Middle East :: Oman

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## Introduction ::Oman

Background:
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established 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, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In response to 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 introducing unemployment benefits. 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 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 will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.

## Geography ::Oman

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 309,500 sq km country comparison to the world: 71 land: 309,500 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
2,092 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0.1% permanent crops: 0.12% other: 99.77% (2011)
Irrigated land:
588.5 sq km (2004)
Total renewable water resources:
1.4 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/88%) per capita: 515.8 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural freshwater resources
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
Geography - note:
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

## People and Society ::Oman

Nationality:
noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Religions:
Ibadhi Muslim (official) 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Population:
3,154,134 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.6% (male 494,444/female 469,752) 15-24 years: 20.2% (male 333,583/female 302,618) 25-54 years: 42.1% (male 781,396/female 547,872) 55-64 years: 3.9% (male 65,722/female 56,673) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 51,515/female 50,559) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 24.7 years male: 25.9 years female: 23.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.06% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Birth rate:
24.43 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Death rate:
3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 216
Net migration rate:
-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Urbanization:
urban population: 73.4% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
MUSCAT (capital) 634,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
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: 1.45 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.22 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
32 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 121
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 115 male: 14.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.72 years country comparison to the world: 105 male: 72.84 years female: 76.7 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.86 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
31.7% (2000)
Health expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 181
Physicians density:
1.9 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 93% of population rural: 78% of population total: 89% of population unimproved: urban: 7% of population rural: 22% of population total: 11% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 95% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 5% of population total: 1% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
20.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 94
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
8.6% (2009) country comparison to the world: 72
Education expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 102
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.4% male: 86.8% female: 73.5% (2003 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2011)

## Government ::Oman

Country name:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman
Government type:
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)
Administrative divisions:
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)
Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:
mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law are not allowed to vote
Executive branch:
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 the 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 (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the Ruling Family Council determines a successor from the Sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within three days of the Sultan's death or incapacitation, the Defense Council will relay a predetermined heir as chosen by the Sultan
Legislative branch:
bicameral - consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the sultan; has only advisory powers) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has authority to draft legislation but is subordinate to the Sultan) elections: (Majlis al-Shura) last held on 15 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - three prominent figures from the Arab Spring 2011 protests won seats; one woman also won a seat
Judicial branch:
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; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders:
political parties are illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Greta C. HOLTZ 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] 24-64-37-40
Flag description:
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 Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
National symbol(s):
Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords
National anthem:
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 words were written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was 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 visiting the ship

## Economy ::Oman

Economy - overview:
Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves and a rapidly growing labor force, Muscat 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 to 9% by 2020 and creating more jobs to employ the rising numbers of Omanis entering the workforce. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. However, increases in social welfare benefits, particularly since the Arab Spring, will challenge the government's ability to effectively balance its budget if oil revenues decline. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices through 2011 provided the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors. In 2012, continued surpluses resulting from sustained high oil prices and increased enhanced oil recovery allowed the government to maintain growth in social subsidies and public sector job creation. However, the Sultan made widely reported statements indicating this would not be sustainable, and called for expanded efforts to support SME development and entrepreneurship. Government agencies and large oligarchic group companies heeded his call, announcing new initiatives to spin off non-essential functions to entrepreneurs, incubate new businesses, train and mentor up and coming business people, and provide financing for start-ups. In response to fast growth in household indebtedness, the Central Bank reduced the ceiling on personal interest loans from 8 to 7%, lowered mortgage rates, capped the percentage of consumer loans at 50% of borrower's salaries for personal loans and 60% for housing loans, and limited maximum repayment terms to 10 and 25 years respectively. In 2012 the Central Bank also issued final regulations governing Islamic banking and two full-fledged Islamic banks held oversubscribed IPOs while four traditional banks opened sharia-compliant Islamic windows.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$91.54 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $87.16 billion (2011 est.) $83.41 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$76.46 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 4.5% (2011 est.) 5.6% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$29,600 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $29,100 (2011 est.) $33,100 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 1% industry: 66% services: 33% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
968,800 country comparison to the world: 142 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
15% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
26.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Budget:
revenues: $36.36 billion expenditures: $27.98 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
47.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
11% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Public debt:
4.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 4.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 4.1% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 0.05% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.65% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 6.19% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$9.083 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $7.971 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$71.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $63.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$27.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $23.18 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$19.72 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 64 $20.27 billion (31 December 2010) $17.3 billion (31 December 2009)
Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
0.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Current account balance:
$10.22 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $10.67 billion (2011 est.)
Exports:
$52.04 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $47.09 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
China 31.9%, Japan 12.9%, UAE 10.1%, South Korea 10%, Thailand 4.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012)
Imports:
$26.49 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $21.5 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
UAE 23.6%, Japan 12.6%, India 8.5%, China 6.4%, US 6.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$14.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $14.37 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$10.18 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 $9.297 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2012 est.) 0.3845 (2011 est.) 0.3845 (2010 est.) 0.3845 (2009) 0.3845 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Oman

Electricity - production:
18.59 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - consumption:
15.34 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
4.202 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Crude oil - production:
915,600 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Crude oil - exports:
253,100 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Crude oil - proved reserves:
4.902 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Refined petroleum products - production:
106,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
98,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Refined petroleum products - exports:
19,680 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Refined petroleum products - imports:
33,150 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Natural gas - production:
35.94 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - consumption:
17.53 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - exports:
11.49 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - imports:
1.9 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
55.2 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

## Communications ::Oman

Telephones - main lines in use:
305,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 115
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.278 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 102
Telephone system:
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 (2008)
Broadcast media:
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)
Internet country code:
.om
Internet hosts:
14,531 (2012) country comparison to the world: 127
Internet users:
1.465 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 83

## Transportation ::Oman

Airports:
130 (2012) country comparison to the world: 43
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 118 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 26 (2012)
Heliports:
3 (2012)
Pipelines:
condensate 106 km; gas 4,224 km; oil 3,558 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 264 km (2013)
Roadways:
total: 45,985 km country comparison to the world: 80 paved: 29,685 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways) unpaved: 16,300 km (2011)
Merchant marine:
total: 5 country comparison to the world: 125 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3 registered in other countries: 15 (Malta 5, Panama 10) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

## Military ::Oman

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 service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 985,957 females age 16-49: 737,812 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 837,886 females age 16-49: 642,427 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 31,959 female: 30,264 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

## Transnational Issues ::Oman

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

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