MUSCAT : The report also forecasts a doubling of the elderly population to over 5.5 million, underscoring the need for long-term planning in urban development, health care, labour markets, and social protection to ensure sustainable growth in the region.

According to the report on population indicators for GCC countries, the total population reached around 61.5 million by the end of 2024, an increase of 8.5 million compared to 2019. This represents an average annual growth rate of 2.8 percent, roughly three times the global rate, highlighting the accelerating demographic trends in the Gulf.

The report notes that the working-age population (15–64 years) accounts for the largest share at 76.7 percent, followed by children (0–14 years) at 20.6 percent and the elderly (65+) at 2.6 percent, reflecting a youthful population with a strong labor force. The total dependency ratio stands at approximately 30 dependents per 100 working-age individuals.

The report also highlights a significant gender imbalance, with 62.7 percent males and 37.3 percent females across the GCC, resulting in a ratio of 168 males per 100 females, largely due to the demographic composition of the expatriate workforce.

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