Middle East
Living in United Arab Emirates
Photo: Dubai Marina skyline · Norlando Pobre, CC BY 2.0 · source
A desert federation with Dubai and Abu Dhabi as global business hubs, no personal income tax and very hot summers. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate20° to 35°CColdest and warmest month averages, Dubai · 2020
Average temperature28.2°CDubai (whole country 28.2°C) · 2020
Price level69%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$2,402Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2023
Income per person$79,300GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2024
Unemployment2.2%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides0.7Per 100,000 people a year · 2022
Life expectancy83.1 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air57 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest5%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers86%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue0.6%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Arabic. English is widely spoken.
- Public transport: Moderate: good in the main cities, a car helps elsewhere.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: Abu Dhabi.
Moving to United Arab Emirates
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: icp.gov.ae.
- United Arab Emirates tourist / visit visa guide
- United Arab Emirates work visa guide
- Study in United Arab Emirates
- Scholarships in United Arab Emirates
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 79,343.78 international $ | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 2.17 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 0.69 per 100,000 people | 2022 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | 0.83 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 1.13 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.07 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 2,401.52 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 0.65 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 85.96 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 4.57 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 57.19 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.69 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 2,401.7 international $ per person per month | 2023 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 28.2 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 28.2 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 20.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 35.4 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 84 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Dubai are 2001–2020 averages.
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