The population of a country is not just a mere number on a chart. When it is categorized and analyzed, it can highlight relevant issues and reveal promising facts. As the year 2022 progresses, it would be wise to examine the current population statistics of the UAE to understand its strengths and weaknesses as a nation.
Highlights of the UAE Population 2022
- The Population of UAE in 2022 is 10.08 Million, a 0.90% increase from 2021.
- Population Density of United Arab Emirates in 2022 is 102.20 Km2.
- The Total Expat Population of UAE in 2022 is 8.92 Million.
- Dubai Population in 2022 is 3.49 Million according to official Dubai Government website.
There are many factors contributing to the rise in population of the country, one of them being influx of immigrants. The number of foreigners settling in the UAE has grown due to the plentiful job opportunities the country offers. Particularly, with Expo 2020 creating a wide scope in the job market, we can expect an increase in the number of foreigners in the coming months. As of march 2022, the population of the United Arab Emirates is 10,081,782 based on populationpyramid.net.
(If you want to see the latest 2023 blogpost, we recommend to Click on “2023 UAE Population Statistics)
UAE Population 2022 Statistics : Infographics
Demographics of UAE in 2022
The demographic data of the UAE in 2022 can be categorized into the following:
Gender Split
Although the UAE is a developed country, gender parity is still an unresolved issue here. 68.76% of the population i.e. 6.93 million is male and only 31.24% i.e. 3.15 million is female. In the year 2022, the male to female sex ratio is 2.2 or 2.75 between the age group of 15-65 years.
UAE Population 2022 by Age
Age Group | Population (in Million) | Percentage |
0-14 years | 1.50M | 14.92% |
15-24 years | 1.23M | 12.20% |
25-54 years | 6.55M | 65.00% |
55-64 years | 0.63M | 6.20% |
65 years and over | 0.17M | 1.68% |
The age-wise population graph of the UAE reveals that the country has all the factors that make it a developed nation. It points towards a reliable healthcare system and longer life expectancy. The working population(age 25-54 years) amounts to 6.55 million people and it outnumbers the young and the old population.
UAE Population 2022 by Gender
Age Group | Men Population (in millions) | Women Population (in millions) |
0-14 years | 0.77M | 0.74M |
15-24 years | 0.78M | 0.45M |
25-54 years | 4.80M | 1.75M |
55-64 years | 0.47M | 0.16M |
65 years and over | 0.12M | 0.05M |
When we examine gender division in UAE based on different age groups we can see that the highest population of both males and females is between the ages of 25-54. The male population in this category is 4.80 million and the female population is 1.75 million. The lowest belongs to the age group of 65 years and above. The male population in this category is 0.12 million and the female population is 0.05 million.
UAE Population 2022 By Emirates
Location | Population |
Dubai | 3,488,745 |
Sharjah | 1,786,000 |
Abu Dhabi | 1,540,000 |
Ajman | 504,846 |
Ras al-Khaimah | 345,000 |
Fujairah | 256,256 |
Umm Al Quwain | 49,159 |
The UAE consists of 7 separate emirates and each region has contributed to small spikes in the population chart due to regional immigration. Among the 7 emirates, Dubai has the largest population of around 3,488,745 followed by Sharjah with 1,786,000. Abu Dhabi has a population of 1,540,000 while Ajman has a population of 504,846. Ras-Al-Khaimah has a population of 345,000 and Fujairah has a population of 256,256. The least populated Emirate is Umm Al Quwain with a population of 49,159.
*Note: The information provided here has been gathered from various reliable sources. But, please be advised that there may be minor changes in the population stats of some emirates as current data is only available for Dubai.
Emirati Vs Expatriates
It is quite evident that the expatriates outnumber the nationals in the UAE. While the expat population totals around 88.52% i.e. 8.92 million, the nationals only amount to 11.48% i.e. 1.16 million. Most of the expatriate population that comes in search of a job permanently settles down here.
UAE Population 2022 by Nationality
Nationality | Population (in Million) | Percentage |
India | 2.77M | 27.49% |
Pakistan | 1.28M | 12.69% |
Bangladesh | 0.75M | 7.40% |
Philippines | 0.56M | 5.56% |
Iran | 0.48M | 4.76% |
Egypt | 0.43M | 4.23% |
| Nepal | 0.32M | 3.17% |
Sri Lanka | 0.32M | 3.17% |
China | 0.21M | 2.11% |
All other countries | 1.81M | 17.94% |
Total Expat Population | 8.92M | 88.52% |
While examining the population statistics of the UAE in 2022, it is necessary to look at the breakdown of the whole population in terms of the different nationalities that inhabit the region. This is important because expatriates form the majority here. More than 200 nationalities are present in the UAE now. Among them, Indians occupy the highest position with 2.77 million followed by Pakistanis with 1.28 million. The other nationalities include- Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Iranians, Egyptians, Nepalese, Sri Lankans, Chinese among others.
UAE Population 2022 (Urban vs Rural)
It is interesting to note that urbanized living is predominant in the UAE. A whopping 87.50% i.e. 8.82 million people live in urban areas and the rest 12.50% i.e. 1.2 million people live in rural areas.
UAE Population Growth (1980 – 2022)
The population growth chart shows that from the year 1995 to 2005 there was a steady increase of 1 million every year. Then we can notice a sudden spike of 5 million in the year 2015 when the population reached 9.26. Since then the population growth rate has decreased.
The population of the UAE today is equivalent to 0.13% of the total world population. The total land area is 83,600Km² or 32,278 square miles. The population density is 118 per km² or 306 people per mi².
Year | Population (in Million) |
2022 | 10.08M |
2021 | 9.99M |
2020 | 9.89M |
2019 | 9.68M |
2018 | 9.54M |
2017 | 9.48M |
2016 | 9.36M |
2015 | 9.26M |
2010 | 8.54M |
2005 | 4.58M |
2000 | 3.13M |
1995 | 2.41M |
1990 | 1.82M |
1985 | 1.36M |
1980 | 1.01M |
Most Popular Social Media Platforms in the UAE in 2022
Social media usage is highly prevalent among the UAE population. The majority of people are hooked to the streaming app that provides a wide range of content i.e. YouTube. 87.4% of the population use this application. WhatsApp users are not far behind, 80.2% of the population use this networking service on a daily basis. Facebook or Meta(as it is known today) has 79% users out of the total population.
Dubai Population 2022
Dubai is the industrial focal point of the UAE. It is an international hub that is home to diverse nationalities. As mentioned above, it is the Emirate with the highest population. In 2022, the population of Dubai stands at 3,488,745.
It is not just a center of commerce. From alluring desserts to sunny beaches, this city has also been attracting a large number of tourists for many years now.
The population density of the city is approximately 762.6 individuals per square metre. Dubai is the second largest Emirate with an area of 4,114 square kilometers.
To sum up, a study of the population of the UAE in the year 2022 is an eye-opener for people from diverse backgrounds- immigrants, investors, tourists etc. It makes us understand the demographic complexities of this economical giant. Apart from providing a comfortable home to many expats, the UAE has progressively allowed many religions to flourish. As the population continues to grow, it would be interesting to watch how the UAE flourishes along with it.
Check out our blog on the 2023 UAE Population Statistics
Disclaimer: GMI acknowledges that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented on this infographic. The information represented is based on information researched from various sources on the internet. We are not liable for any errors, financial loss, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of, or reliance on, the information herein.
GMI’s Research Team is a panel of knowledgeable experts from various fields such as digital marketing, social media, and web development, all united by a common goal—to educate. We enjoy exploring everything from the latest industry trends and emerging technologies to people and demographics, both in the UAE and beyond. Through our blog posts, we share valuable insights that help businesses and marketers stay informed and prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
