Kuwait Times

Demographi­cs discussed during group debate Imminent crisis or potential opportunit­y?

- By Nawara Fattahova

The Niqashna group held its third debate titled ‘The Future of Kuwait’, discussing Kuwait’s demographi­cs as an imminent crisis or a potential opportunit­y, on Tuesday at Shot Cafe at the Mayadeen Shooting Range. The debate consisted of an opening speech, panel discussion, Q& A session and closing statements. The debate was presented by two young speakers - Saad AlJassar, defending Kuwait’s demographi­c makeup as a potential opportunit­y; and Hamad Al-Khodari, who saw it as an imminent crisis. Then the audience had a chance to comment and ask questions.

Jassar said Kuwait’s demographi­cs haven’t changed since 1975. “For over 40 years, the percentage of citizens to expats in Kuwait is still the same - 30-70. The government announced earlier that it is planning to decrease the numbers of expats by two million in 10 years - from 2014-2024 - or 100,000 every year. On the other hand, the government announced 521 projects, which need 80,000 expat laborers every year. This is nonsense and bad management in the government,” he said. “Kuwait is not facing any economic problems caused by expats according to Business Monitor Internatio­nal. Contrarily, the country can benefit economical­ly from the huge number of expats living here. And since the demographi­cs haven’t changed since 1975, expats can’t be a source of concern,” Jassar argued. He provided more statistics. “Eighty percent of the public sector’s employees are Kuwaitis. And out of the 20 percent expat employees, 15 percent are teachers who teach Kuwaiti students, while the remaining 5 percent work in jobs that Kuwaitis would never do, such as cleaners or security guards. Also, 93 percent of Kuwaitis refuse accepting the job offered to them as it does not match their qualificat­ions,” he pointed out.

Khodari noted that he is not against expats and defends the Kuwaiti constituti­on that calls for equality between all people. But from his view, Kuwait’s demographi­cs are a source of concern. “Many categories of the population represent security concerns such as the 100,000 bedoons, 118,000 illegal residents and 20,000 unemployed citizens, along with 32 percent of expats who are unemployed. In addition to those with fake nationalit­ies and dual nationals,” he explained.

Khodari said the country’s large population is causing many problems. “Our infrastruc­ture is not equipped for over four million people. Also, the huge population causes great pressure on the roads, hospitals, schools, electricit­y and others. Also, from the security aspect, we only have around 15,000 policemen, which means one policeman is protecting 296 people. Also, 7,200 crimes were committed last year, ie 19 per day, and I expect this number to grow with our present demographi­cs,” he predicted.

 ??  ?? Saad Al-Jassar
Saad Al-Jassar
 ??  ?? Hamad Al-Khodari
Hamad Al-Khodari

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