Oman’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in August 2026, up from 3.2% in July and marking its highest level since May. The pickup was driven mainly by a sharp rise in transport costs, which increased 8.5% year-on-year, compared with 6.5% in July, reflecting higher fuel prices amid rising crude oil prices and escalating US–Iran tensions. Additional upward pressure came from the “miscellaneous goods and services” category, where inflation accelerated to 6.1% from 5.3%.
In contrast, food inflation eased slightly to 7.0% from 7.3%, although it remained elevated. Price growth was unchanged for restaurants and hotels at 3.6%, and for furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance at 3.1%. Housing and utilities prices declined for the second consecutive month, falling 0.6%.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.3% in August, following a 0.7% increase in July.