In a normal sense, social protection is a set of nationally defined policies and programmes aimed at helping the people of a country to maintain an adequate standard of living and good health throughout their lives.
As a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, social protection provides critical income support to people through a range of mechanisms aimed at building human capital, empowering women and girls, improving livelihoods, and responding to economic and other shocks.
As the World Bank points out, “Well-designed social protection programmes have a high return on investment.” For every dollar transferred to poor families, the bank states, “there is an estimated multiplier effect of $2.49 in the local economy.”
While many countries in the world do not have adequate social protection measures, the Sultanate of Oman has reshaped its social protection system into a law to ensure the socio-economic rights of Omani nationals and residents.
In July 2023, the Omani government adopted a new Social protection Law that aligns with national priorities and international best practices, designed as a sustainable, efficient, and just framework to safeguard the rights of both current and future generations.
The new social protection system aligns with the Oman Vision 2040, the Five-Year Development Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on achieving welfare and social protection.
It encompasses all members of society at all life stages to achieve comprehensive insurance coverage and manage the new scheme “effectively, fairly, and sustainably.” Previously, the social protection system did not include all societal groups.
“We have established a comprehensive social protection scheme, initiated by our government, and we have mandated that its mechanisms and programmes be reviewed periodically so that all may enjoy a decent life and desired justice,” His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik stated on January 11, the day marking the fifth anniversary of his accession to the throne.
On the occasion, His Majesty announced a Royal grant worth over RO 178 million to support the social and economic needs of some segments of the society.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the experience of Oman demonstrates that the necessary path to universal social protection in the Arab region is one that ensures basic income security for all, enhances protection against new emerging risks, and facilitates labour market transitions.
“The new social protection system resulting from the reforms in Oman is primarily structured around core lifecycle benefits as part of an integrated and multi-tiered social protection architecture,” comments the world body.
The main features of the new system include a monthly child benefit for every family, entitlements for individuals aged 60 and older, a disability allowance, and support for widows and orphans, which contrasts with traditional means-tested programmes that often leave many without assistance.
These are in addition to paid sick and paternity leave, occupational injury and unemployment insurance. The new law also significantly expands protection to migrant workers in Oman, who represent over three quarters of the country’s working population.
“Introduction of new benefits could potentially bolster economic growth and reduce inequality and poverty, while also improving the quality of life by enhancing the overall health and well-being of individuals and families alike,” ILO comments in its report.
Through the Royal Decree, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik also established a single and unified social protection fund. Since its establishment, the fund has collaborated with partners to build a comprehensive system aimed at sustainable development and societal well-being.
In 2024, the fund, according to the Oman News Agency, achieved remarkable milestones, supporting over 1.5 million beneficiaries across various social benefits.
Recent years have witnessed a substantial increase in its general budget allocations for social and basic sectors. In 2025, the allocation reached an impressive RO 5 billion, representing a significant 42 per cent of Oman’s total public spending for this year.
Of this, 39 per cent will be directed to the education sector to bolster schools, training programmes, and infrastructure, followed by 28 per cent for the social security sector to expand coverage and enhance support for vulnerable groups.
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