Oman

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

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)

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: 109

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $35.04 billion expenditures: $35.25 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

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.)

Current account balance

$8.312 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $10.26 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$9.99 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $9.285 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

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.

Exchange rates

Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.38 (2012 est.) 0.38 (2011 est.) 0.38 (2010 est.) 0.38 (2009) 0.38 (2008)

Exports

$52.14 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $47.09 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports - partners

China 31.8%, Japan 12.9%, UAE 10.4%, South Korea 10%, Thailand 4.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$77.23 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$89.06 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $84.83 billion (2011 est.) $81.18 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

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% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1% industry: 65.9% services: 33% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $28,300 (2011 est.) $32,200 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 4.5% (2011 est.) 5.6% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving

37.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 41% of GDP (2011 est.) 37.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$25.63 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 24.1%, Japan 12.5%, India 8.5%, China 6.3%, US 6.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

0.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

968,800 country comparison to the world: 145 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

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)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

4.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 4.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$14.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $14.37 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 direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$27.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $23.18 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$9.083 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $7.971 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

45.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Unemployment rate

15% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

52.67 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Crude oil - exports

705,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Crude oil - production

923,800 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Crude oil - proved reserves

5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 21

Electricity - consumption

15.32 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.265 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Electricity - production

18.63 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - consumption

17.53 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Natural gas - exports

10.93 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas - imports

1.95 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas - production

35.94 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 29

Refined petroleum products - consumption

98,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Refined petroleum products - exports

47,710 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,390 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Refined petroleum products - production

164,600 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

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

Climate

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

Coastline

2,092 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/88%) per capita: 515.8 cu m/yr (2003)

Geographic coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Irrigated land

588.5 sq km (2004)

Land boundaries

total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Land use

arable land: 0.1% permanent crops: 0.12% other: 99.77% (2011)

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Total renewable water resources

1.4 cu km (2011)

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)

Capital

name: Muscat geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1996 (The Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); latest amended by royal decree in 2011 (2011)

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

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

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

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

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

Government type

monarchy

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law

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

National anthem

name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)

National holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

National symbol(s)

Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords

Political parties and leaders

political parties are illegal

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law are not allowed to vote

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.

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 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 expenditures

11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Military service age and obligation

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

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.)

Birth rate

24.43 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

8.6% (2009) country comparison to the world: 72

Contraceptive prevalence rate

31.7% (2000)

Death rate

3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 218

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 35.7 % youth dependency ratio: 31.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 3.8 % potential support ratio: 26.2 (2013)

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.)

Education expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 102

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Health expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 188

Hospital bed density

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

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.)

Languages

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

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.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.9% male: 90.2% female: 81.8% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population

MUSCAT (capital) 634,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

32 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 123

Median age

total: 24.7 years male: 25.9 years female: 23.1 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani

Net migration rate

-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 94

Physicians density

2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

3,154,134 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals

Population growth rate

2.06% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Religions

Ibadhi Muslim (official) 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%

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.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2011)

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.)

Total fertility rate

2.86 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Urbanization

urban population: 73.4% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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

Airports

132 (2013) country comparison to the world: 44

Airports - with paved runways

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

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: 26 (2013)

Heliports

3 (2013)

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)

Pipelines

condensate 106 km; gas 4,224 km; oil 3,558 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 264 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

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)