The number of Omanis stood at 2380859 (as much as 55.3 per cent of the total population) while expatriates numbered over 1.92mn.

Compared to October figures the highest growth rates were recorded in Dhofar and Al Wusta (1 per cent each) followed by Buraimi (0.9 per cent). The monthly population growth rate in Muscat stood at 0.8 per cent.

However in terms of population size Muscat governorate topped with 1342723 people against 1.33mn in October.

North Batinah had the second-most highest population at 697774 posting 0.6 per cent rise over October's 693570.

Dakhliyah is placed third with a population of 425314 registering a 0.5 per cent growth rate against 422988 in October.

Dhofar and Buraimi recorded almost an equal proportion of Omani and expatriate populations while Muscat had the highest expatriate numbers at 847667 against 495056 nationals.

All other governorates recorded a significantly higher number of Omanis compared to expatriates.

Al Wusta and Musandam remained the least populated governorates with a population of over 41960 each.