United Arab Emirates

TheUnited Arab Emirates(UAE), or simply theEmirates,is a country inWest Asia, in theMiddle East, at the eastern end of theArabian Peninsula. It is afederalelective monarchymade up ofseven emirates, withAbu Dhabiserving as its capital.It shares land borders withOmanto the east and northeast, and withSaudi Arabiato the southwest; as well as maritime borders in thePersian GulfwithQatarandIran, and with Oman in theGulf of Oman. As of 2024, the UAE has an estimated population of over 10 million, of which 11% areEmiratis;Dubaiisits most populous cityand is an international hub.Islamis theofficial religionandArabicis the official language, while English is the most spoken language and the language of business.
The United Arab Emirates'oiland natural gas reserves are the world'sseventhandseventh-largest, respectively.Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the country's first president, oversaw the development of the Emirates by investing oil revenues into healthcare, education, and infrastructure.The country has the most diversified economy among the members of theGulf Cooperation Council(GCC).In the 21st century, the UAE has become less reliant on oil and gas and is economically focusing on tourism and business. The UAE is considered amiddle power. It is also a member of theUnited Nations,Arab League,Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,OPEC,Non-Aligned Movement,World Trade Organization, andBRICS.  The UAE is also a dialogue partner of theShanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Human rights organisations consider the UAE substandard on human rights, ranking only 6.06 in thehuman freedom index, citing reports of government critics being imprisoned and tortured, families harassed by the state security apparatus, and cases offorced disappearances.Individual rights such as the freedoms ofassembly,association,expression, and thefreedom of the pressare severely repressed.
Stone tools recovered reveal a settlement of people from Africa some 127,000 years ago and a stone tool used for butchering animals discovered on the Arabian coast suggests an even older habitation from 130,000 years ago.In time, lively trading links developed with civilisations inMesopotamia, Iran, and theHarappan cultureof the Indus Valley. This contact persisted and became wider, probably motivated by the trade in copper from theHajar Mountains, which commenced around 3,000 BCE.Sumerian sources talk of theMagancivilisation, which has been identified as encompassing the modern UAE and Oman.
There are six periods of human settlement with distinctive behaviours in the region before Islam, which include theHafit periodfrom 3,200 to 2,600 BCE, theUmm Al Nar culturefrom 2,600 to 2,000 BCE, and theWadi Suq culturefrom 2,000 to 1,300 BCE. From 1,200 BCE to the advent of Islam in Eastern Arabia, through three distinctiveIron Agesand theMleihaperiod, the area was variously occupied by theAchaemenidsand other forces, and saw the construction of fortified settlements and extensive husbandry thanks to the development of thefalajirrigation system.
The spread ofIslamto the northeastern tip of theArabian Peninsulais thought to have followed directly from a letter sent by theIslamic prophetMuhammadto the rulers ofOmanin 630 CE. This led to a group of rulers travelling toMedina, converting to Islam, and subsequently driving a successful uprising against the unpopularSassanids, who dominated the coast at the time.Following the death of Muhammad, the new Islamic communities south of thePersian Gulfthreatened to disintegrate, with insurrections against theMuslim leaders. CaliphAbu Bakrsent an army from the capitalMedinawhich completed its reconquest of the territory (the Ridda Wars) with theBattle of Dibbain which 10,000 lives are thought to have been lost.This assured the integrity of theCaliphateand the unification of the Arabian Peninsula under the newly emergingRashidun Caliphate.
In 637, Julfar (in the area of today'sRas Al Khaimah) was an important port that was used as a staging post for the Islamic invasion of theSasanian Empire.The area of theAl Ain/Buraimi Oasiswas known as Tu'am and was an important trading post for camel routes between the coast and the Arabian interior.
The earliestChristiansite in the UAE was first discovered in the 1990s, an extensive monastic complex on what is now known asSir Bani YasIsland and which dates back to the seventh century. Thought to beNestorianand built in 600 CE, the church appears to have been abandoned peacefully in 750 CE.It forms a rare physical link to a legacy of Christianity, which is thought to have spread across the peninsula from 50 to 350 CE following trade routes. Certainly, by the fifth century, Oman had a bishop named John – the last bishop of Oman being Etienne, in 676 CE.
The harsh desert environment led to the emergence of the "versatile tribesman", nomadic groups who subsisted due to a variety of economic activities, including animal husbandry, agriculture, and hunting. The seasonal movements of these groups led not only to frequent clashes between groups but also to the establishment of seasonal and semi-seasonal settlements and centres. These formed tribal groupings whose names are still carried by modern Emiratis, including theBani YasandAl Bu FalahofAbu Dhabi, Al Ain,Liwa, and the west coast; theDhawahir, Awamir,Al Ali, andManasirof the interior; theSharqiyinof the east coast; and theQawasimto the north.
With the expansion of Europeancolonial empires, Portuguese, English, andDutchforces appeared in the Persian Gulf region. By the 18th century, the Bani Yas confederation was the dominant force in most of the area now known as Abu Dhabi,while the NorthernAl Qawasim(Al Qasimi) dominated maritime commerce. The Portuguese maintained an influence over the coastal settlements, buildingfortsin the wake of the bloody 16th-century conquests of coastal communities byAlbuquerqueand the Portuguese commanders who followed him – particularly on the east coast atMuscat,Sohar, andKhor Fakkan.
The southern coast of the Persian Gulf was known to the British as the "Pirate Coast",as boats of the Al Qawasim federation harassed British-flagged shipping from the 17th century into the 19th.The charge of piracy is disputed by modern Emirati historians, including the current ruler of Sharjah,Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, in his 1986 bookThe Myth of Arab Piracy in the Gulf.
British expeditions to protect their Indian trade routes led to campaigns against Ras Al Khaimah and other harbours along the coast, including thePersian Gulf campaign of 1809and the more successfulcampaign of 1819. The following year, Britain and a number of local rulers signed amaritime truce, giving rise to the termTrucial States, which came to define the status of the coastal emirates. A further treaty was signed in 1843 and in 1853, thePerpetual Maritime Trucewas agreed. To this was added the 'Exclusive Agreements', signed in 1892, which made theTrucial Statesa British protectorate.
Under the 1892 treaty, the trucial sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the British and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the British without their consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack. British maritime policing meant that pearling fleets could operate in relative security. However, the British prohibition of theslave trademeant an important source of income was lost to some sheikhs and merchants.
In 1869, the Qubaisat tribe settled atKhor Al Adaidand tried to enlist the support of the Ottomans. Khor Al Adaid was claimed by Abu Dhabi at that time, a claim supported by the British. In 1906, the British Political Resident,Percy Cox, confirmed in writing to the ruler of Abu Dhabi,Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan('Zayed the Great'), that Khor Al Adaid belonged to his sheikhdom.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, thepearling industrythrived, providing both income and employment to the people of the Persian Gulf.TheFirst World Warhad a severe impact on the industry, but it was theeconomic depressionof the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the invention of thecultured pearl, that wiped out the trade. The remnants of the trade eventually faded away shortly after theSecond World War, when the newly independentGovernment of Indiaimposed heavy taxation on imported pearls. The decline of pearling resulted in extreme economic hardship in the Trucial States.
In 1922, the British government secured undertakings from the rulers of the Trucial States not to sign concessions with foreign companies without their consent. Aware of the potential for the development of natural resources such as oil, following finds in Persia (from 1908) and Mesopotamia (from 1927), a British-led oil company, theIraq Petroleum Company(IPC), showed an interest in the region. TheAnglo-Persian Oil Company(APOC, later to becomeBritish Petroleum, or BP) had a 23.75% share in IPC. From 1935, onshore concessions to explore for oil were granted by local rulers, with APOC signing the first one on behalf of Petroleum Concessions Ltd (PCL), an associate company of IPC.APOC was prevented from developing the region alone because of the restrictions of theRed Line Agreement, which required it to operate through IPC. A number of options between PCL and the trucial rulers were signed, providing useful revenue for communities experiencing poverty following the collapse of the pearl trade. However, the wealth of oil which the rulers could see from the revenues accruing to surrounding countries remained elusive. The first bore holes in Abu Dhabi were drilled by IPC's operating company, Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Ltd (PDTC) at Ras Sadr in 1950, with a 13,000-foot-deep (4,000-metre) bore hole taking a year to drill and turning out dry, at the tremendous cost at the time of £1 million.
The British set up a development office that helped in some small developments in the emirates. The sevensheikhsof theemiratesthen decided to form a council to coordinate matters between them and took over the development office. In 1952, they formed the Trucial States Council,and appointedAdi Al Bitar, Dubai'sSheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum's legal advisor, as secretary general and legal advisor to the council. The council was terminated once the United Arab Emirates was formed.The tribal nature of society and the lack of definition of borders between emirates frequently led to disputes, settled either through mediation or, more rarely, force. TheTrucial Oman Scoutswas a small military force used by the British to keep the peace.
In 1953, a subsidiary ofBP, D'Arcy Exploration Ltd, obtained an offshore concession from the ruler of Abu Dhabi. BP joined withCompagnie Française des Pétroles(laterTotal) to form operating companies, Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Ltd (ADMA) and Dubai Marine Areas Ltd (DUMA). A number of undersea oil surveys were carried out, including one led by the famous marine explorerJacques Cousteau.In 1958, a floating platform rig was towed fromHamburg,Germany, and positioned over theUmm Shaifpearl bed, in Abu Dhabi waters, where drilling began. In March, it struck oil in the Upper Thamama rock formation. This was the first commercial discovery of the Trucial Coast, leading to the first exports of oil in 1962. ADMA made further offshore discoveries at Zakum and elsewhere, and other companies made commercial finds such as theFateh oilfieldoff Dubai and the Mubarak field off Sharjah (shared with Iran).
Meanwhile, onshore exploration was hindered by territorial disputes. In 1955, theUnited Kingdomrepresented Abu Dhabi and Oman in their dispute with Saudi Arabia over theBuraimi Oasis.A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia seemed to have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudiborder dispute, but this has not been ratified.The UAE's border with Oman was ratified in 2008.
PDTC continued its onshore exploration away from the disputed area, drilling five more bore holes that were also dry. However, on 27 October 1960, the company discovered oil in commercial quantities at the Murban No. 3 well on the coast near Tarif.In 1962, PDTC became theAbu Dhabi Petroleum Company. As oil revenues increased, the ruler of Abu Dhabi,Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, undertook a massive construction program, building schools, housing, hospitals, and roads. When Dubai's oil exports commenced in 1969, SheikhRashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, was able to invest the revenues from the limited reserves found to spark the diversification drive that would create the modernglobal cityof Dubai.
By 1966, it had become clear that the British government could no longer afford to administer and protect theTrucial States, what is now the United Arab Emirates. BritishMembers of Parliament(MPs) debated the preparedness of theRoyal Navyto defend thesheikhdoms. On 24 January 1968, British Prime MinisterHarold Wilsonannounced the government's decision, reaffirmed in March 1971 by Prime MinisterEdward Heath, to end the treaty relationships with the seven trucial sheikhdoms. Days after the announcement, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, SheikhZayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, fearing vulnerability, tried to persuade the British to honour the protection treaties by offering to pay the full costs of keeping theBritish Armed Forcesin the Emirates. The BritishLabourgovernment rejected the offer.After Labour MPGoronwy Robertsinformed Sheikh Zayed of the news of British withdrawal, the nine Persian Gulf sheikhdoms attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were still unable to agree on terms of union even though the British treaty relationship was to expire in December of that year.
Fears of vulnerability were realised the day before independence. An Iranian destroyer group broke formation from an exercise in the lower Gulf, sailing to theTunb islands. The islands were taken by force, civilians and Arab defenders alike allowed to flee. A British warship stood idle during the course of the invasion.A destroyer group approached the island ofAbu Musaas well. But there, SheikhKhalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimihad already negotiated with the Iranian shah, and the island was quickly leased to Iran for $3 million a year. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia laid claim to swathes of Abu Dhabi.
Originally intended to be part of the proposed Federation of Arab Emirates, Bahrain became independent in August, and Qatar in September 1971. When the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on 1 December 1971, both emirates became fully independent.On 2 December 1971, six of the emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain) agreed to enter into a union named the United Arab Emirates.Ras al-Khaimahjoined later, on 10 January 1972.In February 1972, theFederal National Council(FNC) was created; it was a 40-member consultative body appointed by the seven rulers. The UAE joined theArab Leagueon 6 December 1971 and theUnited Nationson 9 December.It was a founding member of theGulf Cooperation Councilin May 1981, with Abu Dhabi hosting the firstGCC summit.
The UAE supported military operations by the US and othercoalition statesengaged in the war against theTalibaninAfghanistan(2001) andSaddam HusseininBa'athist Iraq(2003) as well as operations supporting the GlobalWar on Terrorfor theHorn of AfricaatAl Dhafra Air Baselocated outside of Abu Dhabi. The air base also supported Allied operations during the 1991 PersianGulf WarandOperation Northern Watch. The country had already signed amilitarydefence agreement with the U.S. in 1994 and one with France in 1995.In January 2008, France and the UAE signed a deal allowing France to set up a permanent military base in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.The UAE joined international military operations in Libya in March 2011.
On 2 November 2004, the UAE's first president, SheikhZayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. SheikhKhalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyanwas elected as thepresident of the UAE. SheikhMohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyansucceeded Sheikh Khalifa as crown prince of Abu Dhabi.In January 2006, SheikhMaktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai, died, and SheikhMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumassumed both roles.
The first ever national elections were held on 16 December 2006. A number of voters chose half of the members of theFederal National Council. The UAE has largely escaped theArab Spring, which other countries have experienced; however, 60 Emirati activists fromAl Islahwere apprehended for an alleged coup attempt and the attempt of the establishment of anIslamiststate in the UAE.Mindful of the protests in nearby Bahrain, in November 2012 the UAE outlawed online mockery of its government or attempts to organise public protests through social media.
On 29 January 2020, theCOVID-19 pandemicwas confirmed to havereached the UAE.Two months later, in March, the government announced the closure of shopping malls, schools, and places of worship, in addition to imposing a 24-hour curfew, and suspending allEmiratespassenger flights.This resulted in a major economic downturn, which eventually led to the merger of more than 50% of the UAE'sfederal agencies.
On 29 August 2020, the UAE established normal diplomatic relations withIsraeland with the help of theUnited States, they signed theAbraham AccordswithBahrain.
On 9 February 2021, the UAE achieved a historic milestone when its probe, namedHope, successfully reachedMars's orbit. The UAE became the first country in theArab worldto reach Mars, the fifth country to successfully reach Mars, and the second country, after anIndian probe, to orbit Mars on its maiden attempt.
On 14 May 2022, SheikhMohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyanwas elected as the UAE's new president after the death ofSheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The United Arab Emirates is situated in theMiddle East, bordering theGulf of Omanand thePersian Gulf, betweenOmanandSaudi Arabia; it is in a strategic location slightly south of theStrait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for worldcrude oil.
The UAE lies between 22°30' and 26°10' north latitude and between 51° and 56°25′ east longitude. It shares a 530-kilometre (330 mi) border with Saudi Arabia on the west, south, and southeast, and a 450-kilometre (280 mi) border with Oman on the southeast and northeast. The land border with Qatar in theKhor Al Adaidarea is about nineteen kilometres (12 miles) in the northwest; however, it is a source ofongoing dispute.Following Britain's military departure from the UAE in 1971, and its establishment as a new state, the UAE laid claim to Iranian-occupied islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and the Lesser Tunbs, when Iran captured them during the British rule, resulting in disputes with Iran that remain unresolved.The UAE also disputes claim on other islands against the neighboring state of Qatar.The largest emirate,Abu Dhabi, accounts for 87% of the UAE's total area,67,340 square kilometres (26,000 sq mi).The smallest emirate,Ajman, encompasses only 259 km(100 sq mi).
The UAE coast stretches for nearly 650 km (404 mi) along the southern shore of thePersian Gulf, briefly interrupted by an isolated outcrop of the Sultanate of Oman. Six of the emirates are situated along the Persian Gulf, and the seventh, Fujairah, is on the eastern coast of the peninsula with direct access to the Gulf of Oman.Most of the coast consists ofsalt pansthat extend 8–10 km (5.0–6.2 mi) inland.The largestnatural harboris at Dubai, although other ports have been dredged at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and elsewhere.Numerous islands are found in the Persian Gulf, and the ownership of some of them has been the subject of international disputes with bothIranandQatar. The smaller islands, as well as manycoral reefsand shifting sandbars, are a menace to navigation. Strong tides and occasional windstorms further complicate ship movements near the shore. The UAE also has a stretch of theAl Bāţinahcoast of the Gulf of Oman. TheMusandam Peninsula, the very tip of Arabia by the Strait of Hormuz, andMadhaareexclavesof Oman separated by the UAE.
South and west of Abu Dhabi, vast, rollingsand dunesmerge into theRub al-Khali(Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia.The desert area of Abu Dhabi includes two important oases with adequate underground water for permanent settlements and cultivation. The extensiveLiwa Oasisis in the south near the undefined border with Saudi Arabia. About 100 km (62 mi) to the northeast of Liwa is theAl-Buraimioasis, which extends on both sides of the Abu Dhabi-Oman border.Lake Zakherin Al Ain is ahuman-made lakenear the border with Oman that was created from treated waste water.
Prior to withdrawing from the area in 1971, Britain delineated the internal borders among the seven emirates in order to preempt territorial disputes that might hamper formation of the federation. In general, the rulers of the emirates accepted the British interventions, but in the case of boundary disputes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and also between Dubai and Sharjah, conflicting claims were not resolved until after the UAE became independent. The most complicated borders were in theWestern Hajar Mountains, where five of the emirates contested jurisdiction over more than a dozen enclaves.
The UAE contains the following terrestrial ecoregions:Al Hajar montane woodlandsand shrublands,Gulf of Oman desert and semi-desert, and Al-Hajar foothillxeric woodlands and shrublands.
The oases growdate palms,acacia, andeucalyptustrees. In the desert, the flora is very sparse and consists ofgrassesand thorn bushes. The indigenous fauna had come close to extinction because of intensive hunting, which has led to a conservation program onSir Bani YasIsland initiated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the 1970s, resulting in the survival of, for example,Arabian Oryx,Arabian camel, andleopards.Coastal fishandmammalsconsist mainly ofmackerel,perch, andtuna, as well assharksand whales.
The climate of the UAE is subtropical-arid with hot summers and warm winters. The climate is categorized as desert climate. The hottest months are July and August, when average maximum temperatures reach above 45 °C (113 °F) on thecoastal plain. In the Hajar Mountains, temperatures are considerably lower, a result of increased elevation.Average minimum temperatures in January and February are between 10 and 14 °C (50 and 57 °F).During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind known as Sharqi (i.e. "Easterner") makes the coastal region especially unpleasant. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than 120 mm (4.7 in), but in some mountainous areas annual rainfall often reaches 350 mm (13.8 in). Rain in the coastal region falls in short, torrential bursts during the winter months, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily drywadibeds.The region is prone to occasional, violentdust storms, which can severely reduce visibility.
On 28 December 2004,  snow was recorded in the UAE for the first time, in theJebel Jaismountain cluster in Ras al-Khaimah.A few years later, there were more sightings of snow and hail.The Jebel Jais mountain cluster has experienced snow only twice since records began.
The United Arab Emirates is afederalconstitutional monarchymade up from a federation of sevenhereditarytribalmonarchy-styled political units calledSheikhdoms. It is governed by aFederal Supreme Councilmade up of the ruling Sheikhs ofAbu Dhabi,Ajman,Fujairah,Sharjah,Dubai,Ras Al Khaimah, andUmm Al Quwain. All responsibilities not granted to the federal government are reserved to the individual emirate.A percentageof revenues from each emirate is allocated to the UAE's central budget.
The UAE uses the titleSheikhinstead ofEmirto refer to the rulers of individual emirates. The title is used due to thesheikhdomstyled governing system in adherence to the culture oftribes of Arabia, where Sheikh means leader, elder, or the tribal chief of the clan who partakes in shared decision making with his followers. Thepresidentandvice presidentare elected by theFederal Supreme Council. Usually, the Head of theAl Nahyanfamily, who are based in Abu Dhabi, holds the presidency and the Head of theAl Maktoumfamily, based in Dubai, the prime ministership. All prime ministers but one have served concurrently as vice president.
The federal government is composed of three branches:
TheUAE e-Governmentis the extension of the UAE federal government in its electronic form.The UAE'sCouncil of Ministers(Arabic:مجلس الوزراء) is the chief executive branch of the government presided over by the prime minister. The prime minister, who is appointed by theFederal Supreme Council, appoints the ministers. The Council of Ministers is made up of 22 members and manages all internal and foreign affairs of the federation under its constitutional and federal law.In December 2019,the UAE became the only Arab country, and one of only five countries in the world, to attaingender parityin a national legislative body, with its lower house 50 per cent women.
The UAE is the only country in the world that has aMinistry of Tolerance,aMinistry of Happiness,and a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence.The UAE also has a virtual ministry called the Ministry of Possibilities, designed to find solutions to challenges and improve quality of life.The UAE also has aNational Youth Council, which is represented in the UAE cabinet by the Minister of Youth.
The UAE legislative body is theFederal National Councilwhich convenes nationwide elections every four years. The FNC consists of 40 members drawn from all the emirates. Each emirate is allocated specific seats to ensure full representation. Half are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates, and the other half are elected. By law, the council members have to be equally divided between males and females. The FNC is restricted to a largelyconsultativerole.
The United Arab Emirates is an authoritarianfederal monarchy.According to theNew York Times, the UAE is "an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state".The UAE has been described as a "tribal autocracy" where the seven constituent monarchies are led by tribal rulers in an autocratic fashion.There are no democratically elected institutions, and there is no formal commitment to free speech.According to human rights organisations, there are systematic human rights violations, including the torture and forced disappearance of government critics.The UAE ranks poorly infreedom indicesmeasuringcivil libertiesandpolitical rights. The UAE is annually ranked as "Not Free" inFreedom House's annualFreedom in the Worldreport, which measures civil liberties and political rights.The UAE also ranks poorly in the annualReporters without Borders'Press Freedom Index. TheBertelsmann Transformation Indexdescribes the UAE as a "moderate monarchy". The country was ranked 91 out of 137 states and is far below the average scoring for development towards a democracy.According to the 2023V-Dem Democracy indices, the United Arab Emirates is the third leastelectoral democratic country in the Middle East.
The United Arab Emirates comprises seven emirates. TheEmirate of Dubaiis the most populous emirate with 35.6% of the UAE population. TheEmirate of Abu Dhabihas 31.2%, meaning that over two-thirds of the UAE population lives in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Abu Dhabi has an area of 67,340 square kilometres (26,000 square miles), which is 86.7% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. It has a coastline extending for more than 400 km (250 mi) and is divided for administrative purposes into three major regions. The Emirate of Dubai extends along the Persian Gulf coast of the UAE for approximately 72 km (45 mi). Dubai has an area of 3,885 square kilometres (1,500 square miles), which is equivalent to 5% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. The Emirate of Sharjah extends along approximately 16 km (10 mi) of the UAE's Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 km (50 mi) into the interior. The northern emirates which include Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, andUmm al-Qaiwainall have a total area of 3,881 square kilometres (1,498 square miles). There are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah.
There is an Omaniexclavesurrounded by UAE territory, known asWadi Madha. It is located halfway between theMusandampeninsula and the rest of Oman in the Emirate ofSharjah. It covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29 square miles) and the boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely 10 metres (33 feet) away. Within the Omani exclave of Madha, is a UAE exclave calledNahwa, also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about eight kilometres (5.0 miles) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange.
The United Arab Emirates has broad diplomatic and commercial relations with most countries and members of theUnited Nations. It plays a significant role inOPEC, and is one of the founding members of theGulf Cooperation Council(GCC). The UAE is a member of theUnited Nationsand several of its specialized agencies (ICAO,ILO,UPU,WHO,WIPO), as well as theWorld Bank,IMF,Arab League,Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC), and theNon-Aligned Movement. Also, it is an observer in theOrganisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Most countries have diplomatic missions in the capitalAbu Dhabiwith most consulates being in UAE's largest city,Dubai.
Emirati foreign relations are motivated to a large extent by identity and relationship to theArab world.The United Arab Emirates has strong ties with Bahrain,China,Egypt,France,India,Jordan,Pakistan,Russia,Saudi Arabia,and the United States.
Following the British withdrawal from the UAE in 1971 and the establishment of the UAE as a state, the UAE disputed rights to three islands in the Persian Gulf against Iran, namelyAbu Musa,Greater Tunb, andLesser Tunb. The UAE tried to bring the matter to theInternational Court of Justice, but Iran dismissed the notion.Pakistan was the first country to formally recognise the UAE upon its formation.The UAE alongside multipleMiddle EasternandAfricancountries cut diplomatic ties withQatarin June 2017 due to allegations ofQatar being a state sponsor of terrorism, resulting in theQatar diplomatic crisis. Ties were restored in January 2021.The UAE recognized Israel in August 2020, reaching a historicIsrael–United Arab Emirates peace agreementand leading towards full normalization of relations between the two countries.
UAE is the 53rd most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024Global Peace Index.
Gulf Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, are showing interest in engaging with Syria's new leadership to promote political transition and address regional concerns. By engaging with Syria's new leadership, Gulf states hope to counterbalance Turkish influence in the region. Additionally, the UAE leadership see the change in Syria as an opportunity to undermine Iranian influence in the Levant. The hope is to help push Iran out of Syria and cut its pathways between Iraq and Lebanon.
The armed forces of the United Arab Emirates consist of 44,000 active personnel in theArmy, 2,500 personnel and 46 ships in theNavy, 4,500 personnel and 386 aircraft in theAir Force, and 12,000 personnel in thePresidential Guard. In 2022 the country spent US$20.4 billion on defense, which is 4% of its GDP. The UAE is considered to have the most capable military among the Gulf states.
Although initially small in number, the UAE armed forces have grown significantly over the years and are presently equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of western military advanced countries, mainly France, the US, and the UK. Most officers are graduates of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Military AcademyatSandhurst, with others having attended theUnited States Military AcademyatWest Point, theRoyal Military College, Duntroonin Australia, andSt Cyr, the military academy of France. France and the United States have played the most strategically significant roles with defence cooperation agreements and military material provision.
Some of the UAE military deployments include an infantry battalion to the United NationsUNOSOM IIforce inSomaliain 1993, the 35th Mechanised Infantry Battalion toKosovo, a regiment to Kuwait during theIraq War,deminingoperations inLebanon,Operation Enduring FreedominAfghanistan,American-led intervention in Libya,American-led intervention in Syria, and theSaudi-led intervention in Yemen. The active and effective military role, despite its small active personnel, has led the UAE military to be nicknamed as "Little Sparta" byUnited States Armed ForcesGenerals and former US defense secretaryJames Mattis.
The UAE intervened in theLibyan Civil Warin support of GeneralKhalifa Haftar'sLibyan National Armyin its conflict with the internationally recognisedGovernment of National Accord(GNA).
Examples of the military assets deployed include the enforcement of theno-fly-zone over Libyaby sending sixUAEAFF-16and sixMirage 2000multi-role fighter aircraft,ground troop deployment in Afghanistan,30 UAEAF F-16s and ground troops deployment in Southern Yemen,and helping the US launch its first airstrikes againstISILtargets in Syria.
The UAE has begun production of a greater amount of military equipment, in a bid to reduce foreign dependence and help with national industrialisation. Example of national military development include the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding company (ADSB), which produces a range of ships and is a prime contractor in theBaynunah Programme, a programme to design, develop, and produce corvettes customised for operation in the shallow waters of thePersian Gulf. The UAE is also producing weapons and ammunition throughCaracal International, military transport vehicles throughNimr LLC, and unmanned aerial vehicles collectively throughEmirates Defence Industries Company. The UAE operates theGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting FalconF-16E Block 60 unique variant unofficially called "Desert Falcon", developed byGeneral Dynamicsin collaboration with the UAE and specifically for theUnited Arab Emirates Air Force.TheUnited Arab Emirates Armyoperates a customizedLeclerc tankand is the only other operator of the tank aside from the French Army.The largest defence exhibition and conference in the Middle East,International Defence Exhibition, takes place biennially in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE introduced amandatory military servicefor adult males, since 2014, for 16 months to expand its reserve force.The highest loss of life in the history of UAE military occurred on Friday 4 September 2015, in which 52 soldiers were killed inMaribarea of central Yemen by aTochkamissile which targeted a weapons cache and caused a large explosion.
The United Arab Emirates has a federal court system, and the emirates ofAbu Dhabi,Dubai, andRas Al Khaimahalso have local court systems. The UAE's judicial system is derived from thecivil law systemandSharialaw. The court system consists of civil courts and Sharia courts. Sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction in Muslim family law matters, while civil courts deal with all other legal matters.Since September 2020, corporal punishment is no longer a legal form of punishment under UAE federal law. Under the decree, legal forms of punishment are retribution and blood money payments, capital punishment, life imprisonment, temporary imprisonment, indefinite detention, and fines.Article 1 of the Federal Penal Code was amended in 2020 to state that Islamic Law applies only to retribution and blood money punishments; previously the article stated that "provisions of theIslamic Lawshall apply to the crimes of doctrinal punishment, punitive punishment and blood money."Before 2020,flogging,stoning,amputation, andcrucifixionwere technically legal punishments for criminal offences such asadultery,premarital sex, and drug or alcohol use.In recent history, the UAE has declared its intention to move towards a more tolerant legal code, and to phase out corporal punishment altogether in favor of private punishment.With alcohol and cohabitation laws being loosened in advance of the2020 World Expo, Emirati laws have become increasingly acceptable to visitors from non-Muslim countries.
Sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Muslim family law matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance.Muslim women must receive permission from a male guardian to marry and remarry. This requirement is derived fromSharialaw and has been federal law since 2005.It is illegal for Muslim women to marry non-Muslims and is punishable by law.Non-Muslim expatriates were liable to Sharia rulings on marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance, however, federal law was changed to introduce non-Sharia personal status law for non-Muslims.Recently, the emirate of Abu Dhabi opened a civil law family court for non-Muslims and Dubai has announced that non-Muslims can opt for civil marriages.
Apostasyis a technicallycapital crimein the UAE, however, there are no documented cases of apostates being executed.Blasphemyis illegal; expatriates involved in insulting Islam are liable for deportation.
Sodomyis illegal and is punishable by a minimum of 6-month imprisonment or a fine or both, but the law does not apply "except on the basis of a complaint from the husband or legal guardian", but the penalty may be suspended if the complaint is waived.In 2013, an Emirati man was on trial for being accused of a "gay handshake".
Due to local customs, public shows of affection in certain public places are illegal and could result indeportation, but holding hands is tolerated.Expats in Dubai have been deported for kissing in public.In several cases, the courts of the UAE have jailed women who have reported rape.Federal law in the UAE prohibits swearing on social media.Dancing in public is illegal in the UAE.In November 2020, UAE announced that it decriminalised alcohol, lifted the ban on unmarried couples living together, and ended lenient punishment onhonor killing. Foreigners living in the Emirates were allowed to follow their native country's laws on divorce and inheritance.
Despite the Sharia laws that restrict gambling tools and machines in the UAE, the country granted its first commercial gaming operator's licence toWynn Resortsthat was developing a luxury resort, including a 224,000 sq ft (20,800 m) casino component, atAl Marjan IslandinRas Al Khaimah. In September 2023, the UAE established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), hinting towards its plans to legalizegambling. The GCGRA has outlined a comprehensive framework that includes licenses for casinos,slot machines, andpokertables, as well aslotteries,internet gaming, and sports wagering. The GCGRA emphasizes responsible gaming, requiring operators to implement socially responsible gaming programs and undergo audits every two years. These programs include player education, responsible marketing, employee training, and evaluation plans to measure their effectiveness. Gaming operators must have a "qualifying domestic entity" in the UAE, defined as any UAE company with substantial business operations in the jurisdiction. The GCGRA also mandates player management tools, including deposit limits and cooling-off periods for online gaming.
The first lottery license has been granted to The Game LLC, operating under the banner of the 'UAE Lottery'. This move supersedes existing lottery operators like Mahzooz and Big Ticket, which are no longer legally permitted to offer their services. Players are required to engage only with licensed gaming operators to avoid severe penalties. The regulations also specify that operators must enable players to restrict themselves from online gaming platforms for a period of at least 72 hours upon request. This is part of the broader initiative to ensure a secure and responsible commercial gaming environment in the UAE.
The UAE's move to legalize gaming is seen as a strategic step to enhance its tourism and entertainment sector, leveraging its existing infrastructure and business-friendly environment. This development is expected to attract major gaming operators and contribute significantly to the country's economy.
The country does not have any formal gaming laws, and therefore the project details about the casino were not completely made public. Local citizens are not permitted for gambling, which remains a legal and cultural taboo.
In December 2024, the UAE Public Prosecution has annonced that individuals who manipulate internet protocols, such as using fakeIP addresses, to commit or concealcybercrimesface severe penalties, including temporary imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh500,000 to Dh2 million. This measure aims to deter cyberfraudand enhancecybersecuritywithin the country.
The state security apparatus in the UAE has been accused of human rights abuses including forced disappearance, arbitrary arrests and torture.The annualFreedom Housereport onFreedom in the Worldhas listed the United Arab Emirates as "Not Free" every year since 1999, the first year for which records are available on their website.Freedom of association is also severely curtailed. Associations and NGOs are required to register with the government; however twenty non-political groups were reportedly operating in the country without registration. All associations have to be submitted to censorship guidelines and all publications have first to be approved by the government.In its 2013 Annual Report,Amnesty Internationalcriticized the UAE's poor record on human rights issues; highlighting restrictions of freedom of speech and assembly, the use ofarbitrary arrestand torture, and the use of the death penalty.
The UAE has escaped theArab Spring; and since 2011, human rights organizations claim that the government has increasingly carried outforced disappearances.TheArab Organization for Human Rightsobtained testimonies from defendants who claimed being kidnapped, tortured and abused in detention centres; they reported 16 methods of torture including beatings, threats withelectrocutionand denial of medical care.Repressive measures, including deportation, were applied on foreigners based on allegations of attempts to destabilize the country.The issue ofsexual abuseamong femaledomestic workersis another area of concern, particularly given that domestic servants are not covered by the UAE labour law of 1980 or the draft labour law of 2007.Worker protests have been suppressed and protesters imprisoned without due process.
Amnesty International reported that Qatari men have been abducted by the UAE government and allegedly withheld information about the men's fate from their families.According to some organizations, over 4,000 Shia expatriates have been deported from the UAE;including Lebanese Shia families for their alleged sympathies forHezbollah.In 2013, 94 Emirati activists were held in secret detention centres and put on trial for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government;a relative of a defendant was arrested for tweeting about the trial, and sentenced to 10 months in jail.The latest forced disappearance involvesthree sisters from Abu Dhabi.
Sara Jacobsheld foreign actors, including the UAE, responsible for thehumanitarian crisis in Sudan. She expressed her views in March 2024 visit to the refugee camps, stating the children in Sudan are living with extensive trauma. The US representative also claimed that the war could be quickly ended if the involvement of countries like the UAE is stopped. Jacobs also said that the US is morally obligated to take measures and stop the arms to the Emirates, until the UAE stops providing weapons to the RSF.
On 29 March 2024, Sudan filed a 78-page formal complaint with theUnited Nations Security Council(UNSC), accusing the UAE of planning and backing theRapid Support Forces(RSF) militias' against the Sudanese army. The Emirates was allegedly taking assistance fromChad, which acted as a channel for military supplies and mercenaries to reach RSF in Sudan.Human rights organizations pointed out that Sudan's conflict was among the "world's worst humanitarian crisis", while foreign nations like the UAE continued to supply weapons and equipment to the warring parties.Reports also revealed that the Emirates claimed of carrying out a humanitarian campaign to provide aid for Sudanese people. In fact, it was expanding a covert operation of funneling weapons, money and even powerful drones for the militias in Sudan. Officials said the UAE was playing the most consequential role by inflaming the crisis, while pledging to ease it.In October 2024, Sudan wrote a second official letter to the UNSC, calling for it to take strong action against the UAE's continued aggression towards Sudan. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry also claimed that the UAE is not just an indirect supported of RSF, but rather a "vicious frontline player in the war of aggression" against Sudan.
In December 2024, ECDHR highlighted UAE's human rights issues and absence of judicial independence, mainly focusing on unfair trials leading defendants to face barbaric detention conditions. Such trials are often held in secrecy and the defendants' lawyers are neglected from accessing case files and court documents. The UAE's 2014 Counter-Terrorism Law is used to enforce travel bans, life imprisonment and even death penalty for peaceful critics of the regime and those managing an organization. ECDHR stated that the UAE's counterterrorism law represses freedom of expression and called for the Emirati government to amend it. Pointing that the country's judicial system requires more transparency and independence, the rights organization said that an independent committee must be set up to review all allegations of torture, incommunicado detention, and unfair trials.
In January 2025,Human Rights Watch(HRW) published a report highlighting the human rights abuses committed by the UAE in 2024, majorly focusing on the unfair mass trial. It pointed out to the case involving multiple significant violations, where 44 individuals who were part of “UAE94” were unjustly convicted and sentenced on terrorism-related charges. In July 2024, Emirati authorities sentenced 57 Bangladeshi to life imprisonment, over protests in the UAE against their home government. HRW criticized the UAE's use of Federal Penal Code and the Cybercrime Law to silence government critics, journalists, dissidents and activists, while restricting their freedom of expression. In July 2024, Emirati authorities sentenced 57 Bangladeshi to life imprisonment, over protests in the UAE against their home government. The report accused the UAE of whitewashing its image by hosting major global events like COP28, which faced criticism for its ongoing contribution to fossil fuel production and human rights violations. It also raised concerns about the UAE's role in arming and supporting RSF in the conflict in Sudan, meanwhile violating the UN arms embargo. HRW urged the UNSC to renew and enforce the Sudan 1591 sanctions, and to impose sanctions on violators, including those in the UAE.
Migrant workers in the UAE are not allowed to join trade unions or go on strike. Those who strike may risk prison and deportation,as seen in 2014 when dozens of workers were deported for striking.TheInternational Trade Union Confederationhas called on theUnited Nationsto investigate evidence that thousands of migrant workers in the UAE are treated as slave labour.
In 2019, an investigation performed byThe Guardianrevealed that thousands of migrant construction workers employed on infrastructure and building projects for the UAE'sExpo 2020exhibition were working in an unsafe environment. Some were even exposed to potentially fatal situations due to cardiovascular issues. Long hours in the sun made them vulnerable to heat strokes.
A report in January 2020 highlighted that the employers in the United Arab Emirates have been exploiting the Indian labor and hiring them ontourist visas, which is easier and cheaper thanwork permits. Thesemigrant workersare left open tolabor abuse, where they also fear reporting exploitation due to their illegal status. Besides, the issue remains unknown as the visit visa data is not maintained in both the UAE and Indianmigrationand employment records.
In a 22 July 2020 news piece,Reutersreportedhuman rightsgroups as saying conditions had deteriorated because of theCOVID-19 pandemic. Many migrant workers racked up debt and depended on the help of charities. The report cited salary delays and layoffs as a major risk, in addition to overcrowded living conditions, lack of support and problems linked with healthcare and sick pay. Reuters reported at least 200,000 workers, mostly from India but also from Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Nepal, had been repatriated, according to their diplomatic missions.
On 2 May 2020, the Consul General of India inDubai, Vipul, confirmed that more than 150,000 Indians in the United Arab Emirates registered to be repatriated through the e-registration option provided by Indian consulates in the UAE. According to the figures, 25% of applicants lost their jobs and nearly 15% were stranded in the country due to lockdown. Besides, 50% of the total applicants were from the state ofKerala, India.
On 9 October 2020,The Telegraphreported that many migrant workers were left abandoned, as they lost their jobs amidst the tightening economy due toCOVID-19.
Various human rights organisations have raised serious concerns about the alleged abuse of migrant workers by major contractors organising Expo 2020. UAE's business solution provider German Pavilion is also held accountable for abusing migrant workers.
The country is a leadingoil and gas producer. Itsenergy consumption per capitais around 370Gigajoule. The UAE'scarbon dioxide emissions per capitaare high, ranking sixth among countries globally.Recently, it made efforts to make itself more sustainable. Those include:
According to official sources, in Dubai, "the share of mass transport in people's mobility increased from 6 per cent in 2006 to 20.61 per cent in 2022."Together with the USA the country invested 17 billion dollars insustainable agriculture.
The United Arab Emirates has developed from a juxtaposition of Bedouin tribes to one of the world's wealthiest states in only about 50 years, boasting one of the highestGDP (PPP) per capitafigures in the world. Economic growth has been impressive and steady throughout the history of this young confederation of emirates with brief periods of recessions only, e.g. in the global financial and economic crisis years 2008–09, and a couple of more mixed years starting in 2015 and persisting until 2019. Between 2000 and 2018, average real gross domestic product (GDP) growth was at close to 4%.It is the second largest economy in theGCC(afterSaudi Arabia),with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of US$414.2 billion, and a real GDP of 392.8 billion constant 2010 USD in 2018.Since its independence in 1971, the UAE's economy has grown by nearly 231 times to 1.45 trillion AED in 2013. The non-oil trade has grown to 1.2 trillion AED, a growth by around 28 times from 1981 to 2012.Supported by the world's seventh-largest oil reserves and aided by prudent investments coupled with a resolute commitment to economic liberalism and strong governmental oversight, the UAE has witnessed its real GDP increase by more than three times over the past four decades. Presently, the UAE is among the wealthiest countries globally, with GDP per capita nearly 80% higher than the OECD average.
As impressive as economic growth has been in the UAE, the total population has increased from just around 550,000 in 1975 to close to 10 million in 2018. This growth is mainly due to the influx of foreign workers into the country, making the national population a minority. The UAE features a unique labour market system, in which residence in the UAE is conditional on stringent visa rules. This system is a major advantage in terms of macroeconomic stability, as labour supply adjusts quickly to demand throughout economic business cycles. This allows the government to keep unemployment in the country on a very low level of less than 3%, and it also gives the government more leeway in terms of macroeconomic policies – where other governments often need to make trade-offs between fighting unemployment and fighting inflation.
Between 2014 and 2018, the accommodation and food, education, information and communication, arts and recreation, and real estate sectors overperformed in terms of growth, whereas the construction, logistics, professional services, public, and oil and gas sectors underperformed.
As for competitiveness, in June 2024 it was reported that the UAE has moved up three place to the 7th place among the top 10 countries in the IMD World Competitiveness. This ranking is issued by the World Competitiveness Centre of the Institute for Management Development (IMD) inSwitzerland.
The UAE is ranked as the 26th best country in the world for doing business by theDoing Business 2017 Reportpublished by theWorld Bank Group.The UAE are in the top ranks of several other global indices, such as theWorld Economic Forum's (WEF),Global Competitiveness Index(GCI), theWorld Happiness Report(WHR), and 32nd in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2024.TheEconomist Intelligence Unit(EIU) assigns the UAE rank two regionally in terms of business environment and 22 worldwide. From the 2018 Arab Youth Survey, the UAE emerges as the top Arab country in areas such as living, safety and security, economic opportunities, and starting a business, and as an example for other states to emulate.
The weaker points remain the level of education across the UAE population, limitations in the financial and labour markets, barriers to trade and some regulations that hinder business dynamism. The major challenge for the country, though, remains translating investments and strong enabling conditions into innovation and creative outputs.
UAE law does not allow trade unions to exist.The right tocollective bargainingand theright to strikeare not recognised, and the Ministry of Labour has the power to force workers to go back to work. Migrant workers who participate in a strike can have their work permits cancelled and be deported.Consequently, there are very few anti-discrimination laws in relation to labour issues, with Emiratis – and otherGCCArabs – getting preference in public sector jobs despite lesser credentials than competitors and lower motivation. In fact, just over eighty per cent of Emirati workers hold government posts, with many of the rest taking part in state-owned enterprises such asEmirates airlinesandDubai Properties.Westernstates, including the United Kingdom, were also warned by the Emirati Trade Minister,Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, to keep politics separate from trade and the economy, as it dilutes the agreements' main objectives. In 2023, Al Zeyoudi indicated that these countries should "tone down" the human and workers' rights provisions in the trade deals, in order to gain greater market access and business opportunities.
The UAE's monetary policy stresses stability and predictability. TheCentral Bank of the UAE(CBUAE) keeps a peg to the US Dollar (USD) and moves interest rates close to theFederal Funds Rate.
According toFitch Ratings, the decline in property sector follows risks of progressively worsening the quality of assets in possession with UAE banks, leading the economy to rougher times ahead. Even though as compared to retail and property, UAE banks fared well. The higher US interest rates followed since 2016 – which the UAE currency complies to – have boosted profitability. However, the likelihood of plunging interest rates and increasing provisioning costs on bad loans, point to difficult times ahead for theeconomy.
Since 2015, economic growth has been more mixed due to a number of factors impacting both demand and supply. In 2017 and 2018, growth has been positive but on a low level of 0.8 and 1.4%, respectively. To support the economy, the government is currently following an expansionary fiscal policy. However, the effects of this policy are partially offset by monetary policy, which has been contractionary. If not for the fiscal stimulus in 2018, the UAE economy would probably have contracted in that year. One of the factors responsible for slower growth has been a credit crunch, which is due to, among other factors, higher interest rates. Government debt has remained on a low level, despite high deficits in a few recent years. Risks related to government debt remain low. Inflation has been picking up in 2017 and 2018. Contributing factors were the introduction of avalue added tax(VAT) of 5%in 2018 as well as higher commodity prices. Despite the government's expansionary fiscal policy and a growing economy in 2018 and at the beginning of 2019, prices have been dropping in late 2018 and 2019 owing to oversupply in some sectors of importance to consumer prices.
The UAE has an attractive tax system for companies and wealthy individuals, making it a preferred destination for companies seekingtax avoidance. The NGOTax Justice Networkplaces them in 2021 in the group of the ten largesttax havens.In 2023, the UAE's legal system fell under international scrutiny, as themembers of the British Parliamentopened an inquiry into how the foreign business executives are treated in the country, in case of accusations of breaking the law.
2024 will be the third consecutive year that the UAE holds first place as the world's leading wealth magnet, as 6,700 wealthy migrants are set to move to the country.
The UAE government implementedvalue-added tax(VAT) in the country from January 1, 2018, at a standard rate of 5%.While the government may still adjust the exact arrangement of the VAT, it is not likely that any new taxes will be introduced in the foreseeable future. Additional taxes would destroy one of the UAE's main enticements for businesses to operate in the country and put a heavy burden on the economy.
Oil and gas production is an important part of the economy of the UAE. In 2018, the oil and gas sector contributed 26% to overall GDP. The UAE leadership initiated economic diversification efforts even before the oil price crash in the 1980s, resulting in the UAE having the most diversified economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at present. Although the oil and gas sector continues to be significant to the UAE economy, these efforts have yielded great resilience during periods of oil price fluctuations and economic turbulence. The introduction of the VAT has provided the government with an additional source of income – approximately 6% of the total revenue in 2018, or 27 billionUnited Arab Emirates dirham(AED) – affording its fiscal policy more independence from oil- and gas-related revenue, which constitutes about 36% of the total government revenue.
TheBarakah nuclear power plantis the first on the Arabian peninsula and expected to reduce the carbon footprint of the country.
The UAE has solar generation potential, and its energy policy has shifted due to the declining price of solar. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy aims to provide 7 per cent of Dubai's energy from clean energy sources by 2020. It will increase this target to 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.
In 2023, ADNOC and its CEO Sultan Al Jaber closed at least 20 business deals worth nearly $100 billion. The state oil firm was alleged of exploiting the UAE's COP28 presidency to pursue oil and gas deals. As per leaked documents, Al Jaber's team targeted 16 nations to lobby firms, delegates or ministers on such deals. ADNOC sought deals with companies from 12 countries, which included 11 of the 16 target nations. Al Jaber and senior ADNOC officials openly discussed deals. COP28 organising teams were excluded from meetings and replaced by ADNOC officials, leaving a closed group that made deals.
Tourism acts as a growth sector for the entire UAE economy.Dubaiis the top tourism destination in the Middle East.According to the annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Dubai is the fifth most popular tourism destination in the world.Dubai holds up to 66% share of the UAE's tourism economy, withAbu Dhabihaving 16% andSharjah10%. Dubai welcomed 10 million tourists in 2013.
The UAE has the most advanced and developed infrastructure in the region.Since the 1980s, the UAE has been spending billions of dollars on infrastructure. These developments are particularly evident in the larger emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The northern emirates are rapidly following suit, providing major incentives for developers of residential and commercial property.
The inbound tourism expenditure in the UAE for 2019 accounted for 118.6 per cent share of the outbound tourism expenditure.Since 6 January 2020, tourist visas to the United Arab Emirates are valid for five years.It has been projected that the travel and tourism industry will contribute about 280.6 billion United Arab Emirati dirham to the UAE's GDP by 2028.
The country's major tourist attraction includes the famousBurj KhalifainDubai, the tallest tower in the world;The World archipelagoandPalm Jumeirahalso in Dubai;Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueandYas Marina CircuitinAbu Dhabi;Al Hajar MountainsinFujairah. The uniqueness of the country's natural desert life, especially with theBedouins, also facilitates the country's tourist industry.
Dubai International Airportbecame thebusiest airport in the world by international passenger trafficin 2014, overtakingLondon Heathrow.Abu Dhabi International Airportis the second-largest airport in the UAE. Due to the announced expansion ofAl Maktoum Airporton 28 April 2024, Dubai International Airport will be shut down once Al Maktoum Airport expansion will be completed.
Abu Dhabi,Dubai,Sharjah,Ajman,Umm Al Quwain, andRas Al Khaimahare connected by theE11 highway, which is the longest road in the UAE. In Dubai, in addition to theDubai Metro, TheDubai TramandPalm Jumeirah Monorailalso connect specific parts of the city. There is also a bus, taxi, abra (traditional boat), and water taxi network run by RTA.T1, a double-decker tram system inDowntown Dubai, were operational from 2015 to 2019.
Salik, meaning "open" or "clear", is Dubai's electronic toll collection system that was launched in July 2007 and is part of Dubai's traffic congestion management system. Each time one passes through a Salik tolling point, a toll is deducted from the drivers' prepaid toll account using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. There are four Salik tolling points placed in strategic locations in Dubai: atAl Maktoum Bridge,Al Garhoud Bridge, and alongSheikh Zayed RoadatAl SafaandAl Barsha.
A 1,200 km (750 mi)country-wide railwayis under construction which will connect all the major cities and ports.TheDubai Metrois the first urban train network in theArabian Peninsula.
The major ports of the United Arab Emirates areKhalifa Port,Zayed Port, PortJebel Ali,Port Rashid,Port Khalid,Port Saeed, and Port Khor Fakkan.The Emirates are increasingly developing their logistics and ports in order to participate in trade between Europe and China or Africa. For this purpose, ports are being rapidly expanded and investments are being made in their technology.
The Emirates have historically been and currently still are part of the MaritimeSilk Roadthat runs from the Chinese coast to the south via the southern tip of India toMombasa, from there through the Red Sea via theSuez Canalto the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region and the northern Italian hub ofTriestewith its rail connections toCentral Europe, Eastern Europe, and theNorth Sea.
The United Arab Emirates is served by twotelecommunicationsoperators,EtisalatandEmirates Integrated Telecommunications Company("du"). Etisalat operated amonopolyuntil du launched mobile services in February 2007.Internet subscribers were expected to increase from 0.904 million in 2007 to 2.66 million in 2012.The regulator, theTelecommunications Regulatory Authority, mandates filtering websites for religious, political, and sexual content.
5Gwireless services were installed nationwide in 2019 through a partnership withHuawei.
According to an estimate by theWorld Bank, the UAE's population in 2020 was 9,890,400. Immigrants accounted for 88.52% while Emiratis made up the remaining 11.48%.This unique imbalance is due to the country's exceptionally highnet migration rateof 21.71, theworld's highest.UAE citizenship is very difficult to obtain other than byfiliationand only granted under very special circumstances.
The UAE is ethnically diverse. The five most populous nationalities in the emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman are Indian (25%), Pakistani (12%), Emirati (9%), Bangladeshi (7%), and Filipino (5%).Immigrants from Europe, Australia, and North America  make up around 100,000 of the population.The rest of the population are from otherArab states.
About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban.The averagelife expectancywas 76.7 in 2012, higher than for any other Arab country.With a male/femalesex ratioof 2.2 males for each female in the total population and 2.75 to 1 for the 15–65age group, the UAE'sgender imbalanceis second highest in the world after Qatar.
Modern Standard Arabicis the national language of the United Arab Emirates. English is the most commonly spoken language,whereasEmirati Arabic, a variety ofGulf Arabic, is spoken natively by Emirati people.
Islamis the largest and the officialstate religionof the United Arab Emirates. The government follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions and rarely interferes in the religious activities of non-Muslims.
There are moreSunnithanShiaMuslims in the United Arab Emirates,and 85% of the Emirati population are Sunni Muslims. The vast majority of the remainder 15% are Shia Muslims, who are concentrated in theEmirates of DubaiandSharjah. Although no official statistics are available for the breakdown between Sunni and Shia Muslims among noncitizen residents, media estimates suggest less than 20% of the noncitizen Muslim population are Shia.The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the country and a major tourist attraction.Ibadiis common among Omanis in the UAE, whileSufiinfluences exist as well.
Christiansaccount for 9% of the total population of the United Arab Emirates, according to the 2005 census; estimates in 2010 suggested a figure of 12.6%.Roman CatholicsandProtestantsform significant proportions of the Christian minority. The country has over 52 churches in 2023.Many Christians in the United Arab Emirates are of Asian, African, and European origin, along with fellow Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt.The United Arab Emirates forms part of theApostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabiaand the Vicar Apostolic BishopPaul Hinderis based inAbu Dhabi.
There is a smallJewishcommunity in the United Arab Emirates. Before 2023, there was only one knownsynagogueinDubai, which has been open since 2008 and the synagogue also welcomes visitors.Another synagogue,Moses Ben Maimon Synagoguewas completed in 2023 as part of theAbrahamic Family Housecomplex inAbu Dhabi. As of 2019, according to RabbiMarc Schneierof theFoundation for Ethnic Understanding, it is estimated that there are about 150 families to 3,000 Jews who live and worship freely in the UAE.
South Asians in the United Arab Emirates constitute the largest ethnic group in the country.Over 2 million Indian migrants (mostly from the southern states ofKerala,Andhra Pradesh,Coastal Karnataka, andTamil Nadu) are estimated to be living in the UAE.There are currently three Hindu temples in the country. Other religions also exist in the United Arab Emirates, includingJainism,Sikhism,Buddhism,Judaism,Baháʼís, andDruze.
The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation,Abdullah bin Zayed, announced in 2019 the design and construction plan of theAbrahamic Family House, which will serve as an interfaith complex that houses asynagogue,mosque, and achurchonSaadiyat IslandinAbu Dhabi.
Theeducationsystem through secondary level is administered by theMinistry of Educationin all emirates except Abu Dhabi, where it falls under the authority of theDepartment of Education and Knowledge. Public schools are divided intoprimary schools,middle schools, andhigh schools. The public schools are government-funded and the curriculum is created to match the United Arab Emirates' development goals. The medium of instruction in the public school is Arabic with emphasis on English as a second language. There are also many private schools which are internationally accredited.Public schoolsin the country are free for citizens of the UAE, while the fees for private schools vary.
The higher education system is monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education. The ministry also is responsible for admitting students to itsundergraduateinstitutions.The adult literacy rate in 2015 was 93.8%.
The UAE has shown a strong interest in improving education and research. Enterprises include the establishment of theCERTResearch Centres and theMasdar Institute of Science and Technologyand Institute for Enterprise Development.According to the QS Rankings, the top-ranking universities in the country are theUnited Arab Emirates University(421–430th worldwide),Khalifa University(441–450th worldwide), theAmerican University of Sharjah(431–440th), andUniversity of Sharjah(551–600th worldwide).United Arab Emirates was ranked 33rd in theGlobal Innovation Indexin 2021, up from 36th in 2019.
The life expectancy at birth in the UAE is at 76.96 years.Cardiovascular diseaseis the principal cause of death in the UAE, constituting 28% of total deaths; other major causes areaccidentsandinjuries,malignancies, andcongenital anomalies.According toWorld Health Organization data from 2016, 34.5% of adults in the UAE are clinicallyobese, with abody mass index(BMI) score of 30 or more.
In February 2008, the Ministry of Health unveiled a five-year health strategy for the public health sector in the northern emirates, which fall under its purview and which, unlike Abu Dhabi and Dubai, do not have separate healthcare authorities. The strategy focuses on unifying healthcare policy and improving access to healthcare services at reasonable cost, at the same time reducing dependence on overseas treatment. The ministry plans to add three hospitals to the current 14, and 29 primary healthcare centres to the current 86. Nine were scheduled to open in 2008.
The introduction of mandatoryhealth insurancein Abu Dhabi forexpatriatesand their dependents was a major driver in reform of healthcare policy. Abu Dhabi nationals were brought under the scheme from 1 June 2008 and Dubai followed for its government employees. Eventually, under federal law, every Emirati and expatriate in the country will be covered by compulsory health insurance under a unified mandatory scheme.The country has benefited from medical tourists from all over theCooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. The UAE attractsmedical touristsseekingcosmetic surgeryand advanced procedures, cardiac and spinal surgery, and dental treatment, as health services have higher standards than other Arab countries in the Persian Gulf.
Emirati culture is based onArabian cultureand has been influenced by the cultures ofPersia,India, andEast Africa.Arabian andArabian inspired architectureis part of the expression of the local Emirati identity.Arabian influence on Emirati culture is noticeably visible in traditional Emirati architecture andfolk arts.For example, the distinctive wind tower that tops traditional Emirati buildings, thebarjeel, has become an identifying mark of Emirati architecture and is attributed to Arabian influence.This influence is derived both from traders who fled the tax regime in Persia in the early 19th century and from Emirati ownership of ports on the Arabian coast, for instance the Al Qassimi port of Lingeh.
The United Arab Emirates has a diverse society.Dubai's economy depends more on international trade and tourism, and is more open to visitors, while Abu Dhabi society is more domestic as the city's economy is focused on fossil fuel extraction.
Major holidays in the United Arab Emirates includeEid al Fitr, which marks the end ofRamadan, andNational Day(2 December), which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates.Emirati males prefer to wear akandura, an ankle-length white tunic woven from wool or cotton, and Emirati women wear anabaya, a black over-garment that covers most parts of the body.
The earliest known poet in the UAE isIbn Majid, born between 1432 and 1437 in Ras Al-Khaimah. The most famous Emirati writers were Mubarak Al Oqaili (1880–1954), Salem bin Ali al Owais (1887–1959), and Ahmed bin Sulayem (1905–1976). Three other poets from Sharjah, known as the Hirah group, are observed to have been heavily influenced by the Apollo andRomantic poets.TheSharjah International Book Fairis the oldest and largest in the country.
Thelist of museums in the United Arab Emiratesincludes some of regional repute, most famouslySharjahwith its Heritage District containing 17 museums,which in 1998 was the Cultural Capital of the Arab World.In Dubai, the area ofAl Quozhas attracted a number of art galleries as well as museums such as theSalsali Private Museum.Abu Dhabi has established a culture district onSaadiyat Island. Six grand projects are planned, including theGuggenheim Abu Dhabiand theLouvre Abu Dhabi.Dubai also plans to build aKunsthalmuseum and a district for galleries and artists.
Emirati culture is a part of theculture of Eastern Arabia.Liwais a type of music and dance performed locally, mainly in communities that contain descendants ofBantu peoplesfrom theAfrican Great Lakesregion.TheDubai Desert Rock Festivalis also another major festival consisting of heavy metal and rock artists.Thecinema of the United Arab Emiratesis minimal but expanding.
The UAE'smediais annually classified as "not free" in theFreedom of the Pressreport byFreedom House.The UAE ranks poorly in the annualPress Freedom IndexbyReporters without Borders.Dubai Media Cityis the UAE's main media zone. The UAE is home to some pan-Arab broadcasters, including theMiddle East Broadcasting CentreandOrbit Showtime Network. In 2007, SheikhMohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumdecreed that journalists can no longer be prosecuted or imprisoned for reasons relating to their work.At the same time, the UAE has made it illegal to disseminate online material that can threaten "public order",and hands down prison terms for those who "deride or damage" the reputation of the state and "display contempt" for religion. Journalists who are arrested for violating this law are often brutally beaten by the police.
According to UAE Year Book 2013, there are seven Arabic newspapers and eight English language newspapers, as well as a Tagalog newspaper produced and published in the UAE.
New media, such asFacebook,Twitter,YouTube, andInstagramare used widely in the UAE by the government entities and by the public as well.The UAE government avails official social media accounts to communicate with public and hear their needs.
In recent years, there has been a notable surge in digital media consumption in the UAE, driven by the widespread use of platforms like Snapchat and TikTok among the younger population.Influencers on these platforms play a significant role in shaping trends and promoting various products and services.The government has also implemented digital initiatives to enhance e-Government services and promote smart city concepts, further demonstrating the UAE's commitment to technological advancements.
The traditional food of the Emirates has always been rice, fish, and meat. The people of the United Arab Emirates have adopted most of their foods from other West and South Asian countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, and India. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries. Meat and rice are other staple foods, withlamb and muttonpreferred to goat and beef. Popular beverages are coffee and tea, which can be complemented withcardamomorsaffronto give them a distinctive flavour.
Popular cultural Emirati dishes includethreed,machboos,khubisa,khameer, andchababbread among others whilelugaimatis a famous Emirati dessert.
With the influence of western culture, fast food has become very popular among young people, to the extent that campaigns have been held to highlight the dangers of fast food excesses.Alcohol is allowed to be served only in hotel restaurants and bars. All nightclubs are permitted to sell alcohol. Specific supermarkets may sell alcohol, but these products are sold in separate sections. Likewise, pork, which isharam(not permitted for Muslims), is sold in separate sections in all major supermarkets. Although alcohol may be consumed, it is illegal to be intoxicated in public or drive a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in the blood.
Formula Oneis particularly popular in the United Arab Emirates, and a Grand Prix is annually held at theYas Marina CircuitinYas Islandin Abu Dhabi. The race takes place in the evening, and was the first ever Grand Prix to start in daylight and finish at night.Other popular sports includecamel racing,falconry,endurance riding, andtennis.The emirate ofDubaiis also home to two majorgolfcourses: the Dubai Golf Club andEmirates Golf Club.
In the past, child camel jockeys were used, leading to widespread criticism. Eventually, the UAE passed laws banning the use of children for the sport, leading to the prompt removal of almost all child jockeys.Recently robot jockeys have been introduced to overcome the problem of child camel jockeys which was an issue of human rights violations.Ansar Burneyis often praised for the work he has done in this area.
Footballis a popular sport in the UAE.Al Nasr,Al Ain,Al Wasl,Sharjah,Al Wahda, andShabab Al Ahliare the most popular teams and enjoy the reputation of long-time regional champions.TheUnited Arab Emirates Football Associationwas established in 1971 and since then has dedicated its time and effort to promoting the game, organisingyouth programmes, and improving the abilities of not only its players, but also the officials and coaches involved with its regional teams. TheUAEqualified for theFIFA World Cupin1990, along withEgypt. It was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying, afterKuwaitandAlgeriain1982, andIraqand Algeria again in1986. The UAE has won theGulf Cup Championshiptwice: the first cup won in January 2007 held inAbu Dhabiand the second in January 2013, held inBahrain.The country hosted the2019 AFC Asian Cup. The UAE team went all the way to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by the eventual champions,Qatar.
Cricketis one of the most popular sports in the UAE, largely because of the expatriate population from theSAARCcountries, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The headquarters of theInternational Cricket Council(ICC) have been located in theDubai Sports Citycomplex since 2005, including theICC Academywhich was established in 2009.There are a number of international cricket venues in the UAE, which are frequently used for international tournaments and "neutral" bilateral series due to the local climate and Dubai's status as a transport hub. Notable international tournaments hosted by the UAE have included the2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, the2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, and three editions of theAsia Cup(1984, 1995, and 2018). Notable grounds include theSharjah Cricket Association StadiuminSharjah,Sheikh Zayed Cricket StadiuminAbu Dhabi, andDubai International Cricket Stadiumin Dubai.
TheEmirates Cricket Board(ECB) became a member of the ICC in 1990. TheUAE national cricket teamhas qualified for theCricket World Cupon two occasions (1996and2015)and theICC Men's T20 World Cupon two occasions (2014and2022). Thenational women's teamis similarly one of the strongest associate teams in Asia, notably participating in the2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier.
Following the2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team, the UAE served as thede factohome of thePakistan national cricket teamfor nearly a decade, as well as hosting thePakistan Super League.The UAE has also hosted one full edition ofIndian Premier League(IPL) in 2020 and two partial editions of theIndian Premier League(IPL) in 2014 and 2021.
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