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. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day.
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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
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: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation
highest point: Jabal Shams 3,004 m
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 310 m
Natural resources
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use
agricultural land: 4.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 95.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
590 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
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
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
3,694,755 (July 2021 est.)
note: immigrants make up approximately 46% of the total population (2019)
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
major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.4%, Hindu 5.7%, other and unaffiliated 2% (2020 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: 30.15% (male 561,791/female 533,949)
15-24 years: 17.35% (male 331,000/female 299,516)
25-54 years: 44.81% (male 928,812/female 699,821)
55-64 years: 4.02% (male 77,558/female 68,427)
65 years and over: 3.68% (male 64,152/female 69,663) (2020 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 33.3
youth dependency ratio: 30
elderly dependency ratio: 3.3
potential support ratio: 29.9 (2020 est.)
Median age
total: 26.2 years
male: 27.2 years
female: 25.1 years (2020 est.)
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: 87% of total population (2021)
rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.590 million MUSCAT (capital) (2021)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.33 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126Infant mortality rate
total: 14.76 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 16.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.64 years
male: 74.69 years
female: 78.68 years (2021 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
29.7% (2014)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
4.1% (2018)
Physicians density
2 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density
1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
<100 (2019)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.7%
male: 97%
female: 92.7% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 13.7%
male: 10.3%
female: 33.9% (2016)
Environment
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, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 38.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 63.46 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 5.6 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Land use
agricultural land: 4.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 95.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 87% of total population (2021)
rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources
forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,734,885 tons (2014 est.)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 135 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.607 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources
1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
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 - celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020
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 2011, 2021
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 HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said (since 11 January 2020); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said (since 11 January 2020)
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 (86 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 11 July 2019 (next - NA)
Consultative Assembly - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023)
election results:
Council of State - composition - men 70, women 15, percent of women 17.6%
Consultative Council percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition men 84, women 2, percent of women 2.3%; note - total Council of Oman percent of women 9.9%
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
chief of mission: Ambassador Moosa Hamdan Moosa AL TAI (since 17 February 2021)
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
email address and website:
washington@fm.gov.om
https://www.culturaloffice.info/aboutomaniembassy
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. TSOU (since 19 January 2020)
embassy: P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
mailing address: 6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC 20521
telephone: [968] 2464-3400
FAX: [968] 2464-3740
email address and website:
ConsularMuscat@state.gov
https://om.usembassy.gov/
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
Economic 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.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$135.79 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)
$136.92 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)
$135.696 billion (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate
-0.9% (2017 est.)
5% (2016 est.)
4.7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$27,300 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)
$28,400 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)
$29,082 (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$76.883 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.1% (2019 est.)
0.7% (2018 est.)
1.7% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings
Fitch rating: BB- (2020)
Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 46.4% (2017 est.)
services: 51.8% (2017 est.)
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.)
Agricultural products
dates, tomatoes, vegetables, goat milk, milk, cucumbers, green chillies/peppers, watermelons, sorghum, melons
Industries
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Labor force
2.255 million (2016 est.)
note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 4.7% NA
industry: 49.6% NA
services: 45% NA (2016 est.)
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.)
Public debt
46.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises
Fiscal year
calendar year
Current account balance
-$10.76 billion (2017 est.)
-$12.32 billion (2016 est.)
Exports
$43.69 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)
$46.32 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Exports - partners
China 46%, India 8%, Japan 6%, South Korea 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, iron products, fertilizers (2019)
Imports
$32.55 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)
$35.37 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Imports - partners
United Arab Emirates 36%, China 10%, Japan 7%, India 7%, United States 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, gold, iron (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$16.09 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$20.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external
$46.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$27.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -
0.38505 (2020 est.)
0.38505 (2019 est.)
0.385 (2018 est.)
0.3845 (2014 est.)
0.3845 (2013 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 13.7%
male: 10.3%
female: 33.9% (2016)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 99% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
8.167 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70Electricity - from fossil fuels
100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203Crude oil - proved reserves
5.373 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21Refined petroleum products - production
229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48Refined petroleum products - consumption
188,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59Natural gas - proved reserves
651.3 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 594,550 (2020)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12.68 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 6,276,535 (2020)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133.9 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; domestic satellite system; progressive mobile sector with both 3G and 4G LTE networks and readiness for 5G launch; competition among mobile operators; government program to improve fiber network; important communications hub in the Middle East, with access to numerous submarine cables enabling increased bandwidth; major importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from UAE (2020)
domestic: fixed-line 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular 138 per 100, subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems (2019)
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)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
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 users
total: 4.92 million (2021 est.)
percent of population: 95.23% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 508,949 (2020)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10.85 (2020 est.)
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 57
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 10,438,241 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 510.43 million mt-km (2018)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
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)
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)
Merchant marine
total: 57
by type: general cargo 10, other 47 (2021)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (4,109,000) (2019)
LNG terminal(s) (export): Qalhat
Military and Security
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); Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Customs, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (2021)
Military expenditures
11% of GDP (2020 est.)
8.8% of GDP (2019)
8.2% of GDP (2018)
12.8% of GDP (2017)
16% of GDP (2016)
Military and security service personnel strengths
the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) have approximately 40,000 total active troops (26,000 Army, 4,000 Navy; 4,000 Air Force; 6,000 Royal Guard) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the SAF's inventory includes a mix of older and some more modern weapons systems from a variety of suppliers, particularly Europe and the US; since 2010, the UK and the US are the leading suppliers of arms to Oman (2021)
Maritime threats
the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2021-003A Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 26 February 2021, 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"; Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2021)
Military - note
the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) have a longstanding security relationship with the British military going back to the 18th century; as of 2021, the SAF and the British maintained a joint training base in Oman and exercised together regularly; in 2017, Oman and the British signed an agreement allowing the British military the use of facilities at Al Duqm Port; in 2019, the US obtained access to the port
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)