Oman Rises 19 Spots in Economic Freedom Index: Implications for Investors and Entrepreneurs
مسقط: The Sultanate of Oman has made significant strides in the latest 2026 Index of Economic Freedom, advancing 19 positions to rank 39th globally, up from 58th in 2025, according to a recent report by The Heritage Foundation. This index evaluates 176 economies based on the extent of their economic freedom, using 12 indicators classified into four main pillars: rule of law, government size, regulatory efficiency، و open markets. These pillars assess various factors, including property rights, government integrity, judicial effectiveness, as well as tax burden, government spending, fiscal health, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, and openness to trade, investment, and financial services.
Oman’s overall score has increased to 68.5 out of 100, marking its highest level in the past five years and solidifying its status as a “fairly free” economy. This score exceeds the global average, indicating enhancements in fiscal management and market openness.
The most notable improvement was seen in the Fiscal Health indicator, where Oman’s score jumped from 63.2 in 2025 to 97.5 this year. This progress is attributed to a reduction in the public debt-to-GDP ratio and the achievement of a budget surplus, outcomes of Oman’s recent fiscal consolidation initiatives.
Additionally, Oman excelled in Trade Freedom, scoring 78.4 out of 100, which reflects relatively low tariff barriers and supportive policies for the movement of goods and services across borders.
In the Government Spending category, Oman scored 74.7 out of 100, which measures public expenditure, including state consumption and transfer payments linked to social programs. The report indicates that Oman has maintained stable performance across several indicators, including Tax Burden (97.6), Investment Freedom (70)، و Financial Freedom (60).
To further enhance the country’s global competitiveness, efforts are being coordinated by the National Competitiveness Office, working through the National Team for Improving Network Readiness and Economic Freedom, as part of the National Programme for Private Sector Development and Foreign Trade (Nazdaher). — اونا
تحلیل ویژه از عمانت | بازار عمان را کشف کنید
عمان advancement to 39th in the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses and investors, signaling a more open and stable economic environment ripe for investment. However, this also introduces رقابت, necessitating that smart investors and entrepreneurs focus on innovation and strategic partnerships to leverage the country’s improved fiscal health and trade freedom. As Oman enhances its economic framework, stakeholders must prepare to adapt swiftly to capitalize on upcoming opportunities while navigating potential market shifts.
