Private sector value added tops RO 8.6 billion

MUSCAT: The number of active private establishments in the Sultanate of Oman rose marginally by 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 to reach 268,286, compared with 267,734 in the same period of 2024, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Medium-sized enterprises recorded the strongest growth, increasing by 5.6 per cent to 1,972 establishments, up from 1,867 a year earlier. Small enterprises followed with growth of 4.5 per cent, reaching 31,000 establishments. Large enterprises also expanded by 3.6 per cent to 751, compared with 725 in the corresponding period.
By contrast, micro-enterprises declined slightly by 0.4 per cent to 234,042, compared with 234,979 in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Total value added across all enterprises reached RO 8.6774 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from RO 8.2844 billion in the same period of 2024, reflecting growth of 4.7 per cent. The contribution of these businesses to GDP rose to approximately RO 11.0619 billion, compared with RO 10.5743 billion a year earlier, marking an increase of 4.6 per cent.
Micro-enterprises posted the fastest growth in value added at 5.6 per cent, reaching RO 903 million compared with RO 855.2 million. Large enterprises followed with growth of 4.9 per cent, with value added rising to RO 6.3257 billion from RO 6.0321 billion.
Small enterprises recorded growth of 4.7 per cent, with value added increasing to RO 748.2 million from RO 714.8 million, while medium-sized enterprises expanded by 2.7 per cent to RO 700.5 million, compared with RO 682.2 million in the same period of 2024.
Employment in private sector establishments reached 1,824,477 in the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a modest increase of 1 per cent from 1,806,518 a year earlier.
Medium-sized enterprises led employment growth, rising by 7.9 per cent to 163,771 employees, compared with 151,846 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Small enterprises followed with a 6.7 per cent increase to 573,530 employees, up from 537,313.
Large enterprises also expanded their workforce by 4.4 per cent to 451,491 employees, compared with 432,452. In contrast, employment in micro-enterprises declined by 7.2 per cent to 635,685, down from 684,907 in the same period of 2024. — ONA