Expats perception of Omani tolerance rises to 90.9%
Published: 06:03 PM,Mar 27,2025 | EDITED : 10:03 PM,Mar 27,2025
95.6 per cent of expatriates did not face any discrimination or abuse from Omanis, compared to 93.6 per cent the previous year.
Staff Reporter
Muscat, March 26
Majority of expats believe that Oman society is tolerant towards them, a survey conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information revealed. Tolerance 2025 found that 90.9 per cent of expatriates believe that Omani society is tolerant towards them, compared to 90.7 per cent in 2024. The results also showed that 95.6 per cent of expatriates did not face any discrimination or abuse from Omanis, compared to 93.6 per cent the previous year. 90.4 per cent of expatriates also expressed their feeling of acceptance by Omanis despite their cultural differences, compared to 92 per cent during the period of reference. As for expatriates' sense of freedom to express their opinions on daily life, it reached 86.7 per cent in 2025, compared to 86.6 per cent in the previous year.
The Centre emphasised in its report that tolerance is a fundamental human value that promotes peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between individuals and communities. It is the foundation for building cohesive and prosperous societies. It is also an essential part of the strategic goals that the Sultanate of Oman seeks to achieve through Oman Vision 2040. The vision aims to build a cohesive society based on the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The report relied on the definition of tolerance as 'respect, acceptance, appreciation, and the rich diversity of culture and forms of expression. Tolerance is strengthened by knowledge, openness, communication and freedom of thought. It is harmony within the context of difference, a moral, political and legal duty, and one of the most important pillars of Islam.' Tolerance is also defined as 'acceptance of the existence of the different other (ethnic, culture, religion, language and nationality), respect for their differences, and their right to freedom of expression.' The survey was conducted in two rounds, the first from April 1 to 8, 2024, and second from January 13 to 23, 2025.
Muscat, March 26
Majority of expats believe that Oman society is tolerant towards them, a survey conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information revealed. Tolerance 2025 found that 90.9 per cent of expatriates believe that Omani society is tolerant towards them, compared to 90.7 per cent in 2024. The results also showed that 95.6 per cent of expatriates did not face any discrimination or abuse from Omanis, compared to 93.6 per cent the previous year. 90.4 per cent of expatriates also expressed their feeling of acceptance by Omanis despite their cultural differences, compared to 92 per cent during the period of reference. As for expatriates' sense of freedom to express their opinions on daily life, it reached 86.7 per cent in 2025, compared to 86.6 per cent in the previous year.
The Centre emphasised in its report that tolerance is a fundamental human value that promotes peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between individuals and communities. It is the foundation for building cohesive and prosperous societies. It is also an essential part of the strategic goals that the Sultanate of Oman seeks to achieve through Oman Vision 2040. The vision aims to build a cohesive society based on the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The report relied on the definition of tolerance as 'respect, acceptance, appreciation, and the rich diversity of culture and forms of expression. Tolerance is strengthened by knowledge, openness, communication and freedom of thought. It is harmony within the context of difference, a moral, political and legal duty, and one of the most important pillars of Islam.' Tolerance is also defined as 'acceptance of the existence of the different other (ethnic, culture, religion, language and nationality), respect for their differences, and their right to freedom of expression.' The survey was conducted in two rounds, the first from April 1 to 8, 2024, and second from January 13 to 23, 2025.