The Expat Country

The most astonishing number of the UAE: Only about 11% of the population are Emiratis — the remaining 89% are expats from over 200 countries. In Dubai, the ratio is even more extreme: Here, an estimated 8% of the residents are citizens. This makes the UAE the country with the highest proportion of foreigners in the world.

The largest expat communities:

• Indians: ~3.4 million (the largest group), from IT engineers to construction workers
• Pakistanis: ~1.5 million
• Bangladeshis: ~1 million
• Filipinos: ~700,000
• Western expats: ~500,000 (Britons, Americans, Australians, Germans, etc.)

This diversity makes the UAE one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world: In Dubai, you hear Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Arabic, and English on the street — and find restaurants from virtually every country on earth. The downside: The Kafala system (sponsorship system for migrant workers) and the working conditions for low-wage earners — especially in construction — are criticized internationally. The UAE has implemented reforms in recent years (minimum wage, midday break during heat, wage protection), but the situation remains a critical issue.