2018 Edition

Background

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent 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, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan, but he has not designated a successor. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world, while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements.Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling 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 increasing 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 Omani jobs. This initiative took on new urgency in December 2017, when QABOOS instructed the government to create 25,000 new jobs in the public and private sectors for Omanis. 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 have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. The Sultan returned to Oman in March 2015 after eight months in Germany, where he received medical treatment.

Area

land

309,500 sq km

total

309,500 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area Comparative

twice the size of Georgia; 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

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Arabian Sea

mean elevation

310 m

note

3004 highest point: Jabal Shams

Environment Current Issues

limited natural freshwater resources; high levels of soil and water salinity in the coastal plains; beach pollution from oil spills; industrial effluents seeping into the water tables and aquifers; desertificaiton due to high winds driving desert sand into arable lands

Environment International 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

Geographic Coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Geography Note

consists of Oman proper and two northern exclaves, Musandam and Al Madhah; the former is a peninsula that occupies a strategic location adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Irrigated Land

590 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (3)

Saudi Arabia 658 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 294 km

total

1,561 km

Land Use

arable land: 0.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 4.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

4.7% (2011 est.)

forest

0% (2011 est.)

other

95.3% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Middle East

Maritime Claims

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

Population Distribution

the vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north of the country; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely poplulated

Terrain

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Age Structure

0-14 years

30.1% (male 539,202 /female 512,416)

15-24 years

18.26% (male 334,784 /female 303,172)

25-54 years

44.15% (male 886,080 /female 656,734)

55-64 years

3.94% (male 73,233 /female 64,450)

65 years and over

3.55% (male 60,354 /female 63,691) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

23.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

9.7% (2014)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

29.7% (2014)

Death Rate

3.3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

3.1 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

32.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

32.4 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

29.4 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 95.5% of population

rural: 86.1% of population

total: 93.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 4.5% of population

rural: 13.9% of population

total: 6.6% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic Groups

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

Health Expenditures

3.6% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

NA

Hiv Aids Deaths

NA

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

NA

Hospital Bed Density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

78 years (2018 est.)

male

73.9 years (2018 est.)

total population

75.9 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

86% (2015 est.)

male

96.6% (2015 est.)

total population

93% (2015 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

1.447 million MUSCAT (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

17 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female

24.5 years (2018 est.)

male

26.8 years

total

25.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Omani

noun

Omani(s)

Net Migration Rate

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

27% (2016)

Physicians Density

1.92 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

3,494,116 (July 2017 est.) (July 2018 est.)

note

immigrants make up approximately 45% of the total population (2017)

Population Growth Rate

2% (2018 est.)

Religions

Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <0.1%, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.2% (2010 est.)

note

Omani citizens represent approximately 60% of the population and are overwhelming Muslim (Ibadhi and Sunni sects each constitute about 45% and Shia about 5%); Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists accounting for roughly 5% of Omani citizens

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 97.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 94.7% of population (2015 est.)

total: 96.7% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 5.3% of population (2015 est.)

total: 3.3% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female

15 years (2015)

male

13 years (2015)

total

14 years (2015)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

1.1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

1.38 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

1.14 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

1.19 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.8 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

5.25% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

84.5% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); 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

geographic coordinates

23 37 N, 58 35 E

name

Muscat

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Oman

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

amendments

promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree; amended 2011 (2016)

history

promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011 (2016)

Country Name

conventional long form

Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form

Oman

etymology

the origin of the name is uncertain, but it apparently dates back at least 2,000 years since an "Omana" is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)

former

Sultanate of Muscat and Oman

local long form

Saltanat Uman

local short form

Uman

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission

Ambassador Marc J. SIEVERS (since 15 December 2016)

embassy

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

FAX

[968] 24-643-740

mailing address

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

telephone

[968] 24-643-400

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

chancery

2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI (since 2 December 2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 745-4933

telephone

[1] (202) 387-1980

Executive Branch

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 chief of state and head of government

elections/appointments

members of the Ruling Family Council determine a successor from the sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within 3 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 (top), 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 al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

Government Type

absolute 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

highest courts

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; judges appointed for life

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts

Legal System

mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law

Legislative Branch

description

bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of:Council of State or Majlis al-Dawla (85 seats including the chairman; members appointed by the sultan from among former government officials and prominent educators, businessmen, and citizens) Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (85 seats; members directly elected in single- and 2-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms); note - since political reforms in 2011, legislation from the Consultative Council is submitted to the Council of State for review by the Royal Court

election results

Council of State - composition - men 72, women 13, percent of women 15.3%Consultative Council percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition men 84, women 1, percent of women 1.2%; note - total Council of Oman percent of women 8.2%

elections

Council of State - last appointments on 7 November 2015 (next - NA) Consultative Assembly - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019)

National Anthem

lyrics/music

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

name

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

note

adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; 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 ship visit

National Holiday

National Day, 18 November; note - coincides with the birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

National Symbol S

khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords; national colors: red, white, green

Political Parties And Leaders

none; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations

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

expenditures

31.92 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

22.14 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

2% (31 December 2010)

0.05% (31 December 2009)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

5.2% (31 December 2017 est.)

5.08% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$10.76 billion (2017 est.)

-$12.32 billion (2016 est.)

Debt External

$46.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$27.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Economy Overview

Oman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency’s fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit.Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture.Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government’s budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018.

Exchange Rates

Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -

0.3845 (2017 est.)

0.3845 (2016 est.)

0.3845 (2015 est.)

0.3845 (2014 est.)

0.3845 (2013 est.)

Exports

$103.3 billion (2017 est.)

$27.54 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports Partners

China 43.7%, UAE 11%, South Korea 7.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.2% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

51.5% (2017 est.)

government consumption

26.2% (2017 est.)

household consumption

36.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-46.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

27.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

3% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

1.8% (2017 est.)

industry

46.4% (2017 est.)

services

51.8% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$70.78 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$46,000 (2017 est.)

$47,900 (2016 est.)

$48,400 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$190.1 billion (2017 est.)

$191.9 billion (2016 est.)

$182.8 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

-0.9% (2017 est.)

5% (2016 est.)

4.7% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

16.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

10.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

14.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

$24.12 billion (2017 est.)

$21.29 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

UAE 35.5%, US 27.8%, Brazil 4% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

-3% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

1.6% (2017 est.)

1.1% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

2.255 million (2016 est.)

note

about 60% of the labor force is non-national

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture

4.7% NA

industry

49.6% NA

services

45% NA (2016 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

$41.12 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$37.83 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$36.77 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

NA

Public Debt

46.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

note

excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$16.09 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$20.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$12.85 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.95 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

note

NA

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

note

NA

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$48.47 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$46.47 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$12.85 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.95 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

note

NA

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

68.94 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

844,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

970,400 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

5.373 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - rural areas

93% (2013)

electrification - total population

98% (2013)

electrification - urban areas

99% (2013)

population without electricity

100,000 (2013)

Electricity Consumption

28.92 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

8.167 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

32.16 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

21.94 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

11.16 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

1.982 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

31.23 billion cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

651.3 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

188,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

33,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

6,041 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8 (2017 est.)

total

348,926 (2017 est.)

Broadcast Media

1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007 and several additional stations now operating (2018)

Internet Country Code

.om

Internet Users

percent of population

69.8% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,342,483 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

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 (2016)

general assessment

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations (2016)

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 (2016)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

11 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

497,716 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

151 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

6,943,910 (2017 est.)

Airports

132 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

2,438 to 3,047 m

5 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

7 (2017)

total

13 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

51 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

7 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

33 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2 (2013)

total

119 (2013)

under 914 m

26 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

A4O (2016)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant Marine

by type

general cargo 9, other 42 (2017)

total

51 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

412,234,008 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

6,365,784 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

45 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1 (2015)

Pipelines

106 km condensate, 4224 km gas, 3558 km oil, 33 km oil/gas/water, 264 km refined products (2013)

Ports And Terminals

container port(s) (TEUs)

Salalah (3,325,044) (2016)

LNG terminal(s) (export)

Qalhat

major seaport(s)

Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

Roadways

paved

29,685 km (includes 1,943 km of expressways) (2012)

total

60,230 km (2012)

unpaved

30,545 km (2012)

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)

Military Expenditures

13.73% of GDP (2016)

14.38% of GDP (2015)

13.51% of GDP (2014)

14.81% of GDP (2013)

16.08% of GDP (2012)

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

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

refugees (country of origin)

5,000 (Yemen) (2017)