The 13th Thought Forum of Oman, themed "Strengthening Family Stability: Reducing Birth Rates and Fertility between Moral Duty and National Responsibility," explored proposals to improve family conditions and increase birth rates in the country.
Key Proposals of the Forum
At the conclusion of its sessions on Wednesday, the forum approved a national strategy aimed at strengthening family stability and increasing birth rates, while emphasizing the need to include family stability indicators in Oman 2040 goals.
In the area of health and maternity care, the forum called for the development of reproductive health services to encourage the community to have children and to expand and support fertility and infertility clinic services. The establishment of a research and treatment center for fertility and delayed childbirth was also among the forum's recommendations.
Financial and Social Supports
In terms of economic and financial support, the forum examined providing incentives and financial facilities for young and low-income families in the event of an increase in the number of children. The proposal to establish an endowment to support the marriage fund in collaboration with private sector institutions was also raised.
The forum also looked into increasing financial allocations to assist young and low-income families to alleviate the financial burden of childbearing and facilitate access to suitable housing for young families, including interest-free loans or rent-to-own options.
In the social and awareness domain, the forum called for the development of mandatory and free counseling and educational programs for individuals on the brink of marriage, and the implementation of a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of facilitating marriage and forming and maintaining families.
This forum was held to examine rapid changes in demographic indicators, particularly the decline in the birth rate from 34.1 to 20.8 births per thousand people in Oman between 2015 and 2025.
Goals and Final Outcomes
The forum aimed to explore this phenomenon from a comprehensive national perspective that includes ethical, social, economic, and health considerations, formulating policies that support family stability. The forum's program included the presentation of scientific papers and discussion sessions in three main axes.
The first axis, "Demographic, Health, and Social Reality," examined demographic changes, future trends, the risks of an aging society, and psychological and social phenomena related to delayed marriage and early divorce.
The second axis, "Supportive Family Policies and Their Impact on National Development," looked into the economic impact of demographic composition and ways to align development with Oman 2040 goals.
The third axis, "Proposed Solutions and Future Aspirations," explored ways to strengthen cooperation between governmental and non-governmental entities, particularly the ministries of interior, housing and urban planning, social development, the social support fund, and the Ministry of Health.
This forum was attended by Dr. Hilal Ali Al-Saidi, Minister of Health, as well as Dr. Fahd Al-Jalanda Al-Saidi, President of Sultan Qaboos University and Chairman of the National Bioethics Committee.
