Financial crimes top Oman’s offence categories: NCSI data

Financial crimes have emerged as the leading category of offenses in Oman, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The Sultanate recorded approximately 21,000 crimes in 2025, marking a 14.8% increase compared to the prior year.

Crimes against property accounted for the largest share, surging by 33% to nearly 13,000 reported incidents. This represents 62.3% of all recorded crimes across Oman's governorates. Crimes against persons were the second-largest category, making up 28.8% of the total, followed by offenses against public administration and public trust at 3.5%.

The average number of daily crimes rose to 58 in 2025, up from 50 per day in 2024. The overall crime rate stood at 3.9 offenses per 1,000 population. Muscat Governorate reported the highest concentration of crimes, with 8,916 offenses, constituting 42% of the national total.

Data also indicates an increase in the number of individuals apprehended for crimes, reaching 26,847 in 2025, a 10% rise from the previous year. Men comprised 85% of offenders, while women represented 15%. The 18-59 age group formed the vast majority of offenders, with those aged 30-39 being the largest segment at 36%. Juvenile offenders under 18 numbered 751.

Conversely, cases under Public Rights saw a sharp decline of 52.2%, falling to 1,543. This decrease is attributed to strengthened regulatory and preventive measures. The number of victims also increased by 14.6% to 21,900 in 2025.