A new survey reveals important details about how expat families live and spend money in Oman. Here are the key facts from the report:
- Average non-Omani household income is RO 717.15 per month.
- Average monthly spending is RO 402.48.
- Housing and utilities take up 48 percent of total spending.
- Government workers earn much more than private sector workers.
A Household Income and Expenditure Survey published by Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) and reported by the Oman Observer on 7 September 2026, provides a detailed analysis of expatriate living and spending patterns in the Sultanate. The data indicates that the
average income for a non-Omani household is RO 717.15 per month, with salary accounting for RO 686.38 of that total.
Average monthly expenditure for these households stands at RO 402.48. Spending is heavily skewed toward essential services, with 48% of expenditures allocated to housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels. Other notable expenses include food and beverages at 16.5%, transport at 6.6%, education services at 5.2%, and restaurants and accommodation at 5.25%.
A significant disparity exists between sectors. Expatriates employed in the government sector earn an average monthly income of RO 1,667.97, while those in the private sector earn an average of RO 687.58. As of July 2026, there were 39,627 expatriates employed in government roles, compared to 1,406,283 in the private sector. The average monthly per capita income for a non-Omani is RO 172.73, with urban residents averaging RO 171.32 and rural residents averaging RO 126.72. Expatriates currently comprise 43.40% of the total population in Oman. Occupation data from the NCSI shows the distribution of the expatriate workforce as follows: 94,103 in administrative, director, or managerial roles; 118,968 in sales; 617,202 in service sectors; 100,894 in industrial, chemical, and food industries; and 700,039 in principal, auxiliary, and engineering occupations. The report, filed by reporter Vinod R. Nair, highlights that the vast majority of expatriates remain within the private sector, where earnings align more closely with the overall household average of RO 717.
