Oman’s Private Sector Added Value Reaches RO8.1 Billion in Q1 2026

MUSCAT: Active private sector establishments in the Sultanate of Oman generated RO8.1 billion in added value during the first quarter of 2026, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The report showed that the number of active private establishments stood at 265,918 during the first quarter, reflecting a slight 0.8% decline compared to 268,033 establishments recorded in the same period of 2025.

Despite the overall decrease in active establishments, medium-sized enterprises recorded the strongest growth, increasing by 6.7% to 1,987 businesses. Small enterprises followed with a 4.8% increase to 31,369 establishments, while the number of large enterprises rose 4.5% to 762.

Micro-enterprises, however, declined by 1.6%, with their total falling to 231,800 establishments.

The total value added generated by private establishments reached RO8.105 billion during the first quarter of 2026, down 1.7% from RO8.248 billion recorded during the same period last year.

Oman’s gross domestic product (GDP) also declined by 2%, reaching RO10.293 billion in the first quarter of 2026 compared to RO10.501 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.

By enterprise size, micro-enterprises recorded the highest growth in added value, rising 6.2% to RO841.2 million. Small enterprises increased their added value by 5.2% to RO702.2 million, while medium-sized enterprises recorded a 3.1% increase, reaching RO654.9 million.

In contrast, the added value generated by large enterprises declined 4% to RO5.907 billion, compared with RO6.153 billion during the first quarter of 2025.

Employment in active private establishments continued to grow, with the total workforce increasing 0.9% to 1,822,317 employees, up from 1,806,245 workers a year earlier.

Medium-sized enterprises recorded the highest employment growth at 7.9%, increasing their workforce to 165,195 employees. Small enterprises followed with 6.3% growth, employing 570,663 workers, while large enterprises expanded their workforce by 3.5% to 453,708 employees.

Meanwhile, employment in micro-enterprises declined 6.7%, with the number of workers falling to 632,751 during the first quarter of 2026.

The latest figures highlight the continued expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises in Oman, while larger businesses experienced weaker performance amid broader economic adjustments during the first quarter of the year.