This paper reviews efforts to sustain growth, economic and social development in the Sultanate of Oman in the last 40 years. One overarching objective of the Five-Year development plans since 1976 has been to balance economic and social development and attain reasonable equality between regions and social groups in the country. Some social and economic support and assistance programs have been implemented, alongside efforts to invest heavily in infrastructural and productive sectors, to alleviate negative impacts on the needy and vulnerable groups. These programs have been instrumental in reducing severity of deprivation and in improving welfare and well-being levels for all the people, and thus in achieving the objective of balancing social and economic development in the country.

This paper reviews efforts to sustain growth, economic and social development in the Sultanate of Oman in the last 40 years. One overarching objective of the Five-Year development plans since 1976 has been to balance economic and social development and attain reasonable equality between regions a...