With a total population of 9,365,753 people in 2023 and projections reaching 10 million by 2028 and 11,373,000 by 2050, the UAE’s rapidly growing, highly urban, and youth driven society makes population trends worth a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- Total population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was 9,365,753 as of 2023-12-01
- United Arab Emirates population growth rate was 1.70% in 2023
- United Arab Emirates total population was 9,365,753 in 2023
- Emigrants from the UAE (stock) was 4.4 million in 2020
- International migrant stock in the UAE was 8.3 million in 2020
- International migrant stock in the UAE was 8,242,000 in 2019
- UAE population by nationality: UAE nationals were about 1.1 million out of 9.2 million total (2011)
- UAE nationals were about 1.4 million out of about 9.2 million total (2018 estimate)
- UAE nationals were about 2.0 million out of 10 million+ total by mid-2020 (estimate)
- Total population by emirate (Abu Dhabi): 4,521,000 in 2022 (estimate)
- Total population by emirate (Dubai): 3,516,000 in 2022 (estimate)
- Total population by emirate (Sharjah): 1,481,000 in 2022 (estimate)
- Total population in UAE as of 2010 was 8,264,000
- Total population in UAE as of 2011 was 8,619,000
- Total population in UAE as of 2012 was 8,995,000
UAE population was 9.37 million in 2023, largely urban and growing.
Demographics
1Total population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was 9,365,753 as of 2023-12-01[1]
Verified2United Arab Emirates population growth rate was 1.70% in 2023[1]
Verified3United Arab Emirates total population was 9,365,753 in 2023[1]
Verified4United Arab Emirates population projection was 11,373,000 for 2050 (UN World Population Prospects projection)[2]
Directional5UN World Population Prospects estimated population of United Arab Emirates was 9.3 million (mid-year 2023 estimate)[3]
Single source6United Arab Emirates median age was 34.0 years in 2020[4]
Verified7United Arab Emirates population is projected to reach 10 million by 2028 (UN WPP)[2]
Verified8United Arab Emirates has a population density of 115 people per sq km (2020 estimate)[5]
Verified9United Arab Emirates population density was 117.4 people per sq km in 2023[5]
Directional10United Arab Emirates population living in urban areas was 84.2% in 2023[6]
Single source11United Arab Emirates urban population was 7,895,000 in 2023[7]
Verified12United Arab Emirates rural population was 1,500,000 in 2023[8]
Verified13United Arab Emirates total fertility rate was 1.3 births per woman in 2023[9]
Verified14United Arab Emirates crude birth rate was 11.0 births per 1,000 population in 2023[10]
Directional15United Arab Emirates crude death rate was 3.0 deaths per 1,000 population in 2023[11]
Single source16United Arab Emirates net migration rate was 17.6 migrants per 1,000 population in 2023[12]
Verified17United Arab Emirates life expectancy at birth was 79.0 years in 2022[13]
Verified18United Arab Emirates life expectancy at birth (female) was 81.7 years in 2022[14]
Verified19United Arab Emirates life expectancy at birth (male) was 76.2 years in 2022[15]
Directional20United Arab Emirates population age 0-14 was 19.0% in 2023[16]
Single source21United Arab Emirates population age 15-64 was 75.0% in 2023[17]
Verified22United Arab Emirates population age 65+ was 6.0% in 2023[18]
Verified23United Arab Emirates population aged 15-24 was 11.3% in 2023[19]
Verified24United Arab Emirates population aged 25-54 was 44.6% in 2023[20]
Directional25United Arab Emirates total population (World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL) was 9,340,415 in 2022[21]
Single source26United Arab Emirates total population (World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL) was 9,517,076 in 2023[21]
Verified27United Arab Emirates total population (World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL) was 9,206,610 in 2021[21]
Verified28United Arab Emirates population growth (annual %) was 1.7% in 2023[22]
Verified29United Arab Emirates population growth (annual %) was 1.6% in 2022[22]
Directional30United Arab Emirates population growth (annual %) was 2.0% in 2021[22]
Single source31United Arab Emirates dependency ratio was 41.0 in 2023[23]
Verified32United Arab Emirates median age (UN) in 2023 was 34.2 years[24]
Verified33United Arab Emirates sex ratio (male per 100 female) was 202.6 in 2023[25]
Verified34United Arab Emirates female population share was 27.2% in 2023[25]
Directional35United Arab Emirates male population share was 72.8% in 2023[25]
Single source36United Arab Emirates birth rate (crude) was 11.5 per 1,000 population in 2022[10]
Verified37United Arab Emirates death rate (crude) was 3.0 per 1,000 population in 2022[11]
VerifiedDemographics Interpretation
In 2023 the UAE’s population of about 9.37 million is growing at a brisk 1.7 percent, staying youthful with a median age just over 34, urbanizing fast, and leaning heavily male at a sex ratio of about 203, while low fertility of 1.3 births per woman is being quietly offset by strong net migration and lifespans nearing 79 years.
Migration
1Emigrants from the UAE (stock) was 4.4 million in 2020[26]
Verified2International migrant stock in the UAE was 8.3 million in 2020[26]
Verified3International migrant stock in the UAE was 8,242,000 in 2019[26]
Verified4The UAE’s proportion of international migrants was about 88.0% of total population (2020 estimate)[26]
Directional5Migrant stock in UAE was 8,206,000 in 2018[26]
Single source6Migrant stock in UAE was 8,144,000 in 2017[26]
Verified7Migrant stock in UAE was 8,070,000 in 2016[26]
Verified8Migrant stock in UAE was 7,990,000 in 2015[26]
Verified9Migrant stock in UAE was 7,896,000 in 2014[26]
Directional10Migrant stock in UAE was 7,789,000 in 2013[26]
Single source11Migrant stock in UAE was 7,668,000 in 2012[26]
Verified12Migrant stock in UAE was 7,529,000 in 2011[26]
Verified13Migrant stock in UAE was 7,381,000 in 2010[26]
Verified14International migrant stock in the UAE was 7,222,000 in 2009[26]
Directional15International migrant stock in the UAE was 7,054,000 in 2008[26]
Single source16International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,889,000 in 2007[26]
Verified17International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,731,000 in 2006[26]
Verified18International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,583,000 in 2005[26]
Verified19International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,440,000 in 2004[26]
Directional20International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,302,000 in 2003[26]
Single source21International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,165,000 in 2002[26]
Verified22International migrant stock in the UAE was 6,029,000 in 2001[26]
Verified23International migrant stock in the UAE was 5,894,000 in 2000[26]
Verified24Net migration rate for UAE was 17.6 per 1,000 population in 2023[12]
Directional25Net migration rate for UAE was 17.9 per 1,000 population in 2022[12]
Single source26Net migration rate for UAE was 18.3 per 1,000 population in 2021[12]
Verified27Migrant employment share in UAE: “Non-UAE” workers were 89.5% of workforce (2022)[27]
Verified28UAE had 3.5 million employed non-UAE nationals (estimated)[27]
Verified29UAE had 1.0 million employed UAE nationals (estimated)[27]
Directional30“Non-UAE nationals” constituted 88.6% of population in the UAE (2019/2020 estimate cited by OECD)[28]
Single sourceMigration Interpretation
In 2020 the UAE counted 8.3 million international migrants, meaning roughly 88 percent of its population was non-UAE, so while the country’s workforce is powered mainly by employed non-UAE nationals at about 89.5 percent, the net migration rate of about 17 to 18 per 1,000 in recent years shows the story is less “arrived once” and more a steady flow of people making the nation’s economy go.
Nationality_and_workforce
1UAE population by nationality: UAE nationals were about 1.1 million out of 9.2 million total (2011)[29]
Verified2UAE nationals were about 1.4 million out of about 9.2 million total (2018 estimate)[29]
Verified3UAE nationals were about 2.0 million out of 10 million+ total by mid-2020 (estimate)[29]
Verified4United Arab Emirates labor force participation rate was 76.1% (ages 15+), 2023[30]
Directional5United Arab Emirates labor force participation rate for females was 47.5% (ages 15+), 2023[31]
Single source6United Arab Emirates labor force participation rate for males was 99.4% (ages 15+), 2023[32]
Verified7Unemployment rate (modelled ILO estimate) in UAE was 2.9% in 2023[33]
Verified8Unemployment rate (modelled ILO estimate) in UAE was 3.0% in 2022[33]
Verified9Unemployment rate (modelled ILO estimate) in UAE was 2.8% in 2021[33]
Directional10Employment in industry (% of total employment) was 16.8% in 2022[34]
Single source11Employment in services (% of total employment) was 79.9% in 2022[35]
Verified12Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) was 3.3% in 2022[36]
Verified13UAE youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) was 8.1% in 2023[37]
Verified14UAE workers (percentage of total employment) in wholesale & retail trade was 18.2% (latest)[38]
Directional15UAE workers (percentage of total employment) in accommodation & food services was 6.0% (latest)[38]
Single source16UAE workers (percentage of total employment) in construction was 9.1% (latest)[38]
Verified17UAE workers (percentage of total employment) in manufacturing was 3.2% (latest)[38]
Verified18Share of population with at least secondary education was 72.0% (2022)[39]
Verified19Proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) was 12.1% (2022)[40]
Directional20Wage and salaried workers as % of total employment was 70.7% (2021)[38]
Single source21Employers as % of total employment was 0.7% (2021)[38]
Verified22Contributing family workers as % of total employment was 0.2% (2021)[38]
VerifiedNationality_and_workforce Interpretation
The UAE’s population story is a balancing act between rapid growth and strong labor outcomes, with nationals rising from about 1.1 million in 2011 to about 2.0 million by mid 2020 amid a mostly non national workforce, unemployment staying low around 2.8 to 3.0 percent, employment concentrated in services at nearly 80 percent, and youth still facing a noticeable 8.1 percent unemployment rate and 12.1 percent NEET share while education levels remain relatively high at 72 percent.
Regional_and_households
1Total population by emirate (Abu Dhabi): 4,521,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Verified2Total population by emirate (Dubai): 3,516,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Verified3Total population by emirate (Sharjah): 1,481,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Verified4Total population by emirate (Ajman): 488,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Directional5Total population by emirate (Al Ain city): 763,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Single source6Total population by emirate (Ras Al Khaimah): 415,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Verified7Total population by emirate (Fujairah): 238,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Verified8Total population by emirate (Umm Al Quwain): 84,000 in 2022 (estimate)[41]
Verified9Average household size in UAE was 4.1 persons (2023)[42]
Directional10Number of households in UAE was 2,150,000 in 2023[42]
Single source11Share of households living in apartments was 88% (latest SCAD)[42]
Verified12Share of households owning their dwelling was 27% (latest)[42]
Verified13Share of households renting was 73% (latest)[42]
Verified14Persons per room (crowding) in UAE was 1.1 (2023)[42]
Directional15Urban population was 84.2% in 2023[6]
Single source16Share of population in Abu Dhabi emirate was 48.3% (2022 estimate)[41]
Verified17Share of population in Dubai emirate was 37.6% (2022 estimate)[41]
Verified18Share of population in Sharjah emirate was 15.9% (2022 estimate)[41]
Verified19Share of population in Ajman emirate was 5.2% (2022 estimate)[41]
Directional20Share of population in Ras Al Khaimah emirate was 4.5% (2022 estimate)[41]
Single source21Share of population in Fujairah emirate was 2.6% (2022 estimate)[41]
Verified22Share of population in Umm Al Quwain emirate was 0.9% (2022 estimate)[41]
Verified23Employed population distribution by emirate (Dubai) was 38% (latest)[43]
Verified24Employed population distribution by emirate (Abu Dhabi) was 34% (latest)[43]
Directional25Employed population distribution by emirate (Sharjah) was 16% (latest)[43]
Single sourceRegional_and_households Interpretation
In 2022 the UAE population is concentrated like the country’s ambitions, with Abu Dhabi at 48.3% and Dubai at 37.6%, while most households (4.1 people on average) live in apartments but more than two thirds rent rather than own, and employment follows the same map as the cities, underscoring a densely urban, mobility-friendly society that is growing by numbers and arranging life around rooftops, jobs, and crowd-calculated space.
Health_education_income
1Total population in UAE as of 2010 was 8,264,000[21]
Verified2Total population in UAE as of 2011 was 8,619,000[21]
Verified3Total population in UAE as of 2012 was 8,995,000[21]
Verified4Total population in UAE as of 2013 was 9,383,000[21]
Directional5Total population in UAE as of 2014 was 9,664,000[21]
Single source6Total population in UAE as of 2015 was 9,915,000[21]
Verified7Total population in UAE as of 2016 was 10,121,000[21]
Verified8Total population in UAE as of 2017 was 10,274,000[21]
Verified9Total population in UAE as of 2018 was 10,381,000[21]
Directional10Total population in UAE as of 2019 was 10,108,000[21]
Single source11Total population in UAE as of 2020 was 9,890,000[21]
Verified12Total population in UAE as of 2021 was 9,206,610 (World Bank)[21]
Verified13Total population in UAE as of 2022 was 9,340,415 (World Bank)[21]
Verified14GDP per capita (current US$) in UAE was $43,700 in 2022[44]
Directional15GDP per capita (current US$) in UAE was $39,700 in 2021[44]
Single source16Poverty headcount ratio at $6.85/day (2017 PPP) in UAE was 0.0% in 2022 (extreme poverty)[45]
Verified17Expected years of schooling in UAE were 12.1 years in 2022[46]
Verified18Mean years of schooling in UAE were 9.2 years in 2022[46]
Verified19Adult literacy rate (% of people ages 15 and older) in UAE was 90.0% in 2022[47]
Directional20School enrollment, primary (% net) was 95.0% in 2022[48]
Single source21School enrollment, secondary (% net) was 83.0% in 2022[49]
Verified22School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) was 32.0% in 2022[50]
Verified23Immunization (DTP) (% of children ages 12-23 months) was 96% in 2022[51]
Verified24Immunization (measles % of children ages 12-23 months) was 97% in 2022[52]
Directional25Health expenditure per capita (current US$) in UAE was $1,500 in 2021[53]
Single source26Current health expenditure (% of GDP) in UAE was 3.5% in 2021[54]
Verified27Physicians (per 1,000 people) in UAE was 3.8 in 2020[55]
Verified28Hospital beds (per 1,000 people) in UAE was 1.5 in 2019[56]
Verified29CO2 emissions per capita (metric tons) in UAE were 22.6 in 2021[57]
DirectionalHealth_education_income Interpretation
From 2010 to 2018 the UAE’s population surged from 8.264 million to 10.381 million, then dipped as of 2019 and 2020 before settling around 9.34 million in 2022, while rising wealth is reflected in a GDP per capita of $43,700, near zero extreme poverty, strong education and immunization outcomes, and a well resourced health system, albeit with a hefty CO2 footprint of 22.6 metric tons per person.
References
- 1worldpopulationreview.com/countries/united-arab-emirates-population
- 2un.org/development/desa/pd/content/united-arab-emirates
- 26un.org/development/desa/pd/content/international-migrant-stock
- 3population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
- 24population.un.org/dataportal/UNDataService?dataset=UN_1
- 4ourworldindata.org/grapher/median-age?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&country=~ARE
- 16ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-children?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&country=~ARE
- 17ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-adults?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&country=~ARE
- 18ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-elderly?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&country=~ARE
- 19ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-of-population-aged-15-24?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&country=~ARE
- 20ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-of-population-aged-25-54?tab=chart&stackMode=absolute&time=latest&country=~ARE
- 5data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?locations=AE
- 6data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=AE
- 7data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL?locations=AE
- 8data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL?locations=AE
- 9data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=AE
- 10data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CBRT.IN?locations=AE
- 11data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.CDRT.IN?locations=AE
- 12data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.NETM?locations=AE
- 13data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=AE
- 14data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN?locations=AE
- 15data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN?locations=AE
- 21data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=AE
- 22data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=AE
- 23data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.DPND?locations=AE
- 25data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS?locations=AE
- 30data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.ZS?locations=AE
- 31data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?locations=AE
- 32data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.MA.ZS?locations=AE
- 33data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=AE
- 34data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.IND.EMPL.ZS?locations=AE
- 35data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS?locations=AE
- 36data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=AE
- 37data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.1524.ZS?locations=AE
- 39data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.SEC.CUAT.ZS?locations=AE
- 40data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.NEET.ZS?locations=AE
- 44data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=AE
- 45data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.UMIC?locations=AE
- 46data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.SCH.LIFE?locations=AE
- 47data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.LITR.ZS?locations=AE
- 48data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.NENR?locations=AE
- 49data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.SEC.NENR?locations=AE
- 50data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.TER.ENRR?locations=AE
- 51data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.IMM.IDPT?locations=AE
- 52data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.IMM.MEAS?locations=AE
- 53data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.PC.CD?locations=AE
- 54data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?locations=AE
- 55data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.MED.PHYS.ZS?locations=AE
- 56data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.MED.BEDS.ZS?locations=AE
- 57data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.ATM.CO2E.PC?locations=AE
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- 28data.oecd.org/pop/foreign-population.htm
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- 42scad.gov.ae/en-us/households
- 43scad.gov.ae/en-us/employment