Muscat – On the occasion of the sixth Accession Day, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued Royal directives aimed at enhancing key social and economic sectors and supporting citizens’ living requirements.
The directives reflect His Majesty’s continued commitment to promoting prosperity and social stability, with measures focusing on job creation, social protection, education support and housing.
As part of the directives, RO50mn has been allocated for projects with economic and investment returns that generate employment opportunities for citizens. The funding for the Governorates Development Programme under the 11th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will be increased from RO220mn to RO270mn.
Financial support will also be extended to more than 73,000 school students across both academic semesters. The assistance targets students from families registered under the Family Support System within the Royal Oman Police National Records System and will be provided by doubling the Childhood Scheme disbursements from the Social Protection Fund.
In addition, His Majesty has approved amendments to several social protection schemes to benefit low-income families. The number of families covered under the Family Income Support Scheme will rise to more than 57,000, while the total number of beneficiaries across all social protection programmes in 2026 is expected to reach around 1.6mn. Relevant authorities will announce implementation details in due course.
The Royal directives include accelerating implementation of the approved job-seeker employment programme for 2026, which will provide 60,000 job opportunities. These include 10,000 positions in civilian and military government entities and 50,000 opportunities in government companies and private sector establishments.
Further, RO100mn has been allocated to support the Social Housing Programme for 2026 and 2027.
His Majesty has also directed the extension of the Job Security Allowance payment period to one year from the current six months for all eligible insured individuals, provided the total entitlement does not exceed one year. Details will be announced by the relevant authorities.
Highlights
1.6mn total social protection beneficiaries in 2026
RO50mn for job-generating economic projects
RO270mn for Governorates Development Programme
73,000+ school students to receive financial support
57,000+ families covered under income support scheme
60,000 job opportunities in 2026
RO100mn for Social Housing Programme
12 months Job Security Allowance period
