Rapid growth threatens to erode identity

Dubai: The UAE's rapid economic growth has attracted millions of foreign workers over the past three decades, due to which Emiratis today account for less than 20 per cent of the national population.

Given future projections that the population will double in the next 10 years, the scenario is likely to get worse in terms of the ratio of nationals and foreigners, affecting the national identity of the UAE.

"We should try to bring in more [workers] from the Arab countries because they share the same language and a similar heritage," says Dr Jamal Al Suwaidi, director-general of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research.

"There is a need to preserve UAE's national identity through enhancing national culture and changing the common understanding of the value of work," writes Dr Mohammad Al Asoomi, a UAE economic writer.