emirates7 - Data from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) highlights significant progress in the Gulf Common Market, showcasing notable advancements in workforce distribution across the public and private sectors in GCC member states.
In 2023, 11,200 GCC citizens were employed in the public sector across member states, a slight decrease from 12,200 in 2007. However, private sector employment of GCC citizens grew to 21,200, up from 17,900 in 2007.
The UAE saw significant growth in its workforce from other GCC countries. In 2018, 4,000 GCC citizens worked in the UAE's public sector, marking a 164.1% increase compared to 2007. Omanis made up 86.4% of this workforce, followed by Bahrainis (7.2%) and other GCC citizens (6.4%). By 2021, 9,000 GCC citizens were employed in the UAE's private sector, with Omanis accounting for 57.8%, Saudis for 30%, and other GCC citizens for 12.2%.
In Bahrain's private sector, 535 GCC citizens were employed in 2023, a 10.5% decline compared to 2007. Saudis represented the majority at 71.8%, followed by Omanis at 21.5%, and other GCC citizens at 6.7%.
In Saudi Arabia, 13 GCC citizens worked in the public sector in 2023, an 8.3% increase from 2007. Kuwaitis made up 46.2%, Bahrainis 38.5%, and other GCC citizens 15.3%. The private sector employed 8,800 GCC citizens in 2023, a remarkable 658.7% increase since 2007. Bahrainis were the largest group at 48.8%, followed by Omanis (25.4%) and other GCC citizens (25.8%).
Oman's public sector employed 59 GCC citizens in 2023, reflecting a 47.5% increase compared to 2007. Emiratis comprised 39%, Bahrainis 32.2%, and other GCC citizens 28.8%. However, the private sector saw a 24.3% decline, with only 39 GCC citizens employed. Bahrainis made up 53.4%, Saudis 27.5%, and other GCC citizens 19.1%.
In Qatar, the public sector employed 1,100 GCC citizens in 2023, an 18.8% decrease from 2007. Omanis formed 45.6% of this workforce, followed by Saudis (35.6%) and other GCC citizens (18.8%). The private sector employed 1,200 GCC citizens, a 131.2% increase since 2007, with Saudis comprising 35.2%, Bahrainis 28.6%, and other GCC citizens 36.2%.
In Kuwait, 5,800 GCC citizens worked in the public sector in 2023, a 38.1% decline from 2007. Saudis dominated at 93.5%, followed by Omanis (3.2%) and other GCC citizens (3.3%). The private sector employed 1,500 GCC citizens, a significant 90.3% decrease since 2007. Saudis represented 75.3%, Bahrainis 16.8%, Omanis 7.3%, and Emiratis 0.6%.
The GCC continues to prioritize enhancing labor mobility and promoting Gulf citizenship, guided by Supreme Council resolutions since 2000. Numerous ministerial committees have been established to strengthen workforce integration across the region.
In 2023, 11,200 GCC citizens were employed in the public sector across member states, a slight decrease from 12,200 in 2007. However, private sector employment of GCC citizens grew to 21,200, up from 17,900 in 2007.
The UAE saw significant growth in its workforce from other GCC countries. In 2018, 4,000 GCC citizens worked in the UAE's public sector, marking a 164.1% increase compared to 2007. Omanis made up 86.4% of this workforce, followed by Bahrainis (7.2%) and other GCC citizens (6.4%). By 2021, 9,000 GCC citizens were employed in the UAE's private sector, with Omanis accounting for 57.8%, Saudis for 30%, and other GCC citizens for 12.2%.
In Bahrain's private sector, 535 GCC citizens were employed in 2023, a 10.5% decline compared to 2007. Saudis represented the majority at 71.8%, followed by Omanis at 21.5%, and other GCC citizens at 6.7%.
In Saudi Arabia, 13 GCC citizens worked in the public sector in 2023, an 8.3% increase from 2007. Kuwaitis made up 46.2%, Bahrainis 38.5%, and other GCC citizens 15.3%. The private sector employed 8,800 GCC citizens in 2023, a remarkable 658.7% increase since 2007. Bahrainis were the largest group at 48.8%, followed by Omanis (25.4%) and other GCC citizens (25.8%).
Oman's public sector employed 59 GCC citizens in 2023, reflecting a 47.5% increase compared to 2007. Emiratis comprised 39%, Bahrainis 32.2%, and other GCC citizens 28.8%. However, the private sector saw a 24.3% decline, with only 39 GCC citizens employed. Bahrainis made up 53.4%, Saudis 27.5%, and other GCC citizens 19.1%.
In Qatar, the public sector employed 1,100 GCC citizens in 2023, an 18.8% decrease from 2007. Omanis formed 45.6% of this workforce, followed by Saudis (35.6%) and other GCC citizens (18.8%). The private sector employed 1,200 GCC citizens, a 131.2% increase since 2007, with Saudis comprising 35.2%, Bahrainis 28.6%, and other GCC citizens 36.2%.
In Kuwait, 5,800 GCC citizens worked in the public sector in 2023, a 38.1% decline from 2007. Saudis dominated at 93.5%, followed by Omanis (3.2%) and other GCC citizens (3.3%). The private sector employed 1,500 GCC citizens, a significant 90.3% decrease since 2007. Saudis represented 75.3%, Bahrainis 16.8%, Omanis 7.3%, and Emiratis 0.6%.
The GCC continues to prioritize enhancing labor mobility and promoting Gulf citizenship, guided by Supreme Council resolutions since 2000. Numerous ministerial committees have been established to strengthen workforce integration across the region.