Oman

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<p>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.<br><br>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.</p>

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

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21 00 N, 57 00 E

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Middle East

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twice the size of Georgia

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2,092 km

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

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central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

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

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1,162 sq km (2022)

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Arabian Aquifer System

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

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

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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

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

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Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.4%, Hindu 5.7%, other and unaffiliated 2% (2020 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> 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

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1.7% (2025 est.)

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20.65 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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3.17 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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

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1.650 million MUSCAT (capital) (2023)

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13 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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2.61 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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1.27 (2025 est.)

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1.99 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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1.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

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27% (2016)

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11.2% (2017 est.)

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55.8% (2020 est.)

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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

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

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34.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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1.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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absolute monarchy

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11 governorates (<em>muhafazat</em>, singular - <em>muhafaza</em>); 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)

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mixed system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law

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

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21 years of age; universal

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<strong>note:</strong> members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote

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<strong>note:</strong> the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

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<strong>note:</strong> organized political parties are banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations

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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, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

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National Day, 18 November

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<strong>note:</strong> celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020

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<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green, with a vertical red band on the left side; the national emblem (a <em>khanjar</em> dagger in its sheath on top of crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> white stands for peace and prosperity, red for battles against foreign invaders, and green for the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

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khanjar dagger on top of two crossed swords

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red, white, green

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high-income, oil-based economy; large welfare system; growing government debt; citizenship-based labor force growth policy; US free trade agreement; diversifying portfolio; high female labor force participation

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$106.943 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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vegetables, dates, milk, tomatoes, sorghum, chillies/peppers, goat milk, cucumbers/gherkins, cantaloupes/melons, cabbages (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

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0.2% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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2.696 million (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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<strong>note:</strong> excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 43%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, UAE 5%, South Africa 4% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, semi-finished iron, fertilizers (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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UAE 25%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 8%, China 7%, Qatar 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, iron ore, iron pipes (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

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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 (2019)

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.om

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A4O

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37 (2025)

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20 (2025)

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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<br><br>Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Infrastructure Security Police, Coast Guard Police, Special Security Police, Special Task Force (2024)

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<strong>note:</strong> in addition to its policing duties, the ROP conducts many administrative functions similar to the responsibilities of a Ministry of Interior in other countries

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approximately 40,000 active Sultan's Armed Forces (2025)

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the SAF's inventory includes a mix of older and some more modern weapons systems from a variety of suppliers, particularly the UK and the US; other suppliers have included China, EU countries, South Africa, and T&uuml;rkiye (2025)

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18-25 for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)

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<strong>note:  </strong>women have served since 2011

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the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) are responsible for defending the country, ensuring internal security, and protecting the monarchy; it trains with foreign partners such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the UK, and the US; the SAF has a security relationship with the British military going back to the 18th century; today, the SAF and the British maintain a joint training base in Oman, and the British military uses the facilities at Al Duqm Port; in 2019, the US obtained access to the port, expanding on previous military cooperation agreements in 2014, 2010, and 1980; Oman also allows other nations to use some of its maritime facilities, including China; the SAF is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region<br><br>Oman's naval forces conduct maritime security operations along the country’s long coastline, including patrolling, ensuring freedom of navigation in the key naval chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz, and countering piracy and smuggling; Oman participates in the US-led, multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which operates multinational task forces conducting maritime security in regional waters (2025)

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Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

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<strong>note: </strong>details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide