MUSCAT: Oman's annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.8 per cent in May 2026, driven by higher transport, food and personal service costs, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The consumer price index rose 3.8 per cent compared with May 2025, while average inflation for the first five months of 2026 reached 2.8 per cent.
The largest increase was recorded in miscellaneous goods and services, which climbed 9.6 per cent year-on-year. Transport costs rose 9.2 per cent, while food and non-alcoholic beverages increased 6.6 per cent.
Restaurants and hotels registered a 4.7 per cent increase, followed by furniture, household equipment and maintenance services at 3.1 per cent. Education costs rose 2.2 per cent, while health-related expenses increased 1.8 per cent.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels was the only major category to record a decline, edging down 0.3 per cent from a year earlier.
Food prices remained a key driver of inflation. Vegetable prices surged 24.9 per cent, while fruits rose 16.7 per cent and meat prices increased 5.1 per cent.
Non-alcoholic beverages recorded a 3.6 per cent increase, while milk, cheese and eggs rose 2.6 per cent. Prices for sugar, honey, jam and confectionery increased 2.5 per cent, while bread and cereals rose 1 per cent.
Inflation varied across governorates. Al Dhahirah recorded the highest increase at 4.8 per cent, followed by Al Dakhiliyah at 4.4 per cent and Muscat at 4.2 per cent.
Al Buraimi registered inflation of 3.9 per cent, while Al Wusta recorded 3.5 per cent. South Al Batinah and Musandam both posted increases of 3.4 per cent. North and South Al Sharqiyah recorded inflation of 3.2 per cent, while North Al Batinah and Dhofar registered the lowest increase at 2.3 per cent.
The latest figures indicate that food and transport costs continue to exert upward pressure on consumer prices despite relative stability in housing-related expenses. — ONA
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