A country with no beggars, no unemployment — and free housing. 🏡✨ Once struggling with serious problems, this nation has transformed into a paradise of stability and carefree living. Which country is it — and how did it achieve this incredible turnaround? Find out in the article below. 👇🌍
The small country of Oman is full of surprises. It’s a monarchy, meaning the king (or sultan) is in charge, but many people there live comfortable lives with good social support. The country follows Sharia law, but women can vote, go to school, and work just like men. Let’s talk about how Oman became such a successful and modern place.
In the past, Oman had a lot of problems. Different groups fought for control, and foreign powers ruled it many times. But in the 1970s, Oman became united and fully independent.
One man helped bring big changes—Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He ruled Oman for 50 years. Before he became sultan, he studied in the UK and learned a lot about how governments work. But when he came back to Oman, his father didn’t want to share power and kept him locked in the palace. Qaboos eventually removed his father from power and became the new sultan at age 29.
At that time, Oman was very undeveloped. There was just one hospital with 10 beds, only three schools, and no way to connect with the world. But within a few years, Qaboos had built an international airport, a modern seaport, and began building hospitals and schools across the country.
Today, Oman has hundreds of schools and hospitals, and both are free for citizens. Education levels are high—more than 90% of both men and women can read and write. Even people who don’t earn much live in good-quality housing. If someone can’t afford to buy a house by adulthood, the government gives them free land to build on.
The roads in Oman are excellent. A special system of wells brings water to dry areas, turning deserts into green spaces. The sultan was not only the leader of the country—he was also in charge of the military, foreign affairs, and the banking system. That’s why in Oman, people can get loans without paying interest. Sometimes, during national holidays, the government cancels citizens’ debts.
Oman earns most of its money from oil. A large part of the oil belongs directly to the sultan. But instead of keeping the profits for himself, Qaboos invested in his country. Because of this, Oman’s GDP (how much the country earns) grew from just $200 per person to $20,000.
Sadly, Sultan Qaboos passed away from cancer at the age of 79. On the day of his death, Oman held a national day of mourning. Since he had no children, he left the country in the hands of his cousin, just as he had planned.
