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Oman Population and religion percentage
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia and the oldest independent state in the Arab world. As per the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), As of January 2025, the total population of Oman was 5,274,249. Out of this, 2,285,029 were Omani nationals, making up 43.3% of the population, while 2,989,220 were expatriates, accounting for 56.7% of the total population. This indicates that expatriates continue to form the majority of the country’s residents, particularly in economically active regions like Muscat, North Al Batinah, and Dhofar.
Oman Location on Map
| Oman | 2025 Estimates |
| Total Population | 5,274,249 |
| Growth Rate | 1.47% |
| Land Area | 309,500 sq.km (119,500 sq. mi) |
| Pop. Density | 17 people/sq. km |
| Capital City | Muscat |
| Fertility Rate* | 2.8 |
| Infant mortality rate ** | 6.1 |
| Median Age | 30.6 Years |
| Life Expectancy | 78.58 years |
| Urban Population | 87% |
*Fertility rate, average number of children born to women during their reproductive years.
**Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births of children under one year of age.
Expatriate Population in Oman by Nationality
As of January 2025, expatriates in Oman made up 56.7% of the total population, with a significant number coming from South Asian countries. The largest expatriate community was from Bangladesh (637,152 people), followed by India (506,630) and Pakistan (317,296). Workers from the Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar also formed notable communities. Below is a breakdown of the expatriate population by nationality:
| Nationality | Expatriate Population |
|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 637,152 |
| Indian | 506,630 |
| Pakistani | 317,296 |
| Filipino | 44,913 |
| Egyptian | 45,921 |
| Sri Lankan | 24,156 |
| Myanmar | 33,110 |
| Sudanese | 23,545 |
| Tanzanian | 23,530 |
| Other Nationalities | 152,687 |
Religion in Oman
Islam is both the official and majority religion in Oman. Its followed by 85.9% of the population with the majority practicing Sunni and Ibadi Islam.
Hinduism is the second largest religion in Oman and its followed by 5.5% of the population. Most of the Hindus in Oman are Indian Expats and people of Indian origin working in India. Other religions represented in the country including Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Sikhism are practiced by non-nationals.
Religion percentage in Oman
| Religion | Percent |
| Sunni Islam | 45.17% |
| Ibadi Islam | 35.25% |
| Shia Islam | 6.53% |
| Hinduism | 5.46% |
| Christianity | 3.63% |
| others | 3.03% |
| Buddhism | 0.78% |
| Unaffiliated | 0.15% |
Oman Population by Governate
Muscat Governorate had the highest population at 1,502,230, with expatriates making up 61.1% (917,300 people).
North Al Batinah had the second-largest population at 927,086, while it also had a significant Omani population of 328,636. Muscat followed with 584,930 Omanis, then Ad Dakhiliyah with 154,108, and South Al Batinah with 185,898.
Ad Dakhiliyah’s population stood at 558,514, with Omanis making up 154,108. South Al Batinah’s population was 569,006, with 185,898 Omanis (32.7%).
Musandam was the least populated governorate, with 55,050 people. Expatriates made up 43.5% of Al Wusta’s 61,558 residents, mainly due to economic growth in Duqm, where many expatriates reside.
Here is a table of the population by governorate in Oman (January 2025):
| Governorate | Total Population | Omanis | Expatriates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscat | 1,502,230 | 584,930 | 917,300 |
| Dhofar | 529,662 | 290,424 | 239,238 |
| Musandam | 55,050 | 18,974 | 36,076 |
| Al Buraymi | 136,008 | 58,623 | 77,385 |
| Ad Dakhliyah | 558,514 | 154,108 | 404,406 |
| North Al Batinah | 927,086 | 328,636 | 598,450 |
| South Al Batinah | 569,006 | 185,898 | 383,108 |
| South Ash Sharqiah | 369,892 | 122,369 | 247,523 |
| North Ash Sharqiah | 320,640 | 107,643 | 212,997 |
| Adh Dhahirah | 244,603 | 66,593 | 178,010 |
| Al Wusta | 61,558 | 34,461 | 27,097 |
| Total | 5,274,249 | 2,285,029 | 2,989,220 |