Muscat – The number of Omanis with disabilities in employment rose 10% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching 18,437, with 47% working in the private sector, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The economic participation rate among Omanis with disabilities aged 15 and older stood at 38% in 2025. Agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry farming and fishing accounted for the largest share of employment, representing 18% of the total.

The figures showed that 75,432 Omanis had disabilities in 2025, equivalent to 2.5% of the Omani population. This represented an increase of around 9% compared to 2024.

Men accounted for 60% of the total, at 44,916, while women numbered 30,516, representing 40%. Nearly 59% of Omanis with disabilities were under the age of 40. North Batinah recorded the highest number, with 16,199 people.

The data showed that 56% of disabilities, or 42,210 cases, resulted from non-congenital causes. A further 15% were associated with circumstances during birth, 20% with diseases and 7% with accidents. Physical disabilities accounted for around 28% of all cases.

Forty-two per cent of Omanis with disabilities aged ten and older had an educational level below the General Education Diploma in 2025. A total of 483 students with disabilities aged six and older were enrolled in schools during the 2025/2026 academic year, including 276 boys and 207 girls.

A total of 26,511 Omanis with disabilities aged 15 and older were married, representing around 35% of that age group. The total comprised 17,842 men and 8,669 women.

In social protection, 51,252 Omanis received the disability benefit in 2025, with men accounting for 61% of beneficiaries. The total amount disbursed under the benefit reached approximately RO74mn.

Meanwhile, 10,074 Omanis with disabilities benefited from assistive devices and support services. Permits for designated parking spaces for people with disabilities accounted for around 22% of the services and assistance recorded under this indicator.

The number of people enrolled in government and private rehabilitation centres at the ministry’s expense reached 9,226 in 2025, while the total number of such centres stood at 128.

The NCSI data also showed an increase in property and vehicle ownership among Omanis with disabilities. The number owning at least one plot of land rose 9.3% compared to 2024, while the number owning at least one housing unit increased 10%.

A total of 18,499 Omanis with disabilities owned at least one vehicle, an increase of 9.5% year on year.