Topic: Photos of Oman

Topic: Introduction
Background: The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and ruled as sultan for the next five decades. His extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world. He prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US, and his moderate, independent foreign policy allowed Oman to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements.

Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day.The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and ruled as sultan for the next five decades. His extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world. He prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US, and his moderate, independent foreign policy allowed Oman to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements.

Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE
Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 309,500 sq km

land: 309,500 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: twice the size of Georgia
Land boundaries: total: 1,561 km

border countries (3): Saudi Arabia 658 km; UAE 609 km; Yemen 294 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain: central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation: highest point: Jabal Shams 3,004 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 310 m
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use: agricultural land: 4.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 95.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 590 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Population distribution: the vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north of the country; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely poplulated
Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Geography - note: consists of Oman proper and two northern exclaves, Musandam and Al Madhah; the former is a peninsula that occupies a strategic location adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Map description: Oman map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.Oman map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,764,348 (2022 est.)

note: immigrants make up approximately 46% of the total population (2019)
Nationality: noun: Omani(s)

adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Indian dialects

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.4%, Hindu 5.7%, other and unaffiliated 2% (2020 est.)

note: Omani citizens represent approximately 56.4% of the population and are overwhelming Muslim (Ibadhi and Sunni sects each constitute about 45% and Shia about 5%); Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists account for roughly 5% of Omani citizens
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.15% (male 561,791/female 533,949)

15-24 years: 17.35% (male 331,000/female 299,516)

25-54 years: 44.81% (male 928,812/female 699,821)

55-64 years: 4.02% (male 77,558/female 68,427)

65 years and over: 3.68% (2020 est.) (male 64,152/female 69,663)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 33.3

youth dependency ratio: 30

elderly dependency ratio: 3.3

potential support ratio: 29.9 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 26.2 years

male: 27.2 years

female: 25.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.84% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 22.11 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 3.23 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north of the country; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely poplulated
Urbanization: urban population: 87.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.623 million MUSCAT (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.32 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 1.17 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.9 years

male: 74.96 years

female: 78.93 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 29.7% (2014)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 97.9% of population

total: 99.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 2.1% of population

total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2019)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,500 (2019)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2019) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 8% (2020 est.)

male: 15.5% (2020 est.)

female: 0.4% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.2% (2016/17)
Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.7%

male: 97%

female: 92.7% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 13.7%

male: 10.3%

female: 33.9% (2016)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources; high levels of soil and water salinity in the coastal plains; beach pollution from oil spills; industrial effluents seeping into the water tables and aquifers; desertificaiton due to high winds driving desert sand into arable lands
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 38.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 63.46 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 5.6 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Land use: agricultural land: 4.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 95.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 87.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,734,885 tons (2014 est.)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 135 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.607 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form: Oman

local long form: Saltanat Uman

local short form: Uman

former: Sultanate of Muscat and Oman

etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but it apparently dates back at least 2,000 years since an "Omana" is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)
Government type: absolute monarchy
Capital: name: Muscat

geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name, whose meaning is uncertain, traces back almost two millennia; two 2nd century A.D. scholars, the geographer Ptolemy and the historian Arrian, both mention an Arabian Sea coastal town of Moscha, which most likely referred to Muscat
Administrative divisions: 11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)
Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday: National Day, 18 November; note - celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020
Constitution: history: promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011

amendments: promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree; amended by royal decree 2011, 2021
Legal system: mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Oman

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote
Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said (since 11 January 2020); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said (since 11 January 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of:
Council of State or Majlis al-Dawla (85 seats including the chairman; members appointed by the sultan from among former government officials and prominent educators, businessmen, and citizens)
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (86 seats; members directly elected in single- and 2-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms); note - since political reforms in 2011, legislation from the Consultative Council is submitted to the Council of State for review by the Royal Court

elections: Council of State - last appointments on 11 July 2019 (next to be held in November 2023)
Consultative Assembly - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023)

election results:
Council of State - composition - men 70, women 15, percent of women 17.6%
Consultative Council percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition men 84, women 2, percent of women 2.3%; note - total Council of Oman percent of women 9.9%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges)

judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
Political parties and leaders: none; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Moosa Hamdan Moosa AL TAI (since 17 February 2021)

chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980

FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933

email address and website:
washington@fm.gov.om

https://www.culturaloffice.info/aboutomaniembassy
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. TSOU (since 19 January 2020)

embassy: P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat

mailing address: 6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC  20521

telephone: [968] 2464-3400

FAX: [968] 2464-3740

email address and website:
ConsularMuscat@state.gov

https://om.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
National symbol(s): khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords; national colors: red, white, green
National anthem: name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)

lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS

note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his ship visit
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Bahla Fort; Archaeological Sites of Bat; Land of Frankincense; Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman; Ancient Qalhat

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Oman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency’s fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit.   Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture.   Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government’s budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018.Oman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency’s fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit. Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture. Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government’s budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $135.79 billion (2019 est.)

$136.92 billion (2018 est.)

$135.696 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: -0.9% (2017 est.)

5% (2016 est.)

4.7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $27,300 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$28,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$29,082 (2017 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $76.883 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.1% (2019 est.)

0.7% (2018 est.)

1.7% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2020)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 46.4% (2017 est.)

services: 51.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 36.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 26.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 27.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 51.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: dates, tomatoes, vegetables, goat milk, milk, cucumbers, green chillies/peppers, watermelons, sorghum, melons
Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate: -3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.255 million (2016 est.)

note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.7% NA

industry: 49.6% NA

services: 45% (2016 est.) NA
Unemployment rate: NANA
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 13.7%

male: 10.3%

female: 33.9% (2016)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 22.14 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 31.92 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 46.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises
Taxes and other revenues: 31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$10.76 billion (2017 est.)

-$12.32 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $43.69 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$46.32 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 46%, India 8%, Japan 6%, South Korea 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, iron products, fertilizers (2019)
Imports: $32.55 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$35.37 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 36%, China 10%, Japan 7%, India 7%, United States 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, gold, iron (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $16.09 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$20.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $46.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$27.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -

0.38505 (2020 est.)

0.38505 (2019 est.)

0.385 (2018 est.)

0.3845 (2014 est.)

0.3845 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 8.601 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 32,320,020,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 3.717 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 115,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 115,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 978,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 234,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 779,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 5.373 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 33,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,041 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 36,596,746,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 24,279,419,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 13,798,040,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

imports: 1,605,959,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves: 651.286 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 76.321 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 191,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 29.682 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 46.447 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 292.022 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 594,550 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6,276,535 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: for many years Oman’s mobile market was a duopoly between the incumbent telco Omantel and its challenger Ooredoo Oman; in February 2021, Vodafone Group and Oman Future Telecommunications consortium secured a license to operate the Sultanate’s third network, with services being under the Vodafone Oman brand; the new operator has been able to extend its reach based on a tower leasing arrangement signed in 2020 with Oman Tower Company; Oman has a modern mobile sector which comprises substantial coverage of both 3G and LTE networks; in February 2021 Omantel launched commercial 5G services, while Ooredoo Group has a five-year framework agreement with Ericsson to develop its 5G platform across the Group’s ten markets, including Oman; the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a spike in mobile data traffic, which prompted Omantel to upgrade a number of sites from 3G to LTE, as well as build a number of additional 5G sites; while Oman’s fixed broadband infrastructure penetration is considered low, it is being improved with the building of fiber-based networks as part of Oman’s Vision 2040 program; Oman has also established itself as an important communications hub in the Middle East, with access to numerous submarine cables including the 2Africa submarine cable, which should become available during 2023-2024; the 9,800km Oman Australia Cable running from Muscat to Perth, with the potential for a branch line to Djibouti, is making progress and is expected to be completed in December 2021; this additional infrastructure will provide considerable additional bandwidth. (2021)

domestic: fixed-line nearly 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 134 per 100; fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems (2020)

international: country code - 968; landing points for GSA, AAE-1, SeaMeWe-5, Tata TGN-Gulf, FALCON, GBICS/MENA, MENA/Guld Bridge International, TW1, BBG, EIG, OMRAN/EPEG, and POI submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: 1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007 and several additional stations now operating (2019)
Internet country code: .om
Internet users: total: 4,851,291 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 95% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 508,949 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 57

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 10,438,241 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 510.43 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A4O
Airports: total: 132 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 119

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 51

914 to 1,523 m: 33

under 914 m: 26 (2021)
Heliports: 3 (2021)
Pipelines: 106 km condensate, 4,224 km gas, 3,558 km oil, 33 km oil/gas/water, 264 km refined products (2013)
Roadways: total: 60,230 km (2012)

paved: 29,685 km (2012) (includes 1,943 km of expressways)

unpaved: 30,545 km (2012)
Merchant marine: total: 57

by type: general cargo 10, other 47 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (4,109,000) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (export): Qalhat

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO); Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Customs, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (2022)
Military expenditures: 8% of GDP (2021 est.)

11% of GDP (2020 est.)

11.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $12.1 billion)

11.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $11.8 billion)

12.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $12.7 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 40,000 active duty troops (25,000 Army, 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 5,000 Royal Guard) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SAF's inventory includes a mix of older and some more modern weapons systems from a variety of suppliers, particularly Europe and the US; since 2010, the UK and the US are the leading suppliers of arms to Oman (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service (women have been allowed to serve since 2011); no conscription (2022)
Military - note: the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) have a longstanding security relationship with the British military going back to the 18th century; as of 2022, the SAF and the British maintained a joint training base in Oman and exercised together regularly; in 2017, Oman and the British signed an agreement allowing the British military the use of facilities at Al Duqm Port; in 2019, the US obtained access to the port (2022)
Maritime threats: the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 28 February 2022, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region"; Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Omanthe Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 28 February 2022, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region"; Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Oman-Saudi Arabia: none identified Oman-UAE: boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public; Oman and UAE signed the final demarcation of their land border in 2008 Oman-Yemen: Oman and Yemen signed a border agreement in 1992; demarcation of their border was completed in 1995  Oman-Saudi Arabia: none identifiedOman-UAE: boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public; Oman and UAE signed the final demarcation of their land border in 2008Oman-Yemen: Oman and Yemen signed a border agreement in 1992; demarcation of their border was completed in 1995
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Yemen) (2017)


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Fiji. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 4 months.
US Embassy/Consulate: [679] 331-4466; US Embassy in Suva, 158 Princes Road, Tamavua, PO Box 218, Suva, Fiji; https://fj.usembassy.gov/; SuvaACS@state.gov
Telephone Code: 679
Local Emergency Phone: 911
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Currency (Code): Fijian dollars (FJD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I

Major Languages: English (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official)
Major Religions: Protestant 45%, Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%
Time Difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January
Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands; Taveuni Island (includes Bouma National Heritage Park); Beqa Lagoon
Major Sports: Rugby, soccer
Cultural Practices: In more conservative village environments, it is considered proper to remove one's hat and sunglasses when greeting someone in public.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not required or expected. In lieu of tipping individuals, many resorts have a "Staff Christmas Fund" box available so their guests can contribute to the staff as a whole. Round up the fare for taxis.
Souvenirs: Wood-carved mako masks and other tribal wooden items, shell items, pearls, pottery, tapa cloth; pandanus woven mats, baskets, and rope
Traditional Cuisine: Kokoda — fresh, raw fish such as mahi-mahi or snapper marinated in a combination of coconut milk and citrus juices; often garnished with sea salt, minced chilis, finely sliced green onions, or coriander leavesPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Monday, July 25, 2022


Topic: Air Pollution

Topic: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals

Topic: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides

Topic: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Topic: Air Pollution-Sulphur 85

Topic: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94

Topic: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

Topic: Antarctic - Environmental Protocol

Topic: Antarctic Treaty

Topic: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

Topic: Biodiversity

Topic: Climate Change


This entry refers to the economic profits, expressed as a percentage of a country's GDP, from the harvesting of forests (e.g., lumber and timber industries). These profits equal forest gross revenues minus costs to harvest the forest. Other sources may refer to this field as forest rents.

Topic: Afghanistanforest revenues: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Albaniaforest revenues: 0.18% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Algeriaforest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: American Samoaforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Andorraforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Angolaforest revenues: 0.36% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbudaforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Argentinaforest revenues: 0.09% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Armeniaforest revenues: 0.28% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Arubaforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Australiaforest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Austriaforest revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijanforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, Theforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bahrainforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bangladeshforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Barbadosforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belarusforest revenues: 1.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belgiumforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belizeforest revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Beninforest revenues: 2.24% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bhutanforest revenues: 1.89% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Boliviaforest revenues: 0.33% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaforest revenues: 0.49% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Botswanaforest revenues: 0.23% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Brazilforest revenues: 0.62% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bruneiforest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bulgariaforest revenues: 0.22% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Burkina Fasoforest revenues: 4.54% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Burmaforest revenues: 1.69% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Burundiforest revenues: 10.31% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verdeforest revenues: 0.38% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cambodiaforest revenues: 0.84% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cameroonforest revenues: 2.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Canadaforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cayman Islandsforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Central African Republicforest revenues: 8.99% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Chadforest revenues: 3.81% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Chileforest revenues: 0.49% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Chinaforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Colombiaforest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Comorosforest revenues: 1.39% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theforest revenues: 8.72% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of theforest revenues: 3.17% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Costa Ricaforest revenues: 0.82% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoireforest revenues: 2.04% of GDP (2016 est.)

Topic: Croatiaforest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cubaforest revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Curacaoforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cyprusforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Czechiaforest revenues: 0.17% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Denmarkforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Djiboutiforest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Dominicaforest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republicforest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ecuadorforest revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Egyptforest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: El Salvadorforest revenues: 0.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guineaforest revenues: 1.52% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Estoniaforest revenues: 0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Eswatiniforest revenues: 2.25% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ethiopiaforest revenues: 5.81% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: European Unionforest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Faroe Islandsforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Fijiforest revenues: 0.59% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Finlandforest revenues: 0.36% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Franceforest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Gabonforest revenues: 2.6% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Gambia, Theforest revenues: 2.47% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Gaza Stripforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Georgiaforest revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Germanyforest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ghanaforest revenues: 3.51% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Greeceforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Greenlandforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Grenadaforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guamforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guatemalaforest revenues: 0.78% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guineaforest revenues: 4.81% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissauforest revenues: 9.24% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guyanaforest revenues: 4.56% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Haitiforest revenues: 0.68% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Hondurasforest revenues: 0.91% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Hong Kongforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Hungaryforest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Icelandforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Indiaforest revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Indonesiaforest revenues: 0.39% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Iranforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Iraqforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Irelandforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Isle of Manforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Israelforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Italyforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Jamaicaforest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Japanforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Jordanforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstanforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kenyaforest revenues: 1.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kiribatiforest revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Korea, Southforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kosovoforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kuwaitforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstanforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Laosforest revenues: 1.48% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Latviaforest revenues: 0.85% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Lebanonforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Lesothoforest revenues: 3.34% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Liberiaforest revenues: 13.27% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Libyaforest revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Liechtensteinforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Lithuaniaforest revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Luxembourgforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Macauforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Madagascarforest revenues: 4.34% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Malawiforest revenues: 6.19% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Malaysiaforest revenues: 1.57% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Maldivesforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Maliforest revenues: 2.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Maltaforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Marshall Islandsforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mauritaniaforest revenues: 1.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mauritiusforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mexicoforest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States offorest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Moldovaforest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Monacoforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mongoliaforest revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Montenegroforest revenues: 0.43% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Moroccoforest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mozambiqueforest revenues: 6.46% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Namibiaforest revenues: 0.47% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nauruforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nepalforest revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Netherlandsforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: New Zealandforest revenues: 0.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nicaraguaforest revenues: 1.26% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nigerforest revenues: 4.41% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nigeriaforest revenues: 1.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: North Macedoniaforest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Norwayforest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Omanforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Pakistanforest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Palauforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Panamaforest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guineaforest revenues: 2.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Paraguayforest revenues: 1.21% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Peruforest revenues: 0.12% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Philippinesforest revenues: 0.18% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Polandforest revenues: 0.17% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Portugalforest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Puerto Ricoforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Qatarforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Romaniaforest revenues: 0.16% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Russiaforest revenues: 0.29% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Rwandaforest revenues: 3.75% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saint Luciaforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Samoaforest revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: San Marinoforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principeforest revenues: 1.9% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabiaforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Senegalforest revenues: 1.46% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Serbiaforest revenues: 0.38% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Seychellesforest revenues: 0.09% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leoneforest revenues: 6.92% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Singaporeforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Slovakiaforest revenues: 0.22% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sloveniaforest revenues: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islandsforest revenues: 20.27% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: South Sudanforest revenues: 2.65% of GDP (2015 est.)

Topic: Spainforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sri Lankaforest revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sudanforest revenues: 3.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Surinameforest revenues: 2.36% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Swedenforest revenues: 0.21% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Switzerlandforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tajikistanforest revenues: 1.12% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tanzaniaforest revenues: 2.19% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Thailandforest revenues: 0.34% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Timor-Lesteforest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Togoforest revenues: 3.96% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tongaforest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoforest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tunisiaforest revenues: 0.21% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistanforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tuvaluforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ugandaforest revenues: 7.32% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ukraineforest revenues: 0.34% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emiratesforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United Kingdomforest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United Statesforest revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Uruguayforest revenues: 1.56% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistanforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Vanuatuforest revenues: 0.54% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Vietnamforest revenues: 1.49% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Virgin Islandsforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: West Bankforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Yemenforest revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Zambiaforest revenues: 4.45% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Zimbabweforest revenues: 1.61% of GDP (2018 est.)


Topic: Photos of Paracel Islands

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor, and has scattered garrisons on some of the other islands. The Paracel islands also are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 8 sq km ca.

land: 7.75 sq km ca.

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: land area is about 13 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 518 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: tropical
Terrain: mostly low and flat
Elevation: highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: a population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands
Natural hazards: typhoons
Geography - note: composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
Map description: Paracel Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelago in the South China Sea.Paracel Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelago in the South China Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 1,440 (July 2014 est.)

note: Chinese activity has increased in recent years, particularly on Woody Island, where the population exceeds 1,000; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA

15-24 years: NA

25-54 years: NA

55-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Population growth rate: 0.75% (2021 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: (2021 est.) NA
Net migration rate: -0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Population distribution: a population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA
Current Health Expenditure: NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: China's use of dredged sand and coral to build artificial islands harms reef systems; ongoing human activities, including military operations, infrastructure construction, and tourism endangers local ecosystem including birds, fish, marine mammals, and marine reptiles
Climate: tropical
Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Paracel Islands

etymology: Portuguese navigators began to refer to the "Ilhas do Pracel" in the 16th century as a designation of low lying islets, sandbanks, and reefs scattered over a wide area; over time the name changed to "parcel" and then "paracel"

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis.

Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Ports and terminals: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island

Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: occupied by China, which is assessed to maintain 20 outposts in the Paracels (Antelope, Bombay, and North reefs; Drummond, Duncan, Lincoln, Middle, Money, North, Pattle, Quanfu, Robert, South, Tree, Triton, Woody, and Yagong islands; South Sand and West Sand; Observation Bank); the outposts range in size from one or two buildings to bases with significant military infrastructure; Woody Island is the main base in the Paracels and includes an airstrip with fighter aircraft hangers, naval facilities, surveillance radars, and defenses such as surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles; fighter aircraft have deployed to the island (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Paracel Islands-China-Taiwan-Vietnam: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and VietnamParacel Islands-China-Taiwan-Vietnam: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam


Topic: Photos of United Arab Emirates

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Dhabi, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. For more than three decades, oil and global finance drove the UAE's economy. In 2008-09, the confluence of falling oil prices, collapsing real estate prices, and the international banking crisis hit the UAE especially hard. The UAE did not experience the "Arab Spring" unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East in 2010-11, partly because of the government's multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern emirates, and its aggressive pursuit of advocates of political reform. The UAE in recent years has played a growing role in regional affairs. In addition to donating billions of dollars in economic aid to help stabilize Egypt, the UAE was one of the first countries to join the Defeat-ISIS coalition, and to participate as a key partner in a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. On 15 September 2020, the UAE and Bahrain signed a peace agreement (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. The UAE and Bahrain thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 83,600 sq km

land: 83,600 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than South Carolina; slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries: total: 1,066 km

border countries (2): Oman 609 km; Saudi Arabia 457 km
Coastline: 1,318 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert; mountains in east
Elevation: highest point: Jabal Bil 'Ays 1,905 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong location of the high elevation

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 149 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas
Land use: agricultural land: 4.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 3.8% (2018 est.)

other: 91.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 923 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population
Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Map description: United Arab Emirates map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.  United Arab Emirates map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 9,915,803 (2022 est.)

note: the UN estimated the country's total population was 10,082,000 as of 2022; immigrants make up 88.1% of the total population, according to UN data (2020)
Nationality: noun: Emirati(s)

adjective: Emirati
Ethnic groups: Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)

note: data represent the total population; as of 2019, immigrants make up about 87.9% of the total population, according to UN data
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim (official) 76%, Christian 9%, other (primarily Hindu and Buddhist, less than 5% of the population consists of Parsi, Baha'i, Druze, Sikh, Ahmadi, Ismaili, Dawoodi Bohra Muslim, and Jewish) 15% (2005 est.)

note: data represent the total population; as of 2020, immigrants make up about 88.1% of the total population, according to UN data
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.45% (male 745,492/female 698,330)

15-24 years: 7.94% (male 431,751/female 361,804)

25-54 years: 68.03% (male 5,204,618/female 1,592,987)

55-64 years: 7.68% (male 658,892/female 108,850)

65 years and over: 1.9% (2020 est.) (male 146,221/female 43,138)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 19.2

youth dependency ratio: 17.7

elderly dependency ratio: 1.5

potential support ratio: 66.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 38.4 years

male: 40.4 years

female: 31.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.58% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.81 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 1.56 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population
Urbanization: urban population: 87.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 2.964 million Dubai, 1.786 million Sharjah, 1.540 million ABU DHABI (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.2 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 3.32 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 5.41 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.86 male(s)/female

total population: 2.21 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.56 years

male: 78.21 years

female: 80.99 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.6 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2020)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020) <1,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2020) <100
Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout UAE; as of 18 August 2022, UAE has reported a total of 1,007,039 cases of COVID-19 or 10,181.98 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 2,340 cumulative deaths or a rate of 23.65 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 31.7% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.6%

male: 98%

female: 96.9% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 17 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.2%

male: 4.9%

female: 15% (2019 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution; rapid population growth and high energy demand contribute to water scarcity; lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; land degradation and desertification; waste generation, beach pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 39.44 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 206.32 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 56.55 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Land use: agricultural land: 4.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.5% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 3.8% (2018 est.)

other: 91.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 87.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout UAE; as of 18 August 2022, UAE has reported a total of 1,007,039 cases of COVID-19 or 10,181.98 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 2,340 cumulative deaths or a rate of 23.65 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 5,413,453 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,082,691 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 617 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 69 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 3.312 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 150 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: United Arab Emirates

conventional short form: none

local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form: none

former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States

abbreviation: UAE

etymology: self-descriptive country name; the name "Arabia" can be traced back many centuries B.C., the ancient Egyptians referred to the region as "Ar Rabi"; "emirates" derives from "amir" the Arabic word for "commander," "lord," or "prince"
Government type: federation of monarchies
Capital: name: Abu Dhabi

geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: in Arabic, "abu" means "father" and "dhabi" refers to "gazelle"; the name may derive from an abundance of gazelles that used to live in the area, as well as a folk tale involving the "Father of the Gazelle," Shakhbut bin Dhiyab al Nahyan, whose hunting party tracked a gazelle to a spring on the island where Abu Dhabi was founded
Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
Independence: 2 December 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 2 December (1971)
Constitution: history: previous 1971 (provisional); latest drafted in 1979, became permanent May 1996

amendments: proposed by the Supreme Council and submitted to the Federal National Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote of Federal National Council members present and approval of the Supreme Council president; amended 2009
Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law and civil law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years
Suffrage: limited; note - rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that together account for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens
Executive branch: chief of state: President MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (since 14 May 2022); Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (since 5 January 2006); note - MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan elected president by the Federal Supreme Council following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan on 13 May

head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan, MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (both since 11 May 2009), and MAKTOUM bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum (since 25 September 2021)

cabinet: Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and approved by the president

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the Federal Supreme Council - composed of the rulers of the 7 emirates - for a 5-year term (no term limits); unscheduled election held on 14 May 2022, following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (next election NA); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president

election results: MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan elected president; Federal Supreme Council vote NA

note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the 7 emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets 4 times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members indirectly elected using single non-transferable vote by an electoral college whose members are selected by each emirate ruler proportional to its FNC membership, and 20 members appointed by the rulers of the 7 constituent states; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held for indirectly elected members on 5 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023)

election results: all candidates ran as independents; seats by emirate - Abu Dhabi 4, Dubai 4, Sharjah 3, Ras al-Khaimah 3, Ajman 2, Fujairah 2, Umm al-Quwain 2; composition (preliminary) - 13 men, 7 women, percent of elected women 35%; note - to attain overall FNC gender parity, 13 women and 7 men will be appointed; overall FNC percent of women 50%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 4 judges; jurisdiction limited to federal cases)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the federal president following approval by the Federal Supreme Council, the highest executive and legislative authority consisting of the 7 emirate rulers; judges serve until retirement age or the expiry of their appointment terms

subordinate courts: Federal Court of Cassation (determines the constitutionality of laws promulgated at the federal and emirate level; federal level courts of first instance and appeals courts); the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ra's al Khaymah have parallel court systems; the other 4 emirates have incorporated their courts into the federal system; note - the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and the Dubai International Financial Center Courts, the country’s two largest financial free zones, both adjudicate civil and commercial disputes.
Political parties and leaders: none; political parties are banned
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yousif Mana Saeed Ahmed ALOTAIBA (since 28 July 2008)

chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400

FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432

email address and website:
info@uaeembassy-usa.org

https://www.uae-embassy.org/

consulate(s) general: Boston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sean MURPHY (since January 2021)

embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi

mailing address: 6010 Abu Dhabi Place, Washington DC 20521-6010

telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200

FAX: [971] (2) 414-2241

email address and website:
abudhabiacs@state.gov

https://ae.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Dubai
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side; the flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources (black), and unity (red); red was the traditional color incorporated into all flags of the emirates before their unification
National symbol(s): golden falcon; national colors: green, white, black, red
National anthem: name: "Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)

lyrics/music: AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud, and Oases Areas)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%.   Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors.   The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014.   The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and introduced excise taxes (50% on sweetened carbonated beverages and 100% on energy drinks and tobacco) in October 2017. A five-percent value-added tax was introduced in January 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014. The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and introduced excise taxes (50% on sweetened carbonated beverages and 100% on energy drinks and tobacco) in October 2017. A five-percent value-added tax was introduced in January 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $655.79 billion (2019 est.)

$644.97 billion (2018 est.)

$637.384 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.8% (2017 est.)

3% (2016 est.)

5.1% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $67,100 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$67,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$67,184 (2017 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $421.077 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.9% (2019 est.)

3% (2018 est.)

1.9% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2020)

Moody's rating: Aa2 (2007)

Standard & Poors rating: AA (2007)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.9% (2017 est.)

industry: 49.8% (2017 est.)

services: 49.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 34.9% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.8% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 100.4% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -72.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: dates, cucumbers, tomatoes, goat meat, eggs, milk, poultry, carrots/turnips, goat milk, sheep milk
Industries: petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 5.344 million (2017 est.)

note: expatriates account for about 85% of the workforce
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7%

industry: 15%

services: 78% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.6% (2016 est.)

3.6% (2014 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.2%

male: 4.9%

female: 15% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 19.5% (2003 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.5 (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 110.2 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 111.1 billion (2017 est.)

note: the UAE federal budget does not account for emirate-level spending in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 19.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

20.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 28.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $26.47 billion (2017 est.)

$13.23 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $308.5 billion (2017 est.)

$298.6 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: India 11%, Japan 10%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Switzerland 6%, China 6%, Iraq 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, jewelry, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Imports: $229.2 billion (2017 est.)

$226.5 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: China 15%, India 12%, Untied States 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: gold, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, refined petroleum, diamonds (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $95.37 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$85.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $237.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$218.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -

3.67315 (2020 est.)

3.67315 (2019 est.)

3.67315 (2018 est.)

3.673 (2014 est.)

3.673 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 35.173 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 122.386 billion kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 257 million kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 245 million kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 7.011 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 2.563 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 2,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 2.565 million metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 3,769,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 863,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,427,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 172,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 97.8 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 943,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 817,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 392,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 62,889,064,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 73,750,936,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 7,673,768,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

imports: 20,041,951,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves: 6,090,887,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 276.236 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 5.032 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 126.524 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 144.681 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 471.788 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,380,866 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 19,602,800 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 200.63 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the UAE has a strong mobile market, dominated by Etisalat and du; both are majority-owned by the government; in a bid to attract additional foreign investment, it was resolved in early 2021 that the stake held by foreigners in the two companies could be increased; Etisalat and du have deployed LTE networks providing national coverage, while the 5G penetration rate is the second highest globally after China; this has underpinned growth in the mobile broadband sector, and has enabled the strong development in the take-up of rich content and applications, as well as m-commerce; to help increase the capacity of 5G networks in coming years, and so keep up with data demand, the government has allowed for the GSM networks to be closed down and for spectrum and other assets to be re-purposed for 5G by the end of 2022; the fixed-broadband network in the UAE is dominated by fiber, with DSL having a minor and declining presence; this focus on a fully fiber infrastructure has also facilitated growth in e-commerce, and has supported the government’s long-term aim of transitioning the economy from its dependence on oil to being knowledge-based and supported by digital services; the country stands to benefit from having signed the Abraham Accord Declaration with Israel, which aims to normalize relations between the two countries; such benefits can be seen in the agreement to enable local ISPs to access Bezeq International’s submarine cable infrastructure, and so improve direct connectivity to Europe, South East Asia, and Africa; the UAE’s ISPs can also access Bezeq International’s data center in Tel Aviv, improving internet services. (2022)

domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic and coaxial cable; fixed-line roughly 24 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 186 per 100 (2020)

international: country code - 971; landing points for the FLAG, SEA-ME-WE-3 ,-4 & -5, Qater UAE Submarine Cable System, FALCON, FOG, Tat TGN-Gulf, OMRAN/EPEG Cable System, AAE-1, BBG, EIG, FEA, GBICS/MENA, IMEWE, Orient Express, TEAMS, TW1 and the UAE-Iran submarine cables, linking to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian) (2020)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: except for the many organizations now operating in media free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, most TV and radio stations remain government-owned; widespread use of satellite dishes provides access to pan-Arab and other international broadcasts; restrictions since June 2017 on some satellite channels and websites originating from or otherwise linked to Qatar (2018)
Internet country code: .ae
Internet users: total: 9,890,400 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 100% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,245,123 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 10 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 497

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 95,533,069 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 15,962,900,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A6
Airports: total: 43 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 25

over 3,047 m: 12

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 6 (2021)
Heliports: 5 (2021)
Pipelines: 533 km condensate, 3,277 km gas, 300 km liquid petroleum gas, 3287 km oil, 24 km oil/gas/water, 218 km refined products, 99 km water (2013)
Roadways: total: 4,080 km (2008)

paved: 4,080 km (2008) (includes 253 km of expressways)
Merchant marine: total: 623

by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 3, general cargo 117, oil tanker 19, other 483 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Khor Fakkan (Khawr Fakkan) (Sharjah), Mubarraz Island (Abu Dhabi), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah)

container port(s) (TEUs): Dubai Port (14,111,000) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (export): Das Island

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy Forces, Air Force, Presidential Guard (includes special operations forces); Ministry of Interior: Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Patrol Agency (CICPA) (2022)

note: each emirate maintains a local police force called a general directorate, which is officially a branch of the federal Ministry of Interior; all emirate-level general directorates of police enforce their respective emirate’s laws autonomously; they also enforce federal laws within their emirate in coordination with one another under the federal ministry
Military expenditures: 5.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

5.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $29 billion)

5.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $28.7 billion)

5.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $26.9 billion)

6% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $30 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 65,000 active personnel (45,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 12,000 Presidential Guard) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the UAE Armed Forces inventory is comprised of wide variety of mostly modern imported equipment; since 2010, the UAE has acquired military equipment from more than 20 countries with France, Russia, and the US as the leading suppliers; in recent years, the UAE has tried to boost its domestic defense industry (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for men (compulsory service initiated in 2014); 17 years of age for male volunteers with parental approval; males can volunteer up to age 40; 24-month general service obligation, 16 months for secondary school graduates; women can volunteer to serve for 9 months regardless of education (2022)

note: compulsory service may be completed in the uniformed military, the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Service, or other institutions designated by the military leadership
Military deployments: estimates vary; reportedly a few hundred remain in Yemen; maintains military bases in Eritrea and Somalia (2022)
Military - note: the UAE hosts a multi-service French military base, which includes the French naval command for the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN); the UAE has a defense cooperation agreement with the US and hosted about 3,500 US troops, mostly air and naval personnel

in 2015, UAE intervened militarily in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led coalition in support of the Republic of Yemen Government with an estimated 3,500 troops, as well as supporting air and naval forces; UAE withdrew its main military force from Yemen in 2019, but has retained a small military presence while working with proxies in southern Yemen, most notably the Southern Transitional Council (STC)

the UAE's military traces its origins to the establishment of the Trucial Oman Scouts in 1951, a joint UK-Abu Dhabi organization modeled after Jordan’s Arab Legion, which became the Abu Dhabi Defense Force in 1965; the modern Emirati armed forces were formed in 1976 (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: UAE-Oman: boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published UAE-Iran: Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has occupied since 1971 UAE-Saudi Arabia: the UAE has differences with Saudi Arabia over their border and the sharing of a major oilfield there, although the issue is seldom mentioned publicallyUAE-Oman: boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been publishedUAE-Iran: Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has occupied since 1971UAE-Saudi Arabia: the UAE has differences with Saudi Arabia over their border and the sharing of a major oilfield there, although the issue is seldom mentioned publically
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 5 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: a transshipment point for illegal narcotics and a pass-through for drug proceeds; numerous exchange houses and general trading companies increase potential for money; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics