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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

except for the many organizations now operating in Dubai's Media Free Zone, most television and radio stations remain government-owned; widespread use of satellite dishes provides access to pan-Arab and other international broadcasts (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.ae

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

379,309 (2010) country comparison to the world: 54

Internet users [time series]

3.449 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 61

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.561 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 62

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

10.672 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 61

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA%

Current account balance [time series]

$3.409 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $7.871 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$122.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $122.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP based on oil and gas output to 25%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US, however, those talks have not moved forward. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. The global financial crisis, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices slowed GDP growth in 2010. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency. The UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi-based banks bought the largest shares. In December 2009 Dubai received an additional $10 billion loan from the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The economy is expected to continue a slow rebound. Dependence on oil, a large expatriate workforce, and growing inflation pressures are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

65.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

71.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Exchange rates [time series]

Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.673 (2010), 3.673 (2009), 3.6725 (2008), 3.6725 (2007), 3.6725 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$195.8 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $192.2 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 17.27%, South Korea 10.49%, India 9.96%, Iran 6.82%, Thailand 5.11% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$239.7 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$199.8 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $194.7 billion (2009 est.) $200.1 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.9% industry: 51.5% services: 47.6% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$40,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $40,600 (2009 est.) $43,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 -2.7% (2009 est.) 7.4% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$159 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $150 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners [time series]

China 15.03%, India 14.27%, US 8.44%, Germany 5.81%, Japan 4.52% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Industries [time series]

petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 1.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

26.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Labor force [time series]

3.908 million country comparison to the world: 88 note: expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$109.6 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 36 $97.85 billion (31 December 2008) $224.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

59.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Natural gas - exports [time series]

7.567 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas - imports [time series]

16.75 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Natural gas - production [time series]

50.24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

6.071 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Oil - consumption [time series]

435,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Oil - exports [time series]

2.7 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Oil - imports [time series]

192,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Oil - production [time series]

2.798 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Population below poverty line [time series]

19.5% (2003)

Public debt [time series]

44.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 48.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$39.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $36.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$228.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $201.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$54.91 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $51.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$76.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $70.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$290 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $263.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$68.76 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 39 $60.85 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.4% (2001) country comparison to the world: 20

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 83,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 114 land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate [time series]

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Coastline [time series]

1,318 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Irrigated land [time series]

760 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005)

Location [time series]

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas

Terrain [time series]

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0.2 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwain)

Capital [time series]

name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard G. OLSON, Jr. embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603 consulate(s) general: Dubai

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Yusif bin Mani bin Said al-UTAYBA chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 11 May 2009) and MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 11 May 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits) from among the seven FSC members; election last held 3 November 2009 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next election NA); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid Al-Maktum

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side; the flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources (black), and unity (red); red was the traditional color incorporated into all flags of the emirates before their unification

Government type [time series]

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Independence [time series]

2 December 1971 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system [time series]

based on a dual system of sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve four-year terms) elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) held on 18-20 December 2006; the new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - were the only eligible voters and candidates; 456 candidates including 65 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats; one female from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi won a seat and 8 women were among the 20 appointed members note: the FNC reviews legislation but cannot change or veto

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE) lyrics/music: AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none; political parties are not allowed

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

none

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. For more than three decades, oil and global finance drove the UAE's economy, however, in 2008-09, the confluence of falling oil prices, collapsing real estate prices, and the international banking crisis hit the UAE especially hard.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,589,714 (includes non-nationals) females age 16-49: 950,460 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,157,211 females age 16-49: 816,363 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 27,256 female: 24,305 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 500,928/female 478,388) 15-64 years: 78.7% (male 2,768,030/female 1,008,404) 65 years and over: 0.9% (male 27,601/female 15,140) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.98 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Death rate [time series]

2.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 225

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 184

Ethnic groups [time series]

Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 136 male: 14.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.32 years country comparison to the world: 70 male: 73.75 years female: 79.01 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 30.2 years male: 32.1 years female: 24.8 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati

Net migration rate [time series]

21.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Population [time series]

4,975,593 country comparison to the world: 114 note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net immigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.561% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Religions [time series]

Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.75 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.8 male(s)/female total population: 2.2 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.41 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies

Illicit drugs [time series]

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated

Transportation

Airports [time series]

41 (2010) country comparison to the world: 103

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 25 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

5 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 57 country comparison to the world: 68 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 9, chemical tanker 7, container 7, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4 foreign-owned: 13 (Greece 3, Kuwait 10) registered in other countries: 278 (Bahamas 27, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 11, Cyprus 5, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 5, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 1, Jordan 7, Liberia 27, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 17, Mexico 1, Netherlands 4, North Korea 6, Panama 83, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 17, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Saudi Arabia 6, Sierra Leone 6, Singapore 10, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 9, Vanuatu 1, unknown 7) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate 458 km; gas 2,152 km; liquid petroleum gas 220 km; oil 1,310 km; refined products 212 km (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Khawr Fakkan (Khor Fakkan), Mubarraz Island, Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah),

Roadways [time series]

total: 4,080 km country comparison to the world: 156 paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)