Oman Registers Significant Gains in Global Competitiveness Rankings
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The National Competitiveness Office has released the third annual report on Oman Competitiveness 2024, showcasing the Sultanate’s marked progress across various global indices. The comprehensive document underscores Oman’s commitment to enhancing its global standing through policy reform, innovation, and sustainable development.
One of the most notable achievements highlighted in the report is Oman’s remarkable leap in the Environmental Performance Index, where it climbed 94 positions, now ranking 55th out of 180 countries. This substantial improvement underscores the country’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Moreover, Oman secured first place globally in several sub-indicators, including marine protection stringency, growth rate of black carbon emissions, and bottom-trawl fishing within the exclusive economic zone, reflecting its leadership in marine and environmental governance.
In the area of economic freedom, Oman advanced 39 places in the Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index, achieving a global rank of 56th. The country’s economy is now classified as “moderately free”, a significant upgrade from its previous status of “mostly unfree.” This improvement is attributed to higher scores in key sub-indicators:
- Government spending increased from 59.4 to 70.8 out of 100
- Investment freedom rose from 60 to 70 out of 100
- Financial freedom improved from 50 to 60 out of 100
Oman also demonstrated continued momentum in digital development, advancing four places in the Network Readiness Index, to reach the 50th position globally. It excelled in critical sub-indicators such as:
- Government promotion of investment in emerging technologies (9th globally)
- Gender gap in internet usage (11th globally)
- ICT skills in education (23rd globally)
In the Future Growth Index, Oman scored 50.59 out of 100, surpassing the global average. The nation also secured first place globally in sub-indicators including ICT capital (in US dollars) and electricity access in rural areas, showcasing robust infrastructure and inclusive development.
Further advancements were recorded in the Global Governance Indicators, especially in areas aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Oman achieved:
- 70.2/100 in the Rule of Law Index
- 66.5 in Regulatory Quality
- 62.2 in Government Effectiveness
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Salim bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, emphasized that the National Competitiveness Office remains committed to monitoring and improving Oman’s standing in international benchmarks.
Speaking to Oman News Agency, Dr. Al Sheikh stated: “The office is actively working with national teams to strengthen Oman’s position in global indices through various programs and initiatives, while addressing challenges that may arise. These indicators receive international attention and serve as a key reference for strategic development.”
The 2024 competitiveness report is also aimed at increasing public awareness of international rankings, serving as a reference point for government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and researchers. It identifies top-performing countries across various indicators to inform policy and strategic direction for enhancing Oman’s global competitiveness.
The continued advancements reflected in this year’s report affirm Oman’s strategic drive toward sustainable economic growth, digital transformation, and global integration, in alignment with its long-term national vision.
