Oman (Sultanate of Oman)

Oman Sultanate of Oman
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	100th best
Capital	Muscat
Land Area	309 500km21
Location	Asia, Middle East
Population	2.9m (2011)2
Life Expectancy	76.97yrs (2017)3
GNI	$34 402 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	OM, OMN, 5125
Internet Domain	.om6
Currency	Rial (OMR)7
Telephone	+9688

1. Overview
2. Oman National and Social Development
3. Population and Demographics
4. Gender Equality
5. Religion and Beliefs
6. The Internet
7. Public Health Issues
8. Politics and Freedom
9. More Charts and Comparisons to Other Countries
10. Links

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1. Overview

“The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established 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, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In response to protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and introducing unemployment benefits. In August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector 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 will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Oman is the obvious choice for those seeking out the modern face of Arabia while still wanting to sense its ancient soul. The sultanate of Oman could be the Arabian Peninsula´s most rewarding destination. More accessible than Saudi Arabia, safer than Yemen and more traditional than the Gulf emirates, Oman nonetheless has plenty to rival these countries´ attractions and more. A stirring past that combines the great sweep of Bedouin history with a proud seafaring tradition has bequeathed to the country some extraordinary forts and other traditional architecture. And Mutrah Souq in Muscat is a fantasy of an Arabian bazaar come to life, with glittering gold and clouds of incense. But it´s Oman´s diverse natural beauty that is the main drawcard. Here you´ll find beautiful beaches, the jagged ramparts of mountain ranges and the perfectly sculpted sands of the fabled Empty Quarter.

Oman is an understated presence among the glitzy states of the Gulf. What it does boast, with its rich heritage and embracing society, is a strong sense of identity, a pride in an ancient frankincense-trading past and confidence in a highly educated future.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Oman National and Social Development

UN HDI (2016) Lower is better Rank11
1	Norway	1
2	Australia	2
3	Switzerland	2
	...
50	Romania	50
51	Kuwait	51
52	Belarus	52
53	Oman	52
54	Barbados	54
55	Uruguay	54
56	Kazakhstan	56
57	Bulgaria	56
	World Avg	94.3
q=188.

Social & Moral Development Index Higher is better Points12
1	Iceland	84.1
2	Sweden	80.8
3	Norway	80.0
	...
97	Guatemala	53.5
98	Korea, N.	53.5
99	Tonga	53.4
100	Oman	53.1
101	Samoa	53.0
102	Cape Verde	52.8
103	Turkmenistan	52.8
104	Ukraine	52.7
	World Avg	54.5
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: What is the Best Country in the World? An Index of Morality, Conscience and Good Life.

3. Population and Demographics

Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016) Lower is better Per 10013
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3	Chad	04.7
	...
49	Namibia	07.4
50	Botswana	07.7
51	UAE	07.7
52	Oman	07.8
53	Jordan	08.0
54	Laos	08.1
55	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	08.2
56	Belize	08.3
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Emigrants (2010) %14
1	Dominica	104.8
2	Palestine	68.4
3	Samoa	67.3
	...
185	Qatar	0.7
186	Nigeria	0.6
187	Maldives	0.6
188	China	0.6
189	Japan	0.6
190	Oman	0.5
191	Madagascar	0.4
192	Montenegro	0.0
	World Avg	11.5
q=192.

Fertility Rate (2013) 2.0 is best15
1	Korea, N.	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
24	Bangladesh	2.16
25	Belgium	1.83
26	Algeria	2.17
27	Oman	2.17
28	Argentina	2.18
29	El Salvador	2.18
30	Grenada	2.18
31	Costa Rica	1.81
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Immigrants (2010) %14
1	Qatar	86.5
2	Monaco	71.6
3	UAE	70.0
	...
13	Brunei	36.4
14	Luxembourg	35.2
15	Liechtenstein	34.6
16	Oman	28.4
17	Palau	28.1
18	Saudi Arabia	27.8
19	Australia	25.7
20	Antigua & Barbuda	23.6
	World Avg	9.2
q=192.

Life Expectancy (2015) Higher is better Years16
1	Hong Kong	84.16
2	Japan	83.68
3	Italy	83.34
	...
46	UAE	77.12
47	Estonia	77.01
48	Mexico	76.97
49	Oman	76.97
50	Maldives	76.96
51	Bahrain	76.72
52	Bosnia & Herzegovina	76.63
53	Argentina	76.46
	World Avg	71.27
q=190.

Population (2012)17
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.3b
3	USA	315.8m
	...
133	Lithuania	3.3m
134	Albania	3.2m
135	Armenia	3.1m
136	Oman	2.9m
137	Kuwait	2.9m
138	Mongolia	2.8m
139	Jamaica	2.8m
140	Namibia	2.4m
	World Avg	36.0m
q=195.

Oman's population is predicted to rise to 3.603 million by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 2.17. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

• The Overpopulation of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception: How Religion is Making Overpopulation Worse

4. Gender Equality

Gender Inequality (2015) Lower is better18
1	Switzerland	0.04
2	Denmark	0.04
3	Netherlands	0.04
	...
51	Albania	0.27
52	Russia	0.27
53	Mongolia	0.28
54	Oman	0.28
55	Uruguay	0.28
56	Ukraine	0.28
57	Uzbekistan	0.29
58	Tunisia	0.29
	World Avg	0.36
q=159.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better Year19
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
182	Samoa	1990
183	Kazakhstan	1993
184	Moldova	1994
185	Oman	1994
186	Qatar	2003
187	Kuwait	2005
188	Saudi Arabia	0
189	Vatican City	0
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Gender inequality is not a necessary part of early human development. Although a separation of roles is almost universal due to different strengths between the genders, this does not have to mean that women are subdued, and, such patriarchialism is not universal in ancient history. Those cultures and peoples who shed, or never developed, the idea that mankind ought to dominate womankind, are better cultures and peoples than those who, even today, cling violently to those mores.

Oman is on the way towards ending gender inequality but women are still in an unfavourable position much of the time.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

5. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Disbelief In God (2007) Higher is better20
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
130	Malawi	0
131	Chad	0
132	Nepal	0
133	Morocco	0
134	Mauritania	0
135	Mali	0
136	Senegal	0
137	Oman	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₂₁:

Christian	6.5%
Muslim	85.9%
Hindu	5.5%
Buddhist	0.8%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jew	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.2%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Ibadhi Muslim (official) 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%₂₂.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?

6. The Internet

Internet Users (2016) Higher is better23
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
53	Slovenia	72%
54	Cyprus	72%
55	Russia	71%
56	Oman	71%
57	New Caledonia	70%
58	Macedonia	69%
59	Argentina	69%
60	Trinidad & Tobago	69%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake (2017) Higher is better Ratio24
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
142	Ivory Coast	0.0
143	Mauritania	0.0
144	Iraq	0.0
145	Oman	0.0
146	Papua New Guinea	0.0
147	French Polynesia	0.0
148	Palestine	0.0
149	Lesotho	0.0
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

IT Security (2013) Lower is better25
1	Ireland	0.11
2	Luxembourg	0.11
3	Belize	0.11
	...
72	China	1.59
73	Angola	1.61
74	Sri Lanka	1.67
75	Oman	1.72
76	Iraq	1.84
77	Bangladesh	1.87
78	Sudan	1.98
79	India	2.10
	World Avg	0.98
q=81.

Internet access has become an essential research tool. It facilitates an endless list of life improvements, from the ability to network and socialize without constraint, to access to a seemingly infinite repository of technical and procedural information on pretty much any task. The universal availability of data has sped up industrial development and personal learning at the national and personal level. Individuals can read any topic they wish regardless of the locality of expert teachers, and, entire nations can develop their technology and understanding of the world simply because they are now exposed to advanced societies and moral discourses online. Like every communications medium, the Internet has issues and causes a small range of problems, but these are insignificant compared to the advantages of having an online populace.

7. Public Health Issues

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015) Lower is better Per 100018
1	Korea, N.	0.5
2	Korea, S.	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
21	Austria	7.1
22	China	7.3
23	Greece	7.5
24	Oman	8.1
25	Belgium	8.2
26	Spain	8.4
27	Bosnia & Herzegovina	8.6
28	Saudi Arabia	8.8
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Alcohol Consumption (2010) Lower is better Per Capita26
1	Libya	0.1
2	Pakistan	0.1
3	Kuwait	0.1
	...
18	Jordan	0.7
19	Myanmar (Burma)	0.7
20	Bhutan	0.7
21	Oman	0.9
22	Morocco	0.9
23	Brunei	0.9
24	Iran	1.0
25	Algeria	1.0
	World Avg	6.2
q=191.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015) Higher is better Avg %27
1	Hungary	99.0
2	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
13	Finland	98.1
14	Saudi Arabia	98.0
15	Luxembourg	98.0
16	Oman	98.0
17	Antigua & Barbuda	98.0
18	Cuba	97.9
19	Belgium	97.8
20	Thailand	97.8
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Smoking Rates (2014) Lower is better28
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
90	Gabon	559
91	Venezuela	565
92	Uzbekistan	573
93	Oman	577
94	Malaysia	584
95	Seychelles	590
96	Jamaica	593
97	Korea, N.	610
	World Avg	819
q=182.

8. Politics and Freedom

Nominal Commitment to HR (2009) Higher is better Treaties29
1	Argentina	24
2	Chile	23
3	Costa Rica	23
	...
164	Iraq	9
165	Samoa	9
166	Papua New Guinea	9
167	Oman	9
168	Iran	9
169	St Kitts & Nevis	9
170	Comoros	9
171	Cook Islands	9
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom (2014) Lower is better Rank30
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
117	Qatar	117
118	UAE	118
119	Guinea-Bissau	118
120	Oman	120
121	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	120
122	Burundi	122
123	Tunisia	123
124	Mali	124
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Press Freedom (2013) Lower is better31
1	Finland	638
2	Netherlands	648
3	Norway	652
	...
137	Tunisia	3993
138	Indonesia	4105
139	India	4122
140	Oman	4151
141	Congo, DR	4166
142	Cambodia	4181
143	Bangladesh	4201
144	Malaysia	4273
	World Avg	3249
q=178.

9. More Charts and Comparisons to Other Countries