A remarkable aspect of the population is the preponderance of foreign nationals. The ratio of nationals to migrant workers is an extremely sensitive political issue and no official figures are available for population breakdown. The population growth is very high, projected at 5.8 percent per annum.
Health care is free for all citizens.
In early 1995 there were 600 patients for every doctor and 225 for every nurse. The mainstay of the economy is oil and gas. Nevertheless, the significance of this decline should not be overstated. Much of the non-oil economy depends on the public sector and public sector contracts, and the amount o public spending is directly related to oil revenue. While Abu Dhabi is the oil producer, Dubai is the center for regional trade.