Muscat – Oman’s total expenditure on research and experimental development activities reached RO189.42mn in 2025, up from RO98.26mn in 2021, according to the 2025 National Survey of Research and Experimental Development conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.

The expenditure accounted for 0.48% of GDP at constant prices and 0.45% at current prices, reflecting continued growth in research and experimental development activities.

The survey showed that the total number of people engaged in research and experimental development activities reached 35,539 in 2025, with males accounting for 67% and females 33%.

The private sector accounted for the largest share of those engaged in research and experimental development activities at 42%, followed by the government sector at 32% and the higher education sector at 26%.

Researchers numbered 18,193 in 2025, compared to 13,576 in 2024. The number of technicians and equivalent staff stood at 7,112, while support staff totalled 6,775 and those not classified by occupation numbered 3,459.

The number of people working full-time in research and experimental development activities stood at 11,695 in 2025. Researchers accounted for 57%, technicians and equivalent staff 20%, support staff 14%, and unclassified employees 9%.

Male full-time workers numbered 8,694, compared to 3,001 female workers.

The number of full-time researchers/mn people increased to 1,242 in 2025, compared to 725 in 2024.

By sector, the private sector accounted for 46% of total research and experimental development expenditure, followed by the government sector at 31% and the higher education sector at 23%.

The National Survey of Research and Experimental Development provides statistical indicators on human resources, expenditure and funding sources for research and experimental development activities in the government, higher education and private sectors, supporting decision-making and policy development aimed at strengthening scientific research and innovation and achieving the targets of Oman Vision 2040.