United Arab Emirates

Internet country code

.ae

Internet hosts

379,106 (2009) country comparison to the world: 51

Internet users

2.922 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 60

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; linked to the international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); landing point for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia

Telephones - main lines in use

1.508 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 64

Telephones - mobile cellular

9.358 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 62

Television broadcast stations

15 (2004)

Agriculture - products

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

Budget

revenues: $78.74 billion expenditures: $48.31 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2008)

Current account balance

$22.31 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $25.84 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$134.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $61.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Economy - overview

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP based on oil and gas output to 25%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. The global financial crisis and the resulting tight international credit market and falling oil prices have already begun to deflate asset prices and will result in slower economic growth for 2009. Dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.

Electricity - consumption

65.98 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

71.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Exchange rates

Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.6725 (2008 est.), 3.6725 (2007), 3.6725 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002

Exports

$239.2 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $170.4 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates

Exports - partners

Japan 23%, South Korea 9.4%, India 7.9%, Iran 6.5%, Thailand 5.3% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$262.2 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$206.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $192 billion (2007 est.) $181.2 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.5% industry: 62.7% services: 35.7% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$44,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $43,200 (2007 est.) $42,500 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 6% (2007 est.) 14.9% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$176.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $116.6 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

China 13.2%, India 10.4%, US 8.8%, Germany 6.5%, Japan 6.1%, Turkey 4.5%, Italy 4.3% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

6.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Industries

petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

15.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 14% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Labor force

3.266 million country comparison to the world: 97 note: expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$97.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $224.7 billion (31 December 2007) $138.5 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

59.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - exports

7.567 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas - imports

16.75 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Natural gas - production

50.24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.071 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Oil - consumption

463,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Oil - exports

2.7 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Oil - imports

192,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Oil - production

3.046 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Oil - proved reserves

97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Population below poverty line

19.5% (2003)

Public debt

40.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 17.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $77.24 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$28.95 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $24.95 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$62.69 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $51.54 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$NA (31 December 2008) $155.4 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$NA (31 December 2008) $49.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$NA (31 December 2008) $104.6 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2001) country comparison to the world: 25

Area

total: 83,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 114 land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Coastline

1,318 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Environment - current issues

lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Irrigated land

760 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Land use

arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 96.96% (2005)

Location

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Terrain

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Total renewable water resources

0.2 cu km (1997)

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 (Quwayn)

Capital

name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996

Country name

conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard G. OLSON, Jr. embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2603 consulate(s) general: Dubai

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Yousef bin Mani Saeed al-OTAIBA chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432

Executive branch

chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006) head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits) from among the seven FSC members; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan al Nuhayyan (next to be held in 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously affirmed vice president after the 2006 death of his brother Sheikh Maktum bin Rashid al-Maktum

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side

Government type

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Independence

2 December 1971 (from the UK)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms) elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) held in the UAE on 18-20 December 2006; the new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - were the only eligible voters and candidates; 456 candidates including 65 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats; one female from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi won a seat and 8 women were among the 20 appointed members note: reviews legislation but cannot change or veto

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Political parties and leaders

none; political parties are not allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

none

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 Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,405,884 (includes non-nationals) females age 16-49: 884,853 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,081,491 females age 16-49: 788,632 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 26,659 female: 23,793 (2009 est.)

Military branches

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, National Coast Guard (2008)

Military expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription (2008)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 500,928/female 478,388) 15-64 years: 78.7% (male 2,768,030/female 1,008,404) 65 years and over: 0.9% (male 27,601/female 15,140) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2009 est.)

Birth rate

16.02 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Death rate

2.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 222

Education expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 176

Ethnic groups

Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.18% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 138 male: 14.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.11 years country comparison to the world: 70 male: 73.56 years female: 78.78 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 30.1 years male: 32 years female: 24.7 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati

Net migration rate

22.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Population

4,798,491 country comparison to the world: 115 note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net inmigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2009 est.)

Population growth rate

3.689% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1

Religions

Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2003)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.74 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.82 male(s)/female total population: 2.19 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.42 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Urbanization

urban population: 78% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies

Illicit drugs

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated

Airports

41 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102

Airports - with paved runways

total: 24 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2009)

Heliports

5 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 58 country comparison to the world: 66 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, container 8, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 14 (Denmark 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 10) registered in other countries: 313 (Bahamas 23, Bahrain 1, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 7, Cyprus 9, Dominica 1, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 3, Hong Kong 1, India 6, Indonesia 2, Iran 1, Jordan 13, North Korea 8, Liberia 23, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 15, Mexico 1, Netherlands 5, Panama 109, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 8, Singapore 12, Somalia 1, Turkey 1, UK 9, unknown 6) (2008)

Pipelines

condensate 458 km; gas 2,129 km; liquid petroleum gas 220 km; oil 1,310 km; refined products 212 km; water 90 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Zayid (Abu Dhabi), Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah), Khawr Fakkan (Sharjah)

Roadways

total: 4,080 km country comparison to the world: 156 paved: 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)