emirates7 - The number of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals enrolled in the pension systems of other member states reached 16,800 by the end of 2023, a significant rise from 4,100 in 2007, representing a 311.4% increase, according to data from the GCC Statistical Centre.
Similarly, the number of GCC nationals registered in social insurance systems across member states rose to 17,200 in 2023 from 3,800 in 2007, reflecting a 347.9% growth.
These figures underscore notable advancements in social insurance and pension frameworks within the GCC Common Market initiative.
In the UAE, the number of GCC nationals from other member states registered in its pension system reached 9,500 in 2019, an increase of 513.3% since 2007. Omanis accounted for the largest share at 81.9%, followed by Bahrainis (8.9%) and other GCC nationals (9.2%). Additionally, 6,900 GCC nationals were registered in the UAE’s social insurance system by 2021, marking an extraordinary growth of 2,561.5% compared to 2007. Omanis comprised 62.4%, Saudis 19%, and other GCC nationals 18.6%.
In Bahrain, 422 GCC nationals were registered in the pension system by 2023, reflecting a 234.9% increase since 2007. Saudis made up 66.1%, followed by Omanis (17.5%) and other GCC citizens (16.4%). However, social insurance registrations for other GCC nationals in Bahrain decreased by 4.3% over the same period, totaling 535 in 2023. Saudis formed 71.8%, Omanis 21.5%, and others 6.7%.
In Saudi Arabia, the number of GCC nationals in the pension system dropped to two by 2023, a decline of 88.2% since 2007. In contrast, social insurance registrations increased to 6,700, a 540.6% rise. Bahrainis led the group with 50.7%, followed by Kuwaitis (33.4%) and other GCC nationals (15.9%).
In Oman, 59 GCC nationals were registered in the pension system in 2023, a 28.3% decline since 2007. Emiratis formed the majority (39%), followed by Bahrainis (32.9%) and others (28.8%). Social insurance registrations also fell to 193, a 24.3% decrease, with Bahrainis accounting for 53.4%, Saudis 27.5%, and other GCC citizens 19.1%.
In Qatar, the number of GCC nationals in the pension system declined by 18.9% since 2007, totaling 1,100 in 2023. Omanis made up 50.5%, Bahrainis 23.6%, and other GCC nationals 25.9%. Social insurance registrations, however, increased by 206.3%, reaching 1,600, with Omanis comprising 50.9%, Saudis 33.2%, and others 15.9%.
In Kuwait, 5,800 GCC nationals were enrolled in the pension system in 2023, marking a 450.8% increase since 2007. Saudis dominated with 93.5%, followed by Omanis (3.2%) and others (3.3%). Social insurance registrations saw a modest 5.9% rise to 1,300, with Saudis forming 76.3%, Bahrainis 13.8%, and other GCC nationals 9.9%.
To promote the free movement and employment of GCC nationals across member states, the GCC Supreme Council endorsed the Advisory Authority's recommendations on November 20, 1999, in Riyadh. These included ensuring social security for GCC nationals working abroad or in self-employment through robust social insurance systems in each member state, equivalent to those provided to citizens of the host country. Alternatively, the establishment of a unified social insurance fund for GCC nationals working across member states was also proposed.
Similarly, the number of GCC nationals registered in social insurance systems across member states rose to 17,200 in 2023 from 3,800 in 2007, reflecting a 347.9% growth.
These figures underscore notable advancements in social insurance and pension frameworks within the GCC Common Market initiative.
In the UAE, the number of GCC nationals from other member states registered in its pension system reached 9,500 in 2019, an increase of 513.3% since 2007. Omanis accounted for the largest share at 81.9%, followed by Bahrainis (8.9%) and other GCC nationals (9.2%). Additionally, 6,900 GCC nationals were registered in the UAE’s social insurance system by 2021, marking an extraordinary growth of 2,561.5% compared to 2007. Omanis comprised 62.4%, Saudis 19%, and other GCC nationals 18.6%.
In Bahrain, 422 GCC nationals were registered in the pension system by 2023, reflecting a 234.9% increase since 2007. Saudis made up 66.1%, followed by Omanis (17.5%) and other GCC citizens (16.4%). However, social insurance registrations for other GCC nationals in Bahrain decreased by 4.3% over the same period, totaling 535 in 2023. Saudis formed 71.8%, Omanis 21.5%, and others 6.7%.
In Saudi Arabia, the number of GCC nationals in the pension system dropped to two by 2023, a decline of 88.2% since 2007. In contrast, social insurance registrations increased to 6,700, a 540.6% rise. Bahrainis led the group with 50.7%, followed by Kuwaitis (33.4%) and other GCC nationals (15.9%).
In Oman, 59 GCC nationals were registered in the pension system in 2023, a 28.3% decline since 2007. Emiratis formed the majority (39%), followed by Bahrainis (32.9%) and others (28.8%). Social insurance registrations also fell to 193, a 24.3% decrease, with Bahrainis accounting for 53.4%, Saudis 27.5%, and other GCC citizens 19.1%.
In Qatar, the number of GCC nationals in the pension system declined by 18.9% since 2007, totaling 1,100 in 2023. Omanis made up 50.5%, Bahrainis 23.6%, and other GCC nationals 25.9%. Social insurance registrations, however, increased by 206.3%, reaching 1,600, with Omanis comprising 50.9%, Saudis 33.2%, and others 15.9%.
In Kuwait, 5,800 GCC nationals were enrolled in the pension system in 2023, marking a 450.8% increase since 2007. Saudis dominated with 93.5%, followed by Omanis (3.2%) and others (3.3%). Social insurance registrations saw a modest 5.9% rise to 1,300, with Saudis forming 76.3%, Bahrainis 13.8%, and other GCC nationals 9.9%.
To promote the free movement and employment of GCC nationals across member states, the GCC Supreme Council endorsed the Advisory Authority's recommendations on November 20, 1999, in Riyadh. These included ensuring social security for GCC nationals working abroad or in self-employment through robust social insurance systems in each member state, equivalent to those provided to citizens of the host country. Alternatively, the establishment of a unified social insurance fund for GCC nationals working across member states was also proposed.