Consumer Price Index in Oman rises by 3.8%

Muscat: The General Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the Sultanate of Oman recorded an increase of 3.8 percent in May 2026 compared to the same month of 2025, based on the year 2018, according to data issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The average inflation rate during the period from January to May 2026 also recorded an increase of 2.8 percent.

The data showed that the miscellaneous personal goods and services group topped the list of groups with the highest price increases at 9.6 percent, followed by the transport group at 9.2 percent, and the food and non-alcoholic beverages group with an increase of 6.6 percent. The restaurants and hotels group ranked fourth with a rise of 4.7 percent, followed by the furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance group at 3.1 percent, and the education group at 2.2 percent.

Prices of the health group also rose by 1.8 percent, and the recreation and culture group increased slightly by 0.3 percent, while the prices of the clothing and footwear group, the communication group, and the tobacco group remained stable without any significant change.

On the other hand, prices of the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels group decreased slightly by 0.3 percent.

Regarding the food and non-alcoholic beverages group during May 2026 compared to the same month of 2025, increases were recorded in most items. Vegetables led the rates with a rise of 24.9 percent, followed by fruits at 16.7 percent, and meat at 5.1 percent.

Prices of non-alcoholic beverages also rose by 3.6 percent, milk, cheese, and eggs by 2.6 percent, and sugar, jam, honey, and sweets by 2.5 percent, while food products not classified elsewhere rose by 1.9 percent, and bread and cereals by 1 percent.

Oils and fats witnessed a slight increase of 0.8 percent, and fish and seafood rose by 0.3 percent.

The data revealed variations in inflation rates among the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman by the end of May 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year. Al Dhahirah Governorate topped the list with the highest increase of 4.8 percent, followed by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate at 4.4 percent, and Muscat Governorate at 4.2 percent.

Al Buraimi Governorate recorded an increase of 3.9 percent, and Al Wusta Governorate recorded a rise of 3.5 percent, while the increase reached 3.4 percent in both South Al Batinah and Musandam governorates. North Al Sharqiyah and South Al Sharqiyah governorates recorded a rate of 3.2 percent, while North Al Batinah and Dhofar governorates achieved an increase of 2.3 percent.