Muscat – Expatriates in Oman sent RO3.64bn in remittances abroad in 2025, up 3.1% from the previous year, as the Gulf region recorded a record US$161bn in outward worker remittances, according to data from the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) and the GCC Statistical Centre.

The CBO’s Annual Report 2025 said workers’ remittances from Oman rose to RO3.6396bn in 2025 from RO3.5297bn in 2024, reflecting resilient labour market conditions and sustained domestic economic activity.

Despite the increase, Oman’s remittance growth was relatively moderate compared to the wider GCC. The CBO attributed this partly to the gradual integration of expatriates into the domestic economy.

‘Recent policy measures that facilitate long-term residency, family settlement, home ownership and domestic investment opportunities are likely to encourage a greater share of income to be retained and spent within Oman over time,’ the CBO said.

Such measures could support domestic economic activity while moderating growth in secondary income outflows, it added.

Oman’s outward worker remittances accounted for less than 6% of the GCC’s total in 2025.

GCC records US$161bn

Across the six GCC countries, workers sent about US$161bn abroad in 2025, according to the GCC Statistical Centre’s report Remittances Abroad of Workers in the GCC Countries 2025.

The figure was 13.6% higher than 2024, representing an increase of about US$19bn. It was the highest level recorded by the GCC and marked the second consecutive year of growth after a decline in 2023.

The increase came as Gulf economies continued to attract expatriate workers amid expanding activity in infrastructure, services, industry and non-oil sectors.

The ratio of worker remittances to GCC gross domestic product rose to 6.6% in 2025, from 6% in 2024, 5.7% in 2023 and 5.6% in 2022.

The GCC Statistical Centre cautioned that the ratio reflects the scale of remittances relative to the region’s economies and should not, by itself, be interpreted as an indicator of economic performance.

The scale of GCC outflows is underscored by comparisons with individual major economies. Workers in the US sent about US$107bn abroad in 2025, while Switzerland recorded about US$43bn, Germany US$27bn and France US$21bn.

The transfers are a major source of income for families in recipient countries, supporting household consumption and contributing to economic and social stability.