Rising divorce rates put family stability in focus

Marriage has long been a cornerstone of Omani society. Beyond the union of two individuals, it often brings together extended families and creates the environment in which children are raised, values are nurtured and future generations are shaped.
Recent data, however, point to a growing need to examine marital stability and the factors contributing to divorce in Oman.
According to data released by the Supreme Judiciary Council, 7,719 Omanis married foreign nationals over the past three years, including 640 Omani women who married non-Omani men.
Between October 29, 2023, and June 30, 2026, 1,226 divorces were registered among Omanis married to foreign spouses — roughly one divorce for every six marriages recorded during the period.
The trend is not limited to marriages between Omanis and foreigners. Divorce filings across Oman have also increased, rising from 3,828 in 2023 to 4,122 in 2024 and 4,208 in 2025 — an increase of nearly 10 per cent over two years.
Muscat Governorate recorded 6,651 marriage contracts and 1,220 documented divorces in 2025, the highest figures among the governorates.
Behind these statistics are human costs that extend well beyond court filings. Divorce can have emotional, social and financial consequences for couples and, particularly, for children.
Said bin Rashid al Maktoumi, Head of Family Counselling at the Department of Family Guidance and Counselling at the Ministry of Social Development, said divorce rates are important social indicators that require continuous monitoring and analysis.
He stressed that analysis should go beyond statistics to examine the causes and circumstances surrounding individual cases. Such assessments, he said, can help develop preventive and therapeutic programmes aimed at strengthening family stability.
In response to these challenges, the ministry has introduced initiatives such as the year-round Life Companion counselling programme. Delivered by qualified specialists, the programme provides engaged couples and newlyweds with guidance on managing disagreements and addressing marital challenges before they escalate.
The programme covers areas including partner compatibility, setting realistic expectations, effective communication, household financial management, positive parenting and understanding mutual rights and responsibilities.
With changing social dynamics and an increase in marriages between Omanis and foreign nationals, the programmes also place emphasis on cultural understanding and adaptability, helping couples navigate differences in backgrounds, expectations and family traditions.
The consequences of family instability can be particularly serious for children. A recent report published by the Public Prosecution in its Society and Law journal highlighted the case of two siblings, aged 14 and 16, who became victims of digital human trafficking after leaving their home following persistent physical and emotional abuse.
According to the report, the siblings sought refuge and interaction through digital gaming platforms after being deprived of a safe home environment. They were subsequently groomed by predators who exploited their vulnerability and arranged for their disappearance before law enforcement authorities intervened.
The case illustrates how children facing instability, neglect or abuse can become vulnerable to risks beyond the family environment, particularly in an increasingly connected digital world.
Addressing divorce therefore requires more than monitoring the number of cases. It requires a deeper understanding of the social, economic and personal factors that contribute to marital breakdown, alongside accessible counselling and early intervention.
Pre-marital education, family counselling, community awareness and stronger safeguards for children can all play a role in building healthier and more resilient families.
The rising figures should serve as a call for greater understanding and preventive action rather than simply as statistics. Strengthening families requires a collective effort involving government institutions, specialists, communities and families themselves.
Ultimately, protecting family stability means ensuring that couples have the knowledge and support to navigate challenges, while ensuring that children remain protected when relationships break down.
A stable home provides one of the strongest foundations for a healthy society. Investing in family support, early intervention and child protection is therefore not only a social responsibility but also an investment in Oman’s future.