Updated
Overview
Saudi Arabia has 6.7 times the population of Oman: 36.97 million people against 5.49 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 12 times the size of Oman's, at $1.28T versus $109.60B.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $19,947 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Saudi Arabia | Oman | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.28T | $109.60B | 2025 | $1.24T / $106.94B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $34,537 | $19,947 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.5% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 1.0% | 2025 | 1.7% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 3.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,799 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,067 | $845 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.06 | $3.97 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.97 million | 5.49 million | 2025 | 36.54 million / 3.97 million |
| Population growth | 4.6% | 4.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 29.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.29 | 2.48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 79.0 yrs | Higher: 80.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 85% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 95% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,149,690 km² | 309,500 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 17.2/km² | 17.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 692 Mt | Lower: 83 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.4 t | Lower: 15.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $80.33B | $5.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.3% | 5.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 282,000 | 47,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Saudi Arabia is growing faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Saudi Arabia and 1.0% in Oman.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Saudi Arabia) and 29.7 (Oman).
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in Oman (80.2 vs 79.0).
Geography
By land area, Saudi Arabia is 6.9 times the size of Oman: 2,149,690 km² versus 309,500 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 13 times as much on defence as Oman: $80.33B versus $5.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 5.6%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 47,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Saudi Arabia bigger than Oman?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km² while Oman covers 309,500 km², so Saudi Arabia is 6.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Saudi Arabia or Oman?
- Saudi Arabia has the larger population: 36.97 million versus 5.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Saudi Arabia richer than Oman?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $19,947. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.28T for Saudi Arabia versus $109.60B for Oman.
- Who spends more on their military, Saudi Arabia or Oman?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $5.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).