Insurance

The sector is entering a period of transition following its recovery from the global economic downturn. Although penetration rates are low, rapid population growth, rising per capita income levels and regulatory developments like the 2010 privatisation law are driving up demand for insurance products in Kuwait. A number of takaful (sharia-compliant) insurers are successfully emerging, tapping into a market that has traditionally been inaccessible to conventional providers. Insurers are also looking for ways to take advantage of the government’s economic stimulus packages, set to be implemented over the next few years. It has been estimated that government spending alone could produce a 10-20% growth in premium income over the next several years. At the same time, the Kuwait Health Assurance Company is set to make health care mandatory for expatriates in an effort to reduce costs, promote new forms of care and increase privatisation.