10 answers, 3 from Oman's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
The adult literacy rate in Oman was 97.34% in 2022, according to the World Bank's literacy series, which uses data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It covers people aged 15 and over. The rate was 96.90% in 2020 and 95.65% in 2018.
The rate covers all residents, including expatriates. The Ministry of Education runs public schools; its site does not publish a current literacy figure that could be read on 15 October 2026.
The gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education in Oman was 42.23% in 2024, according to the World Bank's tertiary enrolment series, based on UNESCO data. It was 43.84% in 2021 and 48.38% in 2020. The gross primary enrolment ratio was 94.72% in 2024.
A gross enrolment ratio compares all students enrolled at a level with the population of the usual age group, so it can include older students. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation publishes national student figures, but its site did not respond on 15 October 2026.
Government spending on education in Oman was 4.38% of GDP in 2022, according to the World Bank's education expenditure series, based on UNESCO data. It was 6.88% in 2020 and 5.06% in 2019.
The share of GDP depends on the size of the economy as well as on spending, so it can change when oil prices move GDP even if spending is stable. The Ministry of Finance publishes spending by ministry in the State General Budget, and the Ministry of Education runs public schools.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in Oman was 86.3% in 2018. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2009. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 94.1%, and Oman placed 7th highest of 11. Worldwide: 52nd of 69.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in Oman was 95.1% in 2024. The peak was 114.5% in 2011 and the low 87.4% in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 95.1%; Oman is 7th highest of 13. Worldwide: 47th of 100.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 42.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 48.4%; its low point was 2005, at 17.1%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 48.2%, and Oman placed 8th highest of 11. Worldwide: 54th of 90.
97.3%: that is the adult literacy rate in Oman for 2022, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2008. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 97.3%, and Oman placed 3rd highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 12th of 44.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Oman was 4.4% of GDP in 2022. The peak was 6.9% of GDP in 2020 and the low 3.1% of GDP in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 4.5% of GDP; Oman is 7th highest of 12. Worldwide: 69th of 155.
10: that is the number of primary pupils per teacher in Oman for 2018, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It was 20 in 2003. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 19; Oman is 12th highest of 13. World rank, highest first: 81st of 85.
In 2024, the primary completion rate in Oman was 92.1%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2009 was 2011, at 116.5%; its low point was 2022, at 86.6%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 97.0%; Oman is 9th highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 68th of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error