3.3 Million GCC Nationals Living in Poverty

Poverty in most GCC countries has declined since 2010; 528,000 GCC citizens have been lifted from poverty. In Saudi Arabia alone, poverty fell from 18.23 per cent in 2010 to 13.56 per cent in 2021, accounting for the bulk of poverty reduction in the GCC region. To reduce poverty, policy reforms are needed to foster an equitable tax system, improve the targeting of social protection transfer schemes, and reform land allocation and public procurement policies. Investing in citizens’ skills should also be a priority. These reforms will allow a broader share of the population to benefit from socioeconomic opportunities.

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