Gulf Workshop Calls for Unified Childhood Statistics to Support Policymaking

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Representatives from GCC countries and international organizations launched a workshop in Muscat to improve the quality and coordination of childhood statistics across the Gulf region. This initiative aims to create unified data systems that better inform policies addressing the needs of a growing child population projected to reach 16 million within two decades.

The first Regional Workshop on Improving Childhood Statistics in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries commenced on Tuesday in Muscat, bringing together representatives from national statistical offices, childhood-focused organizations, and experts from regional and international institutions. The three-day event is organized by the Statistical Centre for the GCC (GCC-STAT) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Opening the workshop, Intisar bint Abdullah al Wahaibi, Director-General of GCC-STAT, emphasized the importance of accurate and comprehensive data in shaping effective policies that support children's well-being and development. She noted that the GCC population is currently near 63 million, with nearly one-fifth—approximately 13 million—being children under the age of 15. Projections by the United Nations suggest this number could increase to around 16 million over the next two decades, underscoring the need for early preparation through enhanced statistical systems.

The workshop focuses on unifying data collection efforts across GCC states and establishing an integrated system of childhood statistics that improves the quality, comprehensiveness, and comparability of data and indicators. Al Wahaibi highlighted that improving childhood statistics goes beyond simply increasing data availability; it requires addressing existing discrepancies in statistical definitions, the level of detail, frequency of updates, and timing of data dissemination. Furthermore, she stressed the need for greater integration among data sources and the transformation of raw data into actionable indicators and knowledge to inform policymaking and program evaluation.

The event was held under the patronage of HH Sayyidah Dr. Mona bint Fahd al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and Chairperson of the Board of the Children First Association. UNICEF’s representative in Oman, Sumaira Chowdhury, also attended the workshop, reinforcing the agency’s ongoing support for initiatives aimed at strengthening data systems to benefit children throughout the Gulf region.

Participants from GCC member states engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing the regional coordination of childhood data and exploring mechanisms for harmonizing methodologies to improve monitoring of children’s conditions and the impact of related services and policies. The workshop aligns with broader efforts to ensure that the growing youth population in the Gulf receives adequate support based on sound evidence and that governments can effectively plan and evaluate childhood-related programs.

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