Urbanization Growth in United Arab Emirates from 1990 to 2023

The United Arab Emirates has seen steady urbanization growth from 1990 to 2023. Starting at 79.1% in 1990, the urbanization rate decreased slightly during the early 1990s, reaching a low of 78.3% in 1995. However, from 1996 onwards, the urban population began to rise as rapid economic expansion, especially in oil, tourism, and real estate, fueled an urban boom. This growth continued with notable upticks in the early 2000s, where the urban population exceeded 80%. By 2010, the urbanization rate reached 84.1%, spurred by high investments in infrastructure and urban centers, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In recent years, the UAE’s focus on diversification and urban megaprojects, including sustainable city initiatives, supported a gradual increase, with urbanization reaching 87.8% by 2023. This growth reflects the UAE’s ongoing shift towards a service-based economy, attracting a highly urbanized workforce.