MUSCAT : The Statistical Centre of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has released its 2024 annual report on the Gulf Common Market, revealing sweeping gains in economic integration, labour mobility, and cross-border services among member states.
The report highlights a notable strengthening of economic harmonisation across sectors, with member states accelerating efforts to standardise legislation, unify regulations, and streamline the movement of goods, capital, and national manpower. This alignment, the Centre noted, is solidifying the foundations of a truly integrated Gulf market.
One of the most striking indicators of progress is the surge in movement among GCC citizens. Cross-border mobility rose from 14.4 million recorded movements in 2007 to 41.4 million in 2024, an increase of more than 188 percent.
Labour market integration has also expanded significantly. The report reveals that more than 11,500 GCC nationals are now employed in government sectors of member states other than their own, while an additional 14,000 citizens work across private sectors within the bloc. This flexible labour landscape is further supported by coordinated pension systems that protect workers’ rights, allowing them to move between countries without losing insurance or pension benefits.
Professional mobility has likewise advanced, with Gulf citizens now permitted to practise over 125 professions across the region. These include engineering, accounting, legal, and consulting fields, marking a substantial broadening of cross-border expertise and participation. The report notes that this diversification is helping create a more dynamic, integrated professional environment while promoting the seamless movement of talent.
Beyond employment, Gulf citizens today enjoy equal access to health, education, and social services in any member state. Whether seeking medical treatment in public institutions, enrolling in educational programmes, or benefiting from social welfare systems, citizens are received under the same conditions as nationals of that state. This parity, the Centre emphasises, reflects the depth of cooperation and shared vision underpinning the Gulf Common Market.
The GCC's 2024 report highlights significant strides in economic integration, with citizen mobility soaring 188% since 2007. Efforts to standardize legislation and unify regulations have bolstered cross-border services and labour market integration, allowing over 25,000 GCC nationals to work across member states. This progress underscores a deepening economic unity and shared vision within the Gulf Common Market.