Kuwaitis Lead GCC Real Estate Ownership Across UAE, Bahrain & Saudi Arabia

Kuwaitis have emerged as the top Gulf nationals in real estate ownership across three major GCC countries — the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia — according to new data from the GCC Statistical Center. Kuwaitis own 3,545 properties in the UAE (42% of all Gulf ownership), 2,600 in Bahrain (65%), and 2,536 in Saudi Arabia (71.8%). Regionwide, Gulf nationals’ property ownership has surged by 162%, reaching 17,900 units.The report also reflects strong cross-border mobility: over 2,100 Kuwaitis work across the GCC, mostly in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, 41.4 million Gulf citizens travelled between member states — nearly triple the number recorded in 2007.Economic integration continues to strengthen, with intra-GCC trade reaching $146 billion, 96,300 Gulf-owned business licenses issued regionwide, and a rising Gulf presence in financial markets, social insurance systems, education, and healthcare.