Economy Overview
historically oil-driven Middle Eastern economy; diversifying into a trade-oriented logistics and supply chain leader; weak domestic business growth; declining real estate sector; new Israeli technology trade improving resilience; key aid donor
Agriculture Products
dates, cucumbers, tomatoes, goat meat, eggs, milk, poultry, carrots/turnips, goat milk, sheep milk
Industries
petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles
Industrial Production Growth Rate
2.54% (2021 est.)comparison ranking: 128
Labor Force
6.074 million (2021 est.)
Unemployment Rate
3.36% (2021 est.)3.19% (2020 est.)2.23% (2019 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate
Total: 10.7% (2021 est.)
Male: 7.9%
Female: 19.9%
Population Below Poverty Line
19.5% (2003 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: NA
Highest 10%: NA
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
26 (2018 est.)comparison ranking: 170
Average Household Expenditures
On food: 13.7% of household expenditures (2018 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco: 0.4% of household expenditures (2018 est.)
Budget
Revenues: $129.741 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $127.262 billion (2019 est.)
Note: the UAE federal budget does not account for emirate-level spending in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Budget Surplus
-0.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)comparison ranking: 51
Public Debt
19.7% of GDP (2017 est.)20.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$131.117 billion (31 December 2021 est.)$106.702 billion (31 December 2020 est.)$108.359 billion (31 December 2019 est.)
Debt External
$237.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)$218.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
Exchange Rates
0: Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar -
Exchange rates: 3.673 (2021 est.)3.673 (2020 est.)3.673 (2019 est.)3.673 (2018 est.)3.673 (2017 est.)
