United Arab Emirates Population Pyramid (2026)
The United Arab Emirates has a population of 11,574,683 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 85th-largest population in the world and 0.14% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 15.9% of the population and people aged 65 and over 1.8%, with 175.0 males for every 100 females.
United Arab Emirates Demographics
The United Arab Emirates has 11.6 million people in 2026, up 3939.5% from 286,535 in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 108,211 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 1.8% — the 2nd-lowest of 194 countries.
Under-15 share 15.9% — the 43rd-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Millennials — 41.8% (4,836,735)
All generations in the United Arab Emirates →Compare United Arab Emirates Demographics
Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how the United Arab Emirates' population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
The United Arab Emirates has 175.0 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 3,157,715 (27.3% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:7,366,199
- Percentage:63.6%
Female Statistics
- Population:4,208,484
- Percentage:36.4%
- Ratio Format:1:0.571
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of the United Arab Emirates indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 119,325 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90,831 | 9.3 | 1.16 | estimate |
| 2022 | 95,204 | 9.3 | 1.15 | estimate |
| 2023 | 104,015 | 9.8 | 1.20 | estimate |
| 2024 | 108,273 | 9.8 | 1.21 | projection |
| 2025 | 114,046 | 10.1 | 1.21 | projection |
| 2026 | 119,325 | 10.3 | 1.21 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (119,325 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
The United Arab Emirates' median age is 31.6 years
Half the population is younger than 31.6 years, half is older — indicating a young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 613,458 | 5.3% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 632,737 | 5.5% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 595,915 | 5.1% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 508,510 | 4.4% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 941,826 | 8.1% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 1,548,220 | 13.4% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 1,806,778 | 15.6% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 1,658,985 | 14.3% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 1,111,510 | 9.6% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 782,042 | 6.8% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 545,080 | 4.7% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 365,051 | 3.2% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 252,770 | 2.2% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 104,222 | 0.9% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 50,280 | 0.4% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 37,119 | 0.3% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 11,213 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 7,105 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 1,579 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 262 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 20 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 4 (low birth and death rates): fertility is below the replacement level of 2.1 (1.21 children per woman), and births still exceed deaths (10.3 vs 1.0 per 1,000). Read more about Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
United Arab Emirates Total Fertility Rate: 1.21 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.16 | 9.3 | |
| 2022 | 1.15 | 9.3 | ↓0.01 |
| 2023 | 1.20 | 9.8 | ↑0.05 |
| 2024 | 1.21 | 9.8 | ↑0.01 |
| 2025 | 1.21 | 10.1 | 0.00 |
| 2026 | 1.21 | 10.3 | 0.00 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.23
The United Arab Emirates' total fertility rate is 1.21 children per woman in 2026 (very low (lowest-low) fertility), below the replacement level of 2.1. The United Arab Emirates ranks 185 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −81.4% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, the United Arab Emirates' population has increased by 15434.0%.
The median age has increased from 17.5 in 1950 to 31.6 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding the United Arab Emirates' Demographics
The United Arab Emirates has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 15.9% of the population and people aged 65 and over 1.8%.
The largest five-year age band is 30–34, at 15.6% of the population, compared with 5.3% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: the United Arab Emirates' Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The United Arab Emirates' working-age share is projected to peak in 2026 at 82.3%.
Fertility Transition Stage
The United Arab Emirates is in a period of very low (lowest-low) fertility, with a total fertility rate of 1.21 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
The United Arab Emirates' median age changed by +0.8 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 11,574,683 |
| Male Population | 7,366,199(63.6%) |
| Female Population | 4,208,484(36.4%) |
| Median Age | 31.6 years |
| Sex Ratio | 175.0 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 1,842,110(15.9%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 9,520,773(82.3%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 211,800(1.8%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 21.6 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 19.3 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 2.2 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in the United Arab Emirates
How long the average person in the United Arab Emirates is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
The United Arab Emirates is projected to grow to 15.4 million people by 2050 (+32.8% from 2026).
The median age rises from 31.6 in 2026 to 32.6 by 2050.
Major Events That Shaped the United Arab Emirates' Demographics
Understanding the historical events and policy decisions that created the United Arab Emirates' current population structure.
Oil Discovery and Boom
1958-1980sMassive oil revenues transformed a small desert society into a modern state.
Demographic Impact
Population rose from 137,989 in 1961 to 4.7 million by 2005.
Economic Diversification and Immigration
1990s-presentDubai and Abu Dhabi emerged as global business and tourism hubs.
Demographic Impact
Population reached 9.4 million by 2020.
Emiratization Policies
2000s-presentGovernment initiatives to increase Emirati participation in the workforce.
Demographic Impact
The overall sex ratio was about 175.0 males per 100 females in 2026.
United Arab Emirates' Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 254.5%, growing from 0.3 million in 1970 to 1.0 million by 1980
The median age increased by 3.2 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 2.4 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 287K to 1.0M
- • Growth rate of 254.5% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 22.0 to 25.2 years (+3.2y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.3 points; under-15 share by −2.4 points
How Does the United Arab Emirates Compare to Its Neighbors?
The United Arab Emirates has a younger population than Qatar. The United Arab Emirates has an older population than Saudi Arabia, Oman.
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Qatar
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates (Current) | 11,574,683 | 31.6 | 15.9% | 1.8% | constrictive |
| Saudi Arabia | 35,165,787 | 29.7 | 23.4% | 3.2% | stationary |
| Oman | 5,671,458 | 29.8 | 24.0% | 2.7% | stationary |
| Qatar | 3,173,560 | 33.4 | 15.0% | 1.7% | constrictive |
Frequently Asked Questions About the United Arab Emirates
How does the United Arab Emirates rank globally by population?
The United Arab Emirates ranks 85th in the world by population with 11.6 million people as of 2026, representing 0.14% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does the United Arab Emirates' age structure reveal about its development?
The United Arab Emirates' age structure — 15.9% under 15, 82.3% working-age (15–64) and 1.8% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 31.6 years.
What is the dependency ratio in the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates has 21.6 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is the United Arab Emirates experiencing a demographic dividend?
The United Arab Emirates is at the peak of its demographic-dividend window. The United Arab Emirates' working-age share is projected to peak in 2026 at 82.3%. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in the United Arab Emirates' population?
The United Arab Emirates has more males than females, with 175.0 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). United Arab Emirates Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/united-arab-emirates
View UN World Population Prospects Data →