Muscat: The National Competitiveness Office has reported significant advancements for Oman in various international metrics throughout 2024.
The Sultanate improved its position by 20 places in the Corruption Perceptions Index, now ranking 50th among 180 nations.
Oman also made a remarkable leap of over 90 positions in the Environmental Performance Index, achieving the 55th spot globally, and improved by four ranks in the Network Readiness Index, where it now stands at 50th out of 133 countries.
Furthermore, Oman’s Economic Freedom Score increased from 62.9 to 65.4 in 2025, categorizing its economy as “moderately free.”
In terms of global governance metrics, Oman’s Rule of Law score reached 70.2 out of 100, Regulatory Quality improved to 66.5, and Government Effectiveness rose to 62.2.
Dr. Salem bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, Director of the National Competitiveness Office at the Ministry of Economy, credited these successes to the dedicated efforts of national committees and task forces focused on monitoring these indicators.
He highlighted the vital roles played by the National Competitiveness Committee and specialized teams concentrating on innovation, network readiness, environmental performance, and business preparedness.
In his remarks to the Oman News Agency, Dr. Al-Sheikh acknowledged the hard work of these teams in enhancing Oman’s performance across these critical areas.
A study on the Corruption Perceptions Index provided recommendations that were forwarded to the appropriate authorities for execution, resulting in significant enhancements in international metrics.
He emphasized that Oman's advancement is fueled by the overall performance of the government, the introduction of new legislation, improvements in governance, and initiatives launched by various governmental entities.
The National Centre for Statistics and Information's efforts to supply, enhance, and update data in collaboration with international organizations have also been instrumental in elevating the country's status.
Dr. Al-Sheikh noted that the combined efforts of the government, private sector, civil society, and the community's engagement with surveys from international experts have positively influenced Oman’s global rankings.
He reaffirmed the dedication of the National Competitiveness Committee and Office to further improve Oman’s competitive indicators in the years ahead.
The Sultanate aims to boost its performance in areas such as innovation, environmental sustainability, business readiness, and future growth.
Oman is also preparing to participate in the revamped Ease of Doing Business Index and the Future Growth Index, concentrating on internal enhancements and a clear vision that aligns with international benchmarks.
Dr. Yusuf bin Hamad Al-Balushi, an economic expert and founder of the Smart Gateway for Consultations and Investments, highlighted the significance of competitiveness indices as essential tools for improving business environments and attracting investors.
He pointed out that these indicators serve as a guide for policymakers to tackle challenges and enhance the Sultanate’s international standing, which is vital for both investors and researchers.
He also highlighted that although Oman has made notable advancements in international rankings, there is still potential for further enhancement to facilitate transformative changes in the national economic framework.
