Reversing the downturn in the 2020-2021 period, the expatriate population in the Sultanate of Oman has registered a significant rise in recent months.
According to the population clock at National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the expat number reached 1,819,461 as of April 9.
This is 39.20 per cent of a total population of 4,639,234 in the Sultanate of Oman. The number of nationals now stands at 2,819,773 forming the remaining 60.80 per cent.
As for the sectors that recruit, the graph shows a remarkable fall of 10.7 per cent in various government jobs to reach 36,298 at the end of February 2022 against 37,996 in the corresponding month in 2021.
According to figures from the state-owned statistical agency, it is the private sector that started showing an increase in the number of expatriates in the recent months.
Out of a total of 1,175,030 foreign workers in the private sector at the end of February, 369,043 were in construction followed by 213,015 in retail and wholesale trade and the automotive repair sector.
Family and dependents reached 249,568 against 239,951 in February 2021.
The Governorate of Muscat continues to house the largest number of 608,571 expatriate workers including their dependents followed by Al Batinah North with 207,086.
With regard to nationalities, Bangladeshis are in the first spot with 546,182 at the end of February 2022 up from 531,053 during the corresponding month in 2021.
Indian expatriates, who number about 490,114 against 471,178 a year ago, are in the second position followed by Pakistanis with 206,083 although they increased by 12,035 during the one-year period.
The number of Filipinos, Egyptians and Sri Lankans rose to 46,240, 31,817 and 20,306 by the end of February. Arrivals from other countries including Nepal, Tanzania and Sudan also increased during the period.
According to experts, expat arrivals may see further momentum from June this year when the revised work permit fee will come into effect.
“With the slash in the permit fees, private sector companies will be able to recruit specialised expat manpower in accordance with their needs without spending on hiring”, said Hamed al Balushi, a human resource manager with a financial institution.
The second half of the current year will witness the arrival of more foreign workers to the country, he said adding, “the Sultanate of Oman is the friendliest country for expats in the world”.
In the Expat Insider 2021 Index, Oman scored sixth highest position in the ease of settlement with the majority 83 per cent of expats were satisfied with the friendliness of the local population towards foreign residents compared to the global 67 per cent.
It also came at the top in terms of safety and security for expats, as well is in terms of friendliness shown to them.
@samkuttyvp
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
