MUSCAT – Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that the average inflation rate during the first quarter of 2026 (January to March) rose by 2.3 percent.
The data indicated that the miscellaneous personal goods and services group recorded the highest increase among expenditure categories, rising by 13.8 percent, followed by the transport group at 9.4 percent, restaurants and hotels at 5.8 percent, and food and non-alcoholic beverages at 4.3 percent.
Other increases were recorded in furniture, furnishings, household equipment and maintenance at 3 percent, education at 2.2 percent, health at 1.7 percent, and culture and entertainment at 0.2 percent. The clothing and footwear group recorded a marginal rise of 0.1 percent.
Prices in the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels group, as well as the communications and tobacco groups, remained stable with no significant change during the period.
Within the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, increases were recorded across most items in March 2026 compared to the same month of 2025, led by vegetables at 15.6 percent, fruits at 10.7 percent, and non-alcoholic beverages at 3.4 percent.
Prices also rose for fish and seafood by 3.1 percent, sugar, jam, honey and sweets by 2.9 percent, milk, cheese and eggs by 2.4 percent, meat by 1.8 percent, bread and cereals by 1.2 percent, other food products not elsewhere classified by 1 percent, and oils and fats by 0.8 percent.
At the governorate level, inflation rates varied across the Sultanate of Oman at the end of March 2026 compared to the same period last year. Muscat Governorate recorded the highest increase at 4.5 percent, followed by Al Dhahirah at 4.2 percent and Al Dakhiliyah at 4.1 percent.
Al Buraimi Governorate recorded an increase of 3.9 percent, Musandam 3.1 percent, South Al Batinah 3 percent, and Al Wusta 2.8 percent. South Al Sharqiyah recorded 2.7 percent, North Al Sharqiyah 2.6 percent, Dhofar 1.8 percent, and North Al Batinah 1.7 percent.