Oman’s economy expands 2.3% in 2025 on non-oil growth: NCSI

Arab News: Oman’s economy grew 2.3 percent in 2025, supported by steady expansion in non-oil sectors and a rebound in natural gas activity, official data showed. 

Gross domestic product at current prices reached 42.14 billion Omani rials ($109.88 billion) for the full year, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information. 

Growth accelerated in the fourth quarter, with GDP rising 4.6 percent year on year to about 11.06 billion rials, reflecting stronger activity across both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon sectors. 

The data points to improving economic resilience as the sultanate presses ahead with fiscal reforms and efforts to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. 

In January, the International Monetary Fund said Oman’s reform program is strengthening economic stability and supporting a favorable outlook, highlighting continued progress in fiscal consolidation and structural changes. 

NCSI revealed that oil activities in the country witnessed a 4.6 percent increase in the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching 3.51 billion rials. 

The value of the natural gas sector increased by 69.2 percent year on year in the fourth quarter to 858.70 million rials. 

Conversely, the value of the crude oil sector declined by 6.9 percent to reach 2.65 billion rials. 

The country’s non-oil sector maintained a strong performance, growing by 4.8 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting steady economic diversification. 

The agriculture and fishing sector recorded growth of 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter, while industrial activities rose by 0.7 percent.  

The services sector also grew by 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the year-ago period. 

In December, the IMF said that Gulf Cooperation Council economies are expected to maintain growth momentum despite rising global uncertainty, underpinned by strong non-oil activity, solid domestic demand, and ongoing structural reforms. 

Across the Middle East and North Africa region, growth is expected to accelerate from 2.6 percent in 2024 to 3.5 percent in 2025 and 3.8 percent in 2026, the IMF added. 

However, these projections were made before the recent escalation of the US- and Israel-led war with Iran, which has driven up energy prices and is expected to weigh on global and regional growth depending on its duration and severity.  

The IMF has warned that prolonged disruptions linked to the conflict could increase inflation and reduce output, with Gulf economies potentially facing slower growth as energy market volatility intensifies. 

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2637242/business-economy

Arab News.com Contribution Time: 25-Mar-2026 13:53 (GMT)
Arab News.com Last Update Time: 25-Mar-2026 13:53 (GMT)