Oman Sees Significant Rise in Crime, Property Offences Lead Surge in 2025

Oman recorded approximately 21,000 crimes in 2025, marking a 14.8% increase from the previous year. This surge was primarily driven by property offences, which rose by 33% to nearly 13,000 cases. Crimes against property constituted 62.3% of all recorded crimes across the Sultanate’s governorates, with these latest figures noting a significant increase in recorded crime during 2025, particularly property-related offences. The overall number of crimes recorded in 2025 was around 21,000, reflecting a notable uptick in criminal activity compared to the preceding year.

Crime Categories Detailed

Crimes against persons constituted the second-largest category of recorded offences in 2025, accounting for 28.8% of the total. These offences against individuals represented a significant portion of the overall crime statistics. Offences against public administration and public trust represented 3.5% of reported crimes, indicating issues related to governance and public confidence. Violations related to liquor and public drunkenness comprised 2.8% of the total incidents, noting public order concerns. Moral offences made up 2.1% of the crime statistics for the year, addressing socially sensitive issues. In contrast to the overall rise, cases recorded under Public Rights saw a significant decrease, falling sharply by 52.2% to a total of 1,543 cases in 2025, suggesting an improvement in this specific area.

Geographic Distribution of Offences

Muscat Governorate recorded the highest number of offences, accounting for 42% of the national total, with 8,916 crimes reported. The capital region had a crime rate of 5.8 offences per 1,000 residents, continuing to account for the largest concentration of reported crimes nationwide. This concentration notes the challenges faced by the most populous region. North Al Batinah followed with 3,002 offences, making it the second-highest contributor to the national crime figures. South Al Batinah recorded 1,985 offences, demonstrating a significant level of criminal activity in that region as well. Meanwhile, Dhofar registered 1,827 offences, contributing to the broader national crime picture. Al Wusta Governorate recorded the lowest number of crimes across the Sultanate, with 120 offences reported, indicating a comparatively lower crime rate in this less densely populated area.

Offender and Victim Demographics

A total of 26,847 offenders were recorded in 2025, marking a 10% increase from 24,341 in 2024. This rise in the number of individuals committing crimes is a key aspect of the overall crime trend. Men accounted for 85% of these offenders, numbering 22,869, while women represented 15%, with 3,978 recorded, indicating a clear gender disparity in offender statistics. Adults aged between 18 and 59 constituted the overwhelming majority of offenders, totaling 25,524. Within this adult demographic, the 30–39 age group formed the largest segment of offenders, accounting for 36% of the total, or 9,647 individuals, making them a significant demographic in crime statistics. The number of juvenile offenders under the age of 18 stood at 751, representing a smaller but still notable portion of the total.

The number of affected individuals and entities reached 21,900 in 2025, an increase of 14.6% compared with the previous year. Individuals accounted for 79% of affected parties, totaling 17,371 people, showing the direct impact of crime on the populace. Males made up approximately 70% of these affected individuals, noting a gender imbalance among victims as well. The number of individuals affected rose by 32% compared with 2024, indicating a substantial increase in the human cost of crime.

Daily Crime Trends

The average number of recorded crimes in Oman increased to 58 offences a day in 2025. This figure compares with 50 offences per day reported in 2024, illustrating the daily escalation in criminal incidents. The overall crime rate across the Sultanate stood at 3.9 offences per 1,000 population, providing a per capita measure of criminal activity.