Labor force, total in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Labor force, total was 7.60 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Labor force, total in United Arab Emirates, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force, total in United Arab Emirates is 7.60 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is up 5.1% on the previous year and up 37.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, total in United Arab Emirates peaked at 7.60 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 993,900, in 1990.
United Arab Emirates ranks 69th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Labor force, total in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 993,900 | — |
| 1991 | 1.07 million | +7.2% |
| 1992 | 1.14 million | +6.9% |
| 1993 | 1.22 million | +6.9% |
| 1994 | 1.29 million | +6.3% |
| 1995 | 1.37 million | +6.1% |
| 1996 | 1.48 million | +7.6% |
| 1997 | 1.61 million | +8.8% |
| 1998 | 1.75 million | +8.8% |
| 1999 | 1.90 million | +8.7% |
| 2000 | 2.06 million | +8.4% |
| 2001 | 2.23 million | +8.2% |
| 2002 | 2.41 million | +7.9% |
| 2003 | 2.59 million | +7.5% |
| 2004 | 2.77 million | +7.0% |
| 2005 | 2.95 million | +6.7% |
| 2006 | 3.20 million | +8.5% |
| 2007 | 3.61 million | +12.7% |
| 2008 | 4.04 million | +11.9% |
| 2009 | 4.27 million | +5.8% |
| 2010 | 4.38 million | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 4.54 million | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 4.74 million | +4.3% |
| 2013 | 4.95 million | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 5.21 million | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 5.52 million | +6.0% |
| 2016 | 5.83 million | +5.7% |
| 2017 | 6.05 million | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 6.16 million | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 6.26 million | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 6.18 million | -1.3% |
| 2021 | 6.16 million | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 6.50 million | +5.5% |
| 2023 | 6.87 million | +5.7% |
| 2024 | 7.23 million | +5.2% |
| 2025 | 7.60 million | +5.1% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 7.60 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 3.08 million, 2.5× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 7.60 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 4.83 million, 1.6× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.38 million | 993,900 | 1.90 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.01 million | 2.06 million | 4.27 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.36 million | 4.38 million | 6.26 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.76 million | 6.16 million | 7.60 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More education data for United Arab Emirates
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 106,178 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 305 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 119,159 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 125,307 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 894,302 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 586,477 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 5.74 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0534 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, total in United Arab Emirates?
- Labor force, total in United Arab Emirates was 7.60 million in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
- What is the highest labor force, total recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 7.60 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest labor force, total recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 993,900 in 1990.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for labor force, total?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 69th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force, total rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database, published as part of Labor force, total. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.