Oman

Oman is a country in Western Asia, bordering the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. It is a UN member state with the UN M49 code 512, ISO alpha-2 code OM, and ISO alpha-3 code OMN. The UN M49 standard places Oman in the region of Asia and the subregion of Western Asia. The World Bank capital field lists Muscat as the capital. This article provides the stable identifiers and explains how to verify the changing numbers yourself.

Classification facts (stable)

Field	Value
UN M49 code	512
ISO alpha-2	OM
ISO alpha-3	OMN
UN region	Asia
UN subregion	Western Asia
UN membership	Member state
World Bank capital field	Muscat

These identifiers come from the United Nations Statistics Division’s M49 standard (see and the World Bank country API ( M49 is a statistical coding scheme, not a political or territorial claim. The UN assigns codes for data organisation; they do not decide sovereignty, borders, or diplomatic recognition. Treat the capital field as an administrative convention used by the World Bank, not as a political statement.

Country basics

Oman sits on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest, with coastlines on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The UN M49 code is 512, ISO alpha-2 is OM, and ISO alpha-3 is OMN. The UN groups Oman under region Asia, subregion Western Asia, and lists it as a UN member state. The World Bank capital field for Oman is Muscat.

Because border descriptions and territorial details can be politically sensitive, treat them as contested or differently defined depending on the source. The UN M49 standard is a statistical grouping, not a political or territorial claim.

How to verify Oman’s population

Population figures for Oman are not frozen. The United Nations publishes population estimates and projections, while the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in Oman publishes national data. The UN’s World Population Prospects is the standard reference for cross-country comparison; its figures are estimates between censuses, not exact counts. The World Bank API returns population data with a reference year for each indicator. For a stable profile, cite the source and the reference year rather than stating a single number as fact.

For the most recent figure, check the World Bank country API at and query the “SP.POP.TOTL” indicator for Oman. The API returns the population estimate for the most recent available year, which is typically a mid-year estimate. Always state the reference year when quoting population figures.

UN M49 standard

Oman is grouped in the UN M49 standard as:

• UN M49 code: 512
• ISO alpha-2: OM
• ISO alpha-3: OMN
• UN region: Asia
• UN subregion: Western Asia
• UN member state: Yes
• World Bank capital field: Muscat

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, M49 overview ( This grouping is a statistical tool, not a political or territorial claim. The World Bank capital field is an administrative datum, not a statement of sovereignty.

Capital

The World Bank capital field lists Muscat as the capital of Oman. This is a stable administrative fact, not a volatile statistic. For location and maps, use the UN cartographic source or the national statistical office. The capital is defined by Oman’s government, not by the UN M49 standard. Always cite the reference year of the dataset you consult. For administrative and statistical purposes, Muscat is the seat of government; for territorial claims, consult the UN and relevant national sources.

Population

Population is not a fixed number. The World Bank, the UN Population Division, and the National Centre for Statistics and Information in Oman publish different estimates because they use different definitions and reference dates. The World Bank’s country API returns the country code and basic metadata, not the population. For population figures, use the World Bank’s indicator API (SP.POP.TOTL) or the UN World Population Prospects. Both report estimates, not exact counts, and both lag behind the latest census. The most recent census in Oman was conducted in 2020, but census results are not a live count. Population figures change daily through births, deaths, and migration; always cite the source and reference year. For cross-country comparison, use the World Bank’s population total for a specific year and note that figures are mid-year estimates. The UN M49 overview gives the standard country code and regional grouping, not population data.

Latest UN estimate

Population: 5,492,000 (2024, UN estimate), but verify current figures before citing. Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Definition: de facto population. The UN M49 standard is a statistical geography, not a political or legal statement of borders, sovereignty, or recognition. Population density: 17 people per km² (based on UN 2024 estimate and 309,500 km² surface area).

Currency

The Omani rial (OMR) is the currency. Exchange rates fluctuate; verify current rates from a named source before relying on them for any financial calculation. The Central Bank of Oman publishes monetary data. The World Bank and IMF list the currency code OMR. The rial is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 1 OMR = 2.6008 USD (source: Central Bank of Oman, current peg maintained since 1986). Note that this peg is a policy choice, not a natural constant; verify current rates with the Central Bank of Oman.

Languages

Arabic is the language of government, education, and media. English is widely used in business and tourism, and the nation has a multilingual expatriate workforce. The CIA World Factbook maintains a Languages section that lists recognized and commonly spoken languages; check that source for the current breakdown. The Factbook also lists Baluchi, Urdu, and Indian languages among the expatriate community. These are attributed to the CIA World Factbook, not to Omani statistics.

Government

Oman is an absolute monarchy. The Sultan holds executive authority. The nation has a bicameral parliament: the Majlis al-Shura (elected) and the Majlis al-Dawla (appointed). There are no political parties, and the Sultan also serves as Prime Minister. For the current head of state, ministries, and legal framework, consult the government portal or your own government’s current country profile.

Economy

Oman’s economy is dominated by oil and gas, which account for the bulk of government revenue and export earnings. The government has pursued economic diversification under its long-term development plans. For current GDP, growth, inflation, and income grouping, consult the World Bank country page for Oman. The World Bank groups Oman as a high-income economy (as of the most recent available year; verify the current year on the World Bank’s country page).

People and language

Arabic is the language of government, education, and media, and English is widely used in business and tourism. The populace is predominantly Arab, with significant expatriate communities from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and other Gulf states. The religion of the state is Islam, and the majority of citizens are Ibadi Muslims, a distinct branch of Islam that is neither Sunni nor Shia. Demographic figures change frequently; use the latest UN population estimates and the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) for census data.

Geography and climate

Oman sits on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coastline runs along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, with a small exclave, the Musandam Peninsula, separated by UAE territory. The nation also shares a short border with Iran across the Strait of Hormuz. Climate varies: coastal areas are hot and humid in summer, while the interior is hot and dry; the southern Dhofar region receives a seasonal monsoon (khareef) from June to September. Terrain includes mountains, desert, and a long coastline. These are geographic facts from the CIA World Factbook (2024), not political claims.

History

The Sultanate of Oman is an absolute monarchy. In 1970, Qaboos bin Said al Said overthrew his father in a bloodless coup and began a modernization program. Sultan Qaboos ruled until his death in January 2020, and his cousin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said succeeded him. Oman has maintained a foreign policy of neutrality and mediation, avoiding major conflicts in the region. The modern history is tied to the Al Said dynasty, which has ruled since 1744. Oman’s location on the Strait of Hormuz gives it strategic importance for global oil shipments. The 2011 Arab Spring protests led to modest political reforms, including increased powers for the elected Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura), though real authority remains with the Sultan. The proven oil reserves are modest compared to its neighbors, ranking around 20th globally. Oman has deliberately limited oil production to extend reservoir life and has diversified into logistics, tourism, and manufacturing.