Quick facts
United Arab Emirates population overview
The United Arab Emirates is the 27th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 11,477,685 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 531 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 118,220 births (10.3 per 1,000 people) and 11,478 deaths (1 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 87,230 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 131,334 in 1960 to 11,513,149 in 2025 — a change of +8,666.3%, or +7.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 31.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 83.4 years; women have on average 1.2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16% of residents are under 15 and 1.8% are 65 or older (2025); 86% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates covers 98,648 km², giving a population density of about 118 people per km². GDP was $552.32B in 2024 — about $50,274 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
United Arab Emirates population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 11,632,373 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 11,477,685 |
| World rank | #85 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #27 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.7% |
| Births per year est. | 118,220 |
| Deaths per year est. | 11,478 |
| Net migration per year est. | +87,230 |
| Birth rate | 10.3 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 175 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 31.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 83.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 86% |
| Surface area 2023 | 98,648 km² |
| Population density | 118 per km² |
| Capital | Abu Dhabi |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $552.32B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $50,274 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
United Arab Emirates population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 11,632,373 | – | – |
| 2025 | 11,513,149 | +526,749 | +4.8% |
| 2024 | 10,986,400 | +502,649 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | 10,483,751 | +408,774 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 10,074,977 | +499,825 | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 9,575,152 | +174,114 | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 9,401,038 | +895,801 | +2% |
| 2015 | 8,505,237 | +1,635,399 | +4.4% |
| 2010 | 6,869,838 | +2,205,048 | +8% |
| 2005 | 4,664,790 | +1,171,215 | +6% |
| 2000 | 3,493,575 | +1,058,913 | +7.5% |
| 1995 | 2,434,662 | +536,442 | +5.1% |
| 1990 | 1,898,220 | +520,309 | +6.6% |
| 1985 | 1,377,911 | +362,211 | +6.3% |
| 1980 | 1,015,700 | +472,844 | +13.3% |
| 1975 | 542,856 | +256,320 | +13.6% |
| 1970 | 286,536 | +119,433 | +11.4% |
| 1965 | 167,103 | +35,769 | +4.9% |
| 1960 | 131,334 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About United Arab Emirates
Population over time
- From 131,334 in 1960 to 11,632,373 today — up 8,757.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83.1 years (2024), up 32.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.8 births vs 1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 8.8 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16% of the population is under 15 and 1.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 2.3% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 200.6 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 212.4 Mt in 2016 — down 5.6% since.
- Per person: 18.26 t in 2024, vs 67.93 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 9,139.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 14.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 1% of final energy in 2021 (+1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 4.5% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 3.4% to 4.5% since 1990 — roughly 1,004 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 86% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 73.5% in 1960 (+12.5 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 1,509.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 15 m³ in 2022, down 98.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $552.32B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 30% since 2014.
- That works out to $50,274 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.3% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 100% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 203.2 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
United Arab Emirates in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the United Arab Emirates in 2026?
As of October 2026, the United Arab Emirates has an estimated population of 11,632,373. The United Nations estimated 11,477,685 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the United Arab Emirates growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.7% per year — roughly 531 more people every day. Each year there are about 118,220 births and 11,478 deaths, with net migration of +87,230.
What is the population density of the United Arab Emirates?
About 118 people per square kilometre: 11,632,373 people living on 98,648 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the United Arab Emirates?
The median age is 31.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 83.4 years. 16% of the population is under 15 and 1.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the United Arab Emirates rank by population?
The United Arab Emirates is the 85th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 27th in Asia, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of the United Arab Emirates changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 131,334; by 2025 it had grown to 11,513,149 (+8,666.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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HondurasSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.