Kuwait Oil Jobs: KNPC Workforce Now 93.6% Kuwaiti, KPC Hiring List Due
Kuwaitis now fill 93.58% of jobs at KNPC, and the list of successful applicants for KPC and its subsidiaries is due to be published soon.
KuwaitIn brief
- KNPC had 7,634 employees at the start of September 2026, of whom 7,144 (93.58%) were Kuwaiti.
- The number of Kuwaiti staff has risen from 5,979 at the end of the fiscal year that closed on 31 March.
- The list of successful applicants for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries has been approved and is expected to be published within days.
| Country | Kuwait |
|---|---|
| Organization | Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) |
| Official source | Arab Times – Kuwaitization in the oil sector ✓ arabtimesonline.com |
Kuwait's oil sector is filling more of its jobs with citizens. According to a report published by Arab Times on 19 October 2026, Kuwaitis now make up 93.58% of the workforce at the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), the refining arm of the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).
The report also says a new batch of oil-sector hires is on its way: the list of successful applicants for KPC and its subsidiaries has been approved, and the final list should be published in the coming days.
KNPC workforce in numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total employees (start of September 2026) | 7,634 |
| Kuwaiti employees | 7,144 |
| Share of Kuwaitis | 93.58% |
| Kuwaiti employees at end of fiscal year (31 March) | 5,979 |
In other words, KNPC has added well over a thousand Kuwaiti staff in only a few months, while the share of non-Kuwaiti workers has fallen to around 6%.
The KPC recruitment list
KPC and its subsidiaries recruit Kuwaiti graduates through regular hiring rounds. Applicants usually sit tests and interviews before a final list is approved. Arab Times reports that the latest list is now approved but has not yet been released. The number of new hires has not been made public.
Why it matters
Oil jobs are among the most wanted in Kuwait because of their pay, benefits and job security. The government wants more citizens working in the sector, and the oil companies are moving quickly towards that goal. At the same time, the industry is investing in automation and AI. The same report mentions a deal between Al-Khafji Joint Operations, Aramco Digital and SLB on an AI-driven offshore production platform that needs fewer people on site.
What it means for job seekers
- Kuwaiti graduates: watch the official KPC website and its subsidiaries' pages for the results list. If you are on it, complete your paperwork quickly.
- If you were not selected, keep your documents ready for the next round. Engineering, chemistry, IT and technical diplomas are in strong demand.
- Build digital skills. Data analysis, automation and AI tools are becoming part of oil-sector work.
- Expats: direct jobs at KNPC are now rare. Look at contractors and service companies, but check every offer carefully and never pay a recruiter for a job.
Related: Kuwait lets expat workers correct their registered qualification and profession and Kuwait labour law guide.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of KNPC staff are Kuwaiti?
About 93.58%. Of 7,634 employees at the start of September 2026, 7,144 were Kuwaiti citizens.
When will the KPC hiring results be announced?
Sources told Arab Times the list of successful applicants has been approved and will be published in the coming days.
Can expats get jobs at KNPC or KPC?
Openings for expats are now very limited, as the oil companies are filling most roles with Kuwaitis. Some specialist roles may still go through contractors.
Apply only through the official source.
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