Driving the Nation Forward: Omani Private Sector Workforce Grows by 8.2% to Reach 440,000

By Hamdan bin Ali | Muscat

New data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reveals a steady expansion of the Omani workforce, with the total number of Omani nationals employed across all sectors reaching 895,000 by the end of May. Significantly, the private sector has emerged as a major driver of this growth, with the number of Omani employees increasing by 8.2% year-on-year to reach 440,200.

Employment Distribution Across Sectors

The latest figures highlight a balanced distribution of Omani workers between public and private enterprises. The public sector, including civil service, defense, and security, continues to employ approximately 392,000 nationals. Family-owned businesses and other smaller sectors account for another 53,700 workers, demonstrating the broad-based nature of employment opportunities within the Sultanate.

Geographic Employment Hubs

Muscat Governorate remains the primary economic hub, employing the largest share of private-sector Omani workers at 169,000. It is followed closely by Al Dakhiliyah with 112,000 workers and North Al Batinah with 78,000. Other governorates also show active participation, including South Al Batinah with 67,000, Al Dhahirah with 57,000, and Dhofar with 19,000. The remaining governorates, such as Al Buraimi (10,000) and Al Wusta, continue to see steady gains in local employment.

Professional and Technical Segments

The NCSI data also categorizes Omani workers by professional groups, showing strong representation in technical, engineering, and administrative roles. The largest professional segment is clerical and administrative staff, totaling 227,000. It is followed by technical and scientific specialists (146,000) and engineering professionals (94,000). Other key areas include sales and service occupations (85,000) and industrial operations (53,000).

This distribution indicates that Omani nationals are increasingly taking on specialized, value-added roles that require higher education and technical skills. This shift supports the national objective of transitioning towards a knowledge-based economy and reducing reliance on expatriate labor in key sectors.

Trends in Expatriate Labor

While local employment is rising, the expatriate workforce has also adjusted to meet market needs. The total number of expatriate workers stood at 1.82 million. The majority are employed in the private sector (1.42 million), followed by the family sector (284,000) and government agencies. Sector-specific analysis shows a slight decline in expatriate employment in administrative and commercial roles, coinciding with the successful placement of Omani graduates in these positions.

The rise in private sector employment among Omani nationals reflects the effectiveness of ongoing labor nationalization programs and the growing confidence of private businesses in Omani talent. It underscores a sustainable path toward economic resilience and youth empowerment, key pillars of Oman Vision 2040.

source: By Hamdan bin Ali | Oman Daily