2012 Edition

Background

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa in 2010-11, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In February and March 2011, in response to protester demands, QABOOS pledged to create more government jobs and promised to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and the introduction of unemployment benefits. Also in March, the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged $20 billion in financial aid to Oman and Bahrain over a 10-year period to assist the two nations in their struggle with Arab protests. Amid concessions made to oppositionists, the government during the summer continued to crack down on protests and demonstrations, and increasingly clamped down on the media. In October 2011, QABOOS issued a royal decree expanding the legislative powers of the Majlis al-Shura to draft and propose amendments to legislation.

Area

309,500 sq km 309,500 sq km 0 sq km

total

309,500 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Kansas

Climate

dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Coastline

2,092 km

Elevation extremes

Arabian Sea 0 m Jabal Shams 2,980 m

highest point

Jabal Shams 2,980 m

lowest point

Arabian Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural freshwater resources

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%) 529 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

529 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%)

Geographic coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Irrigated land

590 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

1,374 km Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

border countries

Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

total

1,374 km

Land use

0.12% 0.14% 99.74% (2005)

arable land

0.12%

other

99.74% (2005)

permanent crops

0.14%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts

Natural resources

petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas

Terrain

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Total renewable water resources

1 cu km (1997)

Age structure

30.8% (male 488,762/ female 464,328) 66% (male 1,157,119/ female 882,153) 3.2% (male 49,660/ female 48,128) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

30.8% (male 488,762/ female 464,328)

15-64 years

66% (male 1,157,119/ female 882,153)

65 years and over

3.2% (male 49,660/ female 48,128) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

24.33 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

3.42 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African

Health expenditures

3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,100 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

14.95 deaths/1,000 live births 15.25 deaths/1,000 live births 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

14.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

14.95 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Life expectancy at birth

74.47 years 72.61 years 76.43 years (2012 est.)

female

76.43 years (2012 est.)

total population

74.47 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 81.4% 86.8% 73.5% (2003 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

73.5% (2003 census)

male

86.8%

total population

81.4%

Major cities - population

MUSCAT (capital) 634,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

32 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

24.4 years 25.7 years 22.8 years (2012 est.)

female

22.8 years (2012 est.)

male

25.7 years

total

24.4 years

Nationality

Omani(s) Omani

adjective

Omani

noun

Omani(s)

Net migration rate

-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.901 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,090,150 (July 2012 est.) includes 577,293 non-nationals

Population growth rate

2.043% (2012 est.)

Religions

Ibadhi Muslim (official) 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97% of population rural: 61% of population total: 87% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 39% of population total: 13% of population

rural

39% of population

total

13% of population

urban

3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 11 years (2009)

female

11 years (2009)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.31 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.22 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.31 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.03 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.22 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.87 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

73% of total population (2010) 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

73% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)

Capital

Muscat 23 37 N, 58 35 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

23 37 N, 58 35 E

name

Muscat

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens

Country name

Sultanate of Oman Oman Saltanat Uman Uman Muscat and Oman

conventional long form

Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form

Oman

former

Muscat and Oman

local long form

Saltanat Uman

local short form

Uman

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires W. Johann SCHMONSEES Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat [968] 24-643-400 [968] 24-699771

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires W. Johann SCHMONSEES

embassy

Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat

FAX

[968] 24-699771

mailing address

P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat

telephone

[968] 24-643-400

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-1980 [1] (202) 745-4933

chancery

2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI

FAX

[1] (202) 745-4933

telephone

[1] (202) 387-1980

Executive branch

Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972) Cabinet appointed by the monarch the Ruling Family Council determines a successor from the Sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within three days of the Sultan's death or incapacitation, the Defense Council will relay a predetermined heir as chosen by the Sultan

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the monarch

chief of state

Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

elections

the Ruling Family Council determines a successor from the Sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within three days of the Sultan's death or incapacitation, the Defense Council will relay a predetermined heir as chosen by the Sultan

head of government

Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)

Flag description

three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

Government type

monarchy

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and sharia law

Legal system

mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law

Legislative branch

bicameral - consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the sultan; has only advisory powers) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has authority to draft legislation but is subordinate to the Sultan) last held on 15 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - three prominent figures from the spring 2011 protests won seats; one woman also won a seat

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - three prominent figures from the spring 2011 protests won seats; one woman also won a seat

elections

last held on 15 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015)

National anthem

"Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem) Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS adopted 1932; new words were written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his visiting the ship

lyrics/music

Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS

name

"Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)

National holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

National symbol(s)

Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords

Political parties and leaders

political parties are illegal

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law are not allowed to vote

Agriculture - products

dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish

Budget

$35.55 billion $30.49 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$30.49 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$35.55 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2% (31 December 2010 est.) 0.05% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6% (31 December 2012 est.) 6.19% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$10.22 billion (2012 est.) $10.67 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$9.768 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $9.033 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves and a rapidly growing labor force, Muscat has actively pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020 and creating more jobs to employ the rising numbers of Omanis entering the workforce. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. However, increases in social welfare benefits, particularly since the Arab Spring, will challenge the government's ability to effectively balance its budget if oil revenues decline. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices through 2011 provided the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors.

Exchange rates

Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2012 est.) 0.3845 (2011 est.) 0.3845 (2010 est.) 0.3845 (2009) 0.3845 (2008)

Exports

$48.43 billion (2012 est.) $47.09 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports - partners

China 30.2%, South Korea 10.9%, UAE 10.6%, Japan 10.4%, India 9.2%, Thailand 5.3%, US 4.6% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

1.5% 50.4% 48.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

1.5%

industry

50.4%

services

48.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,500 (2012 est.) $28,000 (2011 est.) $27,500 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2012 est.) 5.4% (2011 est.) 5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$79.97 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$90.66 billion (2012 est.) $86.38 billion (2011 est.) $81.92 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$23.37 billion (2012 est.) $21.35 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants

Imports - partners

UAE 27.7%, Japan 11.9%, US 6.1%, India 5.4%, China 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, Germany 4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2012 est.) 4.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

968,800 about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$19.72 billion (31 December 2011) $20.27 billion (31 December 2010) $17.3 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

3.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$15.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $14.37 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$71.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $63.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$26.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $23.18 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$8.671 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.971 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

44.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

55.2 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

701,600 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

890,500 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

4.902 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

15.34 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.202 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

18.59 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

17.52 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

11.49 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.9 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

27.1 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

98,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

19,680 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

33,150 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

106,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007 and 2 additional stations now operating (2007)

Internet country code

.om

Internet hosts

14,531 (2012)

Internet users

1.465 million (2009)

Telephone system

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems

general assessment

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations

international

country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

287,600 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.809 million (2011)

Airports

130 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

6

total

12

Airports - with unpaved runways

26 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

51

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

32

over 3,047 m

2

total

118

under 914 m

26 (2012)

Heliports

3 (2012)

Merchant marine

chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3 15 (Malta 5, Panama 10) (2010)

registered in other countries

15 (Malta 5, Panama 10) (2010)

total

5

Pipelines

condensate 107 km; gas 4,209 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

Roadways

53,430 km 23,223 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways) 30,207 km (2008)

total

53,430 km

unpaved

30,207 km (2008)

Manpower available for military service

985,957 737,812 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

737,812 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

985,957

Manpower fit for military service

837,886 642,427 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

642,427 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

837,886

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

31,959 30,264 (2010 est.)

female

30,264 (2010 est.)

male

31,959

Military branches

Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman) (2012)

Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF)

Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman) (2012)

Military expenditures

11.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Disputes - international

boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public