The inhabitants of the area of present-day 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 ruled as sultan for the next five decades. His extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world. He prioritized strategic ties to the UK and US, and his moderate, independent foreign policy allowed Oman to maintain good relations with its neighbors and avoid external entanglements.
In 2011, the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa inspired demonstrations in Oman that called for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response, QABOOS implemented economic and political reforms such as granting Oman’s legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house. Additionally, the sultan increased unemployment benefits and issued a royal directive mandating a national public- and private-sector job creation plan. 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 2012. QABOOS, Oman’s longest reigning monarch, died in 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq Al Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman’s new sultan the same day.
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
comparison ranking: total 72
Area – comparative
twice the size of Georgia
Area comparison map:
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% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.4% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 95.3% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
1,162 sq km (2022)
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; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely populated
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
People and Society
Population
total: 3,901,992 (2024 est.)
male: 2,096,126
female: 1,805,866
comparison rankings: total 130; female 132; male 128
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 Øقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Arabic audio sample:
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: 29.8% (male 594,909/female 566,682)
15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,428,141/female 1,155,438)
65 years and over: 4% (2024 est.) (male 73,076/female 83,746)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 51 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 45 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 16.5 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 27.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 28.1 years
female: 26.3 years
comparison ranking: total 159
Population growth rate
1.75% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 52
Birth rate
21.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 62
Death rate
3.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 224
Net migration rate
-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 121
Population distribution
the vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely populated
Urbanization
urban population: 88.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
1.650 million MUSCAT (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.24 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.16 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
17 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 132
Infant mortality rate
total: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.6 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 100
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 75.5 years
female: 79.4 years
comparison ranking: total population 91
Total fertility rate
2.64 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 64
Gross reproduction rate
1.29 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
29.7% (2014)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 97.9% of population
total: 99.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 2.1% of population
total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
4.4% of GDP (2021)
8.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.99 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
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 (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
27% (2016)
comparison ranking: 39
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 164
Tobacco use
total: 11.6% (2025 est.)
male: 17.9% (2025 est.)
female: 0.4% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 117
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
11.2% (2016/17)
comparison ranking: 47
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
56.4% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
4.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
14.2% national budget (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 96
Literacy
total population: 97% (2022 est.)
male: 99% (2022 est.)
female: 95% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2021)
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 in the water table and aquifers; desertification 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
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% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.4% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 95.3% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 88.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 34.88 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 63.46 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 5.6 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste 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 (2020 est.)
industrial: 240 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 1.55 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
1.4 billion cubic meters (2020 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 may date back at least 2,000 years, with an “Omana” mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an “Omanon” by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.); it is said to derive from Oman ben Ibrahim al Khalil (Oman ben Kahtan), who founded the state
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 derives from the Arabic name for the city, Masqat, which is said to mean “hidden” and refers to the range of hills that isolate the port city from the rest of the country
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)
Legal system
mixed system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
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
amendment process: 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
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 HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020)
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
note: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Majles
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: Shura Council (Majles A’Shura)
number of seats: 90 (all directly elected)
electoral system: other systems
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 10/29/2023
percentage of women in chamber: 0%
expected date of next election: October 2027
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: State Council (Majles Addawla)
number of seats: 87 (all appointed)
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 11/1/2023
percentage of women in chamber: 20.9%
expected date of next election: November 2027
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; judges appointed for life
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates’ courts; military courts
Political parties
none; note – organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Talal bin Sulaiman bin Habib AL RAHBI (since 17 March 2025)
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
email address and website:
[email protected]
Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington, USA – FM.gov.om
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ana ESCROGIMA (since 4 December 2023)
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:
[email protected]
https://om.usembassy.gov/
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
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
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green, with a vertical red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath on top of crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white stands for peace and prosperity, red for battles against foreign invaders, and green for the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
National symbol(s)
khanjar dagger on top of 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
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Bahla Fort; Archaeological Sites of Bat; Land of Frankincense; Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman; Ancient Qalhat
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, oil-based economy; large welfare system; growing government debt; citizenship-based labor force growth policy; US free trade agreement; diversifying portfolio; high female labor force participation
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$193.445 billion (2023 est.)
$190.942 billion (2022 est.)
$174.254 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 78
Real GDP growth rate
1.31% (2023 est.)
9.58% (2022 est.)
3.09% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 156
Real GDP per capita
$38,300 (2023 est.)
$40,400 (2022 est.)
$38,700 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 63
GDP (official exchange rate)
$108.811 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1% (2023 est.)
2.5% (2022 est.)
1.7% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 24
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 2.3% (2023 est.)
industry: 54.3% (2023 est.)
services: 46.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 170; industry 8; agriculture 152
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 34.3% (2022 est.)
government consumption: 17.9% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 4.4% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 59.2% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -41.4% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
vegetables, dates, milk, tomatoes, sorghum, chillies/peppers, goat milk, cucumbers/gherkins, cantaloupes/melons, cabbages (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate
0.06% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 146
Labor force
2.696 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 119
Unemployment rate
3.2% (2024 est.)
3.2% (2023 est.)
3.3% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 54
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 13.9% (2024 est.)
male: 11% (2024 est.)
female: 30.9% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 97
Average household expenditures
on food: 18.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 0.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
0.04% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.03% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.04% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $29.334 billion (2018 est.)
expenditures: $35.984 billion (2018 est.)
Public debt
46.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises
comparison ranking: 116
Taxes and other revenues
31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 21
Current account balance
$2.638 billion (2023 est.)
$4.362 billion (2022 est.)
-$4.836 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 41
Exports
$64.749 billion (2023 est.)
$69.483 billion (2022 est.)
$46.572 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 57
Exports – partners
China 43%, India 6%, Saudi Arabia 5%, UAE 5%, South Africa 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, natural gas, semi-finished iron, fertilizers (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$47.412 billion (2023 est.)
$46.682 billion (2022 est.)
$37.216 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 69
Imports – partners
UAE 25%, Saudi Arabia 12%, India 8%, China 7%, Qatar 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, iron ore, iron pipes (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$17.298 billion (2023 est.)
$17.497 billion (2022 est.)
$19.73 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 63
Exchange rates
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
0.384 (2024 est.)
0.384 (2023 est.)
0.384 (2022 est.)
0.384 (2021 est.)
0.384 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 11.589 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 40.738 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 4.267 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 157; consumption 59; installed generating capacity 63
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 96% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 82,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 70,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 323,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 1.056 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 218,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 5.373 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 41.726 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 28.646 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 15.536 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 1.924 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 651.287 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
84.073 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 661,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 28.611 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 54.8 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 45
Energy consumption per capita
296.586 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 9
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 579,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 87
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 6.98 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 115
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
percent of population: 95% (2024 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 562,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 92
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
A4O
Airports
37 (2025)
comparison ranking: 109
Heliports
20 (2025)
comparison ranking: 55
Merchant marine
total: 57 (2023)
by type: general cargo 11, other 46
comparison ranking: total 117
Ports
total ports: 7 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 1
small: 4
very small: 2
ports with oil terminals: 6
key ports: Duqm, Khawr Khasab, Mina Al Fahl, Mina Raysut, Sohar
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), Sultan’s Special Forces
Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Infrastructure Security Police, Coast Guard Police, Special Security Police, Special Task Force (2024)
note: in addition to its policing duties, the ROP conducts many administrative functions similar to the responsibilities of a Ministry of Interior in other countries
Military expenditures
6% of GDP (2024 est.)
5.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
8% of GDP (2021 est.)
11% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 40,000 active Sultan’s Armed Forces (25,000 Army, 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 5,000 Royal Guard) (2025)
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 the UK and the US; other suppliers have included China, EU countries, South Africa, and Turkey (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 for voluntary military service for men and women (women have been allowed to serve since 2011); no conscription (2023)
Military – note
the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) are responsible for defending the country, ensuring internal security, and protecting the monarchy; it is a small but well-equipped military that often trains with foreign partners such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the UK, and the US; the SAF has a longstanding security relationship with the British military going back to the 18th century; today, the SAF and the British maintain a joint training base in Oman; in 2017, Oman and the UK signed an agreement allowing the British military the use of facilities at Al Duqm Port; in 2019, the US obtained access to the port, expanding on previous military cooperation agreements in 2014, 2010, and 1980; Oman also allows other nations to use some of its maritime facilities, including China; the SAF is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region
Oman has a small but relatively modern navy that conducts maritime security operations along the country’s long coastline, including patrolling, ensuring freedom of navigation in the key naval chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz, and countering piracy and smuggling; while Oman is not a member of the US-led, multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which operates task forces to counter piracy and smuggling, the Omani Navy has at times participated in CMF-led joint exercises (2024)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Yemen) (2017)
