Form of Government: Federation of emirates
Area: 83 600 sq km
Population: 9 282 410 inhab. (estimate 2020)
Density: 111.03 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 27° - 22° N; long. 51° - 57° E
Capital: Abu Dhabi=Abū Ẓaby (capital) 1 419 699 inhab. (2018);
Currency: dirham (100 fils)
Human development index: 0.89 (rank: 31)
President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi, since 3 November 2004
Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, since 5 January 2006
Internet: //fcsc.gov.ae (Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre)
Member of Arab League, GCC, OIC, OPEC, UN, WTO
United Arab Emirates

International license plate code UAE
International dialling code 00971
Travel vaccinations requirement none
Electricity (Voltage) 220
Driving side rigth
Internet code .ae
GMT +4
DST not applied
Annual average temperature (°C) Abu Dhabi 26.3
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Abu Dhabi 18/35
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Abu Dhabi 11/8
Annual average precipitation (mm) Abu Dhabi 55
Days of rainfall (annual average) Abu Dhabi 9
Geography.
The country is bordered by Oman to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south and west; the Arabian Gulf lies off its north coast and the Gulf of Oman lies off about 80 km of its north-east coast. The land consists of flat, barren rock formations, most of which covered with rolling sand dunes. Many islands and coral reefs lie off its coastline. It has a dry climate.
Government
The seven Emirates were known in the past as the “Pirate Coast” (with reference to the widespread activities of the coastal populations) and also as the Trucial States (in reference to a truce made in 1853 with the United Kingdom, which attempted to repress piracy and to control trade with the Indian sub-continent). In 1892 they became a British protectorate. After various attempts at unification, they became independent on 2 December 1971. According to the 1971 Constitution, amended several times, the state is a federation of hereditary monarchies. The highest federal authority is the Federal Supreme Council (formed by seven Emirs, each one of which is the absolute ruler of his Emirate) which elects the President from among its members (traditionally the Emir of Abu Dhabi). The President then appoints the Prime Minister (traditionally the Emir of Dubai) and the Council of Ministers, which acts as a consultative body for the Federal National Council of 40 members (of which only 20 are elected by limited suffrage). There are no political parties. The country is de facto led by Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of the President. The Union Defence Force and the armed Forces of the seven Emirates have been formally merged since 1976. Military service is voluntary. The country is very active in foreign policy and is present militarily or through financial support in several crisis areas of the region (such as in Yemen). In Abu Dhabi, a French military base has been present since 2009. The legal system is based on Islamic Law (sharia).
Administrative division
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Dubai=Dubayy | 2 645 581 | inhab. | 2016 |
Abu Dhabi=Abū Ẓaby | 1 419 699 | inhab. | 2018 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
Population growth is significant. Large numbers of foreign workers mean that males are in the majority in terms of the total population.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 10.223 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 1.521 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Asian | 75$ | % | 2009 |
Arab | 15$ | % | 2009 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Muslim | 76.9 | % | 2010 |
Christian | 12.6 | % | 2010 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Arabic |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 16.1 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 17.5 | % | 2020 |
Economy
Farming is practised in the oases. The Buraimi Oasis (between the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the Sultanate of Oman) is particularly important; the main crops are dates, tomatoes and other vegetables. The breeding of camels, goats and poultry is widespread.
The country has vast reserves of hydrocarbons. The main deposits are on the coast at Murban and Bū Ḥaşā, and are connected by an oil pipeline to Jebel Dhanna. The submarine oilfields of Umm Shaif and Zakum are connected by an oil pipeline to Das Island; there are other offshore fields at Fateh, Satah, Abu al-Bakhush, Umm al-Dalkh and Abu Musa. Natural gas fields are located at Hail and Shuwaihāt; there is a liquefaction plant on Das Island. The main industries are oil-refining (at Fujayrah, Hamriyah, Jebel Ali, Ruwais and Umm al-Nār), chemicals (in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), metalworking and engineering.
Considerable investments have been made to increase water resources: in terms of the numerous desalination plants, the largest is in the harbour city of Jebel Ali. In order to reduce its dependence on the oil sector, part of the profits from the export of hydrocarbons is being invested in an ambitious plan to develop infrastructures. In Abu Dhabi, there is a solar power station with a concentration of 100 MW and a nuclear reactor, with 3 more reactors being built; a 1 GW photovoltaic plant, being expanded, is active in Dubai.
The creation of free-trade zones has also made it possible to attract a significant amount of foreign capital. Dubai’s port system is highly advanced and is one of the world’s largest re-export centres. International tourism is also relevant in the Emirate of Sharjah, and in Dubai City, where urban development is moving rapidly. Dubai is consolidating its reputation as a centre of international finance.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 101.04 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 111.71 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 6 820 037 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 17.6 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 5$ | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 45.3 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 383 329.6 | M LCU | 2018 |
Revenues | 422 456.8 | M LCU | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 1.4 | % | 2019 |
industry | 34.4 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 0.731 | % | 2019 |
industry | 46.16 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 110.704 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 106 701.572 | M US$ | 2020 |
Agriculture
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 1.151 | % | 2018 |
forests | 4.468 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 0.114 | 1000 t | 2018 |
cereals, total | 6.708 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 1.183 | 1000 t | 2019 |
roots and tubers, total | 1.183 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 13.452 | 1000 t | 2019 |
carrots and turnips | 44.731 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, green | 1.608 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grapes | 0.032 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 0.198 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
figs | 0.462 | 1000 t | 2019 |
fruits, total | 360.598 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 0.97 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 8.13 | 1000 t | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 3.13 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bananas | 0.203 | 1000 t | 2019 |
dates | 323.478 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 0.014 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
maize | 0.254 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 0.047 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 0.323 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
carrots and turnips | 3.36 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, green | 0.113 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grape | 0.012 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 0.014 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
figs | 0.045 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 1.476 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 0.331 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 0.165 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bananas | 0.01 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
dates | 34.119 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 18 888 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 105.935 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 105.935 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 2 205.458 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 2 437.191 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
equines, total | 0.446 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
horses | 0.446 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
camels | 461.788 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 24 673 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 1.959 | 1000 t | 2018 |
eggs | 57$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
crustaceans and molluscs | 688 | t | 2019 |
freshwater fishes | 43$ | t | 2019 |
Minerals
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
natural gas | 55 432 | M m³ | 2020 |
oil, crude | 156 519.9 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chromite | 25$ | 1000 t | 2010 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
gypsum | 700 | 1000 t | 2019 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 125 852 | M kWh | 2019 |
- other renew. | 1 310 | M kWh | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 30 627 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
- other renew. | 1 884.85 | 1000 kW | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 127 920.48 | M kWh | 2018 |
total installed capacity | 31 148.85 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
aluminium | 2 600 | 1000 t | 2020 |
gold, metal | 36 000 | kg | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
petrol | 10 006.4 | 1000 t | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
ammonia | 920 | 1000 t | 2019 |
nitrogen fertilizers | 933.2 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
fish, salted or smoked | 19$ | 1000 t | 2003 |
groundnut oil | 0.447 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
other paper | 246 | 1000 t | 2019 |
paper | 246 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 25 000 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 6 840.232 | M US$ | 2018 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 3 610.749 | M US$ | 2018 |
Trade
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
fuels | 77.951 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
manufactures | 8.32 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
India | 21 843 | M US$ | 2010 |
Iran | 9 320 | M US$ | 2010 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
India | 22 651 | M US$ | 2010 |
China | 13 589 | M US$ | 2010 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 18 383 | M US$ | 2019 |
Number of arrivals | 22 575 000 | units | 2019 |
Communications
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Civil aviation, km flown | 276 800 000 | km flown | 2004 |
Civil aviation, passengers carried | 92 798.7 | 1000 units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Broadband subscribers | 311.749 | per 1000 pop. | 2019 |
Computers | 331 | per 1000 pop. | 2008 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 15.694 | years | 2019 |
Graduates | 35 002 | units | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 553 678 | units | 2019 |
Students, secondary level | 556 259 | units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Social protection spending | 8.117 | % of total expenses | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 1.6 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
Physicians | 2.6 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Tuberculosis | 1$ | per 100 000 pop. | 2019 |
Tuberculosis (prevalence) | 2.7 | per 100 000 pop. | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Archaeological sites | 108 | units | 2019 |
Museums | 34$ | units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 1.278 | % of GDP | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 100 | % | 2019 |
Access to electricity | 100 | % | 2019 |