A small green rectangular playing field situated on a dusty, dry hillside with rocky terrain and mountainous backdrop.

Population

Population

Written by: Luca Krohn Last updated at: May 21, 2025

Oman had around 4.52 million inhabitants in 2021. It is likely that the number has again increased, as it has generally been on the rise in recent decades. The birth rate of almost three children per woman not only reflects the Arabian love for large families, rather, it is an expression of the deep satisfaction that persists in the country and of the fact that people have experienced a transformation in the last few decades that is second to none. Due to this fact, more than half of Omanis are under 18 years old and more than 30 % are under 15. The people of Oman today have a much longer life expectancy than they did some three decades ago. Only parts of the country can really be described as inhabited. Oman is about the size of the Federal Republic of Germany, but a much smaller population. In addition, about 78 % of the people in Oman live in metropolitan areas. Only 5 % of the people live as Bedouins even the desert dwellers have mostly traded their tents for permanent houses. In addition to high birth rates and low mortality rates, many European expatriates have contributed to the strong growth of the population in recent decades, which has almost quintupled in the last 30 years.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

Sun rays breaking through dark, cloudy skies creating a dramatic sky scene.

Climate

2 min read

The climate in the Sultanate of Oman varies from region to region. In the coastal areas of the north and east of the country, it is hot and humid (subtropical climate). The humidity is - 80%. In the desert regions of the interior, which are separated from the north of the country by the Hadjar Mountains it is dry and hot. The south differs significantly from the rest of the country, as the monsoon winds blow here. In Oman, the year can roughly be divided into summer and winter. Summer lasts from May to September. Winter sets in around mid/end of October and lasts until the end of March. The a...

A traditional Omani khanjar (curved dagger) and a decorative heart-shaped pendant displayed on a black platform within an ornate white frame.

Oman in Ancient Times

1 min read

Muslim Arabs, led by the companion of the Prophet Amr ibn al-As, conquered the region of Oman around 630 AD and made it part of the Caliphate of the Umayyads and Abbasids. They ruled Oman for an extended period from Baghdad and Damascus. This marks the dawn of Islam in Oman. Just a few decades later, the Islamic sect of Ibadism emerged, establishing independent Imamate in the interior around 900 AD. After prolonged power struggles, the authority of the Imams lost influence to the Nabhani dynasty, which managed to reunite Oman around 1180 AD. The Nabhani made Bahla their capital, but were cons...

A sea turtle swimming underwater against a blue background.

Sea turtles

2 min read

Sea turtles and the coastal landscape of Oman have formed a symbiosis for thousands of years. These prehistoric reptiles are, however, threatened with extinction and are protected worldwide. For this reason, the government of Oman has established several nature reserves along the coast. The approximately 2000 km long coastline of the country serves as an important site for egg-laying and thus reproduction for sea turtles. It is the most important breeding ground for sea turtles in the Indian Ocean. Of the seven species of sea turtles that live worldwide, five nest on the beaches of Oman. This ...