Muscat, April 18 (QNA) - The member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) have achieved remarkable progress in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, clearly outperforming global averages, particularly in the fields of health, education, and basic services.

Data issued by the GCC Statistical Center revealed that the Council countries recorded advanced performance in the healthcare sector, where the maternal mortality rate reached 19.9 per 100,000 live births compared to the global target of 70, while the under-five mortality rate stood at 10.8 per 1,000 live births against a global average of 25. Furthermore, universal health coverage in the GCC reached 100 percent, compared to 68 percent globally, and basic vaccine coverage reached 100 percent, compared to 84 percent worldwide. This was accompanied by a rise in physician density to 33.6 per 10,000 people compared to 18.7 globally, reflecting the quality and efficiency of regional health systems.

In the field of education, the GCC countries recorded high achievement rates, with the literacy rate reaching 99.2 percent compared to 88 percent globally. The pre-school enrollment rate reached 99.8 percent compared to 74.4 percent worldwide, with basic services provided in all schools and full teacher qualification, reflecting a strategic investment in human capital.

Regarding infrastructure, the GCC achieved significant milestones; the percentage of the population benefiting from safe drinking water reached 100 percent against 73.7 percent globally, while sanitation and water treatment services reached levels near 100 percent in several countries, bolstering environmental and health sustainability.

Indicators also demonstrated universal access to electricity at 100 percent compared to 91.7 percent globally, alongside an increasing reliance on clean technologies.

In terms of security and stability, the GCC states recorded advanced levels, as the homicide rate stood at 0.6 per 100,000 people compared to 5.2 globally. The rate of human trafficking victims was 5.5 compared to 38 worldwide, alongside achieving near-complete birth registration, reflecting the overall efficiency of the region's institutional and legal systems. (QNA)