Total
Expenditure on Experimental Research in Oman Exceeds RO 189m

Muscat,
20 Sep 2026 (ONA) — The results of the National Survey for Experimental
Research and Development for 2025, conducted by the National Centre for
Statistics and Information (NCSI), showed the continued growth of experimental
research and development activities in the Sultanate of Oman.

The
total expenditure on experimental research and development activities reached
approximately RO 189.42 million during 2025. This is equivalent to 0.48 percent
of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant prices and 0.45 percent at
current prices, compared to RO 98.26 million in 2021, reflecting a growing
interest in enhancing the innovation ecosystem and the knowledge-based economy.

The
survey results revealed that the total number of workers participating in
experimental research and development work in the Sultanate of Oman reached
35,539 workers during 2025. Males constituted 67 percent of them, compared to
33 percent for females.

The
data clarified that the private sector accounted for the largest percentage of
total workers in experimental research and development activities at 42
percent, followed by the government sector at 32 percent, and the higher
education sector at 26 percent.

Regarding
the distribution of workers by occupation, the results showed that researchers
represent the largest category of total workers at 51 percent. Their number
reached 18,193 researchers in 2025, compared to 13,576 researchers in 2024,
reflecting a notable growth in the number of research cadres. Furthermore, the
number of technicians and their equivalents reached 7,112 employees, and
support staff numbered 6,775 employees, while the number of those with an
unspecified occupational classification stood at 3,459 employees.

The
survey results also showed that the number of full-time workers in experimental
research and development activities reached 11,695 workers during 2025. Their
jobs were distributed among researchers at 57 percent, technicians and their
equivalents at 20 percent, support staff at 14 percent, and unspecified
classifications at 9 percent. The number of full-time male workers in these
activities reached 8,694, compared to 3,001 female workers.

The
index of the number of full-time researchers per million inhabitants recorded a
remarkable increase, reaching 1,242 researchers per million inhabitants in
2025, compared to 725 researchers in 2024.

At
the level of expenditure by sector, the private sector accounted for the
highest percentage of total expenditure on experimental research and
development at 46 percent, followed by the government sector at 31 percent, and
the higher education sector at 23 percent.

The
National Survey for Experimental Research and Development aims to provide accurate
statistical indicators regarding human resources, expenditure directed toward
experimental research and development activities, and their sources of funding
in the government sector, higher education, and the private sector. This
contributes to supporting decision-making and formulating policies aimed at
enhancing scientific research and innovation, as well as achieving the
objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

—-Ends/AG