Per capita income is among the highest in the world, and infant mortality rates among the lowest. Still, the huge wealth has not come without problems. While foreigners dominate the private sector, natives hold most of the jobs in government agencies, the police and the military. However, the country's public payroll can't keep pace with the growing number of young natives who need work. That has not been easy.
Many private companies shun the natives because they're considered lazy.
In contrast to their male counterparts, UAE women have been aggressive in seizing the opportunities that have opened to them. So many have taken advantage of free educations that women now account for the majority of university enrollments. That, too, has caused problems in this traditionally macho society. Rather than marry women who are better-educated, thousands of men have taken foreigners as their wives. Others choose foreign brides simply because they can't afford the enormous cost of a traditional UAE wedding.