The Omani government has announced its 2026 state budget, placing strong emphasis on expanding education and healthcare infrastructure as part of its long-term development strategy.
Speaking during a media briefing on the 11th Five-Year Development Plan and the State Budget 2026, Undersecretary at Oman’s Ministry of Finance Abdullah Harthi said the government plans to construct 42 new schools across the country. The initiative aims to improve access to quality education and cater to the country’s growing student population.
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In addition to school construction, the budget includes key higher education projects. These include the development of a new College of Law building and the upgrading of laboratory facilities at Sultan Qaboos University. Several buildings at branches of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in different governorates will also undergo rehabilitation.
The education sector will further benefit from an increase in student intake at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, with enrollment set to rise by 500 students for the 2025–2026 academic year. Officials said this expansion reflects the government’s focus on building human capital and aligning educational output with labour market needs.
Healthcare is another major pillar of the 2026 budget. The government plans to appoint 3,706 qualified personnel across various health institutions to strengthen service delivery nationwide. In addition, consultancy services will begin for the establishment of the National Center for Women’s Health, a project aimed at improving specialised healthcare services for women.
According to officials, these measures demonstrate Oman’s commitment to enhancing public services and ensuring long-term social welfare. Beyond education and healthcare, the 2026 budget also allocates resources for infrastructure development, economic diversification, and employment generation initiatives.
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The government stressed that the planned investments are part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable development and improve the overall quality of life for citizens across the Sultanate.