Oman's population is over 2 million, a plan to recruit citizens

The population of Oman has tolled 2.34 million, while the Omani government seeks to encourage the local labor force to replace the foreigners who compose one quarter of the population in the country.

Official statistics show that the number of arrivals reached ( foreigners working in the country) reached 559,257, representing 23% of the total population, half of them ( almost 44.8%) in Muscat, the second largest city in Oman after al-Batinah city whose population tolls 653,257.

Foreign presence in Oman is less in other countries members in the Gulf Cooperation Council ( Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain). The government seeks to alleviate the foreign labor force working in the country.

In July 2003, the ministry of labor launched a five year plan aiming to recruit more Omani people in governmental and non-governmental sectors.

This plans forbids foreigners from working in receptions of hotels as drivers or assistant engineers in the sectors of electricity and waters. Earlier, the Sultanate banned foreigners from driving trucks and school buses as well as to work in gas distribution sector.

The five year plan which was launched in 2003 aims also that the Omani people will assume as from 2007 the administration of restaurants especially those trodden by tourists.