Introduction :: OMAN
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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. 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. He has since appeared publicly on a few occasions.
Geography :: OMAN
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Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Middle East
total: 309,500 sq km
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 71
twice the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Kansas
Area comparison map:
Middle East
::OMAN
Area Comparison
twice the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Kansas
total: 1,561 km
border countries (3): Saudi Arabia 658 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 294 km
2,092 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
mean elevation: 310 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
agricultural land: 4.7%
arable land 0.1%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 4.5%
forest: 0%
other: 95.3% (2011 est.)
590 sq km (2012)
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
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural freshwater resources
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
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
People and Society :: OMAN
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3,355,262 (July 2016 est.)
note: immigrants make up over 40% of the total population, according to UN data (2015)
country comparison to the world: 134
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Muslim (official; majority are Ibadhi, lesser numbers of Sunni and Shia) 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <0.1%, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.2% (2010 est.)
note: 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)
religious affiliation:
Middle East
::OMAN
0-14 years: 30.14% (male 518,600/female 492,782)
15-24 years: 19.11% (male 336,310/female 304,871)
25-54 years: 43.41% (male 843,531/female 613,004)
55-64 years: 3.91% (male 69,904/female 61,248)
65 years and over: 3.43% (male 56,816/female 58,196) (2016 est.)
population pyramid:
Middle East
::OMAN
Population Pyramid
A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
total dependency ratio: 30%
youth dependency ratio: 26.7%
elderly dependency ratio: 3.4%
potential support ratio: 29.8% (2015 est.)
total: 25.4 years
male: 26.5 years
female: 24 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
2.05% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
24.3 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
3.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
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
urban population: 77.6% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 8.54% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
MUSCAT (capital) 838,000 (2015)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.38 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female
total population: 1.19 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
17 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
total: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
total population: 75.5 years
male: 73.5 years
female: 77.5 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
2.84 children born/woman (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
24.4% (2007/08)
3.6% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 185
2.43 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)
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.)
improved:
urban: 97.3% of population
rural: 94.7% of population
total: 96.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.7% of population
rural: 5.3% of population
total: 3.3% of population (2015 est.)
0.16% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
2,400 (2014 est.)
less than 100 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
26.5% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 94
9.7% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 73
5% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 100
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.1%
male: 93.6%
female: 85.6% (2015 est.)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Government :: OMAN
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conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
former: Sultanate of Muscat and 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.)
absolute monarchy
name: Muscat
geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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)
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011 (2016)
mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote
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
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: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
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
description: bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of the 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) and the Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (85 seats; members directly elected in single- and two-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms); note - following political reforms in 2011, legislation from the Consultative Council is submitted to the Council of State for review by the Royal Court
elections: Consultative Assembly - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - organized political parties in Oman are legally banned
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; judges appointed for life
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
none; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations
none
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
chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI (since 9 November 2005)
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
chief of mission: Ambassador Marc J. SIEVERS (since 7 January 2016)
embassy: Jamait Ad Duwal Al Arabiyya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address: P.O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
telephone: [968] 24-643-400
FAX: [968] 24-643-740
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 al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords; national colors: red, white, green
name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)
lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
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
Economy :: OMAN
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Oman is heavily dependent on its dwindling oil resources, which generate 84% of government revenue. In 2015, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $6.5 billion, or nearly 11% of GDP. Oman has limited foreign assets and is issuing debt to cover its deficit.
Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production and 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 from 46% at present to 9% by 2020. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy.
Muscat also is focused on creating more jobs to employ the rising number of Omanis entering the workforce. Increases in social welfare benefits, however, particularly since the Arab Spring, dating to 2011, have challenged the government's ability to effectively balance its budget, as oil prices decline. Omani officials intend to reduce social entitlements to cut the deficit but have faced stiff public opposition to spending cuts, hindering their implementation.
$173.1 billion (2016 est.)
$170 billion (2015 est.)
$164.6 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 70
$59.68 billion (2015 est.)
1.8% (2016 est.)
3.3% (2015 est.)
2.9% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$43,700 (2016 est.)
$44,300 (2015 est.)
$44,300 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 35
9.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
11.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
27.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
household consumption: 41%
government consumption: 28.4%
investment in fixed capital: 37%
investment in inventories: -4.7%
exports of goods and services: 49.4%
imports of goods and services: -51.1% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 45.4%
services: 52.9% (2016 est.)
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
1.5% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
968,800
note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
15% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
NA%
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
revenues: $20.26 billion
expenditures: $31.55 billion (2016 est.)
34% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
-18.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
18.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
8.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
calendar year
2% (2016 est.)
0.1% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
2% (31 December 2010)
0.05% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 114
5% (31 December 2016 est.)
4.76% (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$14.24 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$13.96 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$40.94 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$39.39 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$48.49 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$45.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$41.12 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$37.83 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$36.77 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
-$12.71 billion (2016 est.)
-$11.23 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
$30.39 billion (2016 est.)
$34.43 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
China 35.4%, UAE 15.3%, South Korea 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 5.8%, Pakistan 4.2% (2015)
$25.78 billion (2016 est.)
$28.27 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
UAE 29.7%, Japan 10.2%, US 7.5%, China 6.7%, India 6.3% (2015)
$14.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$17.54 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$20.85 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$12.94 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$NA
$NA
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -
0.3845 (2016 est.)
0.3845 (2015 est.)
0.3845 (2014 est.)
0.3845 (2013 est.)
0.3845 (2012 est.)
Energy :: OMAN
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28 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
25 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
8.2 million kW (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
982,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
806,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
7,060 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
5.3 billion bbl (1 January 2016 es)
country comparison to the world: 23
158,600 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
160,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
33,450 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
14,810 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
30.9 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
22.6 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
10.27 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
1.97 billion cu m (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
688.1 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
country comparison to the world: 29
69 million Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Communications :: OMAN
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total subscriptions: 434,932
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
total: 6.647 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 202 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
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
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 (2015)
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)
.om
total: 2.438 million
percent of population: 74.2% (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Transportation :: OMAN
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number of registered air carriers: 1
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 45
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,365,784
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 412,234,008 mt-km (2015)
A4O (2016)
132 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 44
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 119
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 51
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 26 (2013)
3 (2013)
condensate 106 km; gas 4,224 km; oil 3,558 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 264 km (2013)
total: 60,230 km
paved: 29,685 km (includes 1,943 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,545 km (2012)
country comparison to the world: 70
total: 5
by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3
registered in other countries: 15 (Malta 5, Panama 10) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 128
major seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (3,200,000)
LNG terminal(s) (export): Qalhat
Military and Security :: OMAN
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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)
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
12.75% of GDP (2016)
14.58% of GDP (2015)
11.8% of GDP (2014)
15% of GDP (2013)
8.61% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 3
Transnational Issues :: OMAN
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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 (country of origin): 5,000 (Yemen) (2016)
