Private enterprises value in Oman tops OMR8.67BN

Muscat: Oman’s private sector continued to show steady structural growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) leading expansion in both business activity and employment, according to data issued by the National Center for Statistics and Information.

The number of active private establishments in the Sultanate rose marginally by 0.2 percent year-on-year to reach 268,286, compared to 267,734 during the same period of 2024. While overall growth remained modest, different business segments showed varying performance trends.

Medium-sized enterprises recorded the strongest expansion, growing by 5.6 percent to 1,972 establishments. Small businesses followed with a 4.5 percent increase to 31,521, while large institutions rose by 3.6 percent to 751. In contrast, micro-enterprises saw a slight decline of 0.4 percent, falling to 234,042.

Despite this mixed picture in numbers, the private sector’s economic contribution strengthened. Total added value rose 4.7 percent to OMR8.677 billion, while the sector’s contribution to GDP increased by 4.6 percent, reaching approximately OMR11.062 billion.

Micro-enterprises unexpectedly led in added value growth, rising 5.6 percent, followed by large enterprises at 4.9 percent, small businesses at 4.7 percent, and medium enterprises at 2.7 percent. This indicates continued productivity gains across all segments despite differing scale dynamics.

Employment also recorded positive movement, with total private sector jobs increasing by 1 percent to 1.82 million workers. Medium enterprises posted the highest employment growth at 7.9 percent, followed by small enterprises at 6.7 percent and large firms at 4.4 percent. However, micro-enterprises saw a sharp decline of 7.2 percent in workforce numbers, reflecting ongoing restructuring within the segment.

Overall, the data highlights a gradually strengthening private sector in Oman, with small and medium enterprises playing an increasingly central role in driving growth, investment, and job creation across the economy.