Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates
Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates represent about 89% of the population, while Emiratis constitute roughly 11% of the total population, making the UAE home to the world's highest percentage of expatriates after the Vatican City.
Most immigrants reside in Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi. The UAE is home to over 200 nationalities. Indians and Pakistanis form the largest expatriate groups in the country, constituting 28% and 16% of the total population respectively. Westerners in the United Arab Emirates make up around 5% of its total population.
History and background
A number of immigrants settled in the country prior to independence. The United Arab Emirates attracts immigrants from all over the world; this may be because UAE nationals prefer to work for the government or military. The country's relatively liberal society compared to some of its neighbours has attracted many global expatriates, including people from the Western nations. Many immigrants were also attracted by its tax-free status.However, since the late 2010s, an influx of high-net-worth individuals has significantly increased the cost of living, especially housing and private school fees. The UAE went from being the 90th most expensive destination for expatriates in 2013 to the 31st in 2023. As a result, thousands of middle-class workers left the country. Saudi Arabia is competing with Dubai to attract these expatriates. The absence of an easy route to citizenship is another cause of emigration. Lower-paid expatriates are less affected by the local inflation as they work in manual professions such as construction and cleaning where their employers pay for their rent, electricity and transportation.
Legal status
Under Article 8 of UAE Federal Law no. 17, an expatriate can apply for UAE citizenship after residing in the country for a period not less than 30 years providing that person has maintained a good reputation, has never been convicted of a crime and is fluent in Arabic.Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations
This section covers Arab populations from the Middle East and North Africa.| Nationality | Estimated Population | Notes and References | ||
 West Asian populations (Non-Arabs)
|
see also|Armenians in