MUSCAT: Oman’s general consumer price index rose by 1.4 per cent in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, based on the 2018 base year, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
The highest increase was recorded in the miscellaneous personal goods and services group, which surged by 13.2 per cent. This was followed by restaurants and hotels at 5.9 per cent, furniture, furnishings and household maintenance at 2.6 per cent, education at 2.2 per cent, health at 1.7 per cent, food and non-alcoholic beverages at 0.9 per cent; and clothing and footwear at 0.1 per cent. In contrast, the transport group declined by 1.4 per cent.
Prices in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, as well as culture and entertainment, tobacco and communications, remained unchanged.
Within the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, fruit prices rose by 5.2 per cent, sugar, jam, honey and sweets by 3.3 per cent, meat and dairy products by 2.0 per cent each, other food items by 1.7 per cent, oils and fats by 0.7 per cent, soft beverages by 0.5 per cent and bread and cereals by 0.4 per cent.
Meanwhile, fish prices fell by 5.4 per cent and vegetables by 1.4 per cent.
Regionally, Al Dhahirah Governorate recorded the highest inflation at 2.3 per cent, followed by Muscat Governorate (1.9 per cent), Al Buraimi Governorate (1.8 per cent), Al Dakhiliyah Governorate (1.5 per cent) and Al Batinah South Governorate (1.3 per cent). Al Sharqiyah South Governorate and Musandam Governorate both posted 1.0 per cent, while Dhofar Governorate and Al Batinah North Governorate rose by 0.4 per cent. Al Sharqiyah North Governorate and Al Wusta Governorate recorded the lowest increase at 0.3 per cent. — ONA
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