Population aging is a phenomena occurring across the globe including in countries traditionally exhibiting population dividends and ‘youth bulges’. The Gulf Corporation Council countries are no exception as they currently experience a process of population aging, albeit being at a different stage from many developed countries. However, due to historical high fertility rates and fast paced epidemiological transition, some of these countries will experience population aging at a higher pace than what has been observed in Europe and the United States. This article reviews recent developments in long-term care policies in the Gulf region with a focus on Oman as an example of a high-income Arab country that is experiencing population aging while still governed by traditional family agedcare norms. Utilizing existing data and published research complemented by policy analysis and field visits, we analyze the process of population ageing in Oman and neighboring countries and its policy implications.

Population aging is a phenomena occurring across the globe including in countries traditionally exhibiting population dividends and ‘youth bulges’. The Gulf Corporation Council countries are no exception as they currently experience a process of population aging, albeit being at a different stage f...