Children in Oman

Over the past 50 years the Sultanate of Oman has made impressive gains for children and women.

A high-income country, Oman has  translated its wealth into achieving universal access to health and education, with gender parity in education. Oman’s rank of 60 on the Human Development Index, is a testament to its very high human development.

Socially progressive, Oman was the first Gulf Cooperation Council state to give women the right to vote. 

In 2020, Oman had an infant mortality rate of 7.6 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality rate of 9.3, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). 

Oman achieved these low rates in a relatively short time, ranking near the top globally in terms of the speed of reduction in under-five mortality since 1990.

Oman has also attained near-universal primary and secondary education, and gender parity in education.

In 2020, the net enrolment rate at primary level was 87.7 per cent at primary level and 96.5 at secondary level, according to UNESCO. 

However, despite excellent service coverage in health and education services, various indicators highlight the need to address some challenges for children and mothers.

The percentage of low birthweights have risen to 11.7 percent in 2019  from 8.25 per cent in 2005. There is also high anaemia among pregnant women (29.3 per cent) and pregnant adolescents (80.9 per cent).

The prevalence of stunting (11 per cent) and wasting (8.7 per cent) among children under the age of 5 years has increased from 2009 levels (10 per cent and 6.7 per cent respectively). One in four children is anaemic and the exclusive breastfeeding rate for children under six months is low at 23.2 per cent.

At 68 per cent, Oman’s Early Childhood Development Index is considered low, with low enrolment in ECD programmes.

In line with Oman’s Vision 2040, the Government also seeks to improve learning outcomes among schoolchildren which are below expectations and to improve the employability of young people.

Oman’s 2014 Child Law makes it mandatory to report on violence against children but gaps in the child protection system remain. 

For children with disabilities, Oman has a range of specialized and mainstream services. However, most are limited to major cities. The Government is persisting in its  efforts  to implement inclusive education in mainstream schools.