2014 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 beginning in January 2011, some Omanis began staging marches, demonstrations, and sit-ins calling mostly for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and introducing unemployment benefits. Additionally, in August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.

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)

1.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/88%) 515.8 cu m/yr (2003)

per capita

515.8 cu m/yr (2003)

total

1.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/88%)

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

588.5 sq km (2004)

Land boundaries

1,573 km Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 288 km

border countries

Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 288 km

total

1,573 km

Land use

0.1% 0.12% 99.77% (2011)

arable land

0.1%

other

99.77% (2011)

permanent crops

0.12%

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

1.4 cu km (2011)

Age structure

30.4% (male 501,352/female 476,333) 19.9% (male 335,404/female 304,261) 42.6% (male 801,539/female 569,187) 3.9% (male 67,085/female 58,254) 3.2% (male 53,320/female 53,040) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

30.4% (male 501,352/female 476,333)

15-24 years

19.9% (male 335,404/female 304,261)

25-54 years

42.6% (male 801,539/female 569,187)

55-64 years

3.9% (male 67,085/female 58,254)

65 years and over

3.2% (male 53,320/female 53,040) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

24.47 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

8.6% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

31.7% (2000)

Death rate

3.38 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

34.4 % 30.4 % 3.9 % 25.4 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

3.9 %

potential support ratio

25.4 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

34.4 %

youth dependency ratio

30.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 95.5% of population rural: 86.1% of population total: 93% of population urban: 4.5% of population rural: 13.9% of population total: 7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

13.9% of population

total

7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

4.5% of population

Education expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2011)

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

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

14 deaths/1,000 live births 14.29 deaths/1,000 live births 13.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

13.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

14 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

74.97 years 73.07 years 76.97 years (2014 est.)

female

76.97 years (2014 est.)

total population

74.97 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 86.9% 90.2% 81.8% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

81.8% (2010 est.)

male

90.2%

total population

86.9%

Major urban areas - population

MUSCAT (capital) 743,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

32 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

24.9 years 26.1 years 23.4 years (2014 est.)

female

23.4 years (2014 est.)

male

26.1 years

total

24.9 years

Nationality

Omani(s) Omani

adjective

Omani

noun

Omani(s)

Net migration rate

-0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.9% (2008)

Physicians density

2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

3,219,775 immigrants make up just over 30% of the total population, according to UN data (2013) (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

2.06% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official; majority are Ibadhi, lesser numbers of Sunni and Shia)) 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish approximately 75% of Omani citizens, who compose almost 70% of the country's total population, are Ibadhi Muslims; the Omani government does not keep statistics on religious affiliation (2013) (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.3% of population rural: 94.7% of population total: 96.6% of population urban: 2.7% of population rural: 5.3% of population total: 3.4% of population (2012 est.)

rural

5.3% of population

total

3.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.41 male(s)/female 1.2 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.22 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.41 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.2 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 (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.86 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

73.4% of total population (2011) 2.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

73.4% of total population (2011)

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

previous 1996 (The Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); latest amended by royal decree in 2011 (2011)

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 Greta C. HOLTZ (since 27 September 2012) Jamait Ad Duwal Al Arabiyya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat [968] 24-643-400 [968] 24-64-37-40

chief of mission

Ambassador Greta C. HOLTZ (since 27 September 2012)

embassy

Jamait Ad Duwal Al Arabiyya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat

FAX

[968] 24-64-37-40

mailing address

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

telephone

[968] 24-643-400

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI (since 9 November 2005) 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 (since 9 November 2005)

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 (consists of 5 judges) judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judge tenure NA Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts

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) (Majlis al-Shura) 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 Arab 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 Arab Spring 2011 protests won seats; one woman also won a seat

elections

(Majlis al-Shura) 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 cannot vote

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$34.42 billion $35.48 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$35.48 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$34.42 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.8% (31 December 2013 est.) 5.65% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$7.249 billion (2013 est.) $8.312 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$10.84 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $9.99 billion (31 December 2012 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. In 2012, continued surpluses resulting from sustained high oil prices and increased enhanced oil recovery allowed the government to maintain growth in social subsidies and public sector job creation. However, the Sultan made widely reported statements indicating this would not be sustainable, and called for expanded efforts to support SME development and entrepreneurship. Government agencies and large oligarchic group companies heeded his call, announcing new initiatives to spin off non-essential functions to entrepreneurs, incubate new businesses, train and mentor up and coming business people, and provide financing for start-ups. In response to fast growth in household indebtedness, the Central Bank reduced the ceiling on personal interest loans from 8 to 7%, lowered mortgage rates, capped the percentage of consumer loans at 50% of borrower's salaries for personal loans and 60% for housing loans, and limited maximum repayment terms to 10 and 25 years respectively.

Exchange rates

Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2013 est.) 0.3845 (2012 est.) 0.3845 (2010 est.) 0.3845 (2009) 0.3845 (2008)

Exports

$56.22 billion (2013 est.) $52.14 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports - partners

China 31.8%, Japan 12.9%, UAE 10.4%, South Korea 10%, Thailand 4.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

30.5% 17.8% 27.3% -0.5% 63.8% -39.4% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

63.8%

government consumption

17.8%

household consumption

30.5%

imports of goods and services

-39.4%

investment in fixed capital

27.3%

investment in inventories

-0.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1% 64.4% 34.6% (2013 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

64.4%

services

34.6% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$29,800 (2013 est.) $29,200 (2012 est.) $28,700 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2013 est.) 5% (2012 est.) 4.5% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$81.95 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$94.86 billion (2013 est.) $90.28 billion (2012 est.) $85.99 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

36.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 41% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$30.75 billion (2013 est.) $25.63 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

UAE 24.1%, Japan 12.5%, India 8.5%, China 6.3%, US 6.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2013 est.) 2.9% (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

$20.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $19.72 billion (31 December 2011) $20.27 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

4.4% of GDP (2013 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$17.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $14.4 billion (31 December 2012 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

$29.97 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $27.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$9.537 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $9.083 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

42% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

52.67 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

705,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

923,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

15.32 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.265 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

18.63 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

17.53 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

10.93 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.95 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

35.94 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

98,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

47,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,390 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

164,600 bbl/day (2010 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

305,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.278 million (2012)

Airports

132 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

7

total

13

Airports - with unpaved runways

26 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

51

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

33

over 3,047 m

2

total

119

Heliports

3 (2013)

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 106 km; gas 4,224 km; oil 3,558 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 264 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar Salalah (3,200,000)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Salalah (3,200,000)

major seaport(s)

Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

Roadways

60,240 km 29,685 km (includes 1,943 km of expressways) 30,545 km (2012)

total

60,240 km

unpaved

30,545 km (2012)

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) (2013)

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) (2013)

Military expenditures

8.61% of GDP (2012) 6.13% of GDP (2011) 8.61% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

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