Muscat – Oman’s population grew 2% in 2024, reaching 5,268,072, compared to 5,165,602 in 2023, according to National Centre for Statistics and Information.

Omani citizens made up 56.6% of the total population – 2,984,793 –  while expatriates accounted for 43.3% – 2,283,279.

Muscat governorate recorded a population growth of 3% to 1,499,549 by the end of 2024, compared to 1,455,680 in 2023. Citizens comprised 39% of the governorate’s population, totalling 584,092, a slight decline from 585,016 in 2023. Expatriates in Muscat numbered 915,457.

Other governorates showed mixed population trends. Buraimi had the highest growth rate of 4.1% reaching 135,879 in 2024 from 130,576 in 2023. South Batinah followed with a 4% increase, with its population growing to 567,455 in 2024 from 545,449 in 2023.

Dhofar and North Sharqiyah both saw population growths of 1.6% increasing to 529,625 in the former and 320,510 in the latter. North Batinah recorded a 0.9% increase to 925,802, while Dakhliyah recorded a modest increase of 0.6% to 558,373.

Conversely, Musandam saw a 2.9% decline, with its population dropping to 55,148 from 56,800 in 2023.

North Batinah led in the number of citizens with 597,608, followed by Muscat at 584,092 and Dakhliyah 403,825.

In the context of expatriates, Muscat topped the list with 915,457, followed by North Batinah with 328,194 and Dhofar 290,782.

The figures reflect steady growth in several governorates and continued concentration of expatriates in urban centres like Muscat.