Muscat –Foreign direct investment into Oman increased 8.1% year-on-year by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, with total FDI stocks in the country reaching RO31.381bn, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

FDI inflows during 2025 stood at RO2.360bn, down from RO3.561bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

NCSI data indicates sustained foreign investor interest in Oman, driven largely by hydrocarbons.

The oil and gas exploration sector continued to account for the largest share of foreign investment, with total FDI reaching RO25.412bn by the end of Q4 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 11%. Inflows into the sector amounted to RO2.527bn during 2025, compared to RO3.585bn in 2024.

Manufacturing ranked second, with total FDI of RO2.673bn, although it recorded a year-on-year decline of 4.5%. FDI inflows into manufacturing turned negative, with net outflows of RO127mn in 2025 compared with an inflow of RO318.5mn in 2024.

The financial intermediation sector recorded a contraction of 4.4% in FDI, with total foreign investment decreasing to RO1.5bn by Q4 2025. The sector posted net outflows of RO69.1mn in 2025, compared with inflows of RO82.6mn in 2024.

Other sectors showing growth in FDI included trade, which expanded 1.4% to RO281mn, with inflows of RO4mn in 2025. FDI stock in construction grew 11.1% to RO99.1mn.

In contrast, real estate, renting and business activities contracted 2.4%, with total FDI falling to RO584.3mn by the end of Q4 2025. The sector recorded net outflows of RO14.4mn in 2025, compared to net outflows of RO435.1mn a year earlier.

FDI in transport, storage and communication inched up 0.8% to RO312.5mn, recording net inflow of RO2.5mn in 2025 compared to net outflows of RO15.5mn a year earlier. The electricity and water sectors saw FDI increase 8.8% to RO318.7mn, while hotels and restaurants remained broadly stable at RO112.8mn.

By country of origin, the United Kingdom remained the largest foreign investor in Oman, with total investments increasing 10.5% to RO16.421bn by the end of Q4 2025. UK inflows reached RO1.561bn during 2025, although lower than RO2.398bn in 2024. The UK currently accounts for more than 52% of total FDI in the sultanate.

The United States ranked second, with FDI stocks increasing 10.4% to RO8.453bn. Inflows from the US totalled RO796mn in 2025, lower than RO1.405bn recorded the previous year.