Muscat:The Sultanate of Oman has made significant progress in the 2026 Global Marsh Pension Index, improving its overall score by nine points. This advancement has elevated Oman's classification from Category C+ to Category B, ranking it 21st out of 55 pension systems evaluated in the index. The improvements were noted across all three sub-indices of adequacy, sustainability, and integrity.
According to Oman News Agency, Oman was one of five pension systems globally that experienced an improvement in category classification in the 2026 edition. The adequacy score was particularly noteworthy, achieving Category A. Kawthar Khamis Al Bartamani, Director of Planning and Vision Follow-up at the Social Protection Fund, emphasized the index's role in providing a comparative analysis of retirement income systems based on over 50 indicators. The overall score for Oman increased from 60.9 points in 2025 to 69.9 points in 2026.
Al Bartamani highlighted that the index is crucial not only for measuring benefits but also for evaluating the system's adequacy, sustainability, and governance. The Sultanate of Oman's pension system first joined the index in 2025, aiming to assess its performance by international standards. She noted that the improvement in Oman's index value was linked to an increase in the minimum pension as a proportion of wages, reflecting a representative figure of wages. The system combines a basic pension and a national employment-based, income-linked system, offering a robust replacement rate and sound governance.
The index's results are comprehensive, examining the balance between benefit adequacy and sustainability. Al Bartamani stated that while classification progress is positive, it signifies a continuous development path. The report identified potential development areas for Oman, such as enhancing minimum support for lower-income senior citizens and expanding coverage.
Al Bartamani stressed that international indices are vital for measurement and identifying development opportunities. The results aid in understanding the social protection system's evolution and help the Fund identify strengths and areas needing improvement. The ultimate goal is to enhance the system's efficiency and its capacity to achieve its social objectives sustainably, impacting people's lives positively and ensuring future generations' rights are preserved.
