United Arab Emirates Population 2024 (Live)

9,569,300

After growing by over 5 million people from 2000 to 2010, population growth in the United Arab Emirates has slowed down significantly. The population currently stands at 9.89 million people and is projected to continue growing until 2033, when it will hit its peak at 10.71 million people. The population is then expected to decline very slowly and plateau, ending the 21st century with about 9.03 million people.

The UAE grew 1.23% from 2019 to 2020, adding about 120,000 people to the population. Between 2000 and 2010, the population grew anywhere from 5.35% per year to 13.26% per year. The UAE’s fertility rate is relatively low at 1.42 births per woman.

The fertility rate in the UAE is dropping rapidly, causing concern for the government. The UAE government has adopted policies, such as helping young married people financially, to encourage childbearing among its citizens. The median age is 32.6 for 2020 but can expect to increase if the fertility rate does not increase.

United Arab Emirates Population Growth

Again, because the United Arab Emirates is essentially seven separate nations, causation for population growth or decline is difficult to pinpoint. There has been a general trend of population increase in the recent past, with several small spikes due to regional immigration.

United Arab Emirates Population Projections

It is hard to predict the future population gains and losses in the United Arab Emirates, but there isn't expected to be any dramatic shifts in the near future that would cause any major increases or decreases. The overall annual population growth has been decreasing since 2010, and that trend is expected to continue in the years to come, with the 2019 rate of 1.47% declining to 0.68% by 2050. These same set of projections state the population of the United Arab Emirates will be 9,813,170 in 2020, 11,054,579 in 2030, 12,207,333 in 2040 and 13,163,548 in 2050.

Population Rank
Growth Rate
2024 World Percentage
Land Area
71,020
The current population of United Arab Emirates is 9,569,300 based on projections of the latest United Nations data. The UN estimates the July 1, 2024 population at 9,591,853.

United Arab Emirates Growth Rate

United Arab Emirates Population 2024 (Live)

United Arab Emirates Population Clock

United Arab Emirates Population (as of 3/11/2024)9,569,300
Next UN Estimate (July 1, 2024)9,591,853
Births per Day248
Deaths per Day44
Migrations per Day
Net Change per Day203
Population Change Since Jan. 114,413

Components of Population Change

One birth every 5.8 minutes
One death every 32.73 minutes
One immigrant every Infinity minutes
Net gain of one person every 7.1 minutes

United Arab Emirates Population Clock

City
2024 Population
Dubai1,137,347
Abu Dhabi603,492
Sharjah543,733
Al Ain408,733
Ajman226,172
Ras al-Khaimah115,949
Al Fujayrah62,415
Umm al Qaywayn44,411
Khawr Fakkan33,575
Dibba Al-Fujairah30,000

United Arab Emirates Area and Population Density

The United Arab Emirates occupies an area of 83,600 square kilometers altogether and is made up of seven monarchies: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaiwain. The land is nestled between Oman and Saudi Arabia in terms of land and has 1,318 kilometers of coastline on the Persian Gulf. The current population density is at 114 individuals per square kilometer. Additionally, the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population.

Largest Cities in the United Arab Emirates

The capital of the UAE is Abu Dhabi. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are considered two of the country's cultural and commercial centers. Dubai is the largest city with a population of 2.4 million. Interestingly, Dubai is often misperceived as a country or a city-state. Sometimes, all of the UAE is described simply as "Dubai", which shows just how influential and well-known the city has become.

United Arab Emirates Population Density Map

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Density (/km²)
Population Rank
Density Rank
20249,591,8530.81%11596101
20239,516,8710.81%11496100
20209,287,2890.82%11197101
20199,211,6570.78%1109799
20189,140,1690.79%1099699
20179,068,2960.82%1089698
20158,916,8991.01%1079599
20108,481,77114.65%10193105
20054,280,9935.5%51120146
20003,275,3336.12%39129157
19952,433,9885.08%29136166
19901,900,1516.61%23143173
19851,379,5366.35%17146180
19801,014,04813.29%12148187
1975543,39412.76%6159202
1970298,08411.39%4168213
1965173,7975.43%2174218
1960133,4265.56%2175221
1955101,8036.42%1176221

United Arab Emirates Population by Year (Historical)

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Density (/km²)
Population Rank
Density Rank
20249,591,8530.81%11596101
20259,665,3190.8%11696101
203010,004,3190.69%12098101
203510,319,3460.62%12396100
204010,663,6460.66%12894102
204511,055,0550.72%13293104
205011,449,4710.7%13794101
205511,802,0080.61%14194100
206012,090,4350.48%14593100
206512,307,6680.36%1479499
207012,479,5160.28%1499499
207512,650,9610.27%1519596
208012,857,8720.33%1549496
208513,115,3090.4%1579395
209013,419,0570.46%1619395
209513,751,8700.49%1649194

United Arab Emirates Population by Year (Projections)

United Arab Emirates Population Pyramid 2024

United Arab Emirates Median Age

38.4

Total

40.4

Male

31.5

Female

United Arab Emirates Population by Age

There are people over age 18 in United Arab Emirates.

Census Years

Year
Date
20202020
201019 April 2010
20056 December 2005
199517 December 1995
198523 December 1985

United Arab Emirates Population Pyramid

The United Arab Emirates (also called Emirates or just UAE) is an Arab country in the southeast region of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE is a federation of 7 emirates, each governed by a hereditary emir who together form the Federal Supreme Council.

The population of the UAE noted for 2016 is 9,157,000 according to UN estimates. Other estimates are as low as 5.7 million but do not take into consideration the high population of immigrants, which are estimated to make up 90% of the population. The estimate is now up to 9,400,145 as of mid-year 2017 from the UN, and the World Factbook still gives a lower estimate of just over 6 million - also from 2017.

United Arab Emirates Demographics

The United Arab Emirates has a very diverse population, of which only 10% are UAE nationals and the remainder is made up of expatriates. The UAE has the 7th highest net migration rate in the world at 12.36, as any expatriate is allowed under law to apply for UAE citizenship after living in the country for twenty years, assuming they have not been convicted of a crime and can speak Arabic. The UAE also has the highest gender imbalance in the world with a male/female ratio of 2.2, or 2.75 for the 15-65 age group.

The largest group of non-UAE nationals are South Asian (58%), followed by other Asians (17%) and Western expatriates (8.5%). There is an increasing presence of Europeans, particularly in cities like Dubai. As of 2015, the official estimates stand at Emirati make up approximately 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Philippine 6.1%, and other backgrounds at 12.8%.

The official language of the UAE is Arabic, and the population also uses Persian, English, Hindi, and Urdu.

The median age of the UAE is approximately 30.3 years of age, with a total life expectancy of 77.7 years upon birth. 93.8% of the population aged over 15 is literate.

United Arab Emirates Religion, Economy and Politics

The official religion among the United Arab Emirates is Muslim, coming in at 76% of the population, a 9% Christian following, approximately 10% Hindu or Buddhist faiths, and less than 5% other religions.

The United Arab Emirates has the second-largest economy in the middle east after Saudi Arabia and has a GDP exceeding $377 billion. Except for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates are extremely reliant upon oil, which makes up roughly 85% of the country's exports. Tourism is also a major industry, and the UAE is home to some of the world's most luxurious accommodations. Other major industries include banking, commerce, and real estate and UAE is known for upholding great business policies and is considered one of the least corrupt countries in the world.

As a federation os seven constitutional monarchies, political policies aren't overarching for the United Arab Emirates, each of which has its ruler. Each ruler sets its own rules and has control over the area's natural resources. The constitution separates powers between executive, legislative and judicial branches- and both the legislative and executive branches are further split into federal and emirate jurisdictions.

United Arab Emirates Population History

Because the United Arab Emirates is made up of seven self-run states, it is hard to determine the actual origin of the country, but it was given its current status in 1892 when Britain made a deal with the Trucial States that would give Britain power over the area's foreign affairs, but each emirate could control their internal political issues. Any further speculation about the cause of population gains or losses is difficult because of the split nature of the country.

United Arab Emirates Population Rank 2024
Area (km²)
83,600
2024 Growth Rate
Capital
GDP (IMF '23)
$509.18
GDP (UN '22)
$507.06 Bn

United Arab Emirates - General Info

Sources