Oman: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Oman — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
4,829,483
#123 of 197 countries
Area
309,500 km²
#72 of 248 countries
Density
15.6 / km²
#215 of 245 countries

Oman has a population of 4,829,483 spread across 309,500 km², giving it an average density of 15.6 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
27.5
Life Expectancy
77.4 yrs
Literacy Rate
97.3%
Government
absolute monarchy
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Oman is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 50% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$21,028
Cost of Living
50% of US
Inflation
1.0%
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$36,700
Unemployment
3.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.9% of Oman's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$669,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
1.9%
Outbound Tourists
1,657,000
Air Passengers
8,697,025
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Oman has 1.99 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
1.99/1k
Hospital Beds
0.99/1k
Health Spend
$732/person
Infant Mortality
8.4/1k
Immunization
99%
Safe Drinking Water
92.7%
Basic Sanitation
99.3%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Oman, 95% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 135 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
95.3%
Mobile Subs
135/100
Broadband
10.9/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data