The Gulf Cooperation Council’s population is on track for sustained growth over the next 25 years, with numbers expected to reach 83.6 million by 2050, according to a new report by the Gulf Statistical Center.
The projection underscores major demographic shifts that will shape policy planning across the region.
Based on United Nations forecasts, the report highlights continued population expansion between 2025 and 2050, driven by both natural growth and migration. By the end of 2024, the total population of GCC countries stood at approximately 61.5 million, marking an increase of 8.5 million since 2019. The average annual growth rate of 2.8 percent is nearly three times the global average, reflecting the region’s rapid demographic transformation.
A key finding is the expected doubling of the older population, which is projected to exceed 5.5 million by 2050. GCC-Stat emphasized that this shift will require long-term policy responses, particularly in urban planning, healthcare systems, labour markets, and social protection frameworks to support sustainable development.
The report also detailed the current age structure across GCC states. The working-age population between 15 and 64 years accounts for 76.7 percent of residents, forming a strong labour force base. Children represent 20.6 percent of the population, while those aged 65 and above make up around 2.6 percent. The total dependency ratio stands at nearly 30 dependents for every 100 working-age individuals.
Gender distribution remains uneven, with males comprising 62.7 percent of the population compared to 37.3 percent for females. The resulting sex ratio of 168 males per 100 females is largely attributed to the region’s expatriate-driven labour market.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
