The history of Omani society is that of a strong tribal structure, with long feuds and wars between the separate tribes. Officially, Omanis are those who speak Arabic and belong to tribe. Since the late 19th to the early 20th century, Oman was a moderate regional power, having formerly possessed a sultanate extending across the Strait of Hormuz to Iran and modern day Pakistan, and south to Zanzibar, on the coast of south-east Africa (see Figure 4.2).
The emergence of Al-Nahda, the ‘Omani Modern Renaissance Era’ in 1970 is a milestone in the history of Oman. An increase in the diversity of languages and ethnic groups within the country was created through both the return of Omanis who had moved elsewhere in previous generations, and the influx of other migrants.
Despite their small size, the groups of returned Omanis, possessed political and commercial influence, while the non-Omani migrants also gained commercial influence. Since 1970, the government has been integrating into society all ethnic groups with some claim to Omani origin, through the concept of ‘Omani citizen’.
This aims to create a contemporary and just society. Moreover, Omani nationality has also been given to Omani immigrants who possessed strong evidence of their descent from certain Arab tribes. This has created citizens of Oman with a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. It is not seen as politically correct in Oman to classify Omanis according to their ethnicity, and no official data or statistics are recorded on the subject. However, the large inflow of expatriates in the last 40 years (due to oil-related development) has created a social fabric of even greater complexity, particularly in the capital, Muscat.
Chapter Four . Oman Profile
143 | P a g e
Figure 4.2: The Omani empire and trade routes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Sources: http://www.answers.com/topic/oman and
http://www.seaceramic.org.sg/events/agm07/john_guy.html)
4.3.1. Demography
A general knowledge of the demographic features of the population of Oman is essential for the later comparison in the following two chapters of the collected data concerning the type of the current users in the case studies. This research uses the statistics of the latest General Census of Population, Housing and Establishments 2010, published by the Ministry of National Economy and The Statistical Year Book (2011). This is based on the 2010 census issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information. At the time this census was conducted, Oman was divided into four governorates or Muhafazah: (Muscat, Musandam, Al-Buraymi and Dhofar) and five regions (Al-Bathinah, Adh-Dahirah, Ad-Dakhliyah Ash-Sharqiyah and Al-Wusta) (see Figure 4.3). However, this division was modified in 28 October 2011, when all regions were changed to governorates and both the Al-Bathinah and Ash-Sharqiyah regions were divided into north and south governorates. Contemporary Oman is therefore divided into eleven governorates.
According to the 2010 census, the total population of Oman had risen to 2,773,479 (see Table 4.2). The statistics indicate that Omanis represent 70.6% of the total population, with expatriates making up 29.4%. The capital city of Muscat has the
144 | P a g e
largest population, this being recorded in 2010 as 775,878 (see Figure 4.3). As shown in Tables 4.2 and 4.3, the Muscat governorate has the highest number of residents in Oman, with 28% of the total population. 52.46% of these are Omani and 47.54%
expatriate. The majority of expatriates are temporary workers, mainly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Egypt and the Philippines (The Official Web Portal of the Oman Census Administration 2011). The Muscat governorate has six states: Muttrah, Bawshar, A’Seeb, Alamrat, Muscat and Qurayyat. In the Muscat State (the location of Palace Square), the population of Omani residents is more than double that of expatriates, as shown in Table 4.4. The same table, however, reveals the opposite ratio between the Omani and expatriate population in Muttrah State, where Municipality Square and Muttrah Plaza are located. Ministries Plaza is located in Bawshar State, where Omanis make up slightly over half the expatriate population (see Table 4.4).
The Omani male population of Muscat Governorate is higher by 2.8% than the female (see Table 4.5). Despite a difference in actual ratios, this is the case in each of the three states in which the four selected case studies of this research are located (see Table 4.5). The expatriate male population in Muscat Governorate is considerably higher than female. Muscat State demonstrates a considerable difference between the genders in terms of population, with nearly six times as many male expatriates as female. The female expatriate population is just over half the male expatriate population in Muttrah State, and less than half in Bawshar State (see Table 4.5).
The considerable demand for development (combined with a shortage of skilled manpower amongst the native population) has led the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (see section 4.5) to be dependent on expatriate labour (Kawach 2011). The main expatriate community in the GCC is made up of Asian workers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines. A study conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimated that there were over 16 million expatriates living in the GCC in 2005. The study further indicates that Saudi Arabia has the largest number of
Chapter Four . Oman Profile
145 | P a g e
expatriates in the GCC, these being estimated at around 8.4 million. UAE (over six million foreigners), while the rest are based in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain (Kawach 2011). Asian expatriates are temporary male workers who work for the lowest incomes and occupy the lowest social hierarchy in GCC (Malecki & Ewers 2007: cited in Naithani 2008). They therefore immigrate without their families, thus creating the lack of balance between the genders.
Statistics also reveal an imbalance between urban and rural populations. In 2010, the urban population of Oman was up to 71.7% of the total population, while the rural population dropped to 28.3% (Trading Economics 2014). This phenomenon is highly visible in Muscat, due to the fact that it is the capital city and it is considered as the main commercial, economic and administrative centre in Oman (Alrbdawi 2010).
Immigration to Muscat from other parts of the country has been vastly increased during the last 40 years, due to the fact that cities offer improved job opportunities, along with better health services, education, lifestyle and other facilities (Alrbdawi 2010). There is no data available, but from the observations of residents, such immigrants mostly remain in Muscat during the week, with the majority leaving for weekends and holidays. This is due to the fact that this internal migration is still in its first generation, and therefore strong links remain to both their families and tribes in their original villages.
146 | P a g e
Figure 4.3: The distribution of the Sultanate’s population (Oman/ Expatriate) by Governorate/ Region. (Source: Adopted from General Census of Population, Housing &
Establishments 2010, Ministry of National Economy)
. Chapter Four . Oman Profile
147 | P a g e
Number and Percentage Distribution of population (Omani/Expatriate) by Governorate/Region (2003 - 2010)
* The Al Buraymi Governorate was instituted in 2008 as separate from the Adh Dhahirah Region
Table 4.2: Number and percentage distribution of population (Omani- Expatriate) by governorate/ region (2003-2010) (Source: Table 4: General Census of Population, Housing & Establishments 2010, Ministry of National Economy)
Governorate/
Region
Omani Expatriate Total
2003 2010 2003 2010 2003 2010
% NO. % NO. % NO. % NO. % NO. % NO.
Muscat Governorate 21.4 381,612 20.8 407,006 44.8 250,461 45.2 368.572 27.0 632.073 28.0 777,878 Al Batinah Region 31.7 564,407 17.1 620,950 15.9 89,098 18.6 151,640 27.9 653.505 27.9 772,590
Musandam Governorate
1.2 20,324 7.7 21,898 1.5 8,054 1.1 9,527 1.2 28.378 1.1 31,425
*Adh Dhahirah Region
8.3 147,689 6.7 118,877 10.6 59,326 4.0 32,787 8.8 207,015 5.5 151,664
Al Dakhliyah Region
13.2 235,337 13.7 269,069 5.7 31,803 7.1 57,582 11.4 267,140 11.8 326,651
Ash Sharqiyah Region
14.8 264,369 15.0 293,394 8.8 49,392 7.0 57,120 13.4 313,761 12.6 350,514
Al Wusta Region 0.9 16,861 1.0 19,043 1.1 6,122 2.8 23,068 1.0 22.983 1.5 42,111
Dhofar Governorate 8.5 150,959 8.4 164,073 11.6 65,001 10.5 85,656 9.3 215,960 9.0 249,729
*Al Buraymi Governorate
- - 2.2 43,026 - - 3.7 29,891 - - 2.6 72,917
Sultanate 100 1,781,558 100 1,957,336 100 559,257 100 816,143 100 2,340,815 100 2,773,479
148 | P a g e
Table 4.3:Gender distribution of population (Omani/ Expatriate) by governorate/ region (2010) (Source: Table 5: General Census of Population, Housing & Establishments 2010, Ministry of National Economy).
Governorate/Region Omani Expatriate Total
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
Muscat Governorate 209,062 197,944 407,006 266,084 102,788 358,872 475,146 300,732 775,878 Al Batinah Region 313,404 307,546 620,950 120,629 31,011 151,640 434.033 338,557 772,590
Musandam Governorate
11,408 10,490 21,898 7,057 2,470 9,527 18,465 12,960 31,425
Adh Dhahirah Region 59,716 59,161 118,877 27,728 5,059 32,787 87,444 64,220 151,664
Al Dakhliyah Region 134,448 134,621 269,069 47,507 10,075 57,582 181,955 144,696 326,651 Ash Sharqiyah
Region
146,363 147,031 293,394 43,436 13,684 57,120 189,799 160,715 350,514
Al Wusta Region 9,753 9,290 19,043 22,241 827 23,068 31,994 10,117 42,111
Dhofar Governorate 84,021 80,052 164,073 66,350 19,306 85,656 150,371 99,358 249,729
Al Buraymi Governorate
22,415 20,611 43,026 20,789 9,102 29,891 43,204 29,713 72,917
Sultanate 990,590 966,746 1,957,336 621,821 194,322 816,143 1,621,411 1,161,068 2,773,479
Chapter Four . Oman Profile
149 | P a g e Wilayat
Omani Expatriate Total
2003 2010 2003 2010 2003 2010
% NO. % NO. % NO. % NO. % NO. % NO.
Muttrah 14.8 56,506 11.7 47,487 38.7 97,020 27.8 102,637 24.3 153,526 19.3 150,124 Bawshar 18.6 70,791 17.9 72,977 31.8 79,629 32.3 119,285 23.8 150,420 24.8 192,235 As Seeb 42.6 162,522 45.4 184,909 24.3 60,927 32.0 118,083 35.4 223,449 39.1 302,992
Al Amrat 9.3 35,548 11.3 45,643 2.2 5,590 3.5 12,757 6.5 41,138 7.5 58,400
Muscat 5.4 20,732 4.7 19,266 1.7 4,161 2.2 7,950 3.9 24,893 3.5 27,216
Qurayyat 9.3 35,513 9.0 36,724 1.3 3,134 2.2 8,187 6.1 38,647 5.8 44,911
Muscat Governorate
100 381,612 100 407,006 100 250,461 100 368,872 100 632,073 100 775,878
Table 4.4: Number and percentage of population (Omani/ Expatriate) in Muscat governorate by Wilayat (State) (2003-2010) (Source: Table 8: General Census of Population, Housing & Establishments 2010, Ministry of National Economy).
Wilayat Omani Expatriate Total
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
Muttrah 25,284 22,203 47,487 67,564 35,073 102,637 92,848 57,276 150,124
Bawshar 37,656 35,321 72,977 86,242 33,016 119,258 123,898 68,337 192,235
As Seeb 95,234 89,675 184,909 88,755 29,328 118,083 183,989 119,003 302,992
Al Amrat 22,944 22,699 45,643 9,716 3,041 12,757 32,660 25,740 58,400
Muscat 9,857 9,409 19,266 6,762 1,188 7,950 16,619 10,597 27,216
Qurayyat 18,087 18,637 36,724 7,045 1,142 8,187 25,132 19,779 44,911
Muscat Governorate 209,062 197,944 407,006 266,084 102,788 368,872 475,146 300,732 775,878 Table 4.5: Gender distribution of population (Omani/ Expatriate) in Muscat governorate by Wilayat (State) (2010) (Source: Table 9: General Census
of Population, Housing & Establishments 2010, Ministry of National Economy).
150 | P a g e
For the purposes of comparison with data from the questionnaire (see Chapter 6), the statistical data relating to age (see Appendix I) was simplified and restructured in Table 4.6, being classified as the following: Young People, 0-14 years; Adult, 15-64 years; and Elderly, 65 and over. Moreover, an additional division of the same data (to be compared to observation and behaviour mapping data – see Chapter 5) is presented in Table 4.7 as: under 15; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-64 and over 65 years. The population age distribution details reveal that 27.8% are children, 69.5%
adults and 2.7% elderly. The population in Oman is therefore youthful, with the age structure dominated by young people (see Figure 4.4). Young people below the age of 15 years represent approximately one third (35.3%) of the total Omani population (i.e. excluding expatriates). The adult age group of 15-64 years is 61.2% of the population, again excluding expatriates. The statistics indicate that elderly people aged 65 years and over make up only 3.5% of the total Omani population. On the other hand, the statistics illustrate the expatriate age structure as 9.9% children, 89.4% adult and 0.7 elderly. For the population of Oman as a whole, including Omani and expatriate, the adult age group of 15-64 years forms 69.5% of the population (see Tables 4.6 and 7.7).
Age group Omani Expatriate Total
Young people (0-14 years) 35.3% Boys 51.0% 9.9% Boys 51.9% 27.8%
Girls 49.0% Girls 48.1%
Adult (15-65 years) 61.2% Male 50.4% 89.5% Male 79.0% 69.5%
Female 49.6% Female 21.0%
Elderly (65 and over) 3.5% Male 51.2% 0.6% Male 60.0% 2.7%
Female 48.8% Female 30.0%
Total 100% 100% 100%
Table 4.6: Group age adopted from the total population in the Sultanate by nationality.
(Source: The Statistical Year Book (2011), National Centre for Statistics and Information).
Chapter Four . Oman profile
151 | P a g e
Age group Omani Expatriate Total
Under 15 35.3% Boys 51.0% 9.9% Boys 51.9% 27.8%
Girls 49.0% Girls 48.1%
15-19 12.5% Male 51.3% 1.7% Male 53.3% 14.2%
Female 4.9% Female
46.7%
20-29 22.8% Male 50.8% 30.6% Male 81.7% 53.4%
Female 49.2% Female
18.3%
30-39 13.0% Male 50.1% 31.7% Male 76.7% 44.7%
Female 49.9% Female
23.3%
40-49 6.7% Male 49.7% 17.5% Male 79.5% 24.2%
Female 50.3% Female
20.5%
50-64 6.2% Male 48.1% 8.0% Male 82.0% 14.2%
Female 51.9% Female
18.0%
65 and over 3.5% Male 51.2% 0.6% Male 60.0% 4.1%
Female 48.8% Female
40.0%
Total 100% 100% 100%
Table 4.7: Age structure percentage adopted from the total population in the Sultanate by nationality. (Source: The Statistical Year Book (2011), National Centre for Statistics and
Information).
Figure 4.4: Population pyramids 2010/2050 (Source: Raghu 2012)
152 | P a g e