United Arab Emirates Population

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced remarkable population growth over the past few decades, transforming from a sparsely populated desert region into a bustling, cosmopolitan nation. In the early 1970s, the population was less than one million, but rapid economic development fueled by oil discoveries and a booming construction sector attracted a large influx of expatriate workers. By 2023, the UAE’s population had surpassed 9.5 million, with expatriates making up nearly 90% of the total. This rapid growth has been driven primarily by immigration, as the local Emirati population remains a minority. The UAE’s population growth has led to significant urbanization, with cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi becoming global hubs for business, tourism, and innovation.

195019551960196519701975198019851990199520002005201020152020202220232024202520302035204020452050205520602065207020752080208520902095210004,000,0008,000,00012,000,00016,000,000
YearPopulationPopulation Density Per Square KM
195071,5200.9
195582,7151
1960103,0481.2
1965143,7981.7
1970249,3693
1975522,5716.3
19801,000,28512
19851,363,48216.3
19901,796,82921.5
19952,369,78128.3
20003,230,74238.6
20053,935,82047.1
20108,020,87795.9
20159,308,415111.3
20209,792,173117.1
20229,915,803118.6
20239,973,449119.3
202410,032,213120
202510,093,593120.7
203010,479,358125.4
203510,965,355131.2
204011,473,536137.2
204511,955,935143
205012,429,115148.7
205512,869,683153.9
206013,253,704158.5
206513,590,128162.6
207013,887,688166.1
207514,153,546169.3
208014,394,606172.2
208514,615,096174.8
209014,814,839177.2
209514,991,664179.3
210015,143,404181.1

Data from US Census International Database