The Sultanate of Oman recorded a 1.1% increase in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September 2025 compared to the same month last year, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The base year for the index is 2018.
The NCSI report showed that the average inflation rate between January and September 2025 rose by 0.8% compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting a modest but steady upward trend in prices across key sectors.
Among the expenditure categories, the miscellaneous goods and services group posted the largest rise, with prices climbing 7.6% in September compared to a year earlier. The group also recorded an average increase of 6.4% during the first nine months of 2025, driven largely by higher costs for personal care items, insurance services, and financial fees.
The transport sector followed with a 4.5% increase, influenced mainly by fluctuations in global fuel prices and vehicle-related expenses. Meanwhile, the restaurants and hotels group saw a 2.6% rise as demand in the hospitality sector continued to recover.
Moderate increases were also observed in the health category, which grew 0.8%, and clothing and footwear, which edged up 0.4%. The education sector registered only a slight rise of 0.1%, reflecting overall price stability in tuition and related costs.
In contrast, prices in key essential categories such as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, along with communications and tobacco, remained largely unchanged, indicating stability in household living costs and utilities.
At the regional level, the report highlighted notable variations in inflation rates among the governorates. Al Dhahirah posted the highest annual increase at 1.9% as of September, while Al Wusta recorded the lowest at 0.4%.
The overall inflation uptick comes as Oman continues to balance efforts to sustain economic growth while keeping consumer prices stable amid global fluctuations in energy and commodity markets. Analysts note that despite the rise, the country’s inflation rate remains among the lowest in the region, supported by stable government policies and subsidies on essential goods and services.
The NCSI report provides a comprehensive view of Oman’s inflation trends and serves as an important indicator for policymakers and businesses monitoring price movements across various economic sectors.
