Keen to contribute to the development of the country, more than 60 per cent of Omani youth are enrolled in higher education, statistics released by the government show.
Moreover, 17 per cent of all entrepreneurs in Oman are between the ages of 18 and 29, while about 30 per cent of the country’s youth have volunteered to help society.
The data was released in the Youth Development Guide of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), which was published on Omani Youth Day. It provides indicators that show the level of development at national level, across the various governorates, and on the basis of gender.
Speaking to Times of Oman Younis Al Mandhari, the Chairman of the Youth Committee for the Shura Council, said, “Omani youth are the future of the country. They form the pillars of our nation. They will definitely take the nation forward in the years to come.
I am confident that they will take on the responsibilities of development and growth, which are required for the country to thrive.”
“I would also like to thank His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik for his interest in the progress of our youth, which was made clear by the appointment of his son among our young people, and to understand their thoughts and ambitions for personal growth and achievement.”
Indicators cover various fields used to mark development, including health, employment, education, community participation, and political participation. On a scale of zero to one, the overall level of indicators was 0.567.
Health was the field with the highest rating (0.726), followed by labour and employment (0.582), and education, with a rating of 0.582. Community participation was scored at 0.386, followed by political participation, at 0.224.
According to the NCSI, an analysis by gender of the Youth Development Index shows that the health index among women is significantly higher, compared to men.
The level of young women on this index is very high, compared to young men, who have been given a medium rating. The reverse is true in the labour market: Men have been given a very high rating here, while women have been ranked low on this index.
“In the field of education, both male and female are at a medium level, as well as in the field of political participation. There was no gap between male and female youth, both of which are at a low level,” NCSI said.
According to NCSI, the Governorate of Muscat ranked first in the Youth Development Index, as it is at the forefront in terms of education and the labour market, despite being ranked last in political participation, and ninth in the field of health.
Al Dakhiliyah Governorate comes in second place, due to its progress in community participation, and it being ranked second in the field of the labour market. However, across other fields, it is placed sixth in health, seventh in community participation, and eighth in political participation.
North Al Batinah Governorate ranked third with its progress in the Youth Development Index in the field of health, while South Al Batinah came in fourth, and South Sharqiyah Governorate placed fifth among the governorates.
The sixth place went to the North Sharqiyah Governorate, the seventh went to Ad Dhahirah, and the eighth spot was occupied by Dhofar.
The northern Musandam governorate ranked ninth in the index, despite finishing first in the field of health, according to the Youth Development Index, and Al Wusta came in tenth place, although it was first in the field of political participation, and Buraimi ranked eleventh among the governorates.
The NCSI said, “The guide reflects youth development at national level, and several associated authorities have participated in preparing this as a tool for making future decisions and policies.”
SOURCE: TIMESOFOMAN