Country Profile: United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates located on the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. With a population of over 10 million, the UAE boasts a high-income economy largely driven by oil, but it has been focusing on diversifying through tourism and services. The governance structure is a federation of monarchies, with the President serving as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government.

Geography

The UAE is situated in the Middle East, bordered by Oman and Saudi Arabia, and features a terrain of flat coastal plains and rolling sand dunes. The strategic location positions it near the vital Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global oil shipments.

Total Area: 83,600 sq km
Elevated Terrain: Jabal Bil 'Ays at 1,905 m
Coastline: 1,318 km
Natural Resources: Notable reserves of petroleum and natural gas.
Climate: Characterized by a desert climate.

People and Society

The UAE has a diverse population of approximately 10 million, with a significant proportion of expatriates. Emiratis account for about 11.6% of the population, while South Asians make up nearly 59.4%. The country has a high urbanization rate, with 87.8% of residents living in urban areas as of 2023.

Median Age: 35.8 years
Life Expectancy: 79.9 years at birth
Urbanization Rate: 1.5% growth annually (2020-2025)
Literacy Rate: 98% overall
Infant Mortality Rate: 5 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages: Predominantly Arabic and English.

Economy

The UAE’s economy is among the fastest-growing in the Gulf region, transitioning from oil dependency to a more diversified economy with strong sectors in tourism, construction, and finance.

GDP (PPP): Expected to reach $745.994 billion in 2024
Real GDP Growth Rate: Projected at 3.8% in 2024
Unemployment Rate: 2.2% in 2024
Exports: Approximately $558.4 billion in 2023
Inflation Rate: 1.7% in 2024
Labor Force: 7.09 million as of 2024.

Government

The UAE government is a federation of monarchies, with a legal system that combines Islamic (Sharia) law and civil law. The President and Prime Minister are key figures in the executive branch, while the Federal National Council serves as a legislative body.

Capital: Abu Dhabi
Federation Established: 1971
Administrative Divisions: Comprises 7 Emirates.
Suffrage: Limited; about 12% of citizens can vote for the Federal National Council.
Constitution: Last amended in 1996.

Military and Security

The UAE maintains a well-funded and modern military composed of land, naval, and air forces. Military expenditures account for 4% of GDP in 2024 as the country emphasizes regional stability and its security architecture.

Active Personnel: Approximately 65,000 personnel
Military Partnerships: Closely aligned with the US and France
Compulsory Service: For men aged 18-30 years.
Recent Deployments: Active military presence in Yemen as part of regional security initiatives.

Energy

The UAE is a leader in energy production, particularly in oil and natural gas, while also investing in renewable energy sources like solar and nuclear.

Total Petroleum Production: 4.146 million bbl/day in 2023
Electricity Access: 100% of the population as of 2022
Coal Consumption: 5.411 million metric tons in 2023
Natural Gas Production: 55.8 billion cubic meters in 2023
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 271.703 million metric tonnes reported in 2023.

Environment

The UAE faces several environmental challenges, including water scarcity and air pollution. The government is a participant in various international environmental agreements.

Urban Population: 87.8% as of 2023
Waste Generation: Over 5.4 million tons of municipal solid waste annually (2015)
Total Renewable Water Resources: 150 million cubic meters in 2020
Environmental Agreements: Party to the Paris Agreement among others.

Transportation

The UAE has developed a robust transportation infrastructure, including numerous airports and a sizable merchant fleet.

Airports: 42 expected by 2025
Merchant Marine Fleet: Comprises 655 vessels
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: A6
Ports: Total of 20 ports.

Communications

The UAE has a highly advanced communication system, with nearly universal internet access.

Internet Users: 100% of the population in 2023
Telephonic Connectivity: 21.2 million mobile subscriptions (2023)
Broadband Subscriptions: 3.95 million as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,032,213 (2024 est.)
Area	83,600 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$745.994 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	79.9 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	450.432 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Adult Literacy Rate	98% (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures	4% of GDP (2024 est.)