Oman · Government
Government and administration in Oman
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state and government — Sultan
- Legislates by decree; has historically held several ministerial portfolios personally.
- Succession — Crown Prince
- Office created by the 2021 Basic Law revision.
- Executive — Council of Ministers
- Appointed by and answerable to the Sultan.
- Consultative — Council of Oman
- Elected Majlis al-Shura (90) and appointed State Council (about 85); may propose and review but not enact.
- Audit — State Audit Institution
- Audits public expenditure and reports to the Sultan.
How legislation is made
Draft legislation is prepared by ministries and the Council of Ministers, may be referred to the Council of Oman for review, and takes effect on the Sultan's signature and publication in the Official Gazette. The Majlis al-Shura may propose legislation and question ministers, and its role was modestly strengthened after 2011, but it cannot enact or block a royal decree.
Enforcement institutions
- Public Prosecution
- Directs criminal investigation; separate from the Royal Oman Police since 1999.
- Central Bank of Oman
- Banking supervision and anti-money-laundering.
- Financial Services Authority
- Capital markets and insurance regulation.
- State Audit Institution
- Public-sector audit with corruption referral powers.
- Ministry of Labour inspectorate
- Enforces the 2023 Labour Law and wage protection.
Government bodies and regulators
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