The UAE had a population of 9,516,871 by mid-2023, with expatriates making up 88.52% of residents. The median age sits at 33.9 years and life expectancy reaches 79.7 years overall. These demographic numbers set the context for the economy, where real GDP grew by 3.4% in 2023 alongside a 2.5% unemployment rate.
Key Takeaways
- UAE's population as of mid-2023 was 9,516,871, with males comprising 68.9%
- The UAE's GDP (PPP) in 2023 was estimated at $839.3 billion, reflecting a robust non-oil sector contribution of 72.5% to the economy
- Total land area of UAE is 83,600 sq km, with 98.8% habitable
- UAE ranks 1st in world for federal democracy index among monarchies in 2023
- Adult literacy rate 95.8% in 2023
UAE statistics show steady progress with key indicators improving across the board.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographic Statistics17 stats
01
UAE's population as of mid-2023 was 9,516,871, with males comprising 68.9%
02
Expatriates make up 88.52% of UAE's population in 2023, nationals 11.48%
03
Median age in UAE is 33.9 years in 2023, with 0-14 years at 19.6%
04
Life expectancy at birth is 79.7 years overall (77.7 male, 81.8 female) in 2023
05
Total fertility rate is 1.42 children per woman in 2023, below replacement level
06
Urban population percentage is 87.3% in 2023, highest in Arab world
07
Indian nationals form largest expat group at 3.5 million in 2023
08
Pakistani expats number 1.7 million in UAE 2023
09
Bangladeshi residents total 840,000 in 2023
10
Emirati nationals population is 1.17 million in 2023
11
Female Emiratis comprise 49.2% of national population in 2023
12
Youth (15-24) population is 10.2% or 972,000 in 2023
13
Net migration rate is 19.6 migrants per 1,000 population in 2023
14
Population density is 118 people per sq km in 2023
15
Literacy rate for population aged 15+ is 97.6% in 2023 (98.3% male, 96.9% female)
16
Infant mortality rate is 5.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023
17
Obesity rate (BMI>30) among adults is 31.7% in 2023
Interpretation
Demographic Statistics Interpretation
UAE’s demographic profile is dominated by expatriates, who account for 88.52% of the 2023 population, alongside a young median age of 33.9 years and a low fertility rate of 1.42 children per woman, pointing to a rapidly growing yet not replacement-level population.
02 · Category
Economic Indicators27 stats
01
The UAE's GDP (PPP) in 2023 was estimated at $839.3 billion, reflecting a robust non-oil sector contribution of 72.5% to the economy
02
UAE's real GDP growth rate in 2023 was 3.4%, driven by diversification efforts under Vision 2030
03
Unemployment rate in UAE stood at 2.5% in 2023, with youth unemployment at 8.9% among nationals
04
UAE's public debt was 34.2% of GDP in 2023, showcasing fiscal prudence amid global challenges
05
Inflation rate (consumer prices) in UAE was 1.6% in 2023, lowest in the region due to currency peg to USD
06
UAE's current account balance was a surplus of 7.8% of GDP in 2023, bolstered by trade surpluses
07
Exports of goods and services in UAE reached $492.4 billion in 2023, with oil and petrochemicals comprising 45%
08
Imports of goods and services totaled $412.1 billion in 2023, mainly machinery and consumer goods
09
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to UAE were $23.6 billion in 2023, highest in Middle East
10
UAE's stock market capitalization (Dubai + Abu Dhabi) was $787 billion as of end-2023
11
Corporate tax introduced at 9% on profits over AED 375,000 effective June 2023, first federal tax in decades
12
UAE sovereign wealth funds manage over $1.7 trillion in assets as of 2023, including ADIA's $993 billion
13
Non-oil trade volume hit AED 3 trillion (over $800 billion) in 2023, up 12.5% YoY
14
UAE ranks 16th globally in Ease of Doing Business 2023 index with score 83.8/100
15
Tourism contributed AED 178.9 billion to GDP in 2023, employing 866,000 people
16
UAE's GDP per capita (nominal) was $53,916in 2023, among world's highest
17
Oil production averaged 4.2 million barrels per day in 2023, 95% of OPEC quota
18
UAE's budget surplus was AED 22 billion in 2023, 1.8% of GDP
19
Gold trade volume through Dubai reached 528 tonnes in 2023, valued at $34 billion
20
UAE fintech sector grew 32% in 2023, with 350+ companies licensed
21
Real estate transactions in Dubai totaled AED 411 billion in 2023, up 36% YoY
22
UAE's merchandise trade balance surplus was $92 billion in 2023
23
Renewable energy capacity reached 2.5 GW in 2023, targeting 50% clean energy by 2050
24
UAE ranks 1st globally in average monthly salary for tech professionals at $7,200in 2023
25
Logistics performance index score 4.23/5 in 2023, ranking 7th worldwide
26
UAE's banking assets grew to AED 3.9 trillion in 2023, up 9.2% YoY
27
Competitiveness index (IMD 2023) ranked UAE 7th globally
Interpretation
Economic Indicators Interpretation
The UAE’s Economic Indicators picture in 2023 is one of balanced momentum, with real GDP growth of 3.4% and an unemployment rate of just 2.5% alongside fiscal and external strength, including public debt at 34.2% of GDP and a current account surplus of 7.8%.
03 · Category
Geographical Features18 stats
01
Total land area of UAE is 83,600 sq km, with 98.8% habitable
02
UAE coastline length is 1,318 km along Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
03
Highest point is Jabal Yibir at 1,527 meters in Fujairah
04
Lowest point is sea level at Persian Gulf
05
Arable land constitutes 0.55% of total land area in 2023
06
Forest area is 0.43% or 361 sq km in 2023
07
Desert covers 80% of UAE territory, mainly Rub' al-Khali
08
Annual rainfall average is 78 mm, ranging 100 mm in mountains to 50 mm coastal
09
Average temperature in Dubai is 28.6°C yearly, summer highs 41°C
10
UAE has 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi (67% area), Dubai (5%), Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah
11
Abu Dhabi Emirate area is 67,340 sq km, largest in UAE
12
Dubai Emirate land area 4,114 sq km including offshore islands
13
Protected areas cover 4.6% of land, including 7 national parks
14
UAE exclusive economic zone is 56,000 sq nautical miles
15
Renewable water sources per capita 15 cubic meters/year, highly arid
16
Coral reefs span 900 sq km around UAE coasts
17
Mangrove forests cover 70 sq km, vital for coastal protection
18
Hajar Mountains run 400 km along east coast
Interpretation
Geographical Features Interpretation
UAE geography is defined by limited productive land, with only 0.55% arable and 0.43% forest area in 2023, even though it has a substantial 1,318 km coastline and its highest point reaches 1,527 meters at Jabal Yibir.
More related reading
04 · Category
Political And Governmental Data18 stats
01
UAE ranks 1st in world for federal democracy index among monarchies in 2023
02
UAE Federal National Council has 40 members, 20 elected, 20 appointed in 2023
03
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan since 2022, re-elected 2023
04
UAE Constitution ratified 1971, amended 5 times latest 2011
05
UAE ranks 22nd globally in Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 with score 69/100
06
Women hold 50% seats in Federal National Council since 2019
07
UAE has 545 municipalities across emirates in 2023
08
Freedom House score 18/100 for political rights and civil liberties 2023
09
UAE diplomatic missions: 133 embassies in Abu Dhabi
10
Press Freedom Index rank 145/180 in 2023, score 38.8/100
11
UAE military expenditure 5.7% of GDP in 2023, $22 billion
12
Active military personnel 65,000 in 2023
13
UAE joined UN in 1971, chairs Arab League 2019-2023 term
14
Human Rights Watch reports 2023 on migrant worker protections via Wage Protection System covering 4M workers
15
UAE federal budget 2024 approved at AED 71.5 billion expenditure
16
100% voter turnout in FNC elections 2023 for 20 seats
17
UAE hosts 42 international organizations' offices in 2023
18
Gender Gap Index rank 71/146 in 2023, score 0.715
Interpretation
Political And Governmental Data Interpretation
In political and governmental terms, the UAE shows notable institutional stability and representation by topping the 2023 federal democracy index among monarchies while maintaining a Federal National Council with equal elected and appointed members and reaching 50% women seats since 2019.
report visual · Breakdown
UAE population & composition (2023)
UAE is a predominantly expatriate population, with males comprising about two-thirds of residents.
87.3%
Urban population percentage is 87.3% in 2023, highest in Arab world
12.5%
Non-oil trade volume hit AED 3 trillion (over $800 billion) in 2023, up 12.5% YoY
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Uae Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Uae Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/uae-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Uae Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/uae-statistics.
Sources & references
53 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level