Skilled Labour in Private Sector – KPI Status Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Baseline | 57.9% (2017) |
| Current | 65% |
| Target 2030 | 81% |
| Target 2040 | 83% |
| Status | On Track |
Trajectory Analysis
The share of skilled labour in the private sector has increased from 57.9 percent to 65 percent, reflecting investments in TVET programmes and employer-led upskilling initiatives. Reaching 81 percent by 2030 will require annual gains of roughly 3.2 percentage points, an acceleration from the current pace of about 1 point per year. The sectoral composition matters: gains have been concentrated in financial services and ICT, while construction and retail lag significantly behind.
Risk Factors
Definitional ambiguity around skilled labour (ISCO levels 1-3 versus certification-based measures) complicates measurement. SMEs, which employ a large share of the workforce, often lack resources for training. Visa-system incentives still favour low-cost unskilled expatriate recruitment over skilled migration.
Positive Signals
The National Employment Programme subsidises employer training costs. New sectoral skills councils are aligning curricula with industry needs. The Oman Broadband Company rollout enables remote upskilling at scale. Employer engagement in TVET programme design is improving graduate employability.
Methodology Note
Percentage of private-sector employees classified at ISCO-08 skill levels 1-3, based on Ministry of Labour administrative data and NCSI labour-force surveys. Includes both Omani and expatriate workers.
This tracker is updated quarterly by the Oman Vision 2040 Research Unit. Data sources include NCSI, the Central Bank of Oman, the World Bank, and relevant international organisations. Methodological notes are provided for transparency; users should consult primary sources for the most current figures.