Second-generation high school students in Kuwait: aspirations and future plans

Abstract

Kuwait is home to about 0.48 million second-generation migrants born and residing in the country, comprising about18% of all non-nationals. A survey of 973 second- generation Arab and Asian high school students was conducted in 2012 to study their aspirations and plans in terms of future study and work. This paper analyses the students’ plans to study in Kuwait vs. another country and to work here in future by using logistic regression. We found that about one-third would like to gain post high school education in Kuwait and 60% would like to work here after completing their studies. Being Arab and female were significant predictors of desire to study here. Those who considered Kuwait as home very strongly were about 9.5 times more likely to aspire to study here and 13.3 times more likely to work here in future compared with those who did not consider it home strongly. Implications of these aspirations for future labour force growth in Kuwait are discussed within contrasting scenarios that might perceive the second-generation migrants as an opportunity or a threat.