2010 Edition

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 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.

Area

land

83,600 sq km

total

83,600 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Coastline

1,318 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

511 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%)

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

760 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

total

867 km

Land use

arable land

0.77%

other

96.96% (2005)

permanent crops

2.27%

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

0.2 cu km (1997)

Age structure

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

15.98 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

2.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

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

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

10.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

14.38 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.01 years (2010 est.)

male

73.75 years

total population

76.32 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

81.7% (2003 est.)

male

76.1%

total population

77.9%

Median age

female

24.8 years (2010 est.)

male

32.1 years

total

30.2 years

Nationality

adjective

Emirati

noun

Emirati(s)

Net migration rate

21.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

4,975,593 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

3.561% (2010 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

12 years (2003)

male

11 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

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

2.41 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

78% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

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

geographic coordinates

24 28 N, 54 22 E

name

Abu Dhabi

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996

Country name

abbreviation

UAE

conventional long form

United Arab Emirates

conventional short form

none

former

Trucial Oman, Trucial States

local long form

Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Richard G. OLSON, Jr.

consulate(s) general

Dubai

embassy

Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi

FAX

[971] (2) 414-2603

mailing address

P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi

telephone

[971] (2) 414-2200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Yusif bin Mani bin Said al-UTAYBA

FAX

[1] (202) 243-2432

telephone

[1] (202) 243-2400

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World 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

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)

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

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

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)

Flag description

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

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

Independence

2 December 1971 (from the UK)

International organization participation

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

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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

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

name

"Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Political parties and leaders

none; political parties are not allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

none

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Current account balance

$3.409 billion (2010 est.) $7.871 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$122.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $122.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

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

65.98 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

71.54 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$195.8 billion (2010 est.) $192.2 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0.9%

industry

51.5%

services

47.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$40,200 (2010 est.) $40,600 (2009 est.) $43,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2010 est.) -2.7% (2009 est.) 7.4% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$239.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$199.8 billion (2010 est.) $194.7 billion (2009 est.) $200.1 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$159 billion (2010 est.) $150 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

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

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2010 est.) 1.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.908 million note: expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

7%

industry

15%

services

78% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$109.6 billion (31 December 2009) $97.85 billion (31 December 2008) $224.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

59.42 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

7.567 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

16.75 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

50.24 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.071 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

435,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

2.7 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

192,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

2.798 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

19.5% (2003)

Public debt

44.6% of GDP (2010 est.) 48.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$39.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $36.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$228.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $201.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$54.91 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $51.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$76.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$290 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $263.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$68.76 billion (31 December 2010 est) $60.85 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2001)

Broadcast media

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

.ae

Internet hosts

379,309 (2010)

Internet users

3.449 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable

general assessment

modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

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 - main lines in use

1.561 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.672 million (2009)

Airports

41 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

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

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

5 (2010)

Merchant marine

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)

total

57

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

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

Roadways

paved

4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)

total

4,080 km

Manpower available for military service

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

Manpower fit for military service

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

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

24,305 (2010 est.)

male

27,256

Military branches

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2009)

Military expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

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

Disputes - international

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

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 page last updated on January 13, 2011 ======================================================================