This statistic depicts the population size of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates from 2005 to 2015 and a forecast up to 2030. By 2030, the city of Sharjah will be inhabited by almost *** million people according to projections.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Sharjah, UAE metro area from 1950 to 2025.

For 2025, the forecast population density in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was around *** people per square kilometers, up from *** people per square kilometers in 2024. The population density in the UAE was around *** people per square kilometer in 2023.

The statistic shows the total population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 2020 to 2030. In 2023, approximately 10.68 million inhabitants lived in the UAE. Population of the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have undergone extreme demographic changes over the past decade. With the increasing developments, tourism and global recognition of cities in the UAE like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it is to no surprise that the total population has grown by about 6 million people over the past decade. However, the majority of the total population of the UAE are expatriates. Any expatriate having lived in the UAE for a minimum of 20 years can apply for a citizenship, consequently, the growing total population is mainly due to the growing number of expatriates who become citizens and the high number of immigrants which gives the UAE the world’s highest net migration rate. This becomes evident when looking at the fertility rate, the average rate of children born per fertile woman in a year in the UAE, which has been steadily declining over the last decade. Life expectancy, however, has been increasing steadily over the same time span. It is interesting to note that, despite this increase, total population of the UAE consists mainly of people between the ages of 15 to 64, another fact pointing towards expatriates and immigrants contributing to the increasing numbers.

Historical dataset showing UAE population density by year from 1961 to 2022.

Historical dataset showing UAE population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

The population density in the United Arab Emirates was 141.86 people in 2022. Between 1961 and 2022, the population density rose by 139.92 people, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

In 2025, the projected largest age group in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was that of 30 to 34 years, with around **** million individuals falling in this group. The second-largest age group in the country was between 35 and 39 years, forecasted at around *** million.  Regional context  The UAE is a federation of seven emirates with a land area of around **** thousand square kilometers, and is one of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Together with other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, they make up the largest youth population in the world. Among the GCC countries, the UAE had the third-largest share of population aged 15 to 24 years, at **** percent. The forecasted urban population growth rate in the UAE was relatively lower than in the other GCC countries in 2020.  Population development    In 2019, the annual urban population growth in the UAE reached **** percent. Within a time span of 20 years, the number of inhabitants in the country’s most populous city, Dubai, is forecasted to almost double.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Dubai, UAE metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in United Arab Emirates was reported at 1.767 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Arab Emirates - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Al-Ain, UAE metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Historical dataset showing UAE urban population by year from 1960 to 2023.

By 2025, the projected female population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to reach about *** million. In comparison, the female population in the country a decade earlier, in 2015, was approximately **** million.

In 2018, the majority of the expatriates residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hailed from India, with a population size of around *** million. The expatriate population made up the vast majority of the country’s total population, at around ** percent as of 2018.  UAE Economy  With a real gross domestic product growth rate of *** percent in 2018, the UAE is one of the biggest economies in the region. (1143018) Since its discovery of oil in the mid 90’s, the country has transformed and has become a regional hub. It has demonstrated significant growth in various economics sectors, driven by the country’s shift in focus from the hydrocarbons sector. (1143358) Along with low levels of unemployment, this has led to the influx of workers from diverse nationalities.  Migration figures The UAE is one of the top countries worldwide to attract global talent. (1039195) In 2018, around a quarter of million people migrated from the Philippines to work in the UAE. (880782) In comparison, the number of Indonesian workers amounted to less than *** thousand in 2019.

Historical dataset showing UAE rural population by year from 1960 to 2023.

For 2025, the forecast male population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was around *** million males, up from around **** million males in 2024. In 2023, the male population in the UAE was around *** million.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Ajman, UAE metro area from 1950 to 2025.

The UAE private K12 education market, valued at $6.67 billion in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.50% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key factors. A rising expatriate population, coupled with increasing disposable incomes among UAE residents, fuels demand for high-quality private education. Furthermore, the government's emphasis on education reform and its commitment to attracting global talent contribute significantly to market growth. Parents prioritize international curricula, such as American, British, and Indian, seeking globally recognized qualifications for their children. This preference drives the market segmentation, with American and British curricula likely holding the largest shares. The competitive landscape features established players like GEMS Education, Nord Anglia Education, and several international school chains, alongside smaller, specialized institutions. Competition is intense, driving innovation in teaching methodologies, technology integration, and extracurricular activities to attract students. Potential restraints might include fluctuating oil prices impacting disposable income and the potential for government regulations to influence tuition fees. However, the long-term outlook remains positive, given the UAE's economic diversification strategies and ongoing investments in its human capital. The market segmentation highlights significant opportunities for growth within specific curricula and school levels. The Kindergarten to Secondary segments demonstrate consistent demand, although the intermediary (middle school) segment might experience fluctuating growth based on population demographics. The presence of multiple international curricula allows for niche market targeting, suggesting potential for specialized schools catering to specific cultural or academic preferences. Geographic variations within the UAE's regions (North, West, South, East) may also lead to localized variations in market dynamics, with potential for higher growth in specific areas based on population density and socioeconomic factors. Future growth projections will likely be influenced by factors such as government policies on education spending, the influx of skilled workers, and the evolution of technological advancements within the education sector. Therefore, a strategic approach focusing on delivering high-quality education, catering to diverse needs, and adapting to technological advancements will be crucial for success in this dynamic market. Recent developments include: May 2023: Glendale International School opened its doors to students aged 3 to 11 in Dubai. Singapore-based Global Schools Foundation announced the launch. Sprawling over 20,000 square meters, the new premises can accommodate 3000 students., March 2023: Kings’ Education, Dubai, announced a partnership with Leap, the San Francisco headquartered end-to-end study abroad platform. This helps the company to better cater to their students.. Key drivers for this market are: Government Initiatives to Achieve High Education Standards is Driving Market Growth, Growing Preferences for Private Education is Driving the Market. Potential restraints include: Government Initiatives to Achieve High Education Standards is Driving Market Growth, Growing Preferences for Private Education is Driving the Market. Notable trends are: Increased Rate of Population Growth, including Expatriates.

By 2025, the rate of natural change per thousand population in the United Arab Emirates was forecast to reach ***, up from *** in 2024. The total population of the UAE was projected to reach around **** million inhabitants in 2025.

This statistic depicts the population size of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates from 2005 to 2015 and a forecast up to 2030. By 2030, the city of Abu Dhabi will be inhabited by almost *** million people according to projections.