Factbook dossier
Background
The inhabitants of the area of present-day 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 ruled as sultan for the next five decades. His extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world. He prioritized strategic ties to the UK and US, and his moderate, independent foreign policy allowed Oman to maintain good relations with its neighbors and avoid external entanglements. In 2011, the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa inspired demonstrations in Oman that called for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response, QABOOS implemented economic and political reforms such as granting Oman s legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house. Additionally, the sultan increased unemployment benefits and issued a royal directive mandating a national public- and private-sector job creation plan. 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 2012. QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died in 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq Al Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day…
Location
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE
Area
total : 309,500 sq km land: 309,500 sq km water: 0 sq km
Natural resources
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Natural hazards
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Population
total: 3,969,824 (2025 est.) male: 2,130,080 female: 1,839,744
Ethnic groups
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Languages
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Indian dialects major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.4%, Hindu 5.7%, other and unaffiliated 2% (2020 est.) note: Omani citizens represent approximately 56.4% of the population and are overwhelming Muslim (Ibadhi and Sunni sects each constitute about 45% and Shia about 5%); Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists account for roughly 5% of Omani citizens
Environmental issues
limited natural freshwater resources; high levels of soil and water salinity in the coastal plains; beach pollution from oil spills; industrial effluents in the water table and aquifers; desertification due to high winds driving desert sand into arable lands
Government type
absolute monarchy
Capital
name: Muscat geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from the Arabic name for the city, Masqat, which is said to mean "hidden" and refers to the range of hills that isolate the port city from the rest of the country
Executive branch
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch note: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Majles legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$193.591 billion (2024 est.) $190.403 billion (2023 est.) $188.169 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$36,700 (2024 est.) $37,700 (2023 est.) $39,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1% (2023 est.) 2.5% (2022 est.) 1.7% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
China 43%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, UAE 5%, South Africa 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
UAE 25%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 8%, China 7%, Qatar 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), Sultan's Special Forces Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Infrastructure Security Police, Coast Guard Police, Special Security Police, Special Task Force (2024) note: in addition to its policing duties, the ROP conducts many administrative functions similar to the responsibilities of a Ministry of Interior in other countries
Military expenditures
6% of GDP (2024 est.) 5.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 5.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 8% of GDP (2021 est.) 11% of GDP (2020 est.)