MEPI in UAE

• Ongoing MEPI Programs

• Completed MEPI Programs

About UAE

Location

Middle East, Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, Oman, and Saudi Arabia 

Area

83,600 sq km

Population

4,798,491 (July 2009 est. based on the 2005 census)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.4%; 15-64 years: 78.7%; 65 years and over: 0.9% - note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2009 est.)

Median age

30.1 years

Population growth rate

3.69% (2009 est.)

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

Religions

Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages

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

Literacy

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

Government type

Federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE Federal Government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani

Judicial Branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Gross Domestic Product

$270 billion, per capita: $40,000 (2008 est.)

GDP Growth Rate

7.7% (2008 est.)