Trends in Working Age Population Percentage in United Arab Emirates from 1990 to 2022

The UAE’s working-age population showed a significant upward trend from 1990 to 2009, beginning at 69.3% and reaching a peak of 86.1% in 2010. This steady growth reflects the country’s rapid economic development, fueled largely by the influx of foreign labor to support construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors. Post-2010, the working-age population began a gradual decline, influenced by policies aimed at nationalizing the workforce and economic diversification strategies. By 2022, the percentage settled at 82.9%, indicating a stable yet slightly declining trend as the UAE continues to adapt to changing labor demands and population demographics.

Explore related charts to gain a better understanding of UAE’s median age shifts, UAE population growth rate, UAE population density.