MUSCAT : Oman has achieved more than half of its 2026 employment target in the first six months of the year, raising the question of whether the Sultanate is on course to meet its goal of creating 60,000 employment and training opportunities by year-end.

According to detailed indicators released by the Ministry of Labour, a total of 34,092 Omanis secured employment or training opportunities during the first half of 2026, representing 56.82% of the annual target set under the country’s workforce development plan.

The figures show that employment and Omanisation replacement initiatives accounted for 26,434 opportunities, achieving 61% of the annual target. This included 7,687 positions in the government sector against a target of 10,000 jobs, and 18,747 first-time employment opportunities in the private sector against a target of 33,000.

Meanwhile, training programmes linked to employment, replacement and workforce integration generated 7,658 opportunities, representing 45% of the annual target. The government sector achieved its full target of 2,000 training-linked placements, while the private sector recorded 5,658 placements against a target of 15,000.

The ministry also reported that total employment, including Omanis who had previously been employed, reached 62,931 citizens during the first half of the year. Of these, 34,092 entered employment or training for the first time, while 28,839 were individuals who had worked previously and rejoined the labour market.

The results offer an early indication of progress towards the government’s broader labour market objectives outlined in the 11th Five-Year Development Plan (2026–2030).

During a media briefing in January, the Ministry of Labour projected that 60,000 employment opportunities would be created in 2026, comprising 10,000 government jobs, 33,000 private-sector positions, and 17,000 opportunities through national training and qualification programmes.

Beyond 2026, Oman is pursuing an ambitious workforce expansion strategy. Economic projections published by the Ministry of Economy estimate that the five-year plan will generate approximately 700,000 jobs across the public and private sectors between 2026 and 2030. Of these, around 301,500 direct opportunities are expected to be created for Omani citizens.

The plan aims to strengthen the participation of nationals in the labour market through regulatory reforms, targeted employment policies and workforce development initiatives. Training programmes linked to employment and replacement are expected to contribute about 58,400 jobs over the five-year period.

With nearly 57% of its annual target already achieved by mid-year, Oman appears to be on track to meet its 2026 employment objectives, though progress in private-sector hiring and training programmes will be closely watched in the months ahead.

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