Oman

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, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan. Sultan QABOOS has no children and has not designated a successor publicly; the Basic Law of 1996 outlines Oman’s succession procedure. Sultan QABOOS’ extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world, and the sultan has prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements.

Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling 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 Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the Sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani 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 have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 309,500 sq km
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 72

Area - comparative

twice the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Kansas

Land boundaries

total: 1,561 km
border countries (3): Saudi Arabia 658 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 294 km

Coastline

2,092 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm

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

mean elevation: 310 m
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 3,004 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land: 4.7% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0.1% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 4.5% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 95.3% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

590 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

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

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; high levels of soil and water salinity in the coastal plains; beach pollution from oil spills; industrial effluents seeping into the water tables and aquifers; desertificaiton due to high winds driving desert sand into arable lands

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

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, a vital transit point for world crude oil

People and Society

Population

4,613,241 (July 2017 est. est.)
note: immigrants make up approximately 45% of the total population (2017)
country comparison to the world: 125

Nationality

noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani

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 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <0.1%, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.2% (2010 est.)
note: 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.1%(male 539,202 /female 512,416)
15-24 years: 18.26%(male 334,784 /female 303,172)
25-54 years: 44.15%(male 886,080 /female 656,734)
55-64 years: 3.94%(male 73,233 /female 64,450)
65 years and over: 3.55%(male 60,354 /female 63,691) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 32.4 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 29.4 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 3.1 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 32.6 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 25.8 years (2018 est.)
male: 26.8 years
female: 24.5 years
country comparison to the world: 154

Population growth rate

2% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Birth rate

23.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Death rate

3.3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219

Net migration rate

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population: 85.4% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 5.25% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.502 million MUSCAT (capital) (2019)

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: 1.35 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 109

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.9 years (2018 est.)
male: 73.9 years
female: 78 years
country comparison to the world: 97

Total fertility rate

2.8 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Contraceptive prevalence rate

29.7% (2014)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 95.5% of population
rural: 86.1% of population
total: 93.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 4.5% of population
rural: 13.9% of population
total: 6.6% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

4.3% (2016)

Physicians density

1.97 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Hospital bed density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 97.3% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 94.7% of population (2015 est.)
total: 96.7% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 5.3% of population (2015 est.)
total: 3.3% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2018)
country comparison to the world: 110

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,200 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 129

HIV/AIDS - deaths

100 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 66

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 39

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.7% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 63

Education expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2017)
country comparison to the world: 16

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.1%
male: 97.4%
female: 93.2% (2017)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2016)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 13.7%
male: 10.3%
female: 33.9% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 101

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
former: Sultanate of Muscat and Oman
etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but it apparently dates back at least 2,000 years since an "Omana" is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)

Government type

absolute 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)
etymology: the name, whose meaning is uncertain, traces back almost two millennia; two 2nd century A.D. scholars, the geographer Ptolemy and the historian Arrian, both mention an Arabian Sea coastal town of Moscha, which most likely referred to Muscat

Administrative divisions

11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); 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

National Day, 18 November; note - coincides with the birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Constitution

history: promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution)amended by royal decree in 2011
amendments: promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree; amended by royal decree in 2011 (2016)

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Oman
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

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 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
elections/appointments: members of the Ruling Family Council determine a successor from the sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within 3 days of the sultan's death or incapacitation, the Defense Council will relay a predetermined heir as chosen by the sultan

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of:
Council of State or Majlis al-Dawla (85 seats including the chairman; members appointed by the sultan from among former government officials and prominent educators, businessmen, and citizens)
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (84 seats; members directly elected in single- and 2-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms); note - since political reforms in 2011, legislation from the Consultative Council is submitted to the Council of State for review by the Royal Court
elections: Council of State - last appointments on 7 November 2015 (next - NA)
Consultative Assembly - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023)
election results:
Council of State - composition - men 72, women 13, percent of women 15.3%
Consultative Council percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition men 83, women 2, percent of women 2.4%; note - total Council of Oman percent of women 8.8%

Judicial branch

highest courts: 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; judges appointed for life
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts

Political parties and leaders

none; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations

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

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI (since 2 December 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 Marc J. SIEVERS (since 15 December 2016)
telephone: [968] 24-643-400
embassy: P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
mailing address: P.O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
FAX: [968] 24-643-740

Flag description

three horizontal bands of white (top), 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 al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

National symbol(s)

khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords; national colors: red, white, green

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 lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; 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 ship visit

Economy

Economy - overview

Oman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency’s fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit.Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture.Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government’s budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$190.1 billion (2017 est.)
$191.9 billion (2016 est.)
$182.8 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 67

GDP (official exchange rate)

$70.78 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-0.9% (2017 est.)
5% (2016 est.)
4.7% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$46,000 (2017 est.)
$47,900 (2016 est.)
$48,400 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 37

Gross national saving

16.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
10.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
14.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 36.8% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 26.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 27.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 51.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 46.4% (2017 est.)
services: 51.8% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

-3% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Labor force

2.255 million (2016 est.)
note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national
country comparison to the world: 119

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 4.7%NA
industry: 49.6%NA
services: 45%NA (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA

Budget

revenues: 22.14 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 31.92 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

Public debt

46.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises
country comparison to the world: 113

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2017 est.)
1.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Central bank discount rate

2% (31 December 2010)
0.05% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 119

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.2% (31 December 2017 est.)
5.08% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Stock of narrow money

$12.85 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$12.95 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Stock of broad money

$12.85 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$12.95 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Stock of domestic credit

$48.47 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$46.47 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Market value of publicly traded shares

$41.12 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$37.83 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$36.77 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57

Current account balance

-$10.76 billion (2017 est.)
-$12.32 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Exports

$103.3 billion (2017 est.)
$27.54 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Exports - partners

China 43.7%, UAE 11%, South Korea 7.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.2% (2017)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Imports

$24.12 billion (2017 est.)
$21.29 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants

Imports - partners

UAE 35.5%, US 27.8%, Brazil 4% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$16.09 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$20.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64

Debt - external

$46.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$27.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

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 (2017 est.)
0.3845 (2016 est.)
0.3845 (2015 est.)
0.3845 (2014 est.)
0.3845 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 99% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 100% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 93% (2016)

Electricity - production

32.16 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Electricity - consumption

28.92 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8.167 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

Crude oil - production

979,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21

Crude oil - exports

844,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - proved reserves

5.373 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21

Refined petroleum products - production

229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Refined petroleum products - consumption

188,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Refined petroleum products - exports

33,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,041 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

Natural gas - production

31.23 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - consumption

21.94 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Natural gas - exports

11.16 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Natural gas - imports

1.982 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas - proved reserves

651.3 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

68.94 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 497,716
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 6,943,910
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 151 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations; both 3G and 4G LTE networks; exploring 5G options; competition among mobile network operators (MNO) (2018)
domestic: fixed-line 11 per 100 and mobile-cellular 151 per 100, subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems (2018)
international: country code - 968; landing points for GSA, AAE-1, SeaMeWe-5, Tata TGN-Gulf, FALCON, GBICS/MENA, MENA/Guld Bridge International, TW1, BBG, EIG, OMRAN/EPEG, and POI submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

Broadcast media

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)

Internet country code

.om

Internet users

total: 2,342,483
percent of population: 69.8% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 348,926
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Military and Security

Military expenditures

8.17% of GDP (2018)
9.56% of GDP (2017)
11.97% of GDP (2016)
10.79% of GDP (2015)
10.14% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 2

Military and security forces

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) (2019)
The Royal Oman Police Coast Guard is separate from the SAF.

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Maritime threats

the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2019-012-Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 7 August 2019, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region;" at present, Iran has seized two foreign-flagged tankers in the Persian Gulf; the US and UK navies have established Operation Sentinel to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 45 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,365,784 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 412,234,008mt-km (2015)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

A4O (2016)

Airports

132 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 44

Airports - with paved runways

total: 13 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 7 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 119 (2013)
over 3,047 m: 2 (2013)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 33 (2013)
under 914 m: 26 (2013)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Pipelines

106 km condensate, 4224 km gas, 3558 km oil, 33 km oil/gas/water, 264 km refined products (2013)

Roadways

total: 60,230 km (2012)
paved: 29,685 km(includes 1,943 km of expressways) (2012)
unpaved: 30,545 km (2012)
country comparison to the world: 74

Merchant marine

total: 51
by type: general cargo 9, other 42 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 114

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (3,946,421) (2017)
LNG terminal(s) (export): Qalhat

Transnational Issues

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Yemen) (2017)

Flag of Oman