Oman

Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, lies on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, commanding vital maritime routes linking the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. The nation combines ancient seafaring traditions with political continuity under a long-standing monarchy. Renowned for its moderation, stability, and pragmatic diplomacy, Oman has transformed from an isolated society into a modern, high-income state while maintaining a deep sense of cultural identity and independent foreign policy.

Historical and Political Background

The territory of modern Oman has served for millennia as a hub of Indian Ocean trade, connecting Arabia, East Africa, and South Asia. Ancient ports such as Sohar and Salalah thrived on the frankincense, copper, and maritime trades. By the late 18th century, Muscat had emerged as a significant naval and commercial power. Oman’s rulers forged early treaties with Britain, beginning a long period of strategic cooperation without colonial subjugation—a distinction that set Oman apart from many Gulf neighbours.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said came to power in 1970 after peacefully deposing his father. His accession marked a turning point: he launched extensive modernisation programmes, investing in education, infrastructure, and healthcare. His reign (1970–2020) brought unification, the establishment of state institutions, and the projection of Oman as a neutral diplomatic actor in the Middle East.
During the Arab Spring (2011), limited protests demanding jobs and reform prompted measured constitutional amendments that expanded the powers of the elected Shura Council and increased public spending.
Sultan Qaboos’s death in 2020 ended half a century of transformative rule. His cousin, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, assumed the throne smoothly, maintaining continuity while introducing administrative restructuring and Oman Vision 2040, aimed at economic diversification and governance reform.

Geography and Environment

Oman covers 309,500 sq km, bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, with over 2,090 km of coastline along the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf. Its northern exclaves—Musandam and Al Madhah—provide strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
Terrain and climate: The country consists of coastal plains, the rugged Al Hajar Mountains in the north, vast central deserts, and the monsoon-affected Dhofar region in the south. Jabal Shams (3,004 m) is the highest peak. The climate is predominantly arid, with scorching summers, humidity along coasts, and monsoon rainfall around Salalah.
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, copper, chromium, gypsum, and limestone are significant.Environmental challenges: desertification, water scarcity, salinisation, and pollution from industrial growth. Oman addresses these through innovative water-management systems such as the ancient Aflaj irrigation networks, several listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Oman is a signatory to global environmental agreements including the Paris Climate Accord, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Law of the Sea Convention.

People and Society

• Population (2024): 3.9 million (2.1 million males, 1.8 million females)
• Citizens: 56% of total; expatriates mainly from South Asia, East Africa, and Arab states
• Urbanisation: 88%
• Capital: Muscat (c. 1.65 million residents)
• Median age: 27.3 years
• Population growth: 1.75%
• Life expectancy: 77.4 years
• Infant mortality: 13.9 per 1,000 live births
• Literacy rate: 97%

Ethnic composition: Arabs, Baluchis, South Asians, and Africans, reflecting Oman’s maritime cosmopolitanism.Languages: Arabic (official), with widespread use of English, Swahili, Urdu, and Baluchi.Religion: Predominantly Muslim (85.9%), with Ibadhi Islam forming nearly half the population; minority Sunni, Shia, Christian, and Hindu communities coexist under legal protection for religious freedom.
Education and health: Oman has achieved near-universal primary education and gender parity in schooling. Healthcare is well developed and largely state-provided, with challenges focused on non-communicable diseases and rural service delivery.

Government and Political System

Oman is an absolute monarchy, governed by the Basic Law of 1996 (amended 2011), which serves as the constitution. The Sultan holds executive, legislative, and judicial authority as head of state, government, and armed forces.
Legislature: The Majles Oman (Council of Oman) is bicameral:

• Shura Council (Majles A’Shura): 90 members directly elected for four-year terms.
• State Council (Majles Ad-Dawla): 87 members appointed by the Sultan.

While the legislature’s powers are consultative, its influence has grown gradually. Political parties are prohibited, with politics shaped by consensus, tribal affiliation, and administrative service.
Judiciary: Mixed Anglo-Saxon and Islamic law traditions, with a Supreme Court of five judges at its apex. Administrative, sharia, and military courts function beneath it.
Administrative divisions: 11 governorates, including Muscat, Dhofar, Al Batinah (North and South), and Musandam. Since 2012, municipal councils have been elected to broaden citizen participation.

Economy and Development

Oman’s economy is high-income and historically hydrocarbon-based, now undergoing diversification under Vision 2040.

• GDP (PPP, 2024): $193.6 billion
• GDP growth: 1.7%
• GDP per capita (PPP): $36,700
• Inflation: ~1%
• Public debt: <50% of GDP
• Currency: Omani Rial (OMR), pegged to the US dollar at 0.384 OMR = 1 USD

Sectoral structure:

• Oil and gas: over 50% of GDP
• Manufacturing, logistics, tourism, fisheries: growing under diversification strategies
• Agriculture: 2.6% of GDP (dates, vegetables, dairy)

Employment: Overall unemployment 3.2%, but youth and female unemployment remain elevated. The Omanisation policy seeks to replace expatriate labour with trained nationals in private enterprises.
Trade:

• Main exports: crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas, chemicals, and metals
• Main export partners: China (43%), India (6%), Saudi Arabia (5%)
• Main imports: machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs
• Import partners: UAE (25%), Saudi Arabia (12%)

Investment and infrastructure: Managed by the Oman Investment Authority, development focuses on Duqm Port and Industrial Zone, Sohar Port, and Salalah Free Zone. These hubs underpin Oman’s ambition to become a regional logistics and manufacturing gateway.

Energy, Infrastructure, and Communication

Oman enjoys universal electrification, with natural gas accounting for 96% of generation. Renewable projects—solar and wind—are expanding, including major initiatives in Dhofar and Ibri.

• Oil reserves: 5.3 billion barrels
• Natural gas reserves: 651 billion cubic metres

Infrastructure: Advanced transport systems link key cities through modern highways and 37 airports. The Port of Duqm, one of the region’s largest, is central to maritime trade diversification, complementing Sohar and Salalah.
Digital development: Internet penetration exceeds 95%, supported by national fibre-optic expansion and e-governance platforms.

Defence and International Relations

The Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) total about 40,000 personnel, comprising the Royal Army, Navy, Air Force, Guard, and Special Forces. The Royal Oman Police functions as both law enforcement and civil administration authority.
Defence spending: approximately 6% of GDP (2024)—one of the highest in the Middle East. Oman maintains strong defence partnerships with the United Kingdom, United States, and GCC allies, hosting joint training facilities and contributing to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) operations to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign policy: Guided by neutrality and dialogue, Oman has served as a mediator between regional rivals, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. It is a member of the United Nations, GCC, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and WTO, and maintains a Free Trade Agreement with the United States.

Cultural Heritage and National Identity

Omani culture embodies centuries of maritime exchange across the Indian Ocean, blending Arab, African, and South Asian influences. The national flag—red, white, and green—symbolises unity, peace, and fertility, while the khanjar dagger emblem signifies honour and sovereignty.