Oman: public finances

Does Oman have a budget deficit?

Oman's state budget recorded a deficit of OMR 17 million in January to June 2026, with total revenue of OMR 6,602 million and total public spending of OMR 6,619 million, according to the public finance table in the Monthly Statistical Bulletin for September 2026 from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). In the same period of 2025 the deficit was OMR 259 million. For the whole of 2025, revenue was OMR 12,122 million and spending OMR 12,583 million, a deficit of OMR 461 million.

Net oil revenue (OMR 3,332 million) and gas revenue (OMR 1,164 million) made up about two thirds of revenue in the first half of 2026, so the balance moves with oil prices. The figures are preliminary.

Official sources: NCSI: Monthly Statistical Bulletin, September 2026 (PDF)

Where is Oman's 2026 budget published?

The Ministry of Finance publishes the State General Budget for the fiscal year 2026 on its yearly budget page, alongside the interactive budget and the programme and performance budget. The budget documents on that page are loaded by script and could not be read on 15 October 2026, so the planned 2026 revenue, spending and deficit are not quoted here.

Monthly outturn figures are published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information in its Monthly Statistical Bulletin. For January to June 2026 it shows revenue of OMR 6,602 million, spending of OMR 6,619 million and a deficit of OMR 17 million. Comparing outturn with the budget shows how far oil prices differ from the budget assumption.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Yearly budget · NCSI: Monthly Statistical Bulletin, September 2026 (PDF)

How much does Oman spend on fuel subsidies?

Oman spent OMR 162 million on the oil products subsidy in January to June 2026, compared with OMR 44 million a year earlier, a rise of 270%, according to the public finance table in the Monthly Statistical Bulletin for September 2026 from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The bulletin shows a full-year 2025 figure of OMR 124 million. Public debt service in the first half of 2026 was OMR 392 million, down from OMR 409 million.

The oil products subsidy covers the difference between capped retail fuel prices and market prices, so it rises when world oil prices rise. The table also lists subsidies for the electricity, water and sewage sectors.

Official sources: NCSI: Monthly Statistical Bulletin, September 2026 (PDF)

What is Oman's debt to GDP ratio?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 34.7% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.2% of GDP (2008) to 67.9% of GDP (2020). It is 15th highest of 20 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 52.5% of GDP. Of 185 countries with 2025 data, 142nd highest.

What is Oman's fiscal deficit?

0.6% of GDP: that is general government net lending or borrowing in Oman for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -19.6% of GDP (2016) to 14.7% of GDP (2008). It is 4th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -5.2% of GDP. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 29th highest.

How much revenue does Oman's government raise?

The IMF puts general government revenue in Oman at 29.3% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 25.0% of GDP (2016) to 42.7% of GDP (2011). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 26.3% of GDP, and Oman placed 6th highest of 21. Worldwide: 78th of 187.

How big is Oman's government spending as a share of GDP?

In 2025, general government spending in Oman was 28.7% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 25.6% of GDP (2008) to 44.6% of GDP (2016). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 28.7% of GDP; Oman is 11th highest of 21. Worldwide: 102nd of 186.

What is Oman's defence spending?

In 2025, military spending in Oman was 5.7% of GDP, according to SIPRI. The peak was 10.6% of GDP in 2012 and the low 5.0% of GDP in 2008. It is 4th highest of 15 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.1% of GDP. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 8th highest.