bad about the country you love? This is all happened only 15 years ago btw.
If you were spend as much just doing things as you do whining, you you find you have nothing to whine about. I served with many outstanding Marines from Puerto Rico and they are all happy, productive professionals now. Lose the chip on your shoulder.
The Kuwaiti’s hatred of expats will only be their demise. They need qualified expats to develop their country, because just look around they are not capable of running their own country. Sheikh Mohammed bin Al-Rashid Al-Maktoum knew he needed expats to assist him in building his vision which is Dubai today, and without foreign expertise this never would have happened. Kuwaitis continuously blame foreigners for Kuwait’s shortfalls, when the only ones who are to blame are themselves. Kuwaitis are blindsighted by an appeasement policy by a government that is impotent to move a country forward.
Kuwait didn’t always rely on expats btw. If they were capable of moving along and reaching the “golden era” back in the 70’s and 80’s without expats, I am sure they can manage if ever came a day where there were not expats anymore.
So just relax.
back in the 70s and 80s during the “golden era” Kuwait had expats so not sure what you’re talking about. expats have been here since the 50s
I get that, but their reliance was not as heavy is it is now. Kuwaitis used to achieve so much back then because they were motivated and wanted to develop the country, now they just kick back and not do much.
true that
Ehh not really no. They were still expats but they nationalized them to get them to stay.
Kuwaitis formed a larger percentage of the overall population during Kuwait’s ‘Golden Era’ than right now.
Expats averaged 60% of the population in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Today, expats are more than 70% of the population. The increase in expat population hasn’t benefited Kuwait.
Kuwaitis have been receiving Western education since the 1940s, whereas UAE only recently started sending its citizens abroad to receive Western education.
Kuwaitis are on average much more likely to have Western university degrees than any other GCC nationality. Kuwaitis have been educated longer than Emiratis/Qataris.
Most expats in Kuwait are temporary migrant workers, UAE has a higher amount of educated expats than Kuwait does
Kuwait has indigenous ‘human capital’, UAE and Qatar lack that
Most local GCC actors, musicians, dancers, writers and artists are Kuwaitis. That alone proves Kuwait has more ‘human capital’ than UAE and Qatar.
During Kuwait’s ‘Golden Era’, the music, arts, media and theatre was primarily created by local Kuwaitis. In the 1970s and 1980s, Kuwaiti theatre was renowned throughout the Arab World. Today, most art and media in UAE is made by foreigners. UAE doesn’t have much art galleries full of local Emirati art. Most art galleries in Kuwait’s ‘Golden Era’ were created by local Kuwaiti artists. Even today, most art galleries in Kuwait showcase local Kuwaiti artists work.
Kuwait has generations of Western educated locals, Qatar and UAE don’t have that
Itโs not like the Kuwaitis built the Kuwait Tower or the Gulf Road or any other big project that still exists today and is still impressive. Expats built those and they can
build and come up with ideas for other projects so expats arenโt holding the country back, we arenโt the decision makers here.
Also the expat population in Kuwait is controlled by the government, if Kuwait wants to stop expats from coming they can but they don’t for a reason, the country needs these expats to function so saying that the increase in expats hasn’t benefited Kuwait, well it has because Kuwait is currently running right now.
uh dude – my great uncle was here back in the 70s – and he said kuwaitis were a helluva lot nicer back then – although they still used to beat the shit out of their servants
@Fred, what kind of bull**** is this? First you fail very bad by comparing us to Dubai. We are far ahead of Dubai and it will take them about 20 years to become what we are. You’re such superficial for basing your comparison on shiny buildings and newly paved roads… this we had done some sixty or seventy years ago.
What we have in Kuwait is five or six generations of highly educated people who themselves run the country to date. That is something they lack in Dubai and other neighboring Arab countries.
Yes we do have a huge population of expats… but you have to make a clear distinction when you’re talking about the expat population. We have the temporary workers and those who have settled here for life. If Kuwait was taxing people like they do in your home country, those expats would have become Kuwaitis by now. But given the size of our welfare system and the large cost of benefits, this has made it very difficult to grant expats Kuwaiti nationality.
As for the other temporary workers… the harsh reality… there is a huge labor market and whenever one nationality leaves it will be very easy to substitute by another. Money talks and it talks loud… and if someone isn’t willing to do something for 100 dinars there is another willing to do it for fraction that amount. Even you have a price or else why would you be around here.
But the important question for us as Kuwaitis… will we be able to survive without the complete expat population? In my opinion yes… The population of 2.5 million expats are not all engineers and doctors doing some highly skilled and sophisticated work. Most of them are uneducated and doing tasks that can be done by much less number of people given that the pay is higher.
“We are far ahead of Dubai and it will take them about 20 years to become what we are. Youโre such superficial for basing your comparison on shiny buildings and newly paved roadsโฆ this we had done some sixty or seventy years ago.
What we have in Kuwait is five or six generations of highly educated people who themselves run the country to date.”
wow – delusional.
Fred, by the way
Most expats in Kuwait are illiterate
page 14
https://www.aucegypt.edu/GAPP/cmrs/Documents/Nasra_Shah.pdf
The majority of Kuwaitis are literate, whereas the majority of expats in Kuwait are illiterate
In Kuwait’s case, the more expats, the less development
Kuwait was very developed in the 1970s and 1980s when expats were 60% of the population. Today, expats are more than 70% of the population yet Kuwait is stagnating. In the 1970s and 1980s, Kuwait was the Middle East’s most advanced country (in terms of education, infrastructure, health care, media). YET there were less expats back then than right now!
more expats = less development
That’s not accurate. it’s not like the Kuwaitis built the Kuwait Tower or the Gulf Road or any other big project that still exists today and is still impressive. Expats aren’t holding the country back today, we aren’t the decision makers here and we can’t vote.
You’re looking at this entirely backwards. Expats were brought in after the development because of all the new jobs that needed filling and all the new money suddenly in circulation.
Also there were less “Expats” because Kuwait was giving out nationalities quite often back then.
I’m just here to read the comments.
for all you nonbelievers , i treat expats better than i treat Kuwaitis and i’m kuwaiti. its god’s land and god said to spread in it and seek life. (ูููู ุงูููุฐูู ุฌูุนููู ููููู ู ุงูุฃูุฑูุถู ุฐูููููุงู ููุงู ูุดููุง ููู ู ูููุงููุจูููุง ูููููููุง ู ููู ุฑูุฒููููู ููุฅููููููู ุงููููุดููุฑู).
i like where your head is at man!
Looking back and reading all of the comments since Mark posted this, I cannot but laugh. I love Kuwait and hope to live here till the day I die. I did not come to Kuwait rich nor did I come here with a large salary. My first salary was 120 kd a month and then my second job paid me 300 kd a month. I worked hard and saved the money to open a restaurant which had been my dream. In the beginning I got screwed over by someone I was doing business with but he was not Kuwaiti, he was American. I may not be swimming in money but that is not what brought me to Kuwait, nor is it what has kept me here. That said, I will not say that Kuwait is perfect. I have experienced discrimination here from Kuwaitis, Indians and other Desi people as well as other Arabs. Ironically I have even been discriminated against for being Muslim. Still I have never experienced it to the level that I experienced it in the USA. Not saying that the USA is all bad nor is any other country in the world. I beleive that regardless of who you are, if you are not happy where you are then you should move and find your happiness somewhere else. There is no point in complaining if you are not willing to either do your part to be happy where you are or leave to somewhere where you can be happy.
yeah but have you ever had your passport confiscated so you had NO choice about where you lived? Thank GOd Kuwait doesnt have an exit visa system like saudi though – either way – all these ppl that say they cant understand why ppl dont leave –
its not just about looking after yourself. asians are big into taking care of their elders, and brothers and sisters … fathers have been taxi drivers in kuwait for 15 years up just to pu ttheir kids through school back home … i talk to these ppl everyday. If you’re just looking to make a life for YORUSELF then i can see what youre saying but even then – you probably still have your passport.
you cant speak on behalf of those who have their passports confiscated – who CONTINUE to work for 80 or LESS kd per month, who work dangerous conditions in shitty housing, who get beaten and raped, demeaned in all sorts of ways, harrased by police – you just cant man, you cant. you can speak for yourself and that much i respect.
laugh if you must, but other peoples lives are no laughing matter
Well said. Probably something deep down we are all aware of. The question is… why are we discussing this subject to begin with?
We’re discussing it because of this report… and these reports are not done voluntarily free of charge. Do a quick google on this “internations” organization that prepared this report and you’ll realize that their word is nothing better than a conclusion that a group of guys sitting in a dewaniya can conclude over a cup of tea and a deck of cards.
First step towards any positive concrete change is acceptance. So far all I’ve read is pretty much denial and deflection. Yes problems exist in other countries, they are on the list too. But there is a reason some countries are scraping the bottom.
What is inherently wrong with Kuwaitis deciding that Kuwait is for Kuwaitis? Everyone else (myself included) is “something else”.
I’m a Western lady and I’ve lived in kuwait for 10 years. I work hard for this country, and I deserve every fil I get paid. Just like the “servants” (awful word that 5 year-olds learn to call their housekeeper) who get paid the most insignificant amount, even though they basically have the responsibility of raising children. Why do they stay? Desperation. And eventually, broken spirit.
As a blonde,white lady, I’m treated a heck of a lot better than many other expats. But you know what? It’s changed even for me. Kuwaitis used to be kinder and more hospitable — of course, some still are. But it’s not uncommon now for a 20-something guy in his fancy car will aggressively run a woman off the road for not driving fast enough. They blow smoke in your face if you ask them to respect the “no smoking” sign. They stand around and watch other Kuwaitis abusing service workers. Abaya-wearing woman look at us like we’re whores, if our neck shows. There is a pervasive arrogance here “kayfee Kuwaiti” that seems to only get worse with the next generation growing up. This is one of the reasons why expats are unhappy — lack of appreciation and respect. Not everything is about money.