Country Summary
![](/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/static/9f95b5828d726b314b0905855fcf071c/50de4/AE-locator-map.jpg)
![](/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/static/e8752e37b785cece6c844acca452616d/1e3c2/AE-flag.jpg)
![](/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/static/44dc6e083142040498860bfbfc0fa4d2/91bc7/AE-map.jpg)
![2022 population pyramid](/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/static/992ee9f77302bab9783f2801c19a8aae/2b9a8/AE_popgraph2022.jpg)
Introduction
Background
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 Dhabi, '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.
Geography
Area
total: 83,600 sq km
land: 83,600 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas
People and Society
Population
9,915,803 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups
Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
Religions
Muslim (official) 76%, Christian 9%, other (primarily Hindu and Buddhist, less than 5% of the population consists of Parsi, Baha'i, Druze, Sikh, Ahmadi, Ismaili, Dawoodi Bohra Muslim, and Jewish) 15% (2005 est.)
Population growth rate
0.58% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
federation of monarchies
Capital
name: Abu Dhabi
Executive branch
chief of state: President MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (since 14 May 2022); Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (since 5 January 2006); note - MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan elected president by the Federal Supreme Council following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan on 13 May 2022
head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan, MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (both since 11 May 2009), and MAKTOUM bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum (since 25 September 2021)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members indirectly elected using single non-transferable vote by an electoral college whose members are selected by each emirate ruler proportional to its FNC membership, and 20 members appointed by the rulers of the 7 constituent states; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
historically oil-driven Middle Eastern economy; diversifying into a trade-oriented logistics and supply chain leader; weak domestic business growth; declining real estate sector; new Israeli technology trade improving resilience; key aid donor
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$655.79 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$67,100 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
dates, cucumbers, tomatoes, goat meat, eggs, milk, poultry, carrots/turnips, goat milk, sheep milk
Industries
petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles
Exports
$308.5 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners
India 11%, Japan 10%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Switzerland 6%, China 6%, Iraq 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, jewelry, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Imports
$229.2 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners
China 15%, India 12%, Untied States 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities
gold, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, refined petroleum, diamonds (2019)
Exchange rates
Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, September 28, 2022
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