UAE | Government
'Development requires workers'
The population growth in the UAE reflects the phenomenal economic growth the country is witnessing, academics said.
- By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 July 31, 2006
- The method of counting is known as the "de jure" method, which is an internationally recognised standard.
- The number of people who have been counted in UAE as at the interlude ? which is the night of December 6th 2005, is 3769080.
- The population counting did not include a number of non-national groups who are estimated at 335,615.
- The UAE conducted four censuses earlier in 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1995.
- UAE population is 4,104,695, of which 20.1 per cent are UAE Nationals, compared with 2,411,041 in the last census in 1995.
- Population has increased by 74.8 per cent over the last 10 years
- Illiteracy rate in the country is 9%, which is approximately the same between nationals and non-nationals.
- Nationals with only high school certificates are 31.5%. For non-nationals this percentage is around 23.8%.
- Nationals with university degrees (Bachelor and above) are 11%, and for the non-nationals this percentage is 18.4%.
- Total number of buildings in the country is 336,815, - 34.9 per cent (117,469) of them are in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
- Total number of housing units in the country is 863,860 - 60.8 per cent of them are in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- All the members of the non-national households that were not available in the UAE during the census fieldwork period.
- The members of non-national households that live in the neighboring countries but residing in UAE.
- People with invalid residency visas living in UAE.
- Non-nationals working in national vessels in regional and international waters with valid residency visas who don't have families residing in UAE.
- All members of the households that refused to cooperate.
- * They are estimated to be (335,615) Visitors
- Visitors were not included in this census. Referring to the statistics obtained from Ministry of Interior publications, the number of visitors for the month of December 2005 is 765,682.
- The minimum number of visitors in 2005 (597,583) was in June, and the maximum number of visitors in the same year (765,682) was in December.
- Referring to the figures obtained from Ministry of Interior publications, the number of visitors increased from 6,877,864 in 2004 to 8,031,782 in 2005.So the increment between the two years is 16.8%.
Abu Dhabi: The population growth in the UAE reflects the phenomenal economic growth the country is witnessing, academics said.
UAE population by age group and nationality 2005 (pdf)
They, however, believe the UAE government should do more to curb the increasing dependence on a foreign workforce.
"The economic growth, with the UAE's GDP [gross domestic profit] growing at 25 per cent annually and expected to reach anywhere between Dh550 billion to Dh900 billion by 2010, is reflected in the population growth rate," said Dr Mohammad Abdul Latif Khalifa, professor of business administration at the UAE University.
"This is the positive angle of the picture. But the negative aspect is the increasing dependence on a foreign workforce, which shows the country's policies have failed to achieve its aspired goals," he said.
Dr Khalifa said that the growth rate for UAE nationals was nominal.
"Citizens still account for 20 per cent of the total population and the rest are foreigners."
He said he hoped the recently established National Security Council would address the imbalance in the population structure.
Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, however does not see an imbalance in the demographic structure.
"It is in our interest to continue our strong economic growth, attracting more investment and human capital," Shaikha Lubna said yesterday. Highlights:
The UAE has recently succeeded Egypt as the second largest Arab economy after Saudi Arabia, which reflects the explosive growth witnessed by the country.
The total value of projects in the UAE is Dh825.75 billion, according to the latest tabulation.
Dr Mohammad Amerah, an Abu Dhabi-based economist, agrees the UAE's economic growth which is expected to rise to 10.7 per cent this year, is reflected in the population growth.
"The population will steadily grow with economic growth, because development will require human resources which may not be available in the UAE," Dr Amerah said.
However, he agreed that the government should reorganise the labour market and curb marginal and casual labour.
He also attributed the population growth to increased access to immunisation, primary health care, and disease eradication programmes.
"However, the number of UAE nationals may not increase at the same rate because many parents are realising that as health conditions improve, more of their children are likely to survive, so they are choosing to have fewer babies. Increased access to family planning is helping parents control the number and spacing of their children. In addition, with greater access to education and jobs, more women are starting their families later and are having fewer, healthier children," he said.
Dr Amerah noted the number of nationals under 20 years old accounted for 51.1 per cent of all nationals, which may put pressure on government expenditure for education, healthcare and other services.
"This group is actually dependent on their working parents."
Overall 52.9 per cent of the total population are between 20 and 39 years old, the 2005 Census revealed.
Dr Amerah said that development and training of the UAE's youth should be a major focus of Government policy.
"With over half of UAE citizens under 20 years of age, there is an urgent need to create new employment opportunities. This is coupled with a recognition that high quality training is essential if the country's growth is to continue."
International method used for census
Population
Buildings
Exluded groups from the census*
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Population preliminary results 2005 by emirate? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emirates | ?Male | Female | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abu Dhabi | 850,069 | 442,050 | 1,292,119 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dubai | 881,022 | 319,287 | 1,200,309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharjah | 473,653 | 251,206 | 724,859 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ajman | 120,290 | 69,559 | 189,849 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Umm Al Quwain | 27,816 | 17,940 | 45,756 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ras Al Khaimah | 120,741 | 76,830 | 197,571 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fujairah | 73,452 | 45,165 | 118,617 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,547,043 | 1,222,037 | *3,769,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % | 67.6 | 32.4 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * This number does not include 335,615 that are not counted in the census.? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preliminary results of Buildings, Housings and Establishments 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emirates | Number of Buildings | Number of Housing Units | Number of Establishments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abu Dhabi | 117,469 | 287,189 | 50,425 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dubai | 79,214 | 237,728 | 73,294 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharjah | 57,153 | 201,033 | 36,584 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ajman | 17,898 | 50,237 | 11,427 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Umm Al Quwain | 8,741 | 10,988 | 2,238 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ras Al Khaimah | 40,143 | 50,321 | 12,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fujairah | 16,197 | 26,364 | 6,263 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 336,815 | 863,860 | 192,247 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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