Oman

World Book Index

Introduction

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. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and during his 50-year rule ushered Oman into the modern age.

Geography

Area
total : 309,500 sq km
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

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

People and Society

Population
total: 3,901,992 (2024 est.)

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

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

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

Population growth rate
1.75% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
absolute monarchy

Capital
name: Muscat

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)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Talal Sulaiman AL-RAHBI (since 24 July 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ana ESCROGIMA (since 4 December 2023)

Economy

Economic overview
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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$193.591 billion (2024 est.)
$190.403 billion (2023 est.)
$188.169 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$36,700 (2024 est.)
$37,700 (2023 est.)
$39,800 (2022 est.)

Exports
$64.749 billion (2023 est.)
$69.483 billion (2022 est.)
$46.572 billion (2021 est.)

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

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

Imports
$47.412 billion (2023 est.)
$46.682 billion (2022 est.)
$37.216 billion (2021 est.)

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

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, iron ore, iron pipes (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.858, ranking it 50th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 49th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.197. (more information)