Manama: The number of GCC nationals registered in the pension systems of other member states has risen to 16,800 by the end of 2023, compared to 4,100 in 2007, marking an increase of 311.4% over this period.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the number of GCC nationals participating in social insurance systems in other member states also reached 17,200 in 2023, compared to 3,800 in 2007, a 347.9% increase. This growth highlights significant progress in social insurance and pension systems as part of the GCC Common Market initiative.
In 2019, the data from the GCC Statistical Centre indicated that the UAE's pension system registered 9,500 GCC nationals from other member states, a rise of 513.3% since 2007. Omanis comprised 81.9% of this group, followed by Bahrainis at 8.9% and other nationalities at 9.2%. Additionally, in 2021, the UAE's social insurance system saw 6,900 registered GCC nationals, an increase of 2,561.5% from 2007, with Omanis at 62.4%, Saudis at 19%, and other GCC nationals at 18.6%.
In Bahrain, the number of registered GCC nationals in the pension system climbed to 422 in 2023, a 234.9% rise from 2007, with Saudis making up 66.1%, Omanis at 17.5%, and other GCC nationals at 16.4%. However, Bahrain's social insurance registrations fell to 535, a decline of 4.3% since 2007, with Saudis at 71.8%, Omanis at 21.5%, and others at 6.7%.
Saudi Arabia saw a significant reduction in its pension system registrations to two GCC nationals in 2023, an 88.2% drop from 2007. Conversely, the social insurance system registered 6,700 GCC nationals, a 540.6% increase, with Bahrainis at 50.7%, Kuwaitis at 33.4%, and other GCC nationals at 15.9%.
In Oman, the pension system registered 59 GCC nationals in 2023, a 28.3% decrease from 2007. Emiratis accounted for 39%, followed by Bahrainis at 32.9%, and others at 28.8%. The social insurance system saw a 24.3% decline with 193 registered, comprising 53.4% Bahrainis, 27.5% Saudis, and 19.1% other nationals.
Qatar registered 1,100 GCC nationals in its pension system in 2023, down 18.9% from 2007, with 50.5% Omanis, 23.6% Bahrainis, and 25.9% others. The social insurance registrations increased by 206.3%, totaling 1,600, with 50.9% Omanis, 33.2% Saudis, and 15.9% others.
Kuwait saw a 450.8% increase in pension registrations to 5,800 GCC nationals in 2023, dominated by Saudis at 93.5%, followed by Omanis at 3.2% and others at 3.3%. The social insurance system registered a 5.9% rise, with 1,300 GCC nationals, 76.3% Saudis, 13.8% Bahrainis, and 9.9% others.
In 1999, the Supreme Council approved recommendations to enhance social security for GCC nationals working across member states through comprehensive social insurance systems. These systems provide coverage equivalent to that of host country nationals or utilize shared social insurance funds.