Muscat: The total number of Omani children in the 0-17 age group reached approximately 1,282,893 in 2024, marking an increase of 1.2 thousand individuals compared to the previous year. The gender ratio among these Omani children stands at 104 males for every 100 females.
According to Oman News Agency, statistical data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) showed that Omani children constituted about 85 percent of the total number of children in the Sultanate of Oman during the same year. This reflects continuous growth in the young population segment, which forms the base of the population pyramid.
The indicators revealed that the total number of Omani children is expected to reach 1.3 million by 2040, emphasizing the need to continue developing educational, health, and social services directed at this group, in line with the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040.
The Center indicated that the largest proportion of Omani children falls within the 5-9 age group, accounting for 32 percent of the total Omani children. This is followed by the 10-14 age group at 28 percent, and then the 0-4 age group at 27 percent. The 15-17 age group accounted for 13 percent of the total Omani children.
Health indicators noted that the total number of Omani live births in 2024 was 63,187 children, a decrease of about 2 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, child vaccination rates for children under one year of age recorded high percentages, with Tuberculosis (TB) coverage at 100 percent, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) at 99.8 percent, and Hepatitis and Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib) at 99.6 percent.
The Center also reported that the total number of Omani children enrolled in nurseries in 2024 reached about 6,683 children, a decrease of approximately 13 percent compared to the previous year.
In economic indicators, the total number of Omani children aged 15-17 who were business owners in 2024 was about 1,864, a decrease of about 7 percent compared to the previous year, with 29 percent concentrated in the construction activity. Additionally, 15,145 Omani children aged 0-17 owned one or more plots of land in 2024, an increase of about 1 percent compared to the previous year.
Regarding Social Protection benefits for 2024, the number of children benefiting from the Childhood Benefit reached 1,236,501. The number of orphaned children (0-17 age group) benefiting from the Orphan Benefit reached 9,441, while the total number of children (0-17 age group) benefiting from the Disability Benefit reached 14,295.