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United Arab Emirates

Middle East · Abu Dhabi · federation of monarchies

What United Arab Emirates means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.

Map showing the location of United Arab Emirates

$7.7B

U.S. imports, 2025

+3.8%

change in one year

$31.4B

U.S. exports, 2025

10M

Population

$537.1B

GDP

In your house

What you buy that United Arab Emirates makes

America bought $7.7B in goods from United Arab Emirates in 2025. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.

Bauxite and aluminum

aluminum for cans and autos

$1.5B19.7%

U.s. goods returned, and reimports

$1.3B17.5%

Toiletries and cosmetics

toiletries and cosmetics

$770M10%

Crude oil

$725M9.4%

Jewelry

jewelry

$411M5.4%

Petroleum products, other

gasoline and petroleum products

$306M4%

Iron and steel products, n.e.c.

$264M3.4%

Finished metal shapes

$239M3.1%

Industrial machines, other

$214M2.8%

Electric apparatus

$150M1.9%

2026 so far (through April): $2.5B in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

The other direction

What America sells to United Arab Emirates

$31.4B in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.

Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts

$5.4B

Passenger cars, new and used

$3.4B

new and used cars

Computers

$2.5B

laptops, desktops, monitors

Cell phones and other household goods, n.e.c.

$2.1B

cell phones and home electronics

Finished metal shapes

$1.2B

Gem diamonds

$1.1B

Telecommunications equipment

$1.0B

phones, routers, networking gear

Tanks, artillery, missiles, rockets, guns and ammunition

$986M

Nonmonetary gold

$829M

Where you stand

U.S. tariff posture toward United Arab Emirates

No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.

Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline)

10%

The universal 10% floor — a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — applies to nearly all U.S. imports. This country has no higher assigned rate of its own.

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

No U.S. tariff action names United Arab Emirates. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.

  1. 2026-04-06

    Section 232 metals coverage expanded

    In effect

    The April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.

    91 FR 18201 →

  2. 2026-02-24

    IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge

    In effect

    Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).

    91 FR 9437 →

  3. 2025-11-13

    Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs

    In effect

    Executive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.

    90 FR 54091 →

  4. 2025-06-04

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%

    In effect

    The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.

    90 FR 24199 →

  5. 2025-04-05

    Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect

    In effect

    Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.

    Federal Register · 2025-06063 →

  6. 2025-03-12

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries

    In effect

    Proclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.

    90 FR 9817 →
Compare all countries’ tariffs →Your tariff impact →

Reference

The country itself

Middle East · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

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.

Regional map of United Arab Emirates

Geography

Location
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Area
83,600 sq km
Climate
desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain
flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert; mountains in east
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas
Coastline
1,318 km
Natural hazards
frequent sand and dust storms

People & society

Population
10,093,593 (2025 est.)
Nationality
Emirati(s)
Ethnic groups
Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
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 est.)
Median age
35.8 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
79.9 years (2024 est.)
Literacy
98.8% (2024 est.)

Economy

Economic overview
high-income, oil-driven Middle Eastern economy; fastest GDP growth of Gulf states; diversification through tourism, construction, and services; strong foreign direct investment orientation; continued government investment and business-friendly reforms
Industries
petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles
Agricultural products
dates, cucumbers/gherkins, camel milk, goat milk, tomatoes, chicken, goat meat, eggs, milk, camel meat (2023)
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)

Government

Government type
federation of monarchies
Capital
Abu Dhabi
Independence
2 December 1971 (from the UK)
Constitution
previous 1971 (provisional); latest drafted in 1979, became permanent May 1996
Executive branch
President MUHAMMAD BIN ZAYID Al Nuhayyan (since 14 May 2022)
Legislative branch
Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihadi)

Full reference data

Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.

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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to the United Arab Emirates due to the threat of missile or drone attacks. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 30 days.
US Embassy/Consulate
[971] (2) 414-2200; US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.; abudhabiacs@state.gov; https://ae.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code
971
Local Emergency Phone
998, 999
Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/
Climate
Desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Currency (Code)
Emirati dirhams (AED)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G
Major Languages
Arabic, English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
Major Religions
Muslim 76%, Christian 9%, other ( Hindu and Buddhist) 15%
Time Difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Dubai (includes Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building), Burj-al-Arab Hotel (world's tallest hotel), Dubai Creek Dhow Ride, Dubai Museum); Jebel Hafeet; Bastakia; Al-Bidyah Mosque; Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization; Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; Al Ain
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, tennis, table tennis
Cultural Practices
The sole of the foot is considered the lowliest part of the body; it is therefore considered very rude to use the foot to point or to move around objects.
Tipping Guidelines
Even if there is a service charge, tip the waiter 10-15% of the total bill. Many Dubai residents choose to tip taxi and hail-riding services 5-10 dirhams or to round up the fare.
Souvenirs
Silk pashminas, leather goods, perfumes, gold and silver items
Traditional Cuisine
Kabsa (or Al Machboos) — chopped meat, fried onions, salt, other spices, and dried lemon served with rice cooked in the broth from the meat mixture
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Travel resources

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Geography
Location
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates
24 00 N, 54 00 E
Map references
Middle East
Area - total
83,600 sq km
Area - land
83,600 sq km
Area - water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than South Carolina; slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries - total
1,066 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Oman 609 km; Saudi Arabia 457 km
Coastline
1,318 km
Maritime claims - territorial sea
12 nm
Maritime claims - contiguous zone
24 nm
Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Maritime claims - continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain
flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert; mountains in east
Elevation - highest point
Jabal Bil 'Ays 1,905 m
Elevation - lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
Elevation - mean elevation
149 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas
Land use - agricultural land
5.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
4.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
89.7% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
940 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah -- are home to nearly 85% of the population
Natural hazards
frequent sand and dust storms
Geography - note
strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a transit point for crude oil; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) together account for over 90% of UAE's area and two-thirds of the population
People and Society
Population - total
10,093,593 (2025 est.)
Population - male
6,831,802
Population - female
3,261,791
Nationality - noun
Emirati(s)
Nationality - adjective
Emirati
Ethnic groups
Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)
Ethnic groups - note
note : data represent the total population; as of 2019, immigrants make up about 87.9% of the total population, according to UN data
Languages - Languages
Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
Languages - 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 est.)
Religions - note
note : data represent the total population; as of 2020, immigrants make up about 88.1% of the total population, according to UN data
Age structure - 0-14 years
16.4% (male 842,577/female 802,302)
Age structure - 15-64 years
81.4% (male 5,812,470/female 2,353,750)
Age structure - 65 years and over
2.2% (2024 est.) (male 169,084/female 52,030)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
23.4 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
20.4 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
3 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
33.4 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
35.8 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
38.1 years
Median age - female
29.8 years
Population growth rate
0.62% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
10.65 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
1.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah -- are home to nearly 85% of the population
Urbanization - urban population
87.8% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
3.008 million Dubai, 1.831 million Sharjah, 1.567 million ABU DHABI (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
2.47 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
3.25 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
2.13 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
5.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
79.9 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
78.6 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
81.4 years
Total fertility rate
1.6 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.78 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
12.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.99 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
31.7% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
2.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
1.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
10.7% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
13.9% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
2.4% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
67.4% (2018 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.8% national budget (2021 est.)
Literacy - total population
98.8% (2024 est.)
Literacy - male
99% (2024 est.)
Literacy - female
98.4% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
16 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
15 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
16 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
United Arab Emirates
Country name - conventional short form
none
Country name - local long form
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
Country name - local short form
none
Country name - former
Trucial Oman, Trucial States
Country name - abbreviation
UAE
Country name - etymology
self-descriptive country name; the name Arabia can be traced back at least as far as the ancient Egyptians, who referred to the region as "Ar Rabi;" "emirates" derives from amir , the Arabic word for "commander," "lord," or "prince;" the former name, Trucial States, refers to a maritime truce from 1820 between the British and the Arab sheikhdoms
Government type
federation of monarchies
Capital - name
Abu Dhabi
Capital - geographic coordinates
24 28 N, 54 22 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
in Arabic, abu means "father," and dhabi refers to a personal name, Dhabi or Zabi, that comes from the word zab , or "gazelle"
Administrative divisions
7 emirates ( imarat , singular - imarah ); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
Legal system
mixed system of Islamic (sharia) law and civil law
Constitution - history
previous 1971 (provisional); latest drafted in 1979, became permanent May 1996
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by the Supreme Council and submitted to the Federal National Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote of Federal National Council members present and approval of the Supreme Council president
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
30 years
Suffrage
limited
Suffrage - note
note: rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that accounts for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens
Executive branch - chief of state
President MUHAMMAD BIN ZAYID Al Nuhayyan (since 14 May 2022)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister and Co-Vice President MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al Maktum (since 5 January 2006)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and approved by the president
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president and vice president indirectly elected by the Federal Supreme Council -- composed of the rulers of the 7 emirates -- for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president
Executive branch - most recent election date
unscheduled election held on 14 May 2022, after the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan
Executive branch - election results
2022: MUHAMMAD BIN ZAYID Al-Nuhayyan elected president; Federal Supreme Council vote - NA
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2027
Executive branch - note
note: the Federal Supreme Council (FSC) is composed of the 7 emirate rulers and is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; the FSC establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets 4 times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power
Legislative branch - legislature name
Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihadi)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - number of seats
40 (20 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)
Legislative branch - electoral system
other systems
Legislative branch - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - term in office
4 years
Legislative branch - most recent election date
10/7/2023
Legislative branch - percentage of women in chamber
50%
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
October 2027
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Federal Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 4 judges; jurisdiction limited to federal cases)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
judges appointed by the federal president after approval from the Federal Supreme Council, the highest executive and legislative authority consisting of the 7 emirate rulers; judges serve until retirement age or the expiration of their appointment terms
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Federal Court of Cassation (determines the constitutionality of laws); the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ra's al Khaymah have parallel court systems; the other 4 emirates have incorporated their courts into the federal system
Judicial branch - note
note: the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and the Dubai International Financial Center Courts, the country’s two largest financial free zones, adjudicate civil and commercial disputes
Political parties
note: political parties are banned; all candidates run as independents
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Yousif AL OTAIBA (since 28 July 2008)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 243-2400
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 243-2408
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
info@uaeembassy-usa.org https://www.uae-embassy.org/
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Eric GAUDIOSI (since August 2025)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
6010 Abu Dhabi Place, Washington DC 20521-6010
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[971] (2) 414-2200
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[971] (2) 414-2241
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
abudhabiacs@state.gov https://ae.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation from the US - consulate(s) general
Dubai
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
Independence
2 December 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day (National Day), 2 December (1971)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black, with a wider vertical red band on the left side meaning: the flag incorporates all four pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), oil (black), and unity (red); red is a traditional color that was part of all the emirates' flags before their unification
National symbol(s)
golden falcon
National color(s)
green, white, black, red
National anthem(s) - title
"Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
National anthem(s) - history
music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1986; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for Tunisia's and Libya's anthem
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
2 ( both cultural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud, and Oases Areas); Faya Palaeolandscape (c)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, oil-driven Middle Eastern economy; fastest GDP growth of Gulf states; diversification through tourism, construction, and services; strong foreign direct investment orientation; continued government investment and business-friendly reforms
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$745.994 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$718.95 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$693.842 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
7.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$68,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$68,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$68,900 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$537.079 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.7% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
1.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
0.7% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
47.7% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
51.6% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
45.6% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
12.4% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
27.1% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
108.6% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-93.7% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
dates, cucumbers/gherkins, camel milk, goat milk, tomatoes, chicken, goat meat, eggs, milk, camel meat (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles
Industrial production growth rate
0.8% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
7.09 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
2.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
2.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
2.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
6.4% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
4.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
12.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
26.4 (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
12.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
0.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
2.8% (2018 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
20.5% (2018 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Budget - revenues
$23.248 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$19.349 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2017
19.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
0.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Exports - Exports 2023
$558.402 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$521.897 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - Exports 2021
$425.156 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - note
note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
China 11%, India 11%, Japan 10%, Iraq 6%, Thailand 4% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2023
$481.852 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$427.992 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - Imports 2021
$347.529 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - note
note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 19%, India 7%, USA 6%, Turkey 4%, Japan 4% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
gold, broadcasting equipment, cars, refined petroleum, diamonds (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$237.931 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$189.491 billion (2023 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 - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
3.672 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
3.672 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
3.672 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
3.672 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
3.672 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
44.462 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
157.974 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
613 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
501.067 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
7.914 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
75.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - nuclear
19.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
4.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy - Number of operational nuclear reactors
4 (2025)
Nuclear energy - Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors
5.35GW (2025 est.)
Nuclear energy - Percent of total electricity production
19.7% (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
5.411 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
82,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
5.512 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
4.146 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
846,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
97.8 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
55.8 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
67.734 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - exports
6.863 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - imports
18.938 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
6.091 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
450.432 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
2.259 million (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
21 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
22.4 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
203 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
most TV and radio stations state-owned, but many private organizations now operating in media free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; widespread use of satellite dishes to access pan-Arab and other international broadcasts (2022)
Internet country code
.ae
Internet users - percent of population
100% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
3.95 million (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
37 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
A6
Airports
42 (2025)
Heliports
204 (2025)
Merchant marine - total
655 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
bulk carrier 2, container ship 3, general cargo 122, oil tanker 16, other 512
Ports - total ports
20 (2024)
Ports - large
1
Ports - medium
4
Ports - small
9
Ports - very small
6
Ports - ports with oil terminals
17
Ports - key ports
Abu Zaby, Jabal Az Zannah/Ruways, Khawr Fakkan, Mina Jabal Ali, Zirkuh
Military and Security
Military and security forces
United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (includes special operations forces), National Guard (includes Coast Guard) (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note: each emirate maintains a local police force called a general directorate, which is officially a branch of the federal Ministry of Interior; all emirate-level general directorates of police enforce their respective emirate’s laws autonomously; they also enforce federal laws within their emirate in coordination with one another under the federal ministry; the State Security Directorate (SSD) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai State Security (DSS) have primary responsibility for counterterrorism law enforcement efforts; local, emirate-level police forces, especially the Abu Dhabi Police and Dubai Police, are the first responders in such cases and provide technical assistance to SSD and DSS
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
4.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
4.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
6.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 65,000 active Armed Forces (45,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 12,000 Presidential Guard) (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military is equipped with mostly modern imported armaments, and a smaller amount of domestically produced weapons; foreign suppliers have included China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, and the US; the UAE's domestic defense industry produces or co-produces such items as armored vehicles, naval vessels, precision munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles/drones for both internal use and export (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-40 for voluntary service; 18-30 years of age for compulsory national service for men with a 36-month service obligation for those without a secondary education and 11 months for secondary school graduates; women may volunteer for national service (11-month service obligation regardless of education) (2025)
Military service age and obligation - note
note 1: compulsory service may be completed in the uniformed military, the Ministry of Interior, or other security institutions designated by the military leadership note 2: the UAE military employs a considerable number of foreign personnel on contracted service
Military deployments
maintains a few hundred troops in Somalia and Yemen (2025)
Military - note
the UAE Armed Forces (UAEAF) are responsible for defending the state, its resources, and territory, preserving internal security, and supporting the UAE's foreign policy objectives; key security concerns include regional stability and cross-border threats, such as piracy and terrorism; in recent years, the UAE has undertaken a military modernization program to go along with an assertive security policy which has included military involvements in Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen the UAE has close security ties to France and the US; it hosts a multi-service French military base, which includes the French naval command for the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN); the UAE has a defense cooperation agreement with the US and hosts thousands of US military troops, mostly air and naval personnel; it also has defense ties with a number of other countries, including Australia, China, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, South Korea, and the UK, as well as NATO and fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly Saudi Arabia the UAEAF traces its origins to the establishment of the Trucial Oman Scouts in 1951, a joint UK-Abu Dhabi organization modeled after Jordan’s Arab Legion, which became the Abu Dhabi Defense Force in 1965; the modern UAEAF were formed in 1976 (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
7,634 (2024 est.)
Illicit drugs - USG identification
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Environment
Environmental issues
air pollution; water scarcity; lack of natural freshwater resources; land degradation and desertification; waste generation, beach pollution from oil spills
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
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Law of the Sea
Climate
desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Land use - agricultural land
5.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
4.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
89.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
87.8% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
271.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
12.788 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
126.038 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
132.876 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
38.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions - energy
1,573.7 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Methane emissions - agriculture
47.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - waste
448.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - other
2.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
5.618 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
24.5% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
2.297 billion cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
55 million cubic meters (2022)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
2.466 billion cubic meters (2022)
Total renewable water resources
150 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
UAE Space Agency (created in 2014); Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC; established 2006) (2025)
Space program overview
has an ambitious and growing national space program; focused on satellite development, including communications, remote sensing, and navigation, as well as deep space exploration; is building expertise, infrastructure, technology, and research and development capabilities; has elected to use foreign partners to launch payloads from spaceports abroad; has looked to invest in foreign commercial space companies and develop global partnerships; has a foreign-assisted astronaut training program; seeking to establish UAE as an international hub for space education; founding member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group; works with major global and regional players, including China, Egypt, the ESA, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US; sees its commercial space industry as a key to diversifying and developing the country’s non-oil economy; dozens of space companies operate in the UAE, including international and start-ups, plus several space-science research centers (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1997 - initiated a national space sector 2009 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (DubaiSat-1) developed jointly with South Korea and launched by Russia 2017 - announced Mars 2117 project, which included building a “Mars Science City” as the first step to establishing a human settlement on Mars within 100 years 2018 - first domestically produced RS satellite (KhalifaSat or DubaiSat-3) launched by Japan 2019 - first UAE astronaut (trained by Russia and US) in space on the International Space Station 2020 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration 2021 - became first Arab country to successfully place a probe (al Amal or Hope) in Mars orbit; announced plans to launch a probe in 2028 to land on an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter 2025 - domestically produced advanced RS/Earth imaging satellite (MBZ-SAT) launched by US
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