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.

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Oman in Ancient Times

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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...

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Education System

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When Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said seized power in 1970, the education system in the country was outdated and in no way future-oriented. There were only three boys' primary schools in the largest cities of the country, alongside the exclusively religiously motivated Quran school. At that time, only about 900 students were taught by 30 teachers. Given the population of approximately 700,000, the number of students at that time was very small. From the beginning of his reign, Sultan Qaboos had the plan to lead his people into an era of prosperity and progress. His success in this can be attributed, on...

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Vaccinations and Health Precautions for Oman

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A well-prepared trip starts with the right health precautions—this is just as true for a journey to Oman as for any other destination. While Oman is considered a safe place to visit, travelers should still take certain vaccinations and health measures into account to ensure a worry-free stay. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of recommended vaccinations, potential health risks, and essential preventive measures. It caters to different types of travelers, from business visitors and adventure seekers to families with children. Additionally, there are special recommendations for long-...