Unemployment Rate in the United Arab Emirates decreased to 2.13 percent in 2024 from 2.15 percent in 2023. This dataset provides - United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The youth unemployment rate in the United Arab Emirates amounted to 6.43 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 2.52 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for the United Arab Emirates (SLUEM1524ZSARE) from 1991 to 2024 about United Arab Emirates, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

Key information about United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate

• United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate dropped to 2.15% in Dec 2023, from the previously reported figure of 2.85% in Dec 2022.
• United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate is updated yearly, available from Dec 1995 to Dec 2023, with an average rate of 2.78%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 4.60% in Dec 2011 and a record low of 1.64% in Dec 2016.
• The data is reported by reported by Ministry of Economy.
• In the latest reports, United Arab Emirates Population reached 10.68 million people in Dec 2023.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in the United Arab Emirates was at 2.13 percent of the total labor force. The unemployment rate depicts the share of a country's labor force without jobs but available and actively seeking employment. The United Arab Emirates’ unemployment rate is quite low, and the region has one of lowest amounts of unemployed persons worldwide. Oil-based economyOne of the most important economic centers of Western Asia, the United Arab Emirates’ gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to around 424.64 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. The United Arab Emirates’ economy is particularly reliant on oil exports, and it holds the seventh-largest proved oil reserves. Most reserves are located in Abu Dhabi in a combination of offshore and onshore locations. UAE populationDue to the profitable nature of the petroleum industry and a relatively small population, the country has one of the highest GDP per capita rates in the world, at over 40,700 U.S. dollars in 2018. The country’s population is mostly comprised of expatriate workers, the majority of whom who have cultural backgrounds from South Asia, Egypt, and the Philippines. Most of the country’s population fall between the ages of 15 and 64 years.

United Arab Emirates AE: Unemployment Rate: YoY data was reported at -25.131 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of -7.472 % for 2022. United Arab Emirates AE: Unemployment Rate: YoY data is updated yearly, averaging -7.472 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2023, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 84.213 % in 2020 and a record low of -27.690 % in 2021. United Arab Emirates AE: Unemployment Rate: YoY data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Arab Emirates – Table AE.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

The United Arab Emirates: Unemployment rate: The latest value from 2024 is 2.13 percent, a decline from 2.15 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.80 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for the United Arab Emirates from 1991 to 2024 is 2.4 percent. The minimum value, 1.63 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 4.29 percent was recorded in 2020.

View yearly updates and historical trends for United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

Historical dataset showing UAE unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Historical dataset showing UAE youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in United Arab Emirates was reported at 1.433 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Arab Emirates - Unemployment, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Annual Ending June: Abu Dhabi data was reported at 5.000 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.400 % for 2016. United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Annual Ending June: Abu Dhabi data is updated yearly, averaging 3.580 % from Jun 1985 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.700 % in 2009 and a record low of 0.970 % in 1985. United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Annual Ending June: Abu Dhabi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Economy. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Arab Emirates – Table AE.G012: Unemployment Rate. Values of 2005, 2001, 1995 and 1985 are census data. Starting from 2009, source started calculating the Unemployment Rate using a certain range of population (15-64 years) while previously total population estimates were used.

United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Male data was reported at 1.411 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.071 % for 2016. United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 2.400 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.200 % in 2011 and a record low of 1.071 % in 2016. United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Economy. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Arab Emirates – Table AE.G012: Unemployment Rate.

The number of employed workers in all economic sectors in the United Arab Emirates was about *** million in 2019. The rate of unemployment of the country decreased from *** percent in 2017 to *** percent in 2018.

The United Arab Emirates: Unemployment rate for females: The latest value from 2024 is 4.43 percent, an increase from 4.3 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 8.08 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for the United Arab Emirates from 1991 to 2024 is 4.67 percent. The minimum value, 2.24 percent, was reached in 1991 while the maximum of 7.42 percent was recorded in 2022.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in United Arab Emirates was reported at 2.133 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Arab Emirates - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Female data was reported at 6.760 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.020 % for 2016. United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 5.630 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.700 % in 2011 and a record low of 2.400 % in 1995. United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Economy. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Arab Emirates – Table AE.G012: Unemployment Rate.

View yearly updates and historical trends for United Arab Emirates Youth Unemployment Rate. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in United Arab Emirates was reported at 4.43 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Arab Emirates - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

As of 2019, the female unemployment rate in the Abu Dhabi Emirate amongst upper secondary school educated was about **** percent. Female unemployment on average was higher than male unemployment in the Emirate.