Anxiety Over Unemployment Persist

As per the weekly report from the Al-Shall Economic Center, the Central Administration of Statistics has disclosed data on registered unemployed Kuwaitis, indicating that by November of the previous year, 8,727 individuals, constituting approximately 1.8% of the Kuwaiti labor force, were without employment, reports Al-Jarida daily.

The report sheds light on concerns regarding gender distribution, with males accounting for 48% of the unemployed and females at 52%. Despite an equal split in public sector employment (51.4% women and 48.6% men), anxieties about unemployment persist. Additionally, the report outlines fluctuations in unemployment concerning different time frames.

The number is 297 for those unemployed for one month, rising to 4,670 for individuals unemployed between one and five months. Subsequently, the figure decreases to 1,602 for those unemployed between six and eleven months, only to rise again to 2,158 for those unemployed for twelve months or more. The report does not explain these variations. The Center underscores the challenge of distinguishing between popular decisions and those that are populist, emphasizing the serious implications of the current characteristics of unemployment. In the short term, many unemployed individuals appear to be awaiting opportunities in the public sector, potentially inflating disguised unemployment figures.

This trend is driven by the appeal of public sector jobs with their favorable working hours, high wages, and additional benefits. The age composition of the unemployed raises particular concerns, with about 69.7% falling between the ages of 20 and 29, and an additional 15.1% between the ages of 30 and 39. This signifies that approximately 84.8% of the unemployed are young people, suggesting potential social repercussions. Another alarming trend highlighted by the report is that 60.5% of the unemployed hold diplomas to doctorate degrees. This raises concerns about the misalignment between the labor market’s needs and the education system, as well as potential issues related to the authenticity of academic credentials. In conclusion, the report emphasizes that poor education and an imbalance in the national labor market pose significant challenges to public administration. The responsibility lies in differentiating between decisions that benefit the entire population, popular decisions, and those that cater to specific individuals at the expense of broader societal well-being, populist decisions.

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