Even as the total number of expatriate workers in the Sultanate of Oman is witnessing a gradual rise compared to the post-pandemic 2021 level, overall, the number fell in both government and private sectors.

According to figures from National Centre for Statistics and Information, the number of expatriate workers at the end of December 2021 stood at 1,409,473 compared to 1,382,150 a month back.

However, the population clock at the state-owned statistics agency showed that the number of expatriates including their dependents reached 1,761,534 forming 38.5 per cent of the total population in the Sultanate of Oman.

The total population, as of February 8, 2022 reached 4,571,885 with the percentage of Omanis reaching the highest ever 61.50 per cent to reach 2,810,431.

While the figures show an across-the-board fall in the expatriate workforce since the beginning of Covid-19, the government sector witnessed the highest drop of 10 per cent to reach 37,996 by the end of December 2021 against 42,240 in the corresponding month in 2020.

At the same time, the private sector had 1,131,526 expatriate workers in its payroll against 1,148,207 in December 2020 with a marginal fall of 1.5 per cent. Family and dependents dropped by five per cent during the period.

Bangladeshi nationals continue to be the largest workforce with 531,053 followed by Indians whose number stood at 471,178 at the end of December 2021.

While Tanzanians witnessed a fall from 12,407 in November to 12,224 in December 2021, the number of workers from Pakistan stood at 194,048, Filipinos and Egyptian nationals reached 45,388 and 30,998, respectively.

Sri Lankans and Nepalese workers reached 19,129 and 16,800 against 18,551 and 16,093 during the period.

As many as 590,053 expatriates are working in Muscat Governorate followed by 198,197 in Al Batinah North. Musandam accounts for the lowest 10,340 workers.

@samuelkuttyvp