Oman
Sultanate of OmanSaltanat Uman
monarchyIndependence 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
Oman as the 2014 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 160 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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, some Omanis began staging marches, demonstrations, and sit-ins calling mostly 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 introducing 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 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
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
20 fieldsLand useshare of 309,500 sq km
Location
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Climate
- dry desert;
- hot, humid along coast;
- hot, dry interior;
- strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
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
33 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2014 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2014 est.)
Male · female
Religions
Muslim (official; majority are Ibadhi, lesser numbers of Sunni and Shia)) 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <.1, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.2%
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) (2010 est.)
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:
- 1.41 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years:
- 1.2 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.22 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Government
Monarchy; Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)
21 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- Sultanate of Oman
- conventional short form:
- Oman
- local long form:
- Saltanat Uman
- local short form:
- Uman
- former:
- Muscat and Oman
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)
Constitution
previous 1996 (The Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); latest amended by royal decree in 2011 (2011)
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 cannot 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 theWorld 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
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 (since 9 November 2005)
- 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 (since 27 September 2012)
- 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
Economy
Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources.
40 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2013 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
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.
Gross national saving
36.2% of GDP (2013 est.) · 37.4% of GDP (2012 est.) · 41% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Industries
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Labor force
968,800 country comparison to the world: 144 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)
Central bank discount rate
2% (31 December 2010 est.) · 0.05% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Commercial bank prime lending rate
5.8% (31 December 2013 est.) · 5.65% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Stock of narrow money
$9.537 billion (31 December 2013 est.) · $9.083 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Stock of broad money
$71.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $63.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Stock of domestic credit
$29.97 billion (31 December 2013 est.) · $27.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Current account balance
$7.249 billion (2013 est.) · $8.312 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Imports - commodities
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$17.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) · $14.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Debt - external
$10.84 billion (31 December 2013 est.) · $9.99 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Exchange rates
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2013 est.) · 0.3845 (2012 est.) · 0.3845 (2010 est.) · 0.3845 (2009) · 0.3845 (2008)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 4.265 million kW(2010 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Natural gas - proved reserves
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone 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)
Transportation
8 fieldsMerchant marine, 5 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Pipelines
- condensate 106 km;
- gas 4,224 km;
- oil 3,558 km;
- oil/gas/water 33 km;
- refined products 264 km (2013)
Roadways
- total:
- 60,240 km
country comparison to the world: 70
- paved:
- 29,685 km (includes 1,943 km of expressways)
- unpaved:
- 30,545 km (2012)
Ports and terminals
- major seaport(s):
- Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
- container port(s) (TEUs):
- Salalah (3,200,000)
Military
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)
6 fieldsMilitary 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)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldDisputes - 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
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Oman.” The World Factbook 2014. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/oman/2014.