Saturday 22 / August / 2026
Muscat: Financial crimes lead Oman’s offence categories, according to the latest official data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Oman recorded around 21,000 crimes in 2025, marking a 14.8% increase from the previous year, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Crimes against property accounted for the largest share, rising by 33% to nearly 13,000 offences and representing 62.3% of all recorded crimes across the Sultanate’s governorates.
Crimes against persons were the second-largest category, accounting for 28.8%, followed by offences against public administration and public trust at 3.5%. Liquor and public drunkenness violations accounted for 2.8%, while moral offences represented 2.1%.
The average number of recorded crimes increased to 58 offences a day in 2025, compared with 50 per day in 2024. The overall crime rate stood at 3.9 offences per 1,000 population.
Muscat accounts for largest share
Muscat Governorate recorded the highest number of offences, accounting for 42% of the national total, with 8,916 crimes and a rate of 5.8 offences per 1,000 residents.
North Al Batinah followed with 3,002 offences, while South Al Batinah recorded 1,985 and Dhofar 1,827.
At the other end of the scale, Al Wusta Governorate recorded the lowest number of crimes, with 120 offences during the year.
Young adults make up majority of offenders
The number of people charged or apprehended in connection with crimes also increased. A total of 26,847 offenders were recorded in 2025, up 10% from 24,341 in 2024.
The number of people charged or apprehended in connection with crimes also increased. A total of 26,847 offenders were recorded in 2025, up 10% from 24,341 in 2024.
Men accounted for 85%, or 22,869 offenders, while women represented 15%, with 3,978 offenders.
Adults aged between 18 and 59 constituted the overwhelming majority, numbering 25,524 offenders. The 30–39 age group formed the largest segment, accounting for 36%, or 9,647 offenders.
The number of juvenile offenders under the age of 18 stood at 751.
Number of victims also rises
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%, or 17,371 people, with males making up around 70% of affected individuals. The number of individuals affected rose by 32% compared with 2024.
Meanwhile, cases recorded under Public Rights fell sharply by 52.2%, declining to 1,543 cases. The decline comes amid strengthened regulatory and preventive measures aimed at protecting public institutions and reducing general violations.
The latest figures highlight a significant increase in recorded crime during 2025, particularly property-related offences, while Muscat continued to account for the largest concentration of reported crimes nationwide.
