Latest news with #ComprehensiveDevelopmentStrategy
Arab Times
17-03-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
GCC Expats Sent Less Money Home - What's Behind the Decline?
MUSCAT, March 17: According to a recent report from the Gulf Statistical Center (GCC-Stat), total remittances from workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached USD 131.5 billion by the end of 2023. This marked a slight decline of 0.4 percent compared to 2022, following substantial increases in 2021 (9.2 percent) and 2022 (3.8 percent). Despite this minor dip of approximately $500 million, the GCC remains the largest global source of worker remittances, ahead of the United States. The report also highlighted that the share of remittances in the GCC's gross domestic product (GDP) has been declining in recent years, dropping from 8.1 percent in 2020 to 6 percent in 2022. However, in 2023, this percentage slightly increased to 6.2 percent. Remittances continue to play a critical role as a major source of income for many developing countries, particularly in South Asia and the Philippines, where millions of expatriates contribute across various sectors such as construction, retail, and domestic services. In addition to remittance data, the report revealed key insights into the labor force across GCC countries. The total labor force in the region reached 31.8 million, comprising 54.2 percent of the total population. Male workers made up 78.7 percent of the labor force, while female workers represented 17.6 percent. The number of working citizens in the GCC stood at 5.6 million, accounting for 23.4 percent of the total labor force, with 60 percent male and 40 percent female. The report also highlighted a notable increase in the number of working women in the region, with a 600,000 rise since 2011. The government sector remains the largest employer of Gulf workers, with 83.5 percent of employed citizens working in the public sector, compared to just 14.2 percent in the private sector. Most citizens employed in the GCC work in the services sector, especially in public administration roles. The data further emphasized the ongoing efforts by GCC countries to localize the workforce and address labor market imbalances. Policies such as the GCC Common Market and the Comprehensive Development Strategy aim to increase the contribution of the national workforce to the industrial sector and improve the overall distribution of labor. Additionally, the report noted that GCC countries are placing a strong emphasis on gender equality and youth employment. Initiatives are being taken to enhance the role of women in development, balance population and workforce structures, and improve national workforce training programs. The region continues to prioritize young workers, promote economic diversification, and invest in the creation of green and environmentally friendly jobs. These comprehensive workforce policies are designed to ensure long-term sustainability and address the evolving needs of the region's labor market while supporting economic and social development.
Gulf Business
17-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
GCC worker remittances dip to $131.5bn in 2023, shows latest GCC-Stat data
Image: Getty Images Worker remittances from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries totalled $131.5bn in 2023, marking a slight decline of 0.4 per cent from the previous year, according to recent data released by the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-Stat). Despite the marginal dip of approximately $500m compared to 2022, the GCC remains the largest source of worker remittances globally, followed by the US. The slowdown follows consecutive years of growth, with remittance inflows rising by 9.2 per centin 2021 and 3.8 per cent in 2022. Remittances' share in GCC GDP dropping in recent years, shows data The data also showed that remittances as a share of the GCC's gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices have declined in recent years, falling from 8.1 per ent in 2020 to 6 per cent in 2022. However, the trend reversed slightly in 2023, with remittances accounting for 6.2 per cent of GDP. Remittances from the GCC are a vital source of income for many developing economies, particularly in South Asia and the Philippines, where millions of expatriates are employed across key sectors such as construction, retail, and domestic services. GCC labour force and workforce policies In other news, data issued by Male workers accounted for 78.7 per cent, while females made up 17.6 per cent. The number of working citizens in the GCC stood at 5.6 million, constituting 23.4 per cent of the total labour force, with 60 per cent males and 40 per cent females. GCC-Stat's data also showed a 600,000 increase in the number of working women in the region since 2011. The data indicated that the government sector is still the largest employer of Gulf workers, with a wide scope for localisation in the private sector. The percentage of employed citizens working in the public sector reached 83.5 percent compared to 14.2 percent in the private sector. Statistics also revealed that GCC countries' citizens work mainly in the services sector, particularly in public administration activities. GCC countries have introduced policies to localise the workforce, such as the GCC Common Market and the Comprehensive Development Strategy, which aim to address imbalances in population structure, workforce distribution, and industrial development. These policies aim to increase the national workforce's contribution to the industrial sector. Additionally, the population strategy seeks to enhance the role of women in development, balance population and workforce structures, and improve national workforce training programmes. All GCC countries give priority to young workers, promote economic diversification efforts and move towards creating green and environmentally friendly jobs. Read:
Arabian Business
03-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
GCC labour force hits 31.8mn, women's participation rises sharply since 2011: GCC-Stat
Data issued by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) revealed that the total labour force in GCC countries reached 31.8 million, representing 54.2 per cent of the total population. Male workers accounted for 78.7 per cent, while females made up 17.6 per cent. GCC labour force insights The number of working citizens in the GCC stood at 5.6 million, constituting 23.4 per cent of the total labour force, with 60 per cent males and 40 per cent females. GCC-Stat's data also showed a 600,000 increase in the number of working women in the region since 2011. The data indicated that the government sector is still the largest employer of Gulf workers, with the percentage of employed citizens working in the public sector reaching 83.5 per cent compared to 14.2 per cent in the private sector. Statistics also revealed that GCC countries' citizens work mainly in the services sector, particularly in public administration activities. GCC countries have introduced policies to localise the workforce, such as the GCC Common Market and the Comprehensive Development Strategy, which aim to address imbalances in population structure, workforce distribution, and industrial development. These policies aim to increase the national workforce's contribution to the industrial sector. Additionally, the population strategy seeks to enhance the role of women in development, balance population and workforce structures, and improve national workforce training programmes.
Observer
02-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
GCC workforce reaches 31.8 million
MUSCAT: The total labour force in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has reached 31.8 million workers, accounting for 54.2% of the region's total population, according to data from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat). Men dominate the workforce, making up 78.7%, while women account for 17.6%. The number of employed GCC nationals stands at 5.6 million, representing 23.4% of the total workforce, with men comprising 60% and women 40%. Since 2011, the number of working women in the GCC has increased by 600,000. The public sector remains the largest employer of GCC nationals, with 83.5% of them working in government jobs, compared to just 14.2% in the private sector. Most citizens are employed in the services sector, particularly in public administration. To address workforce imbalances, GCC nations have introduced policies such as the GCC Common Market and the Comprehensive Development Strategy, aiming to increase the participation of national workers in industry and other key sectors. The region's population strategy also focuses on enhancing women's role in development and boosting youth employment. Additionally, economic diversification efforts are driving the creation of green and sustainable jobs to align with global labour market trends.
Zawya
02-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Labour force in GCC countries reaches 31.8mln: GCC-Stat
MUSCAT: Data issued by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) revealed that the total labour force in GCC countries reached 31.8 million, representing 54.2 percent of the total population. Male workers accounted for 78.7 percent, while females made up 17.6 percent. The number of working citizens in the GCC stood at 5.6 million, constituting 23.4 percent of the total labour force, with 60 percent males and 40 percent females. GCC-Stat's data also showed a 600,000 increase in the number of working women in the region since 2011. The data indicated that the government sector is still the largest employer of Gulf workers, with a wide scope for localisation in the private sector. The percentage of employed citizens working in the public sector reached 83.5 percent compared to 14.2 percent in the private sector. Statistics also revealed that GCC countries' citizens work mainly in the services sector, particularly in public administration activities. GCC countries have introduced policies to localise the workforce, such as the GCC Common Market and the Comprehensive Development Strategy, which aim to address imbalances in population structure, workforce distribution, and industrial development. These policies aim to increase the national workforce's contribution to the industrial sector. Additionally, the population strategy seeks to enhance the role of women in development, balance population and workforce structures, and improve national workforce training programmes. All GCC countries give priority to young workers, promote economic diversification efforts and move towards creating green and environmentally friendly jobs.
