United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

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 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. For more than three decades, oil and global finance drove the UAE’s economy. However, in 2008-09, the confluence of falling oil prices, collapsing real estate prices, and the international banking crisis hit the UAE especially hard. In March 2011, about 100 Emirati activists and intellectuals posted on the Internet and sent to the government a petition calling for greater political reform, including the establishment of a parliament with full legislative powers and the further expansion of the electorate and the rights of the Federal National Council (FNC), the UAE’s quasi-legislature. In an effort to stem further unrest, the government announced a multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern Emirates. In late September 2011, an FNC election – in which voting was expanded from 6,600 voters to about 12 percent of the Emirati population – was held for half of the FNC seats. The other half are appointed by the rulers of the Emirates.

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
country comparison to the world: 115 land:83,600 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

1,318 km

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

Climate

desert

cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland

mountains in east

Elevation extremes

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

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Land use

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

Irrigated land

2,300 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

0.2 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

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

Geography – note

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Emirati(s)
adjective:Emirati

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)

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

5,148,664 (July 2011 est.)
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 immigration of non-citizens than previous estimates

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 537,925/female 513,572)
15-64 years:78.7% (male 2,968,958/female 1,080,717)
65 years and over:0.9% (male 30,446/female 17,046)
note:73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30.2 years
male:32.1 years
female:24.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

3.282% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

Birth rate

15.87 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128

Death rate

2.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223

Net migration rate

19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

Urbanization

urban population: 84% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

ABU DHABI (capital) 666,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:2.75 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.8 male(s)/female
total population:2.2 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 142

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 135 male:13.96 deaths/1,000 live births
female:9.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.51 years
country comparison to the world: 71 male:73.94 years
female:79.22 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.4 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Health expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 181

Physicians density

1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 66

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 104

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 95% of population
total: 97% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 5% of population
total: 3% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

33.7% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 7

Education expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 161

Literacy

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years
male:13 years
female:14 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 12.1%
country comparison to the world: 90 male:7.9%
female:21.8% (2008)

Government

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

Government type

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

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)

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 (Quwain)

Independence

2 December 1971 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Constitution

2 December 1971

made permanent in 1996

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law and civil law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

none

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 SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 11 May 2009) and MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 11 May 2009)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )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 2009 upon the death of the UAE’s Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next election NA)

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

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 four-year terms)
elections:last held on 24 September 2011 (next to be held in 2015)

note – the electoral college was expanded from 6,689 voters in the December 2006 election to 129,274 in the September 2011 election

469 candidates including 85 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats
note:the FNC reviews legislation but cannot change or veto

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders

none

political parties are not allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael H. CORBIN
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

Flag description

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

the flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources (black), and unity (red)

red was the traditional color incorporated into all flags of the emirates before their unification

National symbol(s)

golden falcon

National anthem

name: “Nashid al-watani al-imarati” (National Anthem of the UAE)
lyrics/music:AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
note:music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996

Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia

Economy

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, however, those talks have not moved forward. The country’s Free Trade Zones – offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes – are helping to attract foreign investors. The global financial crisis, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009 and 2010. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency. The UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi-based banks bought the largest shares. In December 2009 Dubai received an additional $10 billion loan from the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The economy is expected to continue a slow rebound. Dependence on oil, a large expatriate workforce, and growing inflation pressures 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$246.8 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 $239.1 billion (2009 est.)
$246.9 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$301.9 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116 -3.2% (2009 est.)
5.3% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$49,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9 $49,800 (2009 est.)
$53,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 0.9%
industry:55.5%
services:43.6% (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.705 million
country comparison to the world: 91 note:expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 20

Population below poverty line

19.5% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Investment (gross fixed)

23.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Budget

revenues: $85.77 billion
expenditures:$92.15 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Public debt

51.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49 55% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21 1.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.2% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152 5.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$63.43 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41 $60.84 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$214.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37 $201.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$274.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35 $263.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$104.7 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 37 $109.6 billion (31 December 2009)
$97.85 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

dates, vegetables, watermelons

poultry, eggs, dairy products

fish

Industries

petroleum and petrochemicals

fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

Electricity – production

80.94 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Electricity – consumption

70.58 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

2.813 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Oil – consumption

545,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Oil – exports

2.395 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Oil – imports

235,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Oil – proved reserves

97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7

Natural gas – production

48.84 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Natural gas – consumption

59.08 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas – exports

7.01 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25

Natural gas – imports

17.25 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Natural gas – proved reserves

6.453 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7

Current account balance

$6.053 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $7.826 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$212.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23 $191.8 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

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

Exports – partners

Japan 17.1%, India 13.6%, Iran 6.9%, South Korea 6.1%, Thailand 5.1% (2010)

Imports

$161.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25 $149.7 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports – partners

India 17.5%, China 14%, US 7.7%, Germany 5.6%, Japan 4.8% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$42.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40 $36.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$151.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33 $149 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$74.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45 $70.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$53.43 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $51.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -
3.673 (2010)
3.673 (2009)
3.6725 (2008)
3.6725 (2007)
3.6725 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

41 (2010)
country comparison to the world:102

Airports – with paved runways

total: 25
over 3,047 m:12
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:2 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 16
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:5 (2010)

Heliports

5 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 458 km

refined products 212 km

gas 2,352 km

liquid petroleum gas 220 km

oil 1,437 km (2010)

Roadways

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

Merchant marine

total: 57
country comparison to the world: 68 by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 9, chemical tanker 7, container 7, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4
foreign-owned:13 (Greece 3, Kuwait 10)
registered in other countries:278 (Bahamas 27, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 11, Cyprus 5, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 5, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 1, Jordan 7, Liberia 27, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 17, Mexico 1, Netherlands 4, North Korea 6, Panama 83, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 17, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Saudi Arabia 6, Sierra Leone 6, Singapore 10, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 9, Vanuatu 1, unknown 7) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Al Fujayrah, Mina’ Jabal ‘Ali (Dubai), Khawr Fakkan (Khor Fakkan), Mubarraz Island, Mina’ Rashid (Dubai), Mina’ Saqr (Ra’s al Khaymah)

Military

Military branches

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service

18 years of age for officers and women

no conscription

16-22 years of age for candidates for the UAE Naval College (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,676,928 (includes non-nationals)
females age 16-49:981,649 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,229,366
females age 16-49:842,759 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 27,439
female:24,419 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41

Transnational Issues

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