Oman Sees Declines in Births and Deaths in Early 2026

Oman experienced a decline in live births and recorded a specific number of deaths during the first half of 2026, according to recent data. Live births across the Sultanate decreased by 1.7 percent in the first six months of 2026 when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. This overall decline in live births shows a notable demographic shift within the nation. By the end of June 2026, a total of 4,590 deaths were officially recorded throughout Oman, reflecting a broader trend in mortality rates.

Birth Rate Trends

A total of 32,405 live births were registered in Oman by the end of June 2026. This full figure provides insight into the nation's birth demographics during the first half of the year. This total included 28,828 births to Omani parents and 3,577 to expatriate families, noting the composition of new arrivals in the Sultanate. Among Omani births, 14,793 were boys and 14,035 were girls, indicating a slight male predominance within the Omani population. Meanwhile, expatriate births comprised 1,847 boys and 1,730 girls.

For the month of June 2026 alone, Oman recorded 5,560 live births. This monthly total consisted of 4,958 Omani births and 602 expatriate births, offering a more granular view of recent trends. Births among Omani females registered the largest year-on-year decline, falling 3.7 percent, a significant drop that warrants further observation. In contrast, births among Omani males edged up 0.3 percent, showing a divergent trend within the Omani population. The data also indicated that births among expatriates declined by 2 percent overall, contributing to the general downward trend in birth rates. Specifically, expatriate male births were down 1.5 percent, and expatriate female births saw a decrease of 2.4 percent, with the latter experiencing a more pronounced reduction.

Death Rate Trends

Deaths in Oman dropped by 7.3 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. This overall reduction in mortality rates signifies a positive development for public health in the Sultanate. Among Omani nationals, deaths fell 6.6 percent, totaling 3,646 individuals. This figure included 2,106 males and 1,540 females, providing a gender breakdown of Omani fatalities. Expatriate deaths also saw a significant decline, dropping 9.9 percent to 944, comprising 759 males and 185 females. The larger percentage drop among expatriates suggests varying factors influencing mortality across different population segments.

For the month of June 2026 alone, 736 deaths were registered across the Sultanate. These June figures included 590 Omani and 146 expatriate deaths, detailing the monthly mortality statistics. Analysis of Omani deaths revealed a 10.6 percent fall in fatalities among Omani women, marking the steepest decline among the Omani population. Deaths among Omani men declined by 3.8 percent, a more moderate reduction. Expatriate female deaths experienced a substantial drop of 16.7 percent, indicating a significant improvement in this demographic. Expatriate male deaths decreased by 8.3 percent during the reporting period, further contributing to the overall decline in mortality.

Data Caveats

The reported figures are provisional and do not encompass births and deaths that have occurred outside the Sultanate of Oman. This methodology means the data specifically reflects demographic events recorded within Oman's borders, providing a clear picture of domestic occurrences. The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) typically issues such preliminary data, which may be subject to minor revisions in subsequent reports as more complete information becomes available. The exclusion of events abroad is standard practice for initial demographic releases focused on domestic occurrences, ensuring the accuracy of data pertaining to the population residing within Oman.