Oman is a strategically located Arab country situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Its capital and largest city is Muscat, which serves as the political and economi...
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With a safety index of 82/100, Oman offers excellent safety conditions for expats and their families.
Oman offers simplified entry for tourists from over 100 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations, allowing visa-free entry for up to 14 days without extension or conversion to residence visas.[1][5][6] Requirements include a passport valid for at least six months from entry, confirmed return ticket, hotel booking, health insurance covering the stay, and sufficient funds.[1][3][4] This policy, expanded in recent years to boost tourism, applies to short visits only; longer stays require an...
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7% below EU avg
26% above EU avg
35% above EU avg
130% above EU avg
Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.
Capital
Muscat
Timezone
UTC+04:00
Area
309,500 km²
Population
5,106,622
Oman shows a purchasing power index of 161/100, indicating excellent economic conditions for expats.
GDP
$114.67B
HDI
0.8
Quality of Life
91/100
+48 vs NYC
Purchasing Power
67/100
+25 vs NYC
Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Oman. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.
Cost of Living Index
Very affordable costs with CPI of 43.9 (NYC=100). Groceries index at 43.3 and restaurant prices at 41.9 make daily expenses economical compared to developed nations.
Housing Market
Highly affordable housing with property-to-income ratio of 3.7 years. Rent index of 12.6 indicates exceptionally low rental costs, making homeownership and renting very accessible.
Average Income Levels
Excellent purchasing power with index of 161.1, significantly above global average. Strong income levels support high living standards and savings capacity for residents.
Tax System
No personal income tax on residents; corporate tax at 30% for oil and 15% for non-oil sectors. VAT-free system with selective excise taxes on specific goods, creating favorable tax environment.
Business Environment
Improving business climate supported by Oman Vision 2040 reforms and Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Non-hydrocarbon sectors growing at 3.9-4.4% with manufacturing expanding 8.3% annually, indicating strengthening entrepreneurial opportunities.
Social Security
Comprehensive social programs including mandatory pension contributions, healthcare access, and unemployment benefits. Government prioritizes social protection and development under Vision 2040, though coverage details vary by employment sector.
Oman features a predominantly hot desert climate, ideal for sun-seekers but challenging due to extreme summer heat and low humidity. Covering 309,500 km², the country experiences minimal rainfall, with most areas receiving under 100 mm annually.
4 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details
Read full guideLife Expectancy
77.0
Population
5,106,622
Religions
Currently under research
Ethnic Composition
Currently under research
Research in Progress
We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Oman. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!
We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.
Oman remains an absolute monarchy under Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who serves as both head of state and government. In early 2026, significant governance reforms were enacted through royal decrees, including ministerial mergers and new economic offices, alongside the launch of the Eleventh Five-Year Development Plan aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Political participation is limited, with no parties allowed and a consultative bicameral assembly.
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Population
5,106,622
Currency
OMR
Timezone
UTC+04:00
Calling Code
+968
Week starts on
Sunday
Gini Coefficient
N/A
Traffic side
right side
Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.