United Arab Emirates: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to United Arab Emirates — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
9,630,959
#92 of 197 countries
Area
83,600 km²
#118 of 248 countries
Density
115.2 / km²
#99 of 245 countries

United Arab Emirates has a population of 9,630,959 spread across 83,600 km², giving it an average density of 115.2 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
35.8
Life Expectancy
79.9 yrs
Literacy Rate
98.8%
Government
federation of monarchies
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. United Arab Emirates is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 64% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$49,851
Cost of Living
64% of US
Inflation
1.6%
Inequality
26.4
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$68,600
Unemployment
2.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors.

Tourism Revenue
$24,615,400,390
Outbound Tourists
6,458,000
Air Passengers
91,062,293
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — United Arab Emirates has 2.99 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.99/1k
Hospital Beds
1.87/1k
Health Spend
$2402/person
Infant Mortality
4.0/1k
Immunization
98%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
99.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In United Arab Emirates, 100% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 199 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
100.0%
Mobile Subs
199/100
Broadband
37.1/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data