\n\tRIYADH: Oman\u2019s annual inflation rate reached 2.8 percent in June compared with the same month a year earlier, according to consumer price index data issued by the National Center for Statistics and Information.<\/p>\n
\n\tAverage inflation during the first half of 2026, covering the period from January to June, also stood at 2.8 percent, with higher food, transport and personal goods and services prices driving the increase.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe latest inflation data comes as Oman continues to balance price stability with economic growth following a period of fiscal consolidation and stronger hydrocarbon revenues.<\/p>\n
\n\tOman\u2019s annual inflation rate of 2.8 percent in June was higher than the most recent official readings available for several Gulf peers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tSaudi Arabia\u2019s consumer price index increased 1.8 percent year on year in May<\/a>, while Kuwait recorded annual inflation of 2.49 percent during the same month.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cPrices for the culture and entertainment group rose by 0.3 percent, while prices for the communications, tobacco, clothing and footwear groups remained unchanged compared to June of last year, while prices for the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels group recorded a decrease of 0.6 percent,\u201d Oman\u2019s state news agency stated in a report.<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tWhile inflation remains relatively contained by international standards, higher food and transport costs continue to shape consumer prices across the sultanate.<\/p>\n \n\tFood and transport costs lead annual price increases<\/p>\n \n\tFood and non-alcoholic beverages recorded the highest annual rise among the main consumer price categories, reaching 6.1 percent. Miscellaneous personal goods and services followed, increasing by 5.7 percent, while transport prices rose by 5.5 percent.<\/p>\n \n\tRestaurant and hotel prices increased 4.6 percent, while furniture, household equipment and routine home maintenance costs rose 3.1 percent. Education prices increased 2.2 percent, and health care costs grew 1.8 percent.<\/p>\n \n\tInflation rises across Oman<\/p>\n