The latest officially reported population of Kuwait was 4,865,298 in 2025 vs 27,917,831 people in Niger in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Kuwait's population is 4,981,316 people compared to 29,294,628 in Niger.
Population statistics:
- Niger's population is 5.88 times bigger than Kuwait's.
- Kuwait is ranked the 127th most populous country in the world, while Niger is the 53rd.
- The countries together account for 0.41% of the world: 0.06% for Kuwait vs 0.35% for Niger.
- For the last 10 years, Kuwait has had an average growth rate of +2.64% per year vs +3.45% in Niger.
- Since 2006, the population of Kuwait has increased from 2.36M people to 4.98M (110.7% growth), while Niger has grown from 14.3M to 29.3M (105.3% growth).
Kuwait vs Niger: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Kuwait
|
Niger
|
|
| 2100 | 9,334,340 | 92,119,820 |
| 2099 | 9,260,081 | 91,758,864 |
| 2098 | 9,186,463 | 91,380,105 |
| 2097 | 9,113,170 | 90,979,507 |
| 2096 | 9,040,141 | 90,560,194 |
| 2095 | 8,967,450 | 90,121,433 |
| 2094 | 8,895,114 | 89,665,016 |
| 2093 | 8,823,113 | 89,186,290 |
| 2092 | 8,751,505 | 88,687,247 |
| 2091 | 8,680,321 | 88,169,255 |
| 2090 | 8,609,595 | 87,632,134 |
| 2089 | 8,539,136 | 87,075,435 |
| 2088 | 8,469,109 | 86,497,532 |
| 2087 | 8,399,564 | 85,901,116 |
| 2086 | 8,330,533 | 85,285,801 |
| 2085 | 8,261,971 | 84,648,237 |
| 2084 | 8,193,896 | 83,990,034 |
| 2083 | 8,126,269 | 83,310,768 |
| 2082 | 8,059,106 | 82,611,309 |
| 2081 | 7,992,347 | 81,895,814 |
| 2080 | 7,926,024 | 81,159,765 |
| 2079 | 7,860,286 | 80,409,054 |
| 2078 | 7,795,005 | 79,639,286 |
| 2077 | 7,730,203 | 78,852,089 |
| 2076 | 7,665,903 | 78,045,772 |
| 2075 | 7,602,169 | 77,223,494 |
| 2074 | 7,538,993 | 76,387,922 |
| 2073 | 7,476,318 | 75,535,687 |
| 2072 | 7,414,183 | 74,667,410 |
| 2071 | 7,352,798 | 73,784,579 |
| 2070 | 7,292,103 | 72,888,455 |
| 2069 | 7,231,928 | 71,975,811 |
| 2068 | 7,172,407 | 71,050,594 |
| 2067 | 7,113,525 | 70,111,034 |
| 2066 | 7,055,300 | 69,159,115 |
| 2065 | 6,997,659 | 68,199,397 |
| 2064 | 6,940,617 | 67,226,153 |
| 2063 | 6,883,966 | 66,242,857 |
| 2062 | 6,827,893 | 65,249,357 |
| 2061 | 6,772,426 | 64,246,142 |
| 2060 | 6,717,567 | 63,236,587 |
| 2059 | 6,663,194 | 62,219,239 |
| 2058 | 6,609,283 | 61,193,260 |
| 2057 | 6,555,790 | 60,161,411 |
| 2056 | 6,502,807 | 59,126,596 |
| 2055 | 6,450,126 | 58,084,470 |
| 2054 | 6,397,735 | 57,038,192 |
| 2053 | 6,345,468 | 55,989,073 |
| 2052 | 6,293,294 | 54,940,685 |
| 2051 | 6,241,127 | 53,889,624 |
| 2050 | 6,188,892 | 52,841,076 |
| 2049 | 6,136,684 | 51,793,560 |
| 2048 | 6,084,369 | 50,746,939 |
| 2047 | 6,032,063 | 49,703,518 |
| 2046 | 5,979,700 | 48,661,960 |
| 2045 | 5,927,211 | 47,622,548 |
| 2044 | 5,874,608 | 46,586,941 |
| 2043 | 5,822,127 | 45,557,790 |
| 2042 | 5,769,628 | 44,531,886 |
| 2041 | 5,717,337 | 43,511,370 |
| 2040 | 5,665,332 | 42,494,381 |
| 2039 | 5,613,613 | 41,482,338 |
| 2038 | 5,562,201 | 40,472,234 |
| 2037 | 5,511,310 | 39,463,944 |
| 2036 | 5,460,951 | 38,459,660 |
| 2035 | 5,411,185 | 37,458,584 |
| 2034 | 5,362,082 | 36,465,688 |
| 2033 | 5,313,716 | 35,476,260 |
| 2032 | 5,266,162 | 34,497,489 |
| 2031 | 5,219,420 | 33,527,117 |
| 2030 | 5,173,547 | 32,563,547 |
| 2029 | 5,125,419 | 31,610,576 |
| 2028 | 5,073,776 | 30,670,274 |
| 2027 | 5,015,009 | 29,741,014 |
| 2026 | 4,945,732 | 28,823,166 |
| 2025 | 4,865,298 | 27,917,831 |
| 2024 | 4,897,263 | 27,032,412 |
| 2023 | 4,853,420 | 26,159,867 |
| 2022 | 4,589,643 | 25,311,973 |
| 2021 | 4,360,865 | 24,502,140 |
| 2020 | 4,400,267 | 23,717,613 |
| 2019 | 4,442,316 | 22,947,757 |
| 2018 | 4,323,515 | 22,188,069 |
| 2017 | 4,154,812 | 21,435,446 |
| 2016 | 4,004,096 | 20,685,753 |
| 2015 | 3,834,574 | 19,939,498 |
| 2014 | 3,665,876 | 19,215,909 |
| 2013 | 3,507,844 | 18,519,898 |
| 2012 | 3,337,109 | 17,836,769 |
| 2011 | 3,132,814 | 17,176,283 |
| 2010 | 2,943,372 | 16,548,835 |
| 2009 | 2,795,484 | 15,943,675 |
| 2008 | 2,651,421 | 15,361,915 |
| 2007 | 2,507,887 | 14,803,610 |
| 2006 | 2,364,733 | 14,268,581 |
| 2005 | 2,236,788 | 13,756,192 |
| 2004 | 2,157,320 | 13,265,836 |
| 2003 | 2,109,881 | 12,796,984 |
| 2002 | 2,059,974 | 12,349,144 |
| 2001 | 2,008,121 | 11,920,647 |
| 2000 | 1,954,709 | 11,509,630 |
| 1999 | 1,900,030 | 11,117,411 |
| 1998 | 1,844,302 | 10,741,413 |
| 1997 | 1,787,683 | 10,383,969 |
| 1996 | 1,730,246 | 10,044,852 |
| 1995 | 1,681,513 | 9,714,529 |
| 1994 | 1,664,361 | 9,398,258 |
| 1993 | 1,672,151 | 9,100,789 |
| 1992 | 1,634,961 | 8,817,633 |
| 1991 | 1,351,399 | 8,546,900 |
| 1990 | 1,684,819 | 8,286,059 |
| 1989 | 2,217,468 | 8,034,780 |
| 1988 | 2,134,707 | 7,793,748 |
| 1987 | 2,052,994 | 7,561,150 |
| 1986 | 1,972,520 | 7,335,811 |
| 1985 | 1,894,242 | 7,118,457 |
| 1984 | 1,820,688 | 6,909,971 |
| 1983 | 1,744,295 | 6,708,644 |
| 1982 | 1,662,480 | 6,512,732 |
| 1981 | 1,583,426 | 6,322,006 |
| 1980 | 1,504,782 | 6,135,971 |
| 1979 | 1,423,514 | 5,955,556 |
| 1978 | 1,340,319 | 5,782,932 |
| 1977 | 1,258,023 | 5,619,716 |
| 1976 | 1,178,711 | 5,464,962 |
| 1975 | 1,104,863 | 5,317,019 |
| 1974 | 1,038,346 | 5,174,953 |
| 1973 | 977,654 | 5,037,865 |
| 1972 | 920,352 | 4,904,845 |
| 1971 | 865,076 | 4,776,225 |
| 1970 | 809,114 | 4,650,275 |
| 1969 | 749,452 | 4,525,725 |
| 1968 | 687,716 | 4,403,637 |
| 1967 | 628,089 | 4,283,590 |
| 1966 | 572,590 | 4,165,544 |
| 1965 | 521,174 | 4,049,695 |
| 1964 | 473,115 | 3,935,814 |
| 1963 | 427,694 | 3,823,873 |
| 1962 | 384,995 | 3,714,520 |
| 1961 | 345,945 | 3,608,162 |
| 1960 | 311,060 | 3,505,050 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/kuwait/niger | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Kuwait increased by 1,639,363 people (a 69.3% growth), while Niger gained 6,417,172 people (a 45% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Kuwait gained 977,220 people (a 24.4% growth), while Niger's population increased by 8,608,875 people (a 41.6% growth).
Kuwait was ranked 139th most populous country in 2006 and is 127th in 2026. Niger was ranked 64th in 2006 and ranked 53rd now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Kuwait's population will grow by 24.2% to 6,188,892 people with a rank change from 127th to 119th. The population of Niger will increase by 80.4% to 52,841,076 people and rank change from 53rd to 38th.
Kuwait is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 9.33M people compared to the peak of 92.1M people in 2100 for Niger.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Kuwait
|
Niger
|
|
| 2100 | 0.8% | 0.39% |
| 2099 | 0.8% | 0.41% |
| 2098 | 0.8% | 0.44% |
| 2097 | 0.81% | 0.46% |
| 2096 | 0.81% | 0.49% |
| 2095 | 0.81% | 0.51% |
| 2094 | 0.82% | 0.54% |
| 2093 | 0.82% | 0.56% |
| 2092 | 0.82% | 0.59% |
| 2091 | 0.82% | 0.61% |
| 2090 | 0.83% | 0.64% |
| 2089 | 0.83% | 0.67% |
| 2088 | 0.83% | 0.69% |
| 2087 | 0.83% | 0.72% |
| 2086 | 0.83% | 0.75% |
| 2085 | 0.83% | 0.78% |
| 2084 | 0.83% | 0.82% |
| 2083 | 0.83% | 0.85% |
| 2082 | 0.84% | 0.87% |
| 2081 | 0.84% | 0.91% |
| 2080 | 0.84% | 0.93% |
| 2079 | 0.84% | 0.97% |
| 2078 | 0.84% | 1% |
| 2077 | 0.84% | 1.03% |
| 2076 | 0.84% | 1.06% |
| 2075 | 0.84% | 1.09% |
| 2074 | 0.84% | 1.13% |
| 2073 | 0.84% | 1.16% |
| 2072 | 0.83% | 1.2% |
| 2071 | 0.83% | 1.23% |
| 2070 | 0.83% | 1.27% |
| 2069 | 0.83% | 1.3% |
| 2068 | 0.83% | 1.34% |
| 2067 | 0.83% | 1.38% |
| 2066 | 0.82% | 1.41% |
| 2065 | 0.82% | 1.45% |
| 2064 | 0.82% | 1.48% |
| 2063 | 0.82% | 1.52% |
| 2062 | 0.82% | 1.56% |
| 2061 | 0.82% | 1.6% |
| 2060 | 0.82% | 1.64% |
| 2059 | 0.82% | 1.68% |
| 2058 | 0.82% | 1.72% |
| 2057 | 0.81% | 1.75% |
| 2056 | 0.82% | 1.79% |
| 2055 | 0.82% | 1.83% |
| 2054 | 0.82% | 1.87% |
| 2053 | 0.83% | 1.91% |
| 2052 | 0.84% | 1.95% |
| 2051 | 0.84% | 1.98% |
| 2050 | 0.85% | 2.02% |
| 2049 | 0.86% | 2.06% |
| 2048 | 0.87% | 2.1% |
| 2047 | 0.88% | 2.14% |
| 2046 | 0.89% | 2.18% |
| 2045 | 0.9% | 2.22% |
| 2044 | 0.9% | 2.26% |
| 2043 | 0.91% | 2.3% |
| 2042 | 0.91% | 2.35% |
| 2041 | 0.92% | 2.39% |
| 2040 | 0.92% | 2.44% |
| 2039 | 0.92% | 2.5% |
| 2038 | 0.92% | 2.55% |
| 2037 | 0.92% | 2.61% |
| 2036 | 0.92% | 2.67% |
| 2035 | 0.92% | 2.72% |
| 2034 | 0.91% | 2.79% |
| 2033 | 0.9% | 2.84% |
| 2032 | 0.9% | 2.89% |
| 2031 | 0.89% | 2.96% |
| 2030 | 0.94% | 3.01% |
| 2029 | 1.02% | 3.07% |
| 2028 | 1.17% | 3.12% |
| 2027 | 1.4% | 3.18% |
| 2026 | 1.65% | 3.24% |
| 2025 | -0.65% | 3.28% |
| 2024 | 0.9% | 3.34% |
| 2023 | 5.75% | 3.35% |
| 2022 | 5.25% | 3.31% |
| 2021 | -0.9% | 3.31% |
| 2020 | -0.95% | 3.35% |
| 2019 | 2.75% | 3.42% |
| 2018 | 4.06% | 3.51% |
| 2017 | 3.76% | 3.62% |
| 2016 | 4.42% | 3.74% |
| 2015 | 4.6% | 3.77% |
| 2014 | 4.51% | 3.76% |
| 2013 | 5.12% | 3.83% |
| 2012 | 6.52% | 3.85% |
| 2011 | 6.44% | 3.79% |
| 2010 | 5.29% | 3.8% |
| 2009 | 5.43% | 3.79% |
| 2008 | 5.72% | 3.77% |
| 2007 | 6.05% | 3.75% |
| 2006 | 5.72% | 3.72% |
| 2005 | 3.68% | 3.7% |
| 2004 | 2.25% | 3.66% |
| 2003 | 2.42% | 3.63% |
| 2002 | 2.58% | 3.59% |
| 2001 | 2.73% | 3.57% |
| 2000 | 2.88% | 3.53% |
| 1999 | 3.02% | 3.5% |
| 1998 | 3.17% | 3.44% |
| 1997 | 3.32% | 3.38% |
| 1996 | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| 1995 | 1.03% | 3.37% |
| 1994 | -0.47% | 3.27% |
| 1993 | 2.27% | 3.21% |
| 1992 | 21% | 3.17% |
| 1991 | -19.8% | 3.15% |
| 1990 | -24% | 3.13% |
| 1989 | 3.88% | 3.09% |
| 1988 | 3.98% | 3.08% |
| 1987 | 4.08% | 3.07% |
| 1986 | 4.13% | 3.05% |
| 1985 | 4.04% | 3.02% |
| 1984 | 4.38% | 3% |
| 1983 | 4.92% | 3.01% |
| 1982 | 4.99% | 3.02% |
| 1981 | 5.23% | 3.03% |
| 1980 | 5.71% | 3.03% |
| 1979 | 6.21% | 2.99% |
| 1978 | 6.54% | 2.9% |
| 1977 | 6.73% | 2.83% |
| 1976 | 6.68% | 2.78% |
| 1975 | 6.41% | 2.75% |
| 1974 | 6.21% | 2.72% |
| 1973 | 6.23% | 2.71% |
| 1972 | 6.39% | 2.69% |
| 1971 | 6.92% | 2.71% |
| 1970 | 7.96% | 2.75% |
| 1969 | 8.98% | 2.77% |
| 1968 | 9.49% | 2.8% |
| 1967 | 9.69% | 2.83% |
| 1966 | 9.87% | 2.86% |
| 1965 | 10.2% | 2.89% |
| 1964 | 10.6% | 2.93% |
| 1963 | 11.1% | 2.94% |
| 1962 | 11.3% | 2.95% |
| 1961 | 11.2% | 2.94% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/kuwait/niger | CC BY
In 2025, the population of Kuwait declined by 0.65%, while Niger's population grew by 3.28%.
Live population counters
|
Kuwait
|
Niger
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
4981316
|
29294628
|
| Population rank | 127/197 | 53/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.06% | 0.35% |
| One net population change |
16.5 minutes
|
35.7 seconds
|
| One birth every |
10.7 minutes
|
28.2 seconds
|
| One death every |
1.18 hours
|
2.23 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | -88 | +2,426 |
| Annual growth/decline | -31,965 | +885,419 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | -0.65% | +3.28% |
| Population growth rate rank | 188/197 | 9/197 |
| One migration net change every |
12.3 minutes
|
1.14 hours
|
| Annual migration change | +42,775 | -7,704 |
| Net migration rank | 24/196 | 126/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 3,323,191 | 449,236 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 20/195 | 85/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 67.3% | 1.7% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 5/195 | 140/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kuwait
|
Niger
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 42,775 | - | -7,704 |
| 2024 | 41,627 | 61,624 | 883,987 | -4,041 |
| 2023 | 42,568 | 50,008 | 864,139 | 995 |
| 2022 | 41,752 | 368,560 | 829,651 | 995 |
| 2021 | 42,057 | 19,678 | 793,428 | -4,405 |
| 2020 | 41,083 | -168,379 | 784,437 | -4,402 |
| 2019 | 46,268 | 181 | 775,474 | -15,778 |
| 2018 | 47,222 | 145,973 | 763,536 | -3,830 |
| 2017 | 51,498 | 92,717 | 752,384 | -6,830 |
| 2016 | 51,397 | 105,818 | 738,999 | 14,833 |
| 2015 | 52,127 | 129,695 | 721,630 | 17,051 |
| 2014 | 54,673 | 100,891 | 704,609 | 3,891 |
| 2013 | 52,666 | 107,821 | 686,070 | -2,543 |
| 2012 | 53,181 | 127,777 | 664,009 | 18,714 |
| 2011 | 50,733 | 176,732 | 645,175 | -6,941 |
| 2010 | 49,838 | 101,566 | 624,685 | -8,033 |
| 2009 | 48,879 | 95,483 | 602,671 | -9,014 |
| 2008 | 47,505 | 96,268 | 579,727 | -9,847 |
| 2007 | 46,539 | 96,765 | 556,808 | -10,069 |
| 2006 | 45,911 | 97,087 | 533,374 | -10,054 |
| 2005 | 45,243 | 67,638 | 511,167 | -9,700 |
| 2004 | 44,341 | 1,713 | 488,328 | -9,070 |
| 2003 | 42,934 | 5,895 | 467,295 | -8,841 |
| 2002 | 41,651 | 9,335 | 446,767 | -9,550 |
| 2001 | 40,662 | 12,055 | 428,417 | -8,654 |
| 2000 | 39,811 | 14,296 | 410,779 | -8,522 |
| 1999 | 39,342 | 15,912 | 394,212 | -12,037 |
| 1998 | 39,324 | 16,878 | 377,120 | -7,298 |
| 1997 | 39,581 | 17,457 | 358,745 | -13,680 |
| 1996 | 39,920 | 17,914 | 341,223 | -8,057 |
| 1995 | 39,198 | 438 | 323,630 | 3,843 |
| 1994 | 36,533 | -41,862 | 306,026 | -959 |
| 1993 | 33,239 | -43,501 | 292,135 | -2,269 |
| 1992 | 32,016 | 52,620 | 278,690 | -2,258 |
| 1991 | 21,867 | 460,628 | 266,527 | -1,500 |
| 1990 | 46,720 | -1,196,050 | 256,594 | 73 |
| 1989 | 49,390 | 34,643 | 245,278 | 613 |
| 1988 | 50,037 | 31,455 | 237,296 | -1,139 |
| 1987 | 50,690 | 31,243 | 231,371 | -2,338 |
| 1986 | 51,824 | 27,187 | 224,365 | -2,728 |
| 1985 | 51,772 | 25,777 | 219,206 | -6,126 |
| 1984 | 52,539 | 17,020 | 213,111 | -9,208 |
| 1983 | 51,460 | 31,758 | 207,962 | -9,209 |
| 1982 | 49,981 | 30,437 | 202,012 | -8,935 |
| 1981 | 48,098 | 29,600 | 195,938 | -7,559 |
| 1980 | 47,096 | 32,483 | 189,251 | -5,564 |
| 1979 | 45,569 | 37,383 | 180,632 | -3,495 |
| 1978 | 44,277 | 39,159 | 171,614 | -3,494 |
| 1977 | 42,922 | 38,225 | 161,792 | -3,476 |
| 1976 | 41,439 | 36,050 | 154,489 | -3,308 |
| 1975 | 39,295 | 30,909 | 147,962 | -3,254 |
| 1974 | 37,425 | 25,398 | 142,606 | -3,179 |
| 1973 | 35,741 | 22,830 | 137,695 | -2,942 |
| 1972 | 34,045 | 21,984 | 133,813 | -2,525 |
| 1971 | 32,339 | 22,182 | 128,223 | -2,277 |
| 1970 | 30,789 | 26,614 | 128,184 | -2,225 |
| 1969 | 28,774 | 33,143 | 125,389 | -2,245 |
| 1968 | 26,161 | 35,399 | 123,301 | -2,277 |
| 1967 | 23,520 | 34,177 | 121,358 | -2,289 |
| 1966 | 20,914 | 32,383 | 119,314 | -2,289 |
| 1965 | 18,952 | 30,580 | 116,963 | -2,289 |
| 1964 | 17,064 | 29,537 | 115,386 | -2,289 |
| 1963 | 15,357 | 28,889 | 113,072 | -2,289 |
| 1962 | 13,730 | 27,417 | 110,280 | -2,369 |
| 1961 | 12,327 | 24,618 | 107,693 | -2,893 |
| 1960 | 11,054 | 21,769 | 105,081 | -3,641 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/kuwait/niger | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 36.2% of the population change in Kuwait is from natural causes (a gain of 457,599 people) and 63.8% is from migration (a gain of 805,875 people). In Niger 99.9% is from natural causes (a gain of 7,907,665 people) and 0.07% is from migration (a loss of 5,412 people).
As of 2024, 3,323,191 residents or 67.3% of the population were not native-born in Kuwait, compared to 449,236 people or 1.7% in Niger.
Biggest cities by population
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Kuwait and Niger
|
Kuwait
|
Niger
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 81 years | 61.9 years |
| Average age | 34.2 years | 21.3 years |
| Median age | 35.8 years | 16.7 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 61.1:38.9 | 50.8:49.2 |
| Fertility rate | 1.56 births per woman | 5.94 births per woman |
| Population density | 719 ppl/mi² | 58.9 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/kuwait/niger | CC BY
Help us show the world through your eyes
Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.
Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.