The United Arab Emirates is an amazing country that many dream of going to. Today, the UAE is known as a successful, prosperous state with a high standard of living. Just some 60 years ago, before oil was discovered here, this country was very poor.
Population size
In the UAE, the population, which currently stands at more than 8 million people (2011 data), mainly consists of immigrants. In the 80s of the twentieth century, a huge number of immigrants arrived from less developed countries in Asia in search of a better life.
The ethnic composition is quite diverse:
- Hindus and natives of South Asia account for more than 35%.
- The indigenous population of the UAE (Arabs of the Kawashim and Baniyaz tribes) does not exceed 12%.
- 5% of Iranians live in the emirates, a little more than 3% of Filipinos.
- European ethnic groups make up 2.4%.
A large Russian diaspora, consisting of several thousand people, lives in the emirate of Ajam.
In the UAE, the population of 8.264 million is divided into two groups:
- Indigenous ethnic group - 947 thousand
- Foreigners - 7.316 million
The average life expectancy in the UAE is 72 years for men and 78 years for women.
The education level of the population is approximately 77%.
Gender imbalance
In 2013, statistics on the demographic situation were published in Dubai. During the year, population growth was 5%. However, there is a large imbalance in gender. So, in Dubai, the male population is 2 million 200 thousand people, which in percentage terms is 75-77%. Such a significant gap is associated with an influx of labor migrants, most of whom are men. Many of them come to the Emirates without a family, which is the cause of sexual imbalance in this region.
Among foreigners living in the UAE, the male population is about 5.682 million, and the female population is much smaller, only 1.633 million.
Indigenous people
The exact number of indigenous people in the UAE, according to statistics, is 947,997 people. Most of them (42%) live in the richest emirate of Abu Dhabi. The local population is 204,000 males and 200,000 women.
In Dubai, the total number of the indigenous ethnic group fluctuates within 33%. The male population is 84,000, women - 83,000.
One of the most unpopulated emirates is Umm Al Quwain. Although it is here that the only place in the UAE is where the female population prevails over the male. There are a little more than 17,000 indigenous people, of which:
- 8800 - women;
- 8600 are men.
Language and Religion
In the UAE, the population primarily speaks Arabic, which is the state language in this country. Since the United Arab Emirates is visited by a huge number of tourists from all over the world, English is often used here for communication. The most common languages include Farsi, Hindi, Urdu.
Arabs adhere to national traditions, therefore it is not surprising that for many centuries Islam has been the main religion of the UAE. The population of the country is mainly Muslims, who belong to various religious movements. The largest group are Sunnis (85%), and the smallest are Ibadites (2%). Shiites account for about 13%.
The influx of temporary immigrants arriving in the emirates to work, left its mark in the religious sphere. In the UAE, there are several Christian churches and schools that belong to the Protestant and Catholic movements. Most of them are located in the two largest cities - Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
In private possessions, Buddhists conduct their religious rites. Dubai has a Sikh Gurdwara and a Hindu temple.
Economic sphere
Economic growth in the UAE can be called moderate and stable. Not so long ago, a significant share of GDP was oil, but thanks to the process of diversification of the economy, its infusion decreased by 25%. The country's leadership aims to develop alternative industries.
Although oil is still the pillar of the emirate’s economy, performance in aluminum and furniture has grown in recent years. The importance of the metal industry increased. Agriculture is not too developed in the UAE. Of the 100% of GDP, this sector accounts for no more than 0.6%. The service sector, which includes tourism, international trade and the banking industry, brings 40.5% of the country's total income. The lion's share of GDP, or 58.9%, is accounted for by industry.
Over the past 60 years, the economy of the United Arab Emirates has developed rapidly. Special achievements have been achieved in the industrial sector.
Today, this country is one of the three world leaders in the extraction of "black gold".
According to statistics from 2013, per capita GDP in the UAE is $ 43,048.
The standard of living in this country is very high. The government supports investment projects aimed at improving the field of medicine and education.