Local Demographics in Muscat

Good to Know

• Muscat's expatriate majority (61% of governorate population) is significantly higher than the national average (43%), reflecting its role as the capital and primary economic hub.
• Indian and Bangladeshi residents together comprise over one-fourth of Oman's total population and dominate construction, retail, transportation, hospitality, and domestic services sectors.
• South Asian nationals (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan) represent over 80% of the tracked expatriate workforce, driven by bilateral labor agreements.
• The startup ecosystem is young but rapidly growing, with government support through Vision 2040 focused on tech, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
• Muscat hosts the majority of Oman's flexible workspaces and startup infrastructure; nearly 80% of the country's 27 coworking hubs are located in the capital.
• Male expatriate workers significantly outnumber females (166:100 ratio), indicating most migration is temporary and workforce-driven rather than family-based.