CapitalAbu Dhabi
Population10,093,593
Area83,600 km²
GDP per capita$68,600
LanguagesArabic , English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
CurrencyEmirati dirhams
Life Expectancy79.9 yr
Governmenta federation of monarchies.
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). Ra's al Khaymah joined in 1972.
The UAE's per-capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. For more than three decades, oil and global finance drove the UAE's economy. In 2008-09, the confluence of falling oil prices, collapsing real estate prices, and the international banking crisis hit the UAE especially hard. The UAE did not experience the "Arab Spring" unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East in 2010-11, partly because of the government's multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern emirates, and its aggressive pursuit of advocates for political reform.
The UAE in recent years has played a growing role in regional affairs. In addition to donating billions of dollars in economic aid to help stabilize Egypt, the UAE was one of the first countries to join the Defeat ISIS coalition, and to participate as a key partner in a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. In 2020, the UAE and Bahrain signed a peace agreement (the Abraham Accords) with Israel -- brokered by the US -- in Washington, D.C. The UAE and Bahrain thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel.
Geography
Area
land
83,600 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
83,600 sq km
Climate
desert; cooler temperatures in the eastern mountainous regions
Terrain
a flat, desolate coastal region transitioning into expansive sand dunes of a large desert; mountains located to the east
Land use
other
89.7% (2023 est.)
forest
4.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
5.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Location
Middle East, situated between Oman and Saudi Arabia, along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf
Coastline
1,318 km
Elevation
lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point
Jabal Bil 'Ays 1,905 m
mean elevation
149 m
Irrigated land
940 sq km (2022)
Map references
Middle East
Land boundaries
total
1,066 km
border countries
Oman 609 km; Saudi Arabia 457 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
regular occurrences of sand and dust storms
Geography - note
strategically positioned along the southern routes to the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for crude oil; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) collectively represent over 90% of the United Arab Emirates' land area and two-thirds of its population
Natural resources
oil, natural gas
Area - comparative
slightly bigger than South Carolina; marginally smaller than Maine
Geographic coordinates
24 00 N, 54 00 E
Population distribution
the populace is predominantly located in the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah -- accommodate nearly 85% of the total population
People & Society
Literacy
male
99% (2024 est.)
female
98.4% (2024 est.)
total population
98.8% (2024 est.)
Languages
Languages
Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
major-language sample(s)
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 74.5% (official) (Sunni 63.3%, Shia 6.7%, other 4.4%), Christian 12.9%, Hindu 6.2%, Buddhist 3.2%, agnostic 1.3%, other 1.9% (2020 estimation)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
2.47 male(s)/female
total population
2.13 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
3.25 male(s)/female
Birth rate
10.65 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
1.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
38.1 years
total
35.8 years (2025 est.)
female
29.8 years
Population
male
6,831,802
total
10,093,593 (2025 est.)
female
3,261,791
Nationality
noun
Emirati(s)
adjective
Emirati
Tobacco use
male
13.9% (2025 est.)
total
10.7% (2025 est.)
female
2.4% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
16.4% (male 842,577/female 802,302)
15-64 years
81.4% (male 5,812,470/female 2,353,750)
65 years and over
2.2% (2024 est.) (male 169,084/female 52,030)
Ethnic groups
Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (comprising Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 estimation)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
23.4 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
20.4 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
33.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
3 (2025 est.)
Physician density
2.99 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
12.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.6 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.8% national budget (2021 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
5.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total
4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.62% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.78 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the population is predominantly located in the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three most populous emirates -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah -- together host nearly 85% of the population
Life expectancy at birth
male
78.6 years
female
81.4 years
total population
79.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
2.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
1.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
3.008 million Dubai, 1.831 million Sharjah, 1.567 million ABU DHABI (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
31.7% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
67.4% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
15 years (2023 est.)
total
16 years (2023 est.)
female
16 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
arid region; lower temperatures in eastern mountain areas
Land use
other
89.7% (2023 est.)
forest
4.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
5.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
87.8% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
2.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
448.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
1,573.7 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
47.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
5.618 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
24.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
atmospheric contamination; insufficient water supply; absence of natural freshwater sources; deterioration of land and desert expansion; waste production, coastal pollution due to oil spills
Total water withdrawal
municipal
2.297 billion cubic meters (2022)
industrial
55 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
2.466 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
271.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
132.876 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
12.788 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
126.038 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
38.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
150 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
Law of the Sea
Government
Flag
description: three equal horizontal stripes in green (top), white, and black, with a broader vertical red stripe on the left
meaning: the flag features all four colors of pan-Arab symbolism, representing fertility (green), neutrality (white), oil (black), and unity (red); red is a historic color present in the flags of all emirates prior to their unification.
Capital
name
Abu Dhabi
etymology
in Arabic, abu translates to "father," while dhabi denotes a personal name, Dhabi or Zabi, derived from the term zab, meaning "gazelle."
time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
24 28 N, 54 22 E
Suffrage
limited
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must possess citizenship of the United Arab Emirates; in cases where the father is unidentified, the mother must hold citizenship.
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
30 years
Constitution
history
the previous version was established in 1971 (provisional); the latest draft was completed in 1979 and became permanent in May 1996.
amendment process
proposed by the Supreme Council and presented to the Federal National Council; to pass, at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Federal National Council members present and the approval of the Supreme Council president are required.
Country name
former
Trucial Oman, Trucial States
etymology
self-descriptive name for the country; the term Arabia has been traced back to ancient Egyptian times when they referred to the area as "Ar Rabi;" "emirates" comes from amir, the Arabic word for "commander," "lord," or "prince;" the former designation, Trucial States, refers to a maritime agreement established in 1820 between the British and the Arab sheikhdoms.
abbreviation
UAE
local long form
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
local short form
none
conventional long form
United Arab Emirates
conventional short form
none
Independence
2 December 1971 (from the UK)
Legal system
a mixed system comprising Islamic (sharia) law and civil law.
Government type
a federation of monarchies.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Federal Supreme Court (composed of the court president and four judges; jurisdiction is restricted to federal cases).
subordinate courts
Federal Court of Cassation (assesses the constitutionality of laws); the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ra's al Khaymah maintain separate court systems; the remaining four emirates have integrated their courts into the federal framework.
judge selection and term of office
judges are appointed by the federal president following approval from the Federal Supreme Council, the highest executive and legislative body consisting of the seven emirate rulers; judges serve until they reach retirement age or their appointment terms expire.
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and approved by the president
chief of state
President MUHAMMAD BIN ZAYID Al Nuhayyan (since 14 May 2022)
election results
2022: MUHAMMAD BIN ZAYID Al-Nuhayyan was elected president; Federal Supreme Council vote - N/A.
head of government
Prime Minister and Co-Vice President MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al Maktum (since 5 January 2006)
most recent election date
an unplanned election took place on 14 May 2022, following the passing of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan.
election/appointment process
the president and vice president are indirectly elected by the Federal Supreme Council, made up of the rulers of the seven emirates, for a five-year term (there are no term limits); the prime minister is appointed by the president.
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Independence Day (National Day), 2 December (1971)
National color(s)
green, white, black, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 ( both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud, and Oases Areas); Faya Palaeolandscape (c).
Political parties
note: political parties are prohibited; all candidates participate as independents.
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
40 (20 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)
electoral system
other systems
legislature name
Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihadi)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/7/2023
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
50%
National anthem(s)
title
"Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)
history
the national anthem was adopted in 1971, while the lyrics were accepted in 1986; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthems of Tunisia and Libya.
lyrics/music
AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
National symbol(s)
golden falcon
Administrative divisions
seven emirates (imarat, singular - imarah): Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn.
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 243-2408
chancery
3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008.
telephone
[1] (202) 243-2400
chief of mission
Ambassador Yousif AL OTAIBA (since 28 July 2008)
consulate(s) general
Houston, Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.uae-embassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[971] (2) 414-2241
embassy
Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi.
telephone
[971] (2) 414-2200
mailing address
6010 Abu Dhabi Place, Washington DC 20521-6010
chief of mission
Ambassador (position currently vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Eric GAUDIOSI (since August 2025).
consulate(s) general
Dubai
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ae.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, BRICS, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not filed a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$23.248 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$19.349 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$425.156 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$521.897 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$558.402 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$347.529 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$427.992 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$481.852 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
oil and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum production, cement, fertilizers, commercial shipbuilding, construction supplies, handicrafts, textiles
Labor force
7.09 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
19.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
3.672 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
3.672 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
3.672 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
3.672 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
3.672 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
wealthy, oil-driven economy in the Middle East; exhibits the highest GDP growth among Gulf nations; ongoing diversification through tourism, construction, and service sectors; significant foreign direct investment focus; persistent government spending and business-friendly reforms
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
2.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
2.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 11%, India 11%, Japan 10%, Iraq 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 19%, India 7%, USA 6%, Turkey 4%, Japan 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$68,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$68,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$68,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
7.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.8% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
dates, cucumbers/gherkins, camel milk, goat milk, tomatoes, chicken, goat meat, eggs, milk, camel meat (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)
Imports - commodities
gold, broadcasting equipment, automobiles, refined petroleum, diamonds (2023)
Taxes and other revenues
0.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$537.079 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
45.6% (2023 est.)
government consumption
12.4% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
27.1% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
108.6% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-93.7% (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
12.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
0.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
1.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.7% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
0.8% (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$693.842 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$718.95 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$745.994 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
4.1% (2024 est.)
total
6.4% (2024 est.)
female
12.1% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$138.433 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$189.491 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$237.931 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
47.7% (2023 est.)
services
51.6% (2023 est.)
agriculture
0.7% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.8% (2018 est.)
highest 10%
20.5% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
26.4 (2018 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
82,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
5.512 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
5.411 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
4.146 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
97.8 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
846,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
613 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
501.067 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
157.974 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
44.462 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
7.914 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
6.863 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
18.938 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
55.8 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
67.734 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
6.091 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors
4 (2025)
Percent of total electricity production
19.7% (2023 est.)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors
5.35GW (2025 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
450.432 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
4.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
19.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
75.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
100% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
the majority of television and radio stations are state-owned; however, numerous private entities are currently functioning within media free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The use of satellite dishes is prevalent for accessing pan-Arab and various international broadcasts (2022)
Internet country code
.ae
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
2.259 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
21 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
22.4 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
203 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
3.95 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
37 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
1
small
9
medium
4
key ports
Abu Zaby, Jabal Az Zannah/Ruways, Khawr Fakkan, Mina Jabal Ali, Zirkuh
very small
6
total ports
20 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
17
Airports
42 (2025)
Heliports
204 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
655 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier 2, container ship 3, general cargo 122, oil tanker 16, other 512
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
A6
Military & Security
Military - note
The UAE Armed Forces (UAEAF) are tasked with the defense of the nation, safeguarding its resources and territory, maintaining internal security, and advancing the UAE's international policy goals; primary security issues encompass regional stability and cross-border threats, such as terrorism and piracy. In recent years, the UAE has initiated a military modernization initiative in conjunction with a proactive security strategy, which has involved military operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
The UAE maintains strong security partnerships with France and the United States; it hosts a multi-service French military installation, which includes the French naval command for the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN). Additionally, the UAE holds a defense cooperation agreement with the US and accommodates thousands of US military personnel, primarily from the air and naval branches. The UAE also fosters defense relationships with various other nations, including Australia, China, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, South Korea, and the UK, as well as NATO and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members, especially Saudi Arabia.
The roots of the UAEAF can be traced back to the formation of the Trucial Oman Scouts in 1951, a collaborative UK-Abu Dhabi entity modeled after Jordan’s Arab Legion, which transitioned into the Abu Dhabi Defense Force in 1965. The contemporary UAEAF were established in 1976 (2025).
Military deployments
maintains a few hundred troops in Somalia and Yemen (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
6.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
4.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
4.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (which includes special operations forces), National Guard (which encompasses Coast Guard) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Individuals aged 18-40 are eligible for voluntary service; for compulsory national service, men aged 18-30 are required to serve a 36-month term if they lack a secondary education, and 11 months if they are secondary school graduates. Women may opt to volunteer for national service, with an 11-month service requirement regardless of their educational background (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military is primarily armed with modern imported weaponry, alongside a smaller proportion of domestically manufactured arms. International suppliers include China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, and the US. The UAE's domestic defense sector produces or collaborates on items such as armored vehicles, naval ships, precision munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles/drones for both internal utilization and export (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The armed forces comprise approximately 65,000 active personnel (45,000 in Land Forces; 3,000 in the Navy; 5,000 in the Air Force; 12,000 in the Presidential Guard) (2025).
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
7,634 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
The UAE Space Agency was established in 2014, while the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) was founded in 2006 (2025)
Space program overview
The nation boasts a dynamic and ambitious space program that is continually expanding; it emphasizes the development of satellites with applications in communications, remote sensing, navigation, and deep space exploration; efforts are underway to enhance expertise, infrastructure, technology, and research and development capabilities. The UAE has opted for collaborations with international partners to launch payloads from overseas spaceports and is looking to invest in foreign commercial space enterprises while fostering global partnerships. The country operates a foreign-assisted astronaut training scheme and aims to position the UAE as an international center for space education. It is a founding member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group and engages with significant global and regional entities including China, Egypt, the ESA, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US. The commercial space sector is viewed as pivotal for diversifying and advancing the nation’s non-oil economy. Numerous space enterprises operate within the UAE, comprising both international firms and startups, alongside several centers dedicated to space science research (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1997 - the national space sector was initiated
2009 - the first remote sensing (RS) satellite, DubaiSat-1, was developed in collaboration with South Korea and launched by Russia
2017 - the Mars 2117 project was announced, which proposed the creation of a 'Mars Science City' as a preliminary step toward establishing a human settlement on Mars within the next century
2018 - the first domestically manufactured RS satellite, KhalifaSat (also known as DubaiSat-3), was launched by Japan
2019 - the UAE's inaugural astronaut, trained in Russia and the US, traveled to the International Space Station
2020 - the UAE signed the US-led Artemis Accords for lunar and space exploration
2021 - the UAE became the first Arab nation to successfully position a probe, al Amal (Hope), in orbit around Mars; it also revealed intentions to launch a probe in 2028 aimed at landing on an asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter
2025 - a domestically produced advanced RS/Earth imaging satellite, MBZ-SAT, was launched by the US
