UAE | Government

Population grows by 75% over last 10 years

The UAE population is 4,104,695, of which 20.1 per cent are UAE Nationals in last year's census compared with 2,411,041 in the last census conducted in 1995, said Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, yesterday.

  • By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 00:00 July 31, 2006
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The UAE population is 4,104,695, of which 20.1 per cent are UAE Nationals in last year's census compared with 2,411,041 in the last census conducted in 1995, said Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, yesterday.

UAE population by nationality and educational status (pdf)

"This is 74.8 per cent increase in the population over the last ten years and reflects the strong economic growth the UAE is witnessing," Shaikha Lubna added.

Answering a Gulf News question about the UAE's projections in view of the imbalance in the population structure, Shaikha Lubna said, "We do not look at it as imbalance. The UAE has been smart in attracting economic and human capital in terms of intelligence and creativity. It is in our interest to continue our strong economic growth," Shaikha Lubna said.

Shaikha Lubna also ruled out the idea of optimal population for the country for the time being. "The UAE has a dynamic and fast growing economy and it is therefore too difficult to set an optimal population now. This figure is hinged on the growth and strength of the economy."

Shaikha Lubna also promised to announce more details about the population structure and other social phenomena from September onwards.

"The Ministry of Economy will conduct several statistical surveys including a labour force survey, household budget survey and economical and environmental surveys," she said.

Shaikha Lubna said that the total number of the UAE population as counted in the census is 3,769,080.

"This figure excludes people with invalid residence visa, foreigners working in national vessels in regional and international waters with valid visas but who do not have families living in the country. The census also does not cover visitors and members of the households that refused to cooperate or were not available in the UAE during the census period.

Speaking of uses of the census, Shaikha Lubna said it will be used to introduce strategic developmental plans, in accordance with data on demographic, economic and social characteristics of population, housing and establishments and to sponsor legislations, by-laws and programmes in consistence with the current status and various inherent changes in the demographic, economic and social characteristics.

Other uses include: To draft policies related to the labour market based on the volume of manpower and nature of its economic activity.

Developing a national strategy to advance UAE human resources and qualifications.

Formulating programmes and identifying policies necessary for enhancing women's roles as effective human resources.

UAE population
  • This census is based on counting the people according to their permanent residence* regardless where they are staying during the census period. i.e. the people absent from their families during the census period are counted in their families. Visitors and temporarily guests of the family are excluded.
  • Based on the above mentioned approach the population of UAE as of December 6th 2005 is 3,769,080.
  • Population census doesn?t include groups of non-nationals and they are estimated as 335,615*.
  • In total the UAE population is 4,104,695.

* This approach is called De Jure Population which is recognized by U.N.

Population initial results 2005*, by age and nationality

  • Based on the census data 38.1% of the nationals are less than 14 years old. Nationals less than 20 years old are 51.1%.
  • For the non nationals 48.8% of them belong to the age group 25 to 40 years.
  • Overall 52.9% of the total population are within 20 and 39 years old.

* These results do not include 335,615 that are not counted in the census

Scope of UAE population census

Census includes all the people (nationals and non-nationals) who are residing in the UAE, at the night of December 6th 2005. This includes the following.

  • People living in households counted in their households.
  • ?Nationals abroad for any reason are counted within their families living in UAE. Those working in the embassies and consulates are counted via Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • The non-nationals abroad with valid residency permits are counted in their families living in UAE.
  • Students living in the dormitory are counted in specified dormitory.
  • People who are permanently residing in hospitals, prisons and nursing homes are counted in such institutions. Only visitors (visit visa) are excluded.
  • People who are permanently residing in hotels and alike are counted in such institutions. Only visitors (visit visa) are excluded.
  • People who are permanently residing in police headquarters and military bases who don?t have families living in UAE are counted in such institutions. Those who have families living within UAE are counted in their households.

Population, initial results 2005

  • Total number of UAE population as counted in the census is 3,769,080*
  • Total number of males is 2,547,043, which is 67.6 % of the total population that were counted in the reference period.
  • Total number of females is 1,222,037, which is 32.4 % of the total population that were counted in the reference period.
  • Total number of nationals is 824,921, which is 21.9 % of the total population that were counted in the reference period, and it is 20.1% of the total UAE population.
  • Total number of national males is 418,057, which is 50.7 % of the total nationals.
  • Total number of national females is 406,864, which is 49.3 % of the total nationals.
  • Total number of non-nationals is 2,944,159, which is 78.1% of the total population that were counted in the reference period, and it is 79.9% (3,279,774)of the total UAE population.
  • Total number of non-national males is 2,128,986, which is 72.3%.
  • Total number of non-national females is 815,173, which is 27.7%.

* This number does not include 335,615 that are not counted in the census.

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