Geneva, Switzerland – Oman presented its landmark social protection reform experience to the international community during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, highlighting a pioneering model that combines inclusivity, sustainability and institutional integration.

Represented by the Social Protection Fund, the sultanate launched a comprehensive report in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), detailing the transformation of the national social protection system into a modern, life cycle-based framework aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040.

Titled ‘Strengthening the Transformative Role of Social Protection Across the Life Cycle Through an Integrated and Multi-Tiered System’, the report was unveiled during a special event attended by policymakers, social protection experts, international organisations and development partners from around the world last week.

It documents Oman’s journey in redesigning its social protection architecture and highlights reforms that have strengthened social security, expanded coverage and enhanced governance. The report reveals that more than 1.5mn beneficiaries are currently covered by various social protection programmes across the sultanate.

Beneficiaries include around 1.25mn children, 179,000 elderly citizens, 52,000 persons with disabilities, 10,000 orphans, 5,000 widows and nearly 48,000 low-income families.

According to the findings, more than 51% of Omani citizens benefit directly from social protection programmes, while approximately 26% of government expenditure is allocated to social protection, healthcare and education. The report notes that the sultanate has successfully transformed traditional values of social solidarity into a modern institutional framework supported by legislation and sustainable financing.

The reforms have also contributed to improvements in international development indicators. Oman advanced from 83rd to 68th place globally in the Social Progress Index and maintained its status among countries with very high human development, with its Human Development Index increasing from 0.813 to 0.819.

Officials said the report demonstrates how social protection can serve as a strategic investment in social stability, economic resilience and sustainable development, reinforcing Oman’s growing role in global policy discussions.