With the expat population on the decline in Oman, we analyse the communities that form the largest group of foreign workers in the nation.

As per data compiled by the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total number of expats living in Oman in October 2020 stood at 1,435,070. This marks a one per cent – 14,336 people – drop in the total number of expats from September 2020, and a 17 per cent drop from October 2019.

Which communities form the largest groups of expatriate workers?

1) Bangladesh: 546,681 people

While the number of Bangladeshi workers declined by 14.3 per cent over a one year period (from October 2019 to October 2020), the total number of Bangladeshi expat workers stood at 546,681.

2) India: 492,276 people

The total number of Indian expat workers in Oman reduced by 21.1 per cent in the span of one year between October 2019 and October 2020. The final number of Indian expats in the country currently stands at 492,276.

3) Pakistan: 179,375 people

The Pakistani workforce in Oman witnessed a 14.3 per cent drop in the span of one year, and the overall numbers currently stand at 179,375. However, the numbers have notably increased by 1.6 per cent between September 2020 and October 2020; meaning, there is a slight spike in the number of Pakistanis in the country.

4) Philippines: 44,295 people

The total number of Philipino workers in the Sultanate reduced by 9.9 per cent over a one year period from October 2019 and October 2020. The total number of Philipinos in the country currently stands at 44,295.

5) Egypt: 30,969 people

The numbers of expat workers from Egypt dropped by 10.6 per cent over a one-year period (from October 2019 to October 2020). The total number of Egyptians in Oman currently stands at 30,969, as per NCSI.