Jobseekers rate in Oman: June 2026 monthly bulletin shows education-linked gaps
The jobseekers rate in Oman reached 2.4 percent in June 2026, according to the latest monthly statistical bulletin from the National Centre for Statistics and Information. The report, released this month, highlights significant variation by educational attainment, gender and age across the Sultanate.
Data for June show that holders of higher education diplomas recorded the highest rate of job seeking at 7.1 percent, followed by bachelor’s degree holders at 5.7 percent. Meanwhile, the overall female jobseekers rate was notably higher than the male rate, underscoring persistent labour market imbalances.
Detailed education-level breakdown of the jobseekers rate in Oman
The National Centre for Statistics and Information bulletin breaks down jobseekers by education level, revealing a concentration of unemployment among certain credential groups. Diploma-level higher education graduates registered the top rate at 7.1 percent, indicating particular challenges for this cohort in finding suitable employment.
Bachelor’s degree holders recorded a 5.7 percent jobseekers rate. Those with general education diplomas and equivalent qualifications showed a 3.4 percent rate, while individuals without a general education diploma posted a relatively low 0.7 percent rate. Postgraduate holders — master’s and doctoral degrees — saw the lowest recorded jobseekers rate at 0.5 percent.
These figures suggest a complex relationship between qualifications and labour demand. Additionally, the bulletin implies that qualification type and field of study may influence outcomes, as the highest reported rates were among vocational and diploma-level graduates rather than at the lowest or highest academic levels.
Gender disparities and age patterns
The bulletin further details stark gender differences. Female diploma holders in higher education recorded a 14.4 percent jobseekers rate compared with 2.7 percent for male diploma holders. Similarly, among bachelor’s degree holders the rate was 12.4 percent for females and 1.3 percent for males.
For general education diploma holders, female jobseekers were 7.4 percent versus 2.5 percent for males. Postgraduate women recorded a 1.1 percent rate compared with 0.3 percent for men. Therefore, the jobseekers rate in Oman is heavily gendered at multiple educational levels, with women facing higher levels of job seeking overall.
Age-group analysis shows that youth face the biggest employment obstacles. The 15-to-24 age bracket registered the highest jobseekers rate at 13.2 percent in June, slightly down from 13.6 percent in May. The 25-to-29 group followed at 4.3 percent, and the 30-to-34 cohort posted 2.4 percent. Older age groups reported substantially lower rates, with the 40-and-over group at 0.6 percent.
Regional differences: which governorates show higher jobseeking
Geography also plays a role. Al Dhahirah Governorate led with the highest share of jobseekers at 4.6 percent in June 2026, followed by North Al Batinah at 3.4 percent and Al Dakhiliyah at 3.3 percent. South Al Sharqiyah recorded 3.1 percent, while Al Buraimi and South Al Batinah each posted 3.0 percent.
North Al Sharqiyah recorded 2.8 percent, Dhofar 2.2 percent and Muscat 1.1 percent. Al Wusta reported the lowest regional rate at 1.0 percent. These variations reflect differing local labour market structures, sectoral concentrations and opportunities for private- and public-sector employment across governorates.
Context, implications and policy considerations
The monthly bulletin from the National Centre for Statistics and Information provides a snapshot that policymakers and employers can use to target interventions. The concentration of job seeking among diploma and bachelor’s degree holders and among young women points toward potential mismatches between skills supplied and jobs demanded.
Education level unemployment and youth unemployment in Oman remain key policy concerns. International research and local studies typically point to causes such as skills mismatch, limited private-sector absorption of graduates, and sectoral reliance on public employment. Therefore, targeted vocational training, career guidance and incentives for private-sector hiring could be part of a broader response.
Furthermore, improving the alignment between higher education curricula and market needs may help reduce the jobseekers rate in Oman over time. Meanwhile, gender-specific measures—such as flexible work arrangements, childcare support and programmes to ease entry into growth sectors—may address the disproportionate rates among women graduates.
What to watch next and conclusion
The June 2026 figures set a baseline for monitoring short-term trends and the impact of any new policy measures. Observers should watch forthcoming monthly bulletins from the National Centre for Statistics and Information and official government statements for updates on labour initiatives and targeted programmes.
In conclusion, the bulletin highlights education-, gender- and age-linked disparities in the jobseekers rate in Oman that merit focused attention. Policymakers, educators and employers are likely to examine these results closely over the coming months as they plan interventions and track progress in the next statistical releases.
