Every budget season, people ask a simple question: what does this mean for my daily life? Not in tables, but at the supermarket, in rent payments, in transport costs, in service charges and in the search for a steady job. It is a fair question — and it deserves an answer that recognises two realities at once: households feel pressure when prices rise and the state must keep public finances strong to protect the future.
Oman has made fiscal discipline a clear priority in recent years and that foundation matters. It strengthens confidence, protects essential spending and gives policymakers room to respond when conditions tighten. At the same time, the global economy remains prone to renewed price pressures. Costs can rise for reasons beyond local demand — disruptions to supply chains, higher freight costs, commodity cycles, or geopolitical tensions that ripple through markets. In an open economy that imports a significant share of goods, these shocks can reach local shelves quickly.
That is why cost-of-living protection cannot depend on spending alone. It also depends on smart policies that soften shocks early, before they become a lasting burden.
A key question is how support is designed. There is a form of relief that is broad and quick, but can be expensive to sustain and difficult to adjust once conditions improve. Then there is targeted support: focused help for households most exposed to price pressures, delivered with clear rules and reviewed regularly. Broad measures can sometimes be less efficient, especially when support reaches beyond the intended groups. Over time, that can reduce flexibility for priority spending such as healthcare, education and infrastructure.
A more balanced approach is support that is precise, time-bound and measurable. Precise means it reaches those who genuinely need it. Time-bound means it is strengthened during periods of pressure and eased when conditions improve. Measurable means we ask straightforward questions: did pressure fall for eligible families? Was delivery efficient and transparent? Did support reach the right people? These are not political questions — they are the basics of good governance and responsible budgeting.
Budgets, however, do not have to address living costs only through direct assistance. There are quieter, lower-cost tools that can make a real difference. Competition matters: when markets are open and pricing is transparent, costs tend to stay more disciplined. Logistics matter too: faster clearance, smoother movement of goods and better coordination across supply chains can reduce hidden costs that consumers eventually pay. Strategic stocks of essential goods, managed prudently, can also help moderate sudden spikes during periods of global volatility. These measures may not always attract attention, but they often deliver lasting value.
Cost of living is also about income — not only prices. Many families can absorb moderate price increases when wages and job security improve, but struggle when incomes are stagnant. That is why a people-focused budget must keep employment and productivity at the centre. Short-term job programmes can help, but the stronger protection comes from jobs that last, skills that match real demand and a labour market that rewards productivity — particularly in sectors that generate value and strengthen national income over time.
Housing and essential services are another area where people feel the budget immediately. The solution here is not open-ended spending. It is better management: improving supply through balanced planning, raising service quality; and ensuring fees and charges are predictable and coordinated. When costs accumulate across multiple channels, households and small businesses may feel the combined effect as sustained pressure. Clear communication and stronger coordination help reduce uncertainty and build trust.
In the end, the budget is not only about how much is spent. It is about what is prioritised — and how effectively each Rial Omani is converted into outcomes people can see. A budget that people can feel is one that protects living standards through smart targeting, strengthens market efficiency and invests in growth that raises incomes — while preserving the fiscal strength needed to respond to future shocks.
The strongest budgets do not promise simply “more spending”. They promise something more precise: stability, focused support for those who need it and long-term investment that expands opportunity. When that promise is communicated clearly and realistically, the budget becomes more than a fiscal document. It becomes a practical, confidence-building bridge between the state and society.
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