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, bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. With a diverse population exceeding 10 million, the UAE boasts a high-income economy primarily driven by oil and gas, alongside significant investments in tourism and infrastructure. The nation adopts a federation of monarchies as its governance structure, with each emirate maintaining autonomy while contributing to national decision-making processes. Over the years, the UAE has emerged as a key player in regional geopolitics, engaging actively in various international initiatives.

Geography

The UAE is strategically located in the Middle East, along the southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for crude oil. The country features a desert climate, with flat coastal plains transitioning into rolling sand dunes and mountains in the east. Its total land area is approximately 83,600 square kilometers.

1,318 km of coastline along the Persian Gulf.
1,066 km of land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
12 nm territorial sea claims.

People and Society

The UAE has a diverse demographic with a total population of over 10 million, primarily composed of expatriates from South Asia and other regions. Emiratis constitute only about 11.6% of the population. The official language is Arabic, while English and several other languages are commonly spoken. The UAE has a high urbanization rate, with nearly 88% of its population living in urban areas.

10.65 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.).
2.13 male(s) per female in total population (2024 est.).
98.8% literacy rate (2024 est.).

Economy

The UAE has a high-income, oil-driven economy characterized by rapid growth and diversification efforts into sectors like tourism and construction. With a real GDP of approximately $745.994 billion (2024 est.), the country has one of the highest per capita GDPs globally, driven by strong foreign investment and government initiatives.

$68,600 real GDP per capita (2024 est.).
2.2% unemployment rate (2024 est.).
51.6% of GDP attributed to services sector (2023 est.).

Government

The UAE functions as a federation of monarchies, with each emirate having significant autonomy and leadership roles. The political structure includes a President and a Council of Ministers, with limited electoral participation from citizens. The legal system combines Islamic (Sharia) law with civil law.

7 emirates in the federation.
President: Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan (since May 2022).
National Day: Celebrated on December 2.

Military and Security

The UAE maintains a modern military force, with approximately 65,000 active personnel across various branches, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The country allocates around 4% of its GDP to military expenditures, reflecting its commitment to regional security and defense.

4% of GDP spent on military (2024 est.).
4 operational nuclear reactors planned by 2025.
Several hundred troops deployed in Somalia and Yemen.

Energy

The UAE is a leading oil producer and consumer, with significant investments in renewable energy sources. The country has made strides in diversifying its energy portfolio, with nuclear and solar power contributing to its energy landscape.

4.146 million bbl/day of total petroleum production (2023 est.).
100% electrification of the population (2022 est.).
19.9% of electricity from nuclear sources (2023 est.).

Environment

The UAE faces several environmental challenges, including water scarcity, air pollution, and land degradation. The government is actively engaged in international environmental agreements to address these issues.

24.5% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
271.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.).
5.618 million tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).

Transportation

The UAE has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including air, sea, and land transport systems. It has numerous airports and ports, facilitating extensive trade and travel.

42 airports in the country (2025).
20 total ports, including 17 with oil terminals (2024).
655 merchant marine vessels (2023).

Communications

The UAE has an advanced communications sector, with nearly universal internet access and a high rate of mobile cellular subscriptions. The country is making strides in broadcasting and media, with state-owned and private operators contributing to a vibrant media landscape.

100% internet penetration rate (2023 est.).
22.4 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.).
3.95 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,093,593 (2025 est.)	Total population estimate
Area (sq km)	83,600	Total land area
GDP (PPP, billions USD)	$745.994 (2024 est.)	Real GDP estimate
Energy consumption per capita (million Btu)	450.432 (2023 est.)	Energy usage per person
Birth rate (per 1,000 population)	10.65	Birth rate estimate (2025)
Unemployment rate	2.2% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Literacy rate	98.8% (2024 est.)	Total literacy rate