The United Arab Emirates has undergone remarkable transformations. A nation that made several achievements over the past few decades. Starting from its humble beginnings as a small desert region. Now, become a thriving hub of economic prosperity. Coupled with technological advancements, and cultural diversity. The country’s population has surged dramatically. All thanks to its booming economy. The political stability has also played its role. This enhances significant opportunities for expatriates. It’s another prestigious moment for UAE that expats move there for a better life.

The blog will take a closer look at the:

• Emirati population in the UAE
• The demographic shifts in 2024, and
• What these numbers reveal about the future of the country.

Therefore, begin discovering how many Emiratis are in the UAE!

UAE Population Statistics 2024

As of December 2024, the UAE population stands at approximately 12.50 million, reflecting a significant increase from 10.24 million earlier in the year. This population growth is largely driven by the influx of expatriates and an increase in local residents in certain regions, particularly in Abu Dhabi. Let’s break down the key statistics for a clearer understanding of this demographic shift.

Population Indicator	2024 Figures
Total Population	12.50 million
Expat Population	11.06 million
Emirati Population	1.44 million
Male Population	8.63 million
Female Population	3.87 million
Median Age	33.6 years
Population Density	134.5 people/sq.km
Urban Population	11.00 million
Rural Population	1.25 million

The Growth of the Expatriate Population

Over the years, the UAE has attracted a large number of expatriates. The credit goes to the region’s economy and job market. For instance, expats make up around 88.5% of the UAE’s total population in the year 2024. This equals to 11.06 million people. This growth has been driven by the country’s progressive business environment. Combined with open labor laws, and economic diversification strategies.

Indians form the largest group among the expatriate population. As per stats, 4.75 million Indian nationals reside in the UAE. This makes up a significant portion of the workforce in sectors like:

• Construction
• Trade
• Healthcare, and
• Hospitality.

Thinking how many Emiratis are in the UAE? Keep ready, we are going to cover this topic in the next blog part

Emirati Population in 2024: Population of Emiratis in UAE

Emirati nationals numbers represent a much smaller proportion of the population. The UAE citizens stand at 1.44 million, or 11.5% of the total population. Note that, this number is relatively low compared to the number of expatriates. However, the UAE government has been actively working to increase the number of Emirati nationals. Their efforts are mainly in private-sector employment. To promote Emirati’s number, one of their initiatives includes Dubai Social Agenda 33. It aims to integrate more famous Emiratis into the workforce by 2033.

Emirati Population by Gender

The Emirati population also shows an interesting gender split, with males outnumbering females in the UAE.

 

Gender	Emirati Population	Percentage
Male	850,000	59%
Female	590,000	41%

This gender disparity can be attributed to several factors, including higher male migration for employment purposes and societal norms.

Age Distribution in the UAE

The UAE population is predominantly youthful. The largest demographic group falls within the 25-54 years age bracket. This represents about 68.62% of the population. It’s a key indicator of a thriving workforce. Similarly, a sign of the nation’s economic dynamism.

Age Group	Population	Percentage
0-14 years	1.89 million	15.12%
15-24 years	1.14 million	9.14%
25-54 years	8.58 million	68.62%
55-64 years	0.65 million	5.21%
65+ years	0.24 million	1.92%

If you want to know how many Emiratis are in Dubai then read the full blog. This topic will be covered later in the blog!

Population by Emirate

Across the emirates, the population distribution is not uniform. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two largest regions. They have listed the most populous as well. Dubai has emerged as a global financial and cultural hub. It attracts professionals globally. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi is the UAE capital. The city also grows. Because the government invests heavily in infrastructure and development projects.

Emirate	Population (2024)
Dubai	3,811,549
Abu Dhabi	3,789,860
Sharjah	1,808,000
Ajman	504,846
Ras Al Khaimah	345,000
Fujairah	256,256
Umm Al Quwain	49,159

Demographics of UAE in 2024: A Gender Perspective

Within the UAE’s population, the gender distribution is skewed in favor of males. For instance, males represent 69.01% of the population. It is about a total of 8.63 million. In contrast, females account for 30.99%, or 3.87 million.

This disproportion can be explained by the higher number of male expats. Particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as:

• Construction
• Transportation.

Gender Distribution by Age Group

Age Group	Male Population	Female Population
0-14 years	0.98 million	0.91 million
15-24 years	0.68 million	0.46 million
25-54 years	6.37 million	2.21 million
55-64 years	0.47 million	0.18 million
65+ years	0.13 million	0.11 million

Expatriates vs Emiratis: The Demographic Divide

In the UAE, the difference between the expatriates and Emiratis number is staggering. Expatriates account for 88.5% of the total population. However, Emiratis make up just 11.5%. This demographic reality has influenced everything from:

• Labor market policies to
• Social services and
• Government initiatives.

It is mentioned earlier that the UAE is working to increase Emirati number in the workforce. Particularly in the private sector. One of those initiatives is Emiratization programs.

Population Breakdown	Total Population	Percentage
Emirati Nationals	1.44 million	11.50%
Expatriates	11.06 million	88.50%

The Future of the Emirati Population

The UAE government has launched several programs. These are in response to the demographic imbalance between Emiratis and expatriates. It guarantees that Emiratis benefit more from the country’s economic success. These include:

Incentives for Emiratis to Join the Private Sector:

Government policies encourage Emiratis to take up jobs in the private sector. While diversifying employment beyond public-sector roles.

Education and Training:

The UAE has invested heavily in education. An assurance that young Emiratis are well-equipped with the skills needed. Specifically, those expertise to compete in the global economy.

Social Programs:

Dubai Social Agenda 33 aims to increase the number of Emirati families in the workforce. Working to improve quality of life and social benefits as well

The Emirati population’s future is bright looking into the efforts the government is making. This increase the Emirati’s number of Emiratis in the key sectors in upcoming years. Therefore, just providing figures to help you answer how many Emiratis are there in the UAE.

Conclusion

In 2024, the UAE’s demographic landscape reveals an interesting picture of growth. Accompanied with diversity, and strategic efforts. These efforts are made by the government. The purpose is to ensure a balanced population. Besides the fact that expatriates dominate the population. Still, the UAE remains committed to increasing the number of Emiratis in the UAE. Equipping them with education, workforce development, and social integration programs.

The future looks bright for Emiratis and expatriates alike. The UAE continues to grow and attract international talent. This way, the nation positions itself as a global leader in trade. Their innovation, and cultural exchange also boost as a result.

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Hope this article gives you detailed insights into how many Emiratis are in the UAE. Don’t forget to provide your feedback!