MUSCAT, Oman, Jan 12: The GCC Statistical Center reported significant progress in the Gulf Common Market within the member states, highlighting advancements in both the government and private sectors. According to the report, the number of GCC citizens employed in government positions reached approximately 11,200 in 2023, compared to 12,200 in 2007. In the private sector, GCC citizens working in 2023 totaled 21,200, an increase from 17,900 thousand in 2007.

The report further revealed that in Kuwait, the number of GCC workers in the government sector in 2023 was around 5,800, reflecting a 38.1% decrease compared to 2007. At that time, Saudis made up 93.5% of the workforce, followed by Omanis at 3.2% and other GCC nationals at 3.3%. Meanwhile, the number of Gulf workers in Kuwait's private sector was about 1,500 in 2023, marking a 90.3% decrease from 2007, with Saudis accounting for 75.3%, Bahrainis at 16.8%, Omanis at 7.3%, and Emiratis at 0.6%.

In the UAE, statistics from 2018 showed that 4,000 GCC citizens worked in the government sector, a 164.1% increase since 2007. Omanis made up the majority at 84.4%, followed by Bahrainis at 7.2%, and other GCC citizens at 6.4%. The number of GCC citizens in the private sector in the UAE reached about 9,000 in 2021, reflecting a remarkable 3337.2% increase from 2007, with Omanis constituting 57.8%, followed by Saudis at 30% and the rest of the GCC citizens at 12.2%.

The report also indicated that in Bahrain, 535 GCC citizens worked in the private sector in 2023, marking a 14.5% decrease from 2007. At that time, Saudis made up 71.8%, Omanis accounted for 21.5%, and the remaining GCC citizens were at 6.7%.

In Saudi Arabia, the number of GCC citizens in the government sector in 2023 was 13, showing an 8.3% increase compared to 2007, when Kuwaitis made up 46.2%, followed by Bahrainis at 38.5%. In the private sector, 8,800 GCC citizens worked in Saudi Arabia in 2023, reflecting a 658.7% increase since 2007, when Bahrainis made up 48.8%, followed by Omanis at 25.4%.

In Oman, the number of GCC citizens in the government sector was 59 in 2023, representing a 47.5% increase from 2007, when Emiratis comprised 39%, followed by Bahrainis at 32.2%. In the private sector, 39 GCC citizens worked in Oman, a 24.3% decrease from 2007, when Bahrainis accounted for 53.4%, followed by Saudis at 27.5%.

The report also showed that in Qatar, around 1,100 GCC citizens were employed in the government sector in 2023, a decrease of 18.8% from 2007, when Omanis made up 45.6%, followed by Saudis at 35.6%. In the private sector, the number of GCC citizens reached 1,200 in 2023, reflecting a 131.2% increase from 2007, when Saudis constituted 35.2%, followed by Bahrainis at 28.6%.

The report emphasized that the employment of Gulf citizens and facilitating the movement of workers between GCC countries have received significant attention since 2000, as reflected in decisions made by the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council. Several ministerial committees have been established to ensure the smooth movement of Gulf citizens across the region.

The GCC Statistical Center, headquartered in Oman, is the official body responsible for collecting, compiling, and disseminating data, information, and statistics related to the GCC member states. It was created to serve as the official source of statistics while supporting the statistical and information work of national agencies in the region.