The mass evacuation of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, aimed at addressing illegal building extensions, unsafe infrastructure, and demographic imbalances, has triggered a significant surge in rental costs and overcrowding in the neighboring districts of Farwaniya and Khaitan.
- Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh previously housed approximately 280,000 expatriates from nations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Syria.
- Numerous buildings have been emptied or slated for demolition since the campaign began in mid-2026.
- Farwaniya accommodated roughly 311,000 expatriates across six blocks, while Khaitan housed between 191,000 and 203,000 residents.
- Displaced workers have also relocated to Riggae, Mahboula, Hawally, and Salmiya.
A Kuwaiti bank’s Q2 2026 rental analysis reported apartment rates of KD 280–400 in Farwaniya and KD 290–410 in Khaitan. Following the influx of families from Jleeb, residents and real estate agents report that rents have climbed by at least KD 20 since August. Additionally, some residential units are now being leased on a per-bed basis for KD 40–50, mirroring the high-density occupancy conditions that the government originally sought to eradicate in Jleeb.
Financial analysts warn that for the migrant workforce, who sustain Kuwait’s construction, cleaning, and logistics sectors, rising rents translate to reduced remittances. The relocation has also forced families to split across different areas, increasing transport costs and placing additional strain on dependents, including children and elderly parents. Media outlets such as the Arab Times and Al-Jarida have cautioned that failure to implement adequate housing, transportation, and municipal oversight in these regions risks recreating the same living crises seen in Jleeb.
Authorities advise expatriates to
verify the legal status of properties—noting that power and water cuts are common enforcement tactics for violations—and to ensure PACI civil identification and labor files remain updated. Officials stress that engaging in unauthorized shared-room arrangements risks legal complications if landlords are fined for violating occupancy regulations. The evacuation remains part of a broader government effort to remediate long-standing issues, including frequent fires, sewage failures, and illicit sub-letting practices.
