Oman, officially known as the Sultanate of Oman, continues to experience steady demographic and economic growth in 2026. Strategically positioned on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the country plays a significant role in regional trade, tourism, logistics, and energy. Under the leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman has maintained a stable development path while focusing on economic diversification and infrastructure expansion through Vision 2040 initiatives.
According to the latest estimates published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) Oman, Oman’s population in 2026 has reached approximately 5.38 million. The country’s population growth is being shaped by a combination of natural population increase, urban development, and the continued contribution of expatriates across key sectors such as construction, healthcare, logistics, retail, and tourism.
This report provides a detailed overview of Oman’s population statistics in 2026, including demographic structure, population distribution, nationality composition, urbanization trends, and key insights influencing the country’s future growth trajectory.
Oman Population Statistics 2026 (Key Statistics)
The population of Oman in 2026 is 5.38 million
The population density is 18 per km²
The median age is 29.7 years.
The total land area is 309,500 km²
Muscat is the capital city of Oman.
The male population is 3.36 million, while the female population is 2.02 million
The population in urban areas is 4.83 million, while the population in rural areas is 0.55 million
Oman is an Islamic nation, with 4.62 million Muslims residing there
Among the Omani cities, Muscat has the highest population, with 797,000 people.
Population According to Different Sources
Population estimates for Oman may vary slightly across international databases and research platforms due to differences in data collection methods, update frequency, census models, and whether temporary expatriate residents are included in the calculations. While global platforms often rely on projections and historical growth trends, Oman’s official figures are primarily published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) Oman
NCSI | 5.38 Million |
worldpopulationreview.com | 5.70 Million |
Statisticstimes | 5.65 Million |
Statista | 5.41 Million |
populationpyramid.net | 5.67 Million |
worldometers.info | 5.67 Million |
The variation between official and international estimates largely reflects Oman’s dynamic expatriate population, which can fluctuate depending on labor market conditions, visa regulations, infrastructure projects, and economic activity. For demographic analysis, government planning, and business research, NCSI data is generally considered the most reliable and up-to-date benchmark within Oman.
General Information
Population Density | 18 per km² |
Median Age | 29.7 years |
Total Land Area | 309,500 km² |
Capital City | Muscat |
Oman covers a large land area of 309,500 square kilometres, placing it among the biggest countries in the Arabian Peninsula. Despite this size, it has a low population density of around 18 people per square kilometre, mainly due to its wide deserts and rugged mountains.
The country has a young population, with a median age of 29.7 years, which signals a growing need for jobs, education, and long-term planning. Muscat, the capital, serves as both the political centre and a vibrant cultural spot. Known for its mix of old Omani charm and modern development, Muscat’s location by the Gulf of Oman has long played a key role in shaping the country’s trade and economy.
Demographics Of Oman 2026
Oman’s 2025 demographics reveal a nation with a young and rapidly urbanising population. With a majority of residents concentrated in working-age groups and urban centres, Oman faces both opportunities and challenges in planning for sustainable growth. The data below provides a closer look at the population breakdown by gender, age, location, nationality, and religion.
Oman Population by Gender (2026)
Male | 62.48% | 3.36 M |
Female | 37.52% | 2.02 M |
Oman has a gender gap of approximately 1.34 million in 2026, with males accounting for 3.36 million residents compared to 2.02 million females. This means there are roughly 166 males for every 100 females in the country — a ratio that clearly reflects the scale of workforce-driven migration into Oman’s industrial and infrastructure sectors. The imbalance also indicates that a significant portion of the expatriate population consists of single or temporary male workers rather than family-based migration.
Oman Population by Age
Age Group | Percentage Population | Population (in Million) |
0-14 years | 24.05% | 1.29 |
15-24 years | 13.77% | 0.74 |
25-54 years | 55.33% | 2.98 |
55-64 years | 4.12% | 0.22 |
65 years and over | 2.74% | 0.15 |
Oman has a highly workforce-driven demographic structure in 2026, with the 25–54 age group alone accounting for 55.33% of the total population, or nearly 2.98 million residents. This indicates that more than half of the country’s population falls within the primary working and earning segment, reflecting Oman’s strong reliance on economically active residents and expatriate professionals.
At the same time, the relatively low share of residents aged 65 and above (2.74%) highlights Oman’s comparatively young population profile when compared to many Western and aging Asian economies.
Oman Population by Gender and Age Group
Age Group | Men Pop (in millions) | Women Pop (in millions) |
0-14 years | 0.66 | 0.63 |
15-24 years | 0.44 | 0.30 |
25-54 years | 2.06 | 0.92 |
55-64 years | 0.14 | 0.09 |
65 years and over | 0.07 | 0.08 |
A closer look at Oman’s age and gender distribution reveals that the population imbalance is most concentrated within the 25–54 age category. Men in this group account for 2.06 million residents, compared to just 0.92 million women, showing how strongly Oman’s working-age population is influenced by male-dominated expatriate employment.
Interestingly, the gender gap is far narrower among children aged 0–14, where male and female population figures remain relatively balanced. This indicates that the overall demographic imbalance emerges mainly during working-age migration rather than through natural population trends.
Oman Population 2026 (Urban V/s Rural)
Area Type | Percentage | Population (In Million) |
Urban | 89.70% | 4.83 |
Rural | 10.30% | 0.55 |
Oman remains a highly urbanized country in 2026, with nearly 89.7% of the population — around 4.83 million residents — living in urban areas. In contrast, the rural population stands at just 0.55 million, highlighting the country’s continued concentration around major cities, coastal regions, and economic hubs.
One notable insight from the data is that Oman’s urban population is now almost nine times larger than its rural population. This reflects the long-term impact of infrastructure investment, employment opportunities, and population movement toward cities such as Muscat, where business activity, government services, healthcare, and modern housing developments are heavily concentrated.
Expat vs Omani Population 2026
Group | Percentage | Users (in Million) |
Omani Citizens | 56.80% | 3.06 |
Expatriates | 43.20% | 2.32 |
Oman continues to maintain a balanced demographic mix between citizens and expatriates in 2026. Omani citizens account for 56.8% of the total population, while expatriates make up 43.2%, equivalent to approximately 2.32 million residents.
A key insight from the data is that nearly 1 out of every 2 residents in Oman is an expatriate, highlighting the critical role foreign workers continue to play in supporting the country’s economy, particularly across construction, retail, logistics, hospitality, domestic services, and energy-related sectors. At the same time, Oman still maintains a higher citizen share compared to several neighboring Gulf countries where expatriates form the majority of the population.
Oman Population by Nationality 2026
Nationality | Population (in Million) | Percentage |
Oman | 3.06 | 56.80% |
India | 0.75 | 14.00% |
Bangladesh | 0.68 | 12.60% |
Pakistan | 0.25 | 4.70% |
Egypt | 0.04 | 0.80% |
Philippines | 0.04 | 0.80% |
Other Nationalities | 0.55 | 10.30% |
According to GMI Research, Oman’s population structure in 2026 continues to be heavily influenced by South Asian expatriate communities, particularly from India and Bangladesh. Indians remain the largest expatriate group in Oman with an estimated population of 0.75 million, followed by Bangladeshis at 0.68 million.
One key insight from GMI Research is that Indian and Bangladeshi residents together contribute more than one-fourth of Oman’s total population, underlining their major role in sectors such as construction, retail, transportation, hospitality, and domestic services. The data also shows that Oman maintains a comparatively stronger citizen majority than several neighboring Gulf countries, where expatriates outnumber nationals.
Oman Population By Year
Year | Population (in Million) |
2026 | 5.38 |
2025 | 5.36 |
2024 | 5.26 |
2023 | 5.16 |
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) Oman, Oman’s population has shown consistent year-on-year growth, rising from 5.16 million in 2023 to 5.38 million in 2026. The country added approximately 220,000 residents over the four-year period, reflecting stable demographic expansion supported by economic activity, urban development, and gradual growth in expatriate employment.
An important insight from the data is that Oman crossed the 5.3 million population mark in 2025, indicating that post-pandemic labor market recovery and infrastructure projects have continued to support population growth momentum.
Oman Population by Religion
Religion | Percentage | Users (in Million) |
Muslim | 85.90% | 4.62 |
Christians | 6.40% | 0.34 |
Hindu | 5.70% | 0.31 |
Other Relligious Affiliations & Unaffiliated | 2.00% | 0.11 |
Oman remains a predominantly Muslim country in 2026, with Muslims accounting for 85.9% of the total population, or approximately 4.62 million residents. The country also has sizeable Christian and Hindu communities, largely supported by its expatriate workforce from South Asia, the Philippines, and other foreign resident groups.
A key insight from the data is that non-Muslim communities collectively account for nearly 0.76 million residents, highlighting how expatriate migration continues to shape Oman’s cultural and religious diversity alongside its economic development.
Oman Population by City
City | Population |
Muscat | 797,000 |
Seeb | 237,816 |
Salalah | 163,140 |
Bawshar | 159,487 |
Sohar | 108,274 |
As Suwayq | 107,143 |
`Ibri | 101,640 |
Saham | 89,327 |
Barka’ | 81,647 |
Rustaq | 79,383 |
The 2026 population data for Oman’s major cities shows a clear concentration in the capital, Muscat, with 797,000 residents—more than triple the population of the next largest city, Seeb (237,816). Other cities like Salalah and Bawshar come next, with 163,140 and 159,487 residents, respectively, showing their importance as southern and suburban hubs.
Cities like Sohar (108,274), As Suwayq (107,143), and `Ibri (101,640) reflect steady population levels just above 100,000. Meanwhile, Saham (89,327), Barka’ (81,647), and Rustaq (79,383) form the lower tier of the top ten, still contributing notably to Oman’s urban landscape. The figures suggest a population pattern centered around Muscat and supported by regional urban clusters.
For a broader understanding of how Oman’s demographic diversity fits within the region, you can explore our comprehensive GCC population statistics.
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