MUSCAT: According to the National Survey of Experimental Research and Development 2025, conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), spending on experimental R&D had increased from RO 98.26 million in 2021, reflecting growing activity in research, innovation and the knowledge-based economy.
The survey found that 35,539 people were engaged in experimental R&D activities in Oman in 2025. Men accounted for 67 percent of the total workforce, while women represented 33 percent.
The private sector accounted for the largest share of employment in experimental R&D activities at 42 percent, followed by the government sector at 32 percent and the higher education sector at 26 percent.
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Researchers represented the largest occupational category, accounting for 51 percent of total R&D personnel. Their number reached 18,193 in 2025, compared with 13,576 in 2024.
The number of technicians and equivalent employees stood at 7,112, while support staff numbered 6,775. A further 3,459 employees were recorded without a specified job classification.
The number of full-time employees engaged in experimental R&D activities reached 11,695 in 2025. Researchers accounted for 57 percent of full-time personnel, followed by technicians and equivalents at 20 percent, support staff at 14 percent, and employees with unspecified classifications at 9 percent.
Male full-time employees numbered 8,694, compared with 3,001 female employees.
The number of full-time researchers per million inhabitants also increased, reaching 1,242 researchers per million inhabitants in 2025, compared with 725 researchers in 2024.
In terms of spending, the private sector accounted for the largest share of total expenditure on experimental R&D at 46 percent, followed by the government sector at 31 percent and the higher education sector at 23 percent.
The National Experimental Research and Development Survey aims to provide statistical indicators on human resources, spending and funding sources related to experimental R&D activities across the government, higher education and private sectors.
The data are intended to support decision-making and policymaking aimed at promoting scientific research and innovation and advancing the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
