2011 Edition

Background

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 Zaby, '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 generosity with 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. In March 2011, about 100 Emirati activists and intellectuals posted on the Internet and sent to the government a petition calling for greater political reform, including the establishment of a parliament with full legislative powers and the further expansion of the electorate and the rights of the Federal National Council (FNC), the UAE's quasi-legislature. In an effort to stem further unrest, the government announced a multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern Emirates. In late September 2011, an FNC election - in which voting was expanded from 6,600 voters to about 12 percent of the Emirati population - was held for half of the FNC seats. The other half are appointed by the rulers of the Emirates.

Area

83,600 sq km 83,600 sq km 0 sq km

total

83,600 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Coastline

1,318 km

Elevation extremes

Persian Gulf 0 m Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

highest point

Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection Law of the Sea

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%) 511 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

511 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%)

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Irrigated land

2,300 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

867 km Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

border countries

Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

total

867 km

Land use

0.77% 2.27% 96.96% (2005)

arable land

0.77%

other

96.96% (2005)

permanent crops

2.27%

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Terrain

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Total renewable water resources

0.2 cu km (1997)

Age structure

20.4% (male 537,925/female 513,572) 78.7% (male 2,968,958/female 1,080,717) 0.9% (male 30,446/female 17,046) 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2011 est.)

0-14 years

20.4% (male 537,925/female 513,572)

15-64 years

78.7% (male 2,968,958/female 1,080,717)

65 years and over

0.9% (male 30,446/female 17,046)

Birth rate

15.87 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

2.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

Health expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

11.94 deaths/1,000 live births 13.96 deaths/1,000 live births 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

9.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

11.94 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

76.51 years 73.94 years 79.22 years (2011 est.)

female

79.22 years (2011 est.)

total population

76.51 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 77.9% 76.1% 81.7% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

81.7% (2003 est.)

male

76.1%

total population

77.9%

Major cities - population

ABU DHABI (capital) 666,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30.2 years 32.1 years 24.9 years (2011 est.)

female

24.9 years (2011 est.)

male

32.1 years

total

30.2 years

Nationality

Emirati(s) Emirati

adjective

Emirati

noun

Emirati(s)

Net migration rate

19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

33.7% (2000)

Physicians density

1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

5,148,664 (July 2011 est.) estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net immigration of non-citizens than previous estimates

Population growth rate

3.282% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 95% of population total: 97% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 5% of population total: 3% of population (2008)

rural

5% of population

total

3% of population (2008)

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 14 years (2009)

female

14 years (2009)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 2.75 male(s)/female 1.8 male(s)/female 2.2 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

2.75 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

2.2 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.4 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12.1% 7.9% 21.8% (2008)

female

21.8% (2008)

total

12.1%

Urbanization

84% of total population (2010) 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

84% of total population (2010)

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 (Quwain)

Capital

Abu Dhabi 24 28 N, 54 22 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

24 28 N, 54 22 E

name

Abu Dhabi

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996

Country name

United Arab Emirates none Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah none Trucial Oman, Trucial States UAE

abbreviation

UAE

conventional long form

United Arab Emirates

conventional short form

none

former

Trucial Oman, Trucial States

local long form

Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michael H. CORBIN Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi [971] (2) 414-2200 [971] (2) 414-2603 Dubai

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael H. CORBIN

consulate(s) general

Dubai

embassy

Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi

FAX

[971] (2) 414-2603

mailing address

P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi

telephone

[971] (2) 414-2200

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Yusif bin Mani bin Said al-UTAYBA 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 243-2400 [1] (202) 243-2432

chancery

3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Yusif bin Mani bin Said al-UTAYBA

FAX

[1] (202) 243-2432

telephone

[1] (202) 243-2400

Executive branch

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) 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) Council of Ministers appointed by the president 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 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 2009 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 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

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

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)

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

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 2009 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

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)

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

Government type

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Independence

2 December 1971 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic law and civil law

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) 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; 469 candidates including 85 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats the FNC reviews legislation but cannot change or veto

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; 469 candidates including 85 women ran for 20 contested FNC seats

National anthem

"Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE) AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia

lyrics/music

AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB

name

"Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

National symbol(s)

golden falcon

Political parties and leaders

none; political parties are not allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

none

Agriculture - products

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

Budget

$85.77 billion $92.15 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$92.15 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$85.77 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.2% (31 December 2010 est.) 5.9% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$6.053 billion (2010 est.) $7.826 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$151.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $149 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

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 UAE 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 and 2010. 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. The economy is expected to continue a slow rebound. 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.

Electricity - consumption

70.58 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

80.94 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.673 (2010) 3.673 (2009) 3.6725 (2008) 3.6725 (2007) 3.6725 (2006)

Exports

$212.3 billion (2010 est.) $191.8 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates

Exports - partners

Japan 17.1%, India 13.6%, Iran 6.9%, South Korea 6.1%, Thailand 5.1% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

0.9% 55.5% 43.6% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0.9%

industry

55.5%

services

43.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$49,600 (2010 est.) $49,800 (2009 est.) $53,400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.) -3.2% (2009 est.) 5.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$301.9 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$246.8 billion (2010 est.) $239.1 billion (2009 est.) $246.9 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$161.4 billion (2010 est.) $149.7 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

India 17.5%, China 14%, US 7.7%, Germany 5.6%, Japan 4.8% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)

Industries

petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2010 est.) 1.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

23.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.705 million expatriates account for about 85% of the work force (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

7% 15% 78% (2000 est.)

agriculture

7%

industry

15%

services

78% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$104.7 billion (31 December 2010) $109.6 billion (31 December 2009) $97.85 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

59.08 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

7.01 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

17.25 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

48.84 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.453 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

545,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

2.395 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

235,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

2.813 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

97.8 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

19.5% (2003)

Public debt

51.2% of GDP (2010 est.) 55% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$42.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $36.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$214.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $201.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$53.43 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $51.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$74.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$274.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $263.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$63.43 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $60.84 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2001)

Broadcast media

except for the many organizations now operating in Dubai's Media Free Zone, most television and radio stations remain government-owned; widespread use of satellite dishes provides access to pan-Arab and other international broadcasts (2007)

Internet country code

.ae

Internet hosts

379,309 (2010)

Internet users

3.449 million (2009)

Telephone system

modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable 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

domestic

microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable

general assessment

modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

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

Telephones - main lines in use

1.48 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.926 million (2010)

Airports

41 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

12

total

25

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

1

total

16

under 914 m

5 (2010)

Heliports

5 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 9, chemical tanker 7, container 7, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 4 13 (Greece 3, Kuwait 10) 278 (Bahamas 27, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 11, Cyprus 5, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 5, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 1, Jordan 7, Liberia 27, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 17, Mexico 1, Netherlands 4, North Korea 6, Panama 83, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 17, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Saudi Arabia 6, Sierra Leone 6, Singapore 10, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 9, Vanuatu 1, unknown 7) (2010)

foreign-owned

13 (Greece 3, Kuwait 10)

registered in other countries

278 (Bahamas 27, Belize 5, Cambodia 2, Comoros 11, Cyprus 5, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 5, Hong Kong 2, India 4, Iran 1, Jordan 7, Liberia 27, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 17, Mexico 1, Netherlands 4, North Korea 6, Panama 83, Papua New Guinea 6, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 17, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Saudi Arabia 6, Sierra Leone 6, Singapore 10, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 9, Vanuatu 1, unknown 7) (2010)

total

57

Pipelines

condensate 458 km; refined products 212 km; gas 2,352 km; liquid petroleum gas 220 km; oil 1,437 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Khawr Fakkan (Khor Fakkan), Mubarraz Island, Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah)

Roadways

4,080 km 4,080 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2008)

total

4,080 km

Manpower available for military service

2,676,928 (includes non-nationals) 981,649 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

981,649 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,676,928 (includes non-nationals)

Manpower fit for military service

2,229,366 842,759 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

842,759 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,229,366

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

27,439 24,419 (2010 est.)

female

24,419 (2010 est.)

male

27,439

Military branches

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2009)

United Arab Emirates Armed Forces

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD) (2009)

Military expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2005 est.)

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 (2011)

Disputes - 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