Private Sector Drives Hiring Growth: What July’s Workforce Stability Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
MUSCAT, AUGUST 30 — According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information’s Monthly Statistical Bulletin for July 2025, based on data from the Royal Oman Police, Oman’s workforce comprised 2,670,614 individuals. This total includes 863,932 Omanis, representing 32.35%, and 1,806,682 expatriates, making up 67.65% of the workforce.
Omani employment showed stability, increasing slightly by 0.6% compared to July 2024, while experiencing a marginal decrease from June 2025. The private sector remains the principal employer of Omani nationals, with 411,257 Omanis working in this sector, compared to 388,448 employed in government roles. Additionally, 62,307 Omanis were engaged in household (family) work, 1,907 in communal activities, and 13 in other categories.
Expatriate employment saw a minimal rise of 0.11% from June and remained largely unchanged from the previous year. The majority of expatriates work in the private sector (1,406,059), followed by household work (351,910), and government positions (40,874). Communal and other activities accounted for 7,839 expatriate workers.
Geographically, the demand for labour is strongest in certain regions. Among Omanis, Muscat Governorate leads with 193,798 workers, followed by Al Batinah North Governorate (165,163) and Al Dakhiliyah Governorate (106,092). For expatriates, Muscat Governorate also tops the list with 673,181 workers, succeeded by Al Batinah North Governorate (273,050), Dhofar Governorate (220,501), and Al Batinah South Governorate (159,552).
The skills composition of the Omani workforce highlights a significant presence in clerical positions (209,557), along with specialists (138,425) and technicians (89,229). Other notable roles include services (83,824), administration and management (133,421), principal and auxiliary engineering (85,628), and industrial/food processing (31,010).
Expatriate employment continues to concentrate within certain national communities, with Bangladeshis (624,153), Indians (508,772), and Pakistanis (309,320) collectively accounting for nearly 80% of foreign workers. Other notable expatriate groups include Egyptians, Myanmar nationals, Tanzanians, and Sri Lankans.
Overall, the data reflects a steady labour market, with the private sector dominating employment for both Omanis and expatriates. The relatively modest government workforce and the concentration of employment in Muscat and the Al Batinah North Governorate corridor align with Oman’s ongoing fiscal consolidation and economic diversification objectives under Oman Vision 2040.
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Oman’s workforce data for July 2025 highlights a steady labor market dominated by the private sector, reinforcing the nation’s ongoing economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040. The high dependence on expatriates (67.65%) and the geographic concentration in Muscat and Al Batinah North present both opportunities for targeted skill development among nationals and risks linked to labor market imbalances. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider capitalizing on the growing demand for skilled Omani professionals in private sectors while monitoring shifts in expatriate labor policies that may impact workforce availability.
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