Oman’s GDP grows 0.6% in Q2 as non-oil sectors offset oil decline  

Oman’s GDP grows 0.6% in Q2 as non-oil sectors offset oil decline  
According to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, this growth was largely driven by a 4 percent increase in non-oil activities, which rose to 7.05 billion rials from 6.78 billion a year earlier. Shutterstock
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Updated 05 October 2025
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Oman’s GDP grows 0.6% in Q2 as non-oil sectors offset oil decline  

Oman’s GDP grows 0.6% in Q2 as non-oil sectors offset oil decline  

RIYADH: Oman’s gross domestic product at current prices grew by 0.6 percent in the second quarter of 2025, reaching 10.17 billion Omani rials ($26.4 billion) compared to 10.10 billion rials during the same period in 2024.

According to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, this growth was largely driven by a 4 percent increase in non-oil activities, which rose to 7.05 billion rials from 6.78 billion a year earlier.  

At constant prices, Oman’s economy showed firmer underlying momentum. GDP at constant prices reached 9.4 billion rials, a 2.1 percent increase, with total non-petroleum activities up 4.1 percent year on year and petroleum activities edging higher by 0.5 percent.  

The economic expansion was supported by robust performance in the services sector, which climbed 7 percent to 4.85 billion rials, and in agriculture and fisheries, which saw a 9.8 percent increase to 310.3 million rials.

This modest GDP growth aligns with the continued expansion of Oman’s Islamic finance sector. According to the Central Bank of Oman, total assets of Islamic banks and windows reached 9.1 billion rials by the end of July, accounting for 19.7 percent of the total banking sector assets and marking a 16.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year.   

Financing provided by Islamic institutions rose by 12.5 percent to 7.2 billion rials, with deposits also growing by 16.1 percent to 7.2 billion rials, reflecting strong liquidity and lending activity in the sector.  

In terms of the GDP performance, the decline in oil activities was offset by a significant surge in natural gas output, which recorded a 40.7 percent increase in added value, reaching 803.6 million rials in the second quarter of the year compared to 570.9 million rials in the same quarter of 2024. 


Kuwait leads Gulf non-oil growth as Egypt stabilizes and Qatar slows: S&P Global PMI 

Kuwait leads Gulf non-oil growth as Egypt stabilizes and Qatar slows: S&P Global PMI 
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Kuwait leads Gulf non-oil growth as Egypt stabilizes and Qatar slows: S&P Global PMI 

Kuwait leads Gulf non-oil growth as Egypt stabilizes and Qatar slows: S&P Global PMI 

RIYADH: Gulf business conditions diverged in October as Kuwait’s non-oil sector strengthened, Qatar’s non-energy growth slowed, and Egypt’s contraction eased to an eight-month low. 

According to the latest S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys, Kuwait’s PMI rose to 52.8, indicating solid growth; Qatar’s PMI slipped to 50.6, pointing to only a marginal upturn; and Egypt’s index increased to 49.2, suggesting a softer decline in business activity. 

In Egypt, the non-oil private sector showed signs of stabilization as declines in output and new orders moderated.  

The PMI rose from 48.8 in September to 49.2 in October, remaining below the 50 threshold that separates growth from contraction but above its long-term trend. 

“The Egypt PMI stayed above its long-term trend in October, pointing to a year-on-year GDP growth rate of about 4.6 percent,” said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

However, he cautioned that “rising cost pressures could slow things down if companies struggle to absorb these costs.” 

Wage costs climbed at the fastest rate since 2020, lifting input inflation, though firms largely held prices steady to support sales. 

In Kuwait, non-oil firms reported faster increases in output, new orders, and employment, marking the most robust expansion in several months.  

The PMI climbed to 52.8 from 52.2 in September. “The October PMI data for Kuwait help to allay any fears that the recent growth slowdown was going to result in a more prolonged soft patch,” said Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Hiring grew at the fastest pace in four months, but staff shortages contributed to a further accumulation of backlogs.

Companies also faced sharper rises in input and staff costs, yet output prices rose only marginally as firms sought to remain competitive and secure new business.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s non-energy private sector recorded a slowdown, with the headline PMI easing to 50.6 in October from 51.5 in September, the weakest reading since January.

The decline reflected softer output and new order volumes, with construction activity showing notable weakness. 

“Qatar’s non-energy private sector continued to report an overall improvement in business conditions in October,” said Trevor Balchin, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

That said, he added, the headline PMI eased to a nine-month low of 50.6, signaling only a fractional upturn.

Despite weaker demand, employment increased at one of the fastest rates on record, led by gains in manufacturing.

Firms also reported rising wages and purchase prices but lower overall input costs as competitive pressures weighed on selling prices.