Significant Growth in Employment of Omanis in 2024: What It Means for Business Investment and Workforce Strategy in Oman
MUSCAT — Oman’s labour market showed significant improvement in 2024, driven by ongoing government reforms, strategic investments, and growth in non-hydrocarbon sectors. The Central Bank of Oman’s Annual Report 2024 reveals that employment among Omani nationals increased by 10.6%, underscoring substantial progress in enhancing national workforce participation and job quality across the economy.
The report attributes this growth to policy measures focused on enhancing labour mobility, expanding vocational and skills development programs, and better aligning wages with productivity. The government’s intensified efforts to prepare Omanis for emerging industries such as information technology and digitalisation have strengthened workforce readiness. These initiatives align closely with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of fostering a competitive, knowledge-based labour market driven by national talent.
While Omani employment rose, expatriate employment declined by 1.0%, reflecting a structural shift toward localisation. This trend is part of wider efforts to address workforce imbalances and prioritize job opportunities for Omanis, particularly in sectors experiencing increased demand.
In the public sector, Omani employees made up 90.2% of the workforce in 2024, up from 89.5% the previous year. The number of Omani public-sector workers grew by 4.0%, while expatriate employment fell by 3.2%. The government continues to prioritise youth employment, skills development, and preparation for roles in digital and knowledge-based fields.
The private sector also registered notable progress, with Omani employment rising by 16.7%, increasing nationals’ share to 18.6% compared to 18.3% in 2023. Expatriate employment in the private sector decreased by 0.9%. These changes reflect enhanced sector competitiveness, improved training, and reforms aimed at making private-sector jobs more attractive and accessible to Omanis.
The report highlights the role of major infrastructure, industrial, and logistics projects in generating employment opportunities for Omanis. Growth in manufacturing, services, and construction sectors also supported job creation, while economic stability—characterised by low inflation and steady non-oil sector activity—provided a conducive environment for labour market advancements.
Overall, the employment trends in 2024 mark meaningful strides toward a sustainable and inclusive labour market. With continuous reforms and sectoral development, Oman is steadily progressing toward achieving the Vision 2040 objectives of higher national workforce participation and a diversified economy.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s 2024 labour market improvements, highlighted by a 10.6% rise in Omani employment and a decline in expatriate roles, signal a strategic shift towards workforce localization and economic diversification. Businesses should view this as an opportunity to invest in skills development and innovation-focused sectors like IT and digital services, while entrepreneurs can capitalize on emerging demand driven by government-backed infrastructure and industrial projects. Smart investors must align with Vision 2040 priorities, emphasizing knowledge-based industries and national talent empowerment to stay competitive in Oman’s evolving market landscape.
