United Arab Emirates
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emiratesIndependence 2 December 1971 (from the UK)
United Arab Emirates as the 2013 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 160 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 Dhabi, '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 high 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. The UAE has essentially avoided the "Arab Spring" unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East, though in March 2011, political activists and intellectuals signed a petition calling for greater public participation in governance that was widely circulated on the Internet. In an effort to stem potential further unrest, the government announced a multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern Emirates.
Geography
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
20 fieldsLand useshare of 83,600 sq km
Terrain
flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 3.99 cu km/yr (15%/2%/83%)
- per capita:
- 739.5 cu m/yr (2005)
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
33 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2013 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2013 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(1982)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years:
- 1.46 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years:
- 3.23 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years:
- 3.19 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 1.77 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 2.19 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Government
Federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates; President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006)
21 fieldsCountry 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
Constitution
- previous 1971 (provisional);
- latest drafted in 1979, became permanent May 1996;
- amended 2009 (2012)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage
limited; note - rulers of the seven Emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that together account for about 12 percent of the native Emirati population
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 theWorld 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 2004 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;
- elections for candidates rather than party lists;
- 469 candidates including 85 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats
- election results:
- elected seats by emirate - Abu Dhabi 4, Dubai 4, Sharjah 3, Ras al-Khaimah 3, Ajman 2, Fujairah 2, Umm al-Quwain 2;
- note - number of appointed seats for each emirate are same as elected seats
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Federal Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 4 judges)
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the federal president following approval by the Federal Supreme Council, which includes the rulers of the 7 emirates; judge term NA
- subordinate courts:
- Federal Court of Cassation (determines the constitutionality of laws promulgated at the federal and local (emirate) levels; federal level courts of first instance and appeals courts; each emirate has its own court system
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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 (since 25 July 2008)
- 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 (since 25 July 2011)
- 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
Economy
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus.
39 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2012 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
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 country 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.
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. 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.
Gross national saving
40% of GDP (2012 est.) · 37.6% of GDP (2011 est.) · 28.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Industries
petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles
Labor force
4.337 million country comparison to the world: 87 note: expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$81.46 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $71.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Stock of broad money
$234.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $224.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Stock of domestic credit
$293.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $293.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Current account balance
$66.56 billion (2012 est.) · $50.95 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$47.04 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $37.27 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Debt - external
$162.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $156.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$92.96 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $83.36 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$58.46 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $55.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Exchange rates
Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.67 (2012 est.) · 3.67 (2011 est.) · 3.67 (2010 est.) · 3.67 (2009) · 3.67 (2008)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 23.25 million kW(2010 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
6.089 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 7
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
245.4 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone 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 (2011)
Broadcast media
- except for the many organizations now operating in Dubai's Media Free Zone, most TV and radio stations remain government-owned;
- widespread use of satellite dishes provides access to pan-Arab and other international broadcasts (2007)
Transportation
8 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right
Pipelines
- condensate 533 km;
- gas 3,277 km;
- liquid petroleum gas 300 km;
- oil 3,287 km;
- oil/gas/water 24 km;
- refined products 218 km;
- water 99 km (2013)
Roadways
- total:
- 4,080 km
country comparison to the world: 157
- paved:
- 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)
Merchant marine
- total:
- 61
country comparison to the world: 65
- by type:
- bulk carrier 3, cargo 13, chemical tanker 8, 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:
- 253 (Bahamas 23, Barbados 1, Belize 3, Cambodia 2, Comoros 8, Cyprus 3, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 5, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 1, India 4, Iran 2, Jordan 2, Liberia 37, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 12, Mexico 1, Netherlands 4, North Korea 2, Panama 83, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 6, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 10, Tanzania 3, Togo 1, UK 8, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)
Ports and terminals
Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Khor Fakkan (Khawr Fakkan), Mubarraz Island, Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah)
Military
United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Critical Infrastructure Coastal Patrol Agency (CNIA), Land Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2012)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Critical Infrastructure Coastal Patrol Agency (CNIA), Land Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2012)
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 (2012)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 2,676,928 (includes non-nationals)
- females age 16-49:
- 981,649 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - 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
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “United Arab Emirates.” The World Factbook 2013. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/united-arab-emirates/2013.