Population

All you need to know about Oman’s people: growth, age groups, and key statistics.

Oman Population Overview

"Key figures and trends at a glance."

As of , Oman’s population is estimated at people ( in , ).

Omani citizens make up around ().
Expatriates account for about ().
The gender split shows approximately males and females.

Omani Nationals - Key Demographic & Health Indicators

Life Expectancy at Birth: years
Live Births Registered:
Total Fertility Rate: children per woman
Deaths Registered:
Maternal Mortality Rate: deaths per 100,000 live births

The population is relatively young, highlighting Oman’s strong potential for workforce growth and future innovation.

Population: The total number of people living in a country or region at a given time.
Life Expectancy at Birth: The average number of years a newborn is expected to live, assuming current mortality trends remain unchanged.
Age-Specific Fertility Rates (ASFRs): The number of live births per 1,000 women in a specific age group (e.g., 15–19, 20–24).
Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years (usually ages 15–49), if current fertility rates continue.
Expatriate: A person residing in a country other than their country of citizenship. In Oman’s statistics, “expatriates” usually refers to the non-Omani population.
Infant Deaths: The number of deaths of children under one year of age within a given year.
Crude Birth Rate (CBR): The number of live births per 1,000 people in the total population during a given year.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year.
Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): The number of maternal deaths (women dying from pregnancy-related causes) per 100,000 live births in a given year.

LEB: Life Expectancy at Birth

\( LE = \frac{\displaystyle\sum (\text{Person-years lived at each age})}{\displaystyle\text{Number of births}} \)

ASFR: Age-Specific Fertility Rate

\( ASFR_{x} = \frac{\displaystyle\text{Births to women aged }x}{\displaystyle\text{Women aged }x} \times 1000 \) >

TFR: Total Fertility Rate

\( TFR = \sum ASFR_{x} \times 5 \div 1000 \) >

(The sum of ASFRs across all reproductive age groups, usually 15–49 years)

CBR: Crude Birth Rate

\( CBR = \frac{\displaystyle\text{Total births}}{\displaystyle\text{Mid-year population}} \times 1000 \) >

IMR: Infant Mortality Rate

\( IMR = \frac{\displaystyle\text{Infant deaths (age < 1)}}{\displaystyle\text{Live births}} \times 1000 \) >

MMR: Maternal Mortality Rate

\( MMR = \frac{\displaystyle\text{Maternal deaths}}{\displaystyle\text{Live births}} \times 100,000 \) >

Life Expectancy at Birth in Oman

In recent years, life expectancy in Oman has risen. A newborn in could expect to live about years (all sexes combined). ( in , % ).

Women in Oman typically live longer than men. In , females reached years (vs. in , % ).

Male life expectancy stood at years (vs. in , % ).

For the total population, life expectancy was years (vs. in , % ).

In 2021, life expectancy in Oman showed a slight decrease, largely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily raised mortality rates. This decline was consistent with global trends observed in many countries during the pandemic period.

Looking ahead, continued progress in managing chronic diseases, reducing health inequalities, and strengthening the health system will be key to sustaining gains in life expectancy.

Note: The first time Total Population Life Expectancy in Oman was calculated was in 2016.

Population Trends by Nationality and Gender in Oman

"Explore the percentage distribution of each group relative to the total population over time."

In the most recent year , the number of Omani males reached ( in ). This represents a . Omani males account for of the total population.

In , the number of Omani females was , compared with in . This marks a . Omani females represent of the total.

The total Omani population reached in , compared with in . This reflects a . Omanis make up of the total population.

Expatriate males numbered in , compared with in . This indicates a . They represent of the total.

Expatriate females stood at in , compared to in . This represents a . Their share of the total population is .

The expatriate population totaled in , versus in . This equates to a . Expatriates make up of the total.

The total male population reached in , compared with in . This shows a . Males account for of the total population.

The total female population was in , up from in . This reflects a . Females represent of the total.

Drops in expatriates were observed in 2010 (post-financial crisis adjustments), 2020 (COVID-19 restrictions, business closures, and travel bans), and 2021 (Omanisation policies and continued pandemic effects).

Oman Population by Gender and Nationality

In , children aged 0–14 years represent the future generation of Oman. Their number reached ( of the total population), compared to in . This group has at a rate of . Among them, Omanis constitute (), while expatriates account for ().

The 15–24 years age group serves as a bridge between education and the start of working life. Their number reached ( of the total population) in , compared to in . This group has at a rate of . Omanis make up (), while expatriates number ().

The 25–64 years age group represents the backbone of the workforce. Their number reached ( of the total population) in , compared to in . This group has at a rate of . Omanis account for (), while expatriates account for ().

Older adults aged 65 years and above form a relatively small but growing segment. Their number reached ( of the total population) in , compared to in . This group has at a rate of . Omanis represent (), while expatriates represent ().

Overall, males dominate the population, with ( of the total population) males compared to ( of the total population) females. The gender balance is closer among Omanis, while expatriates are more skewed towards males due to labor migration patterns.

Top 5 Governorates and Wilayats by Population in Oman,

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Live Births, Deaths & Infant Deaths Registered

In Oman, the number of Live Births registered in was , compared to in , showing a .

Interpretation & Trends:

The drop in births among Omanis suggests demographic shifts, possibly lower fertility, rising age at childbirth, or social factors.
Meanwhile, the increase in births among expatriates may reflect the composition of Oman’s migrant population (families, younger cohort).
The overall declining crude birth rate aligns with what is observed in many countries undergoing demographic transition (lower fertility over time).

Deaths recorded in reached , up from in , reflecting a .

Interpretation & Trends:

The increase in deaths could reflect demographic aging, shifts in cause distributions (e.g. noncommunicable diseases), or reporting improvements.
Given Oman’s improving life expectancy and health system, mortality pressures tend to shift gradually toward older age groups.
The growth in total deaths despite declining births indicates that natural population growth (births minus deaths) is narrowing.

Infant Deaths in totaled , compared to in , marking a .

Interpretation & Trends:

Oman’s relatively low infant mortality indicates strengths in maternal and child health infrastructure (prenatal care, neonatal care, immunization, etc.).
The gradual improvements and small year-to-year declines reflect diminishing returns: further reductions become harder, as a baseline of care is achieved.
To push further down, Oman would need to focus on neonatal causes (preterm birth, asphyxia, congenital conditions) and health equity across regions and socioeconomic groups.

In Oman, the number of live births registered in was , compared to in , recording a .

Among these, the number of Omani male births was and Omani female births was , bringing the total Omani live births to , representing of total births.

Among expatriates, the number of male births was and female births was , bringing the total expatriate live births to , representing of the total.

Therefore, the total number of live births in the Sultanate reached in .

Crude Birth Rates (per 1000 Population)

Oman’s crude birth rate — defined as the number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year — stood at births per 1,000 people in , up from births per 1,000 people in , representing an approximate change ( ) in one year.

Among Omanis, the crude birth rate was births per 1,000 population in , compared with births per 1,000 population in , representing a change ( ).

Among Expatriates, the crude birth rate stood at births per 1,000 population in , compared with births per 1,000 population in , representing a change ( ).

This slight decline in the crude birth rate, across all residents, Omanis, and expatriates, comes amid a longer-term downward trend across many countries, including Oman, as fertility rates, socio-economic factors, and public health policies evolve. The crude birth rate is a key demographic indicator because, together with the crude death rate, it helps determine the natural population growth rate (population change excluding migration).

Over past decades, Oman has experienced substantial demographic transition: earlier years saw significantly higher birth rates, but as the country developed, urbanized, and improved in health and education, the birth rate has gradually declined.

In Oman, the distribution of live births reveals important demographic and maternal health patterns across nationality, sex of the newborn, and maternal age groups. Live‐birth data are disaggregated by Nationality (Omani vs. Expatriate), Sex of the child (male vs. female), and Mother’s Age Groups (e.g. below 15, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50+).

In , mothers aged 15–49 accounted for live births ( : , change: ).

Among Omani mothers aged 15–49 there were live births (previous: , change: ).

Among Expatriate mothers aged 15–49 there were live births (previous: , change: ). This group accounts for of all births.

Of the 15–49 fertility group, males accounted for births (change: ), and females for births (change: ).

For Omani mothers aged 15–49: males = , females = . For Expatriate mothers aged 15–49: males = , females = .

The largest age group overall is with live births.

For Omani births the largest single age group is with births.

For Expatriate births the largest single age group is with births.

Looking at sex-specific largest groups (excluding 15–49): Total males = (), Total females = ().

Omani males: (), Omani females: ().

Expatriate males: (), Expatriate females: ().

Looking at maternal age groups, the largest share of births typically falls in the 25-29, 30-34 and 35-39 age ranges, reflecting that women in their prime reproductive years contribute most births. Younger mothers (below 15) and older mothers (45+) generally contribute far fewer births. By comparing proportions across these age brackets, you can assess maternal fertility trends, shifts in childbearing age, and potential health or policy implications (e.g. for prenatal care planning, maternal health services focused on younger or older groups).

Fertility trends in Oman highlight the country’s dynamic demographic story. In , the Age-Specific Fertility Rates (ASFR) revealed that women in the age group recorded the highest fertility among all residents, with births per 1,000 women. At younger ages (15–19 years), fertility was much lower () but steadily increased through the 20s ( – ) and remained strong at 30–34 years (), before gradually declining in older age groups.

Breaking this down by nationality reveals striking contrasts. Omani women consistently show higher fertility across most ages, with their peak at , reaching births per 1,000 women. In contrast, Expatriate women display lower fertility overall, peaking at with . These differences underscore how cultural expectations, socioeconomic realities, and family planning choices shape fertility behaviors across communities.

Monitoring ASFR is critical for understanding Oman’s demographic transition, as it highlights the contribution of each age group to overall fertility and future population growth. These insights support policy planning in maternal health, education, and social development.

Total Fertility Rates (TFR) by Nationality

Looking at the bigger picture, the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) for all residents was children per woman in , up from the previous year, representing a () change. Among Omanis, the TFR remains higher at , while expatriates have a lower TFR of .

These figures not only illustrate the diversity of fertility behaviors in Oman but also provide crucial insights for policymakers, health planners, and social researchers as the nation navigates changing demographics, family planning, and population growth strategies.

In Oman, the number of deaths registered in was , compared to in , showing a .

Among Omanis, the number of male deaths was and female deaths was , bringing the total Omani deaths to , representing of total deaths.

Among expatriates, the number of male deaths was and female deaths was , bringing the total expatriate deaths to , representing of the total.

Therefore, the total number of deaths registered in the Sultanate reached in .

In , the total number of registered deaths in Oman reached , compared with in the previous year — marking a () change.

Omanis accounted for of all registered deaths, while expatriates represented . This composition highlights the demographic structure of the Sultanate — with Omanis generally older on average, and expatriates concentrated in younger, working-age groups.

Among Omanis, the most affected age group for male deaths was , and for females it was . This reflects both biological and social factors influencing mortality.

Interpreting the Patterns: The age structure of deaths reveals much about Oman’s evolving population. Non-Omani deaths tend to cluster within younger and middle age groups, reflecting the predominance of working-age expatriates. In contrast, Omani deaths are more concentrated among older adults — a sign of gradual population ageing.

Sex Differences: Across nearly all age categories, men record more deaths than women, echoing global patterns of higher male mortality.

Public Health Insight: The persistence of deaths among infants and young children (0–4 years) underscores ongoing priorities in maternal and child health. Tracking these trends helps policymakers monitor shifts in disease burden, healthcare access, and population ageing over time.

Crude Death Rates (per 1000 Population)

Oman’s crude death rate — defined as the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year — stood at deaths per 1,000 people in , down from deaths per 1,000 people in , representing an approximate change ( ) in one year.

Among Omanis, the crude death rate was deaths per 1,000 population in , compared with deaths per 1,000 population in , representing a change ( ).

Among Expatriates, the crude death rate stood at deaths per 1,000 population in , compared with deaths per 1,000 population in , representing a change ( ).

The decline in crude death rate across all residents, Omanis, and expatriates highlights improving healthcare, better living conditions, and demographic shifts. The crude death rate, together with the crude birth rate, is essential for understanding Oman’s natural population growth and overall demographic trends.

Historically, Oman has experienced reductions in death rates as a result of advances in medical care, public health, and socioeconomic development. Preliminary data suggest these trends continue into , reflecting ongoing improvements in population health outcomes.

In Oman, the number of infant deaths registered in was , compared to in , showing a .

Among Omanis, the number of male infant deaths was and female infant deaths was , bringing the total Omani infant deaths to , representing of total infant deaths.

Among expatriates, the number of male infant deaths was and female infant deaths was , bringing the total expatriate infant deaths to , representing of the total.

Therefore, the total number of infant deaths registered in the Sultanate reached in .

Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 Livebirths)

In Oman, the number of infant deaths registered in was , compared to in , showing a .

In the same year, total registered live births were , providing important context for infant mortality levels in Oman.

Among Omanis, the number of male infant deaths was and female infant deaths was , bringing the total Omani infant deaths to , representing of total infant deaths.

Among expatriates, the number of male infant deaths was and female infant deaths was , bringing the total expatriate infant deaths to , representing of the total.

Therefore, the Sultanate recorded infant deaths out of total live births in .

Declining infant mortality rates across all residents, Omanis, and expatriates reflect improvements in maternal and child healthcare, immunization programs, and overall living conditions. Tracking this indicator is crucial for assessing population health and guiding policy interventions aimed at reducing child mortality.

Preliminary figures suggest these trends continue into , indicating ongoing progress in reducing infant deaths in Oman.

Omani Maternal Mortality Rate

In Oman, the Omani maternal mortality rate in was per 100,000 live births, compared to in , representing a .

Definition: The Omani Maternal Mortality Rate measures the number of maternal deaths (due to pregnancy or childbirth-related causes occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination) per 100,000 live births among Omani women.

Why it matters

Indicator of maternal healthcare quality and access (prenatal, delivery, emergency obstetric care, postpartum).
Used to monitor progress against national health targets and SDG 3.1 (reducing maternal mortality).
Helps identify gaps in services, regional or socioeconomic disparities, and priority areas for investment.

The maternal mortality rate is compared to the total overall live births: total registered live births in .

Population

Oman Population Overview

Life Expectancy at Birth in Oman

Population Trends by Nationality and Gender in Oman

Oman Population by Gender and Nationality

Oman's Population by

📌 Additional Notes:

🌞 Sunburst Chart Guide

Top 5 Governorates and Wilayats by Population in Oman,

📊 Radial Stacked Bar Chart Guide

🔍 What it shows:

🧭 How to use it:

📌 Additional Notes:

Live Births, Deaths & Infant Deaths Registered

Crude Birth Rates (per 1000 Population)

Total Fertility Rates (TFR) by Nationality

Crude Death Rates (per 1000 Population)

Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000 Livebirths)

Omani Maternal Mortality Rate