Page last updated on February 3, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 309,500 sq km
country comparison to the world: 71
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,092 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.1%
permanent crops: 0.12%
other: 99.77% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
588.5 sq km (2004)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/88%)
per capita: 515.8 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural freshwater resources
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ibadhi Muslim (official) 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,154,134 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
note: includes 577,293 non-nationals
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 35.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 31.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 3.8 %
potential support ratio: 26.2 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 24.7 years
male: 25.9 years
female: 23.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.06% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.43 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 73.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
MUSCAT (capital) 634,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 123
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 74.72 years
country comparison to the world: 105
male: 72.84 years
female: 76.7 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.86 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.7% (2000)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 188
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 94
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.6% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 72
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 86.9%
male: 90.2%
female: 81.8% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
monarchy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1996 (The Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); latest amended by royal decree in 2011 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law are not allowed to vote
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
political parties are illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$89.06 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$77.23 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$28,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 30.1%
government consumption: 17.8%
investment in fixed capital: 26.7%
investment in inventories: -0.5%
exports of goods and services: 61.6%
imports of goods and services: -35.7%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1%
industry: 65.9%
services: 33% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
968,800
country comparison to the world: 145
note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $35.04 billion
expenditures: $35.25 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.65% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.083 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$71.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$27.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$19.72 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 64
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.312 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$52.14 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 31.8%, Japan 12.9%, UAE 10.4%, South Korea 10%, Thailand 4.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$25.63 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
UAE 24.1%, Japan 12.5%, India 8.5%, China 6.3%, US 6.1% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.99 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.63 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.32 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.265 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
923,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
705,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 21
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
164,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
98,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,390 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35.94 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.53 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.93 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.95 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 29
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.67 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
305,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 115
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.278 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 109
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.om
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,531 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 127
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.465 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 83
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
132 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 44
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 106 km; gas 4,224 km; oil 3,558 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 264 km (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (3,200,000)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 985,957
females age 16-49: 737,812 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 837,886
females age 16-49: 642,427 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 31,959
female: 30,264 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.61% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 3