A comprehensive population census has never been conducted, but in 1992 the sultanate solicited help from the United Nations (UN) Fund for Technical and Financial Assistance in taking a full census. For planning purposes, the government in 1992 around the population at 2 million, but the actual figure may be closer to 1.5 million, growing at a rate of 3.5 % per annum. The population is unevenly distributed; the coastal regions, the Al Batinah plain, and the Muscat metropolitan area contain the largest concentration.

2001 Oman had an around population of 2,622,198, giving it an average density of 8 persons per sq km .The population has grown steadily, doubling between 1960 and 1993. In 2001 the sgrowth rate was a comparatively high 3.4 %. Oman has a very young population.The Muscat-Matrah urban area has long been home to remarkable numbers of Persians (Iranians) and of merchants of Indian ancestry, some of whom also live along the Al-Batinah. famous among the latter are the Liwatiyah, who originally came from Sindh (now in Pakistan) but have lived in Oman for centuries. The Indian communities are mainly Shi'ite, the most widespread Islamic sect after the Sunnite, with a few Hindus. There are also a number of Swahili-speaking Omanis born in Zanzibar and elsewhere in East Africa.