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The Sultanate of Oman has achieved a new global health milestone, reflecting the robustness of its health system and the efficacy of its strategic policies. Recent data indicate that the Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE) at birth rose to 66.07 years by the end of 2023, surpassing both regional and global averages. This marks Oman’s transition to an advanced stage in healthy quality of life.
The Healthy Life Expectancy at birth is one of the world’s foremost indicators for measuring human quality of life, as it goes beyond counting total years of life. Instead, it focuses on the number of years an individual lives in good health, free from chronic diseases or disabilities that limit activity. In this respect, it differs from the traditional life expectancy indicator, which measures total years of life without accounting for health quality.
According to the assessment issued by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington–Seattle, USA, the Sultanate of Oman outperformed the global average of 63.1 years, as well as the average for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which stood at 62.7 years. This underscores the success of Oman’s health approach in balancing longevity with improved quality of life.
An analytical reading of the indicator’s trajectory reveals the resilience of Oman’s national health system. Following a slight decline observed globally during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, when the indicator for Oman recorded 62.74 years, it swiftly returned to an upward trend, reaching 65.51 years in 2022, and climbing to its current level in 2023. This clearly demonstrates the country’s competence in health crisis management.
This progress positions the Sultanate of Oman on the threshold of achieving the first-phase targets of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to raise the Healthy Life Expectancy indicator to 67 years by 2030.
This achievement reflects a successful strategic shift from curative care to preventive care, alongside the expanded use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence for early disease detection and for enhancing the efficiency of health services.
In a related context, health indicators confirm that individual behaviour forms the cornerstone of sustaining and building upon this achievement. The quality of healthy life years is directly dependent on daily habits, particularly given the rising impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
A key aspect emerging here is the adoption of a proactive prevention approach, through routine screenings and early detection of chronic diseases, in addition to adherence to immunisation programmes and the adoption of healthy lifestyles based on regular physical activity and balanced nutrition.
Mental health is gaining increasing importance as an integral component of the concept of a healthy life. Meanwhile, community awareness and environmental stewardship serve as foundational pillars supporting the improvement of quality of life at the national level.
Together, these indicators embody a comprehensive national vision that places human beings at the heart of development. In this framework, investing in health becomes an investment in the future—not merely to extend lifespans, but to ensure those years are healthier, more productive, and more fulfilling.
With this achievement, the Sultanate of Oman confidently advances toward consolidating its position as a regional model for building sustainable health systems grounded in prevention, quality of life, and effective community partnership.
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