United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates situated along the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and west, Oman to the east, and the Persian Gulf to the north. Established in 1971, the UAE has transformed within half a century from a collection of desert principalities into one of the world’s most advanced and prosperous states. Combining traditional monarchical governance with modern administrative efficiency, the UAE stands today as a global hub for trade, finance, technology, and tourism, while maintaining its Arab-Islamic cultural heritage.

Historical Background

The lands of present-day UAE were historically inhabited by Arab Bedouin tribes, whose livelihoods depended on fishing, pearling, and camel herding. By the nineteenth century, the area became known as the Trucial Coast, a name derived from maritime truces signed between Britain and local rulers to curb piracy and protect trade routes. Under these agreements, Britain assumed responsibility for the region’s defence and foreign affairs, while internal autonomy remained with local sheikhs.
When Britain announced its withdrawal from its Gulf protectorates in 1971, six emirates—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, and Fujairah—formed a federation on 2 December 1971. Ras al-Khaimah joined the following year, completing the union. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi, became the founding president and is revered as the architect of the modern UAE.
Sheikh Zayed utilised the oil revenues discovered in the 1950s and 1960s to build infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and housing, laying the groundwork for a modern welfare state. Following his death in 2004, his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan continued the policies of diversification and social development.
Since 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) has served as President, guiding the UAE through a period of regional influence and global integration. The country is distinguished by political stability and a pragmatic foreign policy that balances close relations with Western allies and assertive regional engagement.
The UAE has been active in international peacekeeping and regional conflicts, including missions in Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Afghanistan. It played a pivotal role in the Abraham Accords (2020), becoming one of the first Arab nations to establish formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Geography and Environment

The UAE occupies 83,600 square kilometres, slightly larger than the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, with a coastline of 1,318 kilometres.
The country’s terrain is dominated by flat coastal plains and vast deserts, interspersed with mountain ranges in the east. Jabal Bil ‘Ays (1,905 m), located in the Hajar Mountains, is the highest point. The climate is arid desert, featuring extremely hot summers, mild winters, and higher rainfall in the mountainous eastern regions.
Natural resources include petroleum and natural gas, forming the basis of early economic development. Only 5.5% of the land is arable, and 4.5% is forested. The population is concentrated in coastal areas—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah—which together account for about 85% of the total population.
The UAE faces environmental challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and pollution. Advanced desalination plants provide universal access to drinking water, while national sustainability programmes—like Masdar City, the Green Agenda 2030, and the Net Zero 2050 Strategy—aim to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy.

People and Society

As of 2024, the UAE’s population was approximately 10.03 million, making it one of the most demographically unique countries globally, with 88% expatriates and 12% Emirati nationals.
Ethnic composition (2015):

• Emirati citizens: 11.6%
• South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis): 59.4%
• Egyptians: 10.2%
• Filipinos: 6.1%
• Others: 12.8%

Languages: Arabic (official); English widely used in business and education; Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Tagalog, Persian, and Pashto are also spoken.
Religion: Islam is the official religion (Sunni majority), but the constitution guarantees freedom of worship. Religious demographics include Muslims (74.5%), Christians (12.9%), Hindus (6.2%), and Buddhists (3.2%).
Demographic indicators (2024):

• Median age: 35.8 years
• Life expectancy: 79.9 years
• Fertility rate: 1.61 children per woman
• Literacy rate: 98%
• Urbanisation: 87.8%
• Gender ratio: 2.13 males per female

The gender imbalance reflects the country’s migrant labour base, dominated by male workers in construction and service industries. Emirati citizens, however, enjoy comprehensive welfare, free education, and subsidised healthcare.
Women’s empowerment is a national priority, with 50% representation in the Federal National Council (FNC) and increasing leadership roles across government, business, and diplomacy.

Government and Politics

The UAE is a federation of seven hereditary monarchies, each ruled by an emir. The Federal Supreme Council (FSC), composed of the seven rulers, is the highest constitutional authority, electing the President and Vice President from among its members.

• Official name: Al Imarat al-Arabiyah al-Muttahidah (United Arab Emirates)
• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Government type: Federation of monarchies
• Independence: 2 December 1971 (from the United Kingdom)

Executive:

• President: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (since 2022)
• Prime Minister: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (since 2006)

Legislature: The Federal National Council (FNC) is a 40-member advisory body with 20 indirectly elected and 20 appointed members. The FNC reviews draft laws but lacks legislative power.
Judiciary: The UAE applies a mixed legal system, combining Sharia (Islamic law) with civil law principles. The Federal Supreme Court handles constitutional matters, while Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras al-Khaimah maintain independent judicial systems.
Political parties are banned, and elections are limited, with only a small percentage of Emirati citizens eligible to vote in FNC polls. Governance is based on consensus among ruling families, ensuring political stability and continuity.

Economy

The UAE’s economy is high-income and diversified, transitioning from dependence on hydrocarbons to a global model for innovation, logistics, and services.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): US$746 billion
• GDP (nominal): US$537 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): US$68,600
• Real GDP growth: 3.8%
• Inflation: 1.7%
• Public debt: 19.7% of GDP

Sectoral composition (2023):

• Agriculture: 0.7%
• Industry: 47.7%
• Services: 51.6%

Trade (2023):

• Exports: US$558 billion – crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas, gold, broadcasting equipment
• Main partners: China (11%), India (11%), Japan (10%), Iraq (6%), Thailand (4%)
• Imports: US$482 billion – gold, vehicles, petroleum, electronics, diamonds
• Main partners: China (19%), India (7%), USA (6%), Turkey (4%), Japan (4%)

The dirham (AED) is pegged to the US dollar (3.672 AED/USD), ensuring monetary stability.
The UAE’s Vision 2031 and Economic Diversification Strategy aim to position the nation among the world’s top economies through digital transformation, green energy, and innovation investment. Dubai’s economy relies on finance, real estate, tourism, and logistics, while Abu Dhabi focuses on energy, manufacturing, and renewables through initiatives like Masdar.

Defence and Security

The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces (UAEAF) are among the most advanced in the Arab world, comprising about 65,000 active personnel across the Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, and National Guard.

• Military expenditure: 4% of GDP (2024)
• Service obligation: Compulsory for men (18–30 years); voluntary for women

The UAE maintains close defence partnerships with the United States, France, and NATO allies, hosting foreign bases and conducting joint exercises. Its forces have participated in coalition operations in Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Afghanistan, reflecting the country’s growing regional role.

Space and Technology

The UAE is a regional leader in space exploration and innovation. The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and the UAE Space Agency oversee national space initiatives, including:

• Hope Probe (2020): The Arab world’s first interplanetary mission to Mars
• Rashid Rover (2022): The UAE’s first lunar mission
• Astronaut Programme: Trains Emirati astronauts in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA)

The government plans to invest over US$800 million by 2032 to foster private-sector space technology and research.

Culture and Society

Emirati culture is rooted in Arab and Islamic traditions while embracing global modernity. Traditional customs—Al-Ayyala dance, falconry, and majlis gatherings—remain integral to national identity. Arabic is the official language, though English predominates in business, higher education, and media.
The UAE promotes cultural diversity through global events such as the Dubai Expo (2020), Sharjah International Book Fair, and Abu Dhabi Art Fair. The golden falcon serves as the national emblem, symbolising strength and heritage, while the flag’s colours—green, white, black, and red—represent Pan-Arab unity and resilience.