5. Demographics
Some Key Facts…
Population in 2006: 5.63 million.
Population estimated for 2010: 7.557 million. Census will be conducted in April 2010
Results from a survey conducted by Ministry of Economy in 2008 concluded that the average
size of a household in the country in 2008 was 5.1 with UAE national households comprising
19.1%; expatriate households account for 80.9%.
The Expatriate population mainly comprises of people from the Gulf region (Saudi Arabia,
Yemen, Lebanon), Asian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal),
East Asian countries (China, the Philippines, Thailand etc) and Westerners (Europe,
Australia, Britain etc.).
UAE has been steadily witnessing low birth rate (2.56 children per woman). Life expectancy
is now 76 years for women and 74 years for men.
6. Income and economy
Some Key Facts…
According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, Dubai's inflation rate stood at 4.1 per cent in
2009 as compared with 11.3 per cent in 2008. Housing, water, electricity and gas price
growth, accounting for the largest share of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) weight, stood at
2.4 per cent in 2009.
The average monthly income for national households (Emiratis) is Euro 7,089.12 and
expenditure is Euro 4,472.56, while non-national household income (Expatriates) is Euro
2,932.74 and expenditure is Euro 1,876.53.
The percentage of expenditure on housing and utility was 39.4% of the total income, while
expenditure on food and beverages was 14.2%.
Conversion rate: 1 Euro = 5.14 UAE Dirhams
7. Demographics and Consumption
Some consumption facts
UAE
PC / laptop at
60.9% home
200% + Mobile phone
59%
Credit card
(2004 data)
55.4% Car
(Estimated for 2009)
9. The typical Emirati citizen
Values of the Society
Most Emiratis still value traditional things, perceive themselves as a
part of «We are Arabs» culture, whereas others adopted some
western values: like focusing on career, success and
independence.
Women used to be in the subordinate positions, but it is changing
now. The large proportion of the Emirati women prefer to work.
Their importance in the family (decision making) is increasing.
There is a change of values especially in young generation (those
straight out of college or still in college) towards more individualism
and acceptance of women as being career oriented and more
independent.
10. The typical Emirati citizen
Family, Household and Hospitality
The overwhelming majority of Emiratis are family-oriented people
and many parents support their kids after they have reached majority.
“To be happy” means to have children and growing family.
Leisure time (after work) is dedicated to the family and friends or
following sports.
Generally, the Emirati society is characterized by strong family ties.
In traditional households, women still have responsibility to maintain
the household. Slowly, the family values are shifting where both the
partners share responsibilities based on mutual understanding.
The majority of the Emiratis see themselves as hospitable, although
they also prefer preserving their own privacy.
11. The typical Emiratis
Work and Career
Family and stability are most important as well as loyalty toward the employer (often a
governmental organization).
They prefer regular working hours and value recognition and things like
Social provision
Accommodation provided by the state
Attitudes towards work vary considerably among younger generation:
They are constantly looking for a better position, are mobile and
take risks.
More and more young women becoming career-oriented.
Young man and women highly appreciate:
High evaluation of their efforts
Self-realization
Connections/networking is extremely important in all spheres of life.
12. Living conditions
Housing in UAE is on a par with the most developed areas in the
world.
In Abu Dhabi alone, the government has built more than 35,000
apartments which have been given to citizens through long-term
soft loans. The idea is that the citizens can lease the
apartments in order to produce income.
Housing at low- and controlled-rent has also been built all over
the country for both citizens and expatriates.
Electric power stations and desalination plants, often fuelled by
gas from the country's oil fields, ensure a constant supply of
water and electricity for residential, industrial or agricultural
consumption.
13. Living conditions for Expats
Most of the Expatriates live in Flats/ apartments in Dubai, ensuring a personal space for
themselves and their loved ones.
Expat Asian bachelors generally live in shared accommodation with colleagues or friends
due to high cost of living
Of course, there is different housing according to economical status of habitants:
Labor class living condition Middle class home Luxury living
14. Leisure activities
Main activities are as follows:
Barbeque, sheesha
Socializing (meeting friends and relatives)
Getaway from all other activities
Shopping/ visiting malls
Sports activities
15. Agenda
Demographics and Consumption
Economic Situation
Relevant Local Aspects
16. UAE economy
Great oil finds since the 1960's has brought UAE wealth and progress. Still, over the last 20-30 years,
UAE's success in the Middle East is largely owned to a national focus on developing alternatives to the
oil industries.
This involves very successful programs to turn designated ports of the Emirates into trade centres,
development of industries, refining of oil as well as land reclamation.
In order to accommodate foreign investments, free zones like Jabal Ali have permitted extensive rights to
foreign investors, like the right to 100% foreign ownership, absence of taxes and duties.
UAE has 6 international airports. The busiest among them is Dubai, which served 18 million passengers
in 2003, aiming at 30 million by 2010.
Tourism has been strongly promoted especially since the mid-1990's, the number of visitors passed
1 million in 1993.
Emirati dirham was introduced in 1973 and was fixed to the US dollar in 1997.
With the many young emirates graduating from higher education, a process of taking back the jobs to
nationals is encouraged by the government. In particular have very few jobs in the private sector been on the
hands of nationals.
17. Economic Situation 2009
As on 30th December 2009
High assessment of UAE's economic
strength on the country's extensive
reserves of hydrocarbon resources, high
per capita income and large holdings of
offshore financial assets.
The country's high GDP per capita of
$36,000 (Dh132,228) is a key indicator of
its economic strength and capacity to meet
debt obligations.
IMF expects UAE economy to return to
growth in 2010 by 0.6 percent, as Dubai's
economy continues to contract. That
would compare with 6.1 percent and 5.1
percent in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
18. Other indicators of economy
GDP composition by sector (2009 estimate):
Services (50.2%),
Industry (48.6%),
Agriculture (1.1%)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.5% (2009 est.) and
15.8% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (2001 est.)
20. Local Aspects
Dubai is the biggest of all the 7 emirates in UAE in terms of population size.
The majority of residents (Expats) live in apartments or flats.
The average income per one person in UAE now is:
In private business: 1,500 $ per month
In state organizations: 700 – 800$
