UAE.  The total number of the UAE population stood at 4,104,695 as of 6 December 2005, Minister of Economy Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi announced.

Sheikha Lubna told reporters that the General Census for Population, Housing and Establishments was carried out in accordance with the Cabinet decision commissioning the Ministry of Economy to conduct the General Census for Population, Housing and Establishments 2005.

The census included all the people (nationals and non-nationals) who are residing in the UAE, at the night of 6 December 2005. These included: people living in households or counted in their households, nationals abroad for any reason who were counted within their families living in UAE, those working in the embassies and consulates were counted via Ministry of Foreign Affairs, non-nationals abroad with valid residency permits were counted in their families living in UAE, students living in dormitory were counted in specified dormitory, people who are permanently residing in hospitals, prisons and nursing homes are counted in such institutions, people who are permanently residing in hotels and the like, are counted in such institutions (visitors on visit visa are excluded, those who have families living within UAE are counted in their households, people who are permanently residing in police headquarters and military bases who do not have families living in UAE are counted in such institutions.

Only tourists or visitors (visit visa) are excluded. Sheikha Lubna explained that the census was based on counting people according to their permanent residence, regardless of where they were staying during the census period. In other words, people absent from their families during the census period were counted in their families. Visitors and temporarily guests of the family were excluded. This approach, she said, is called 'de jure' (legal) population as recognised by the UN.

"Based on the above mentioned approach the population of UAE as of 6 December 2005 is 3,769,080," she said.

"The population census doesn't include groups of non-nationals and they are estimated as 335,615. In total the UAE population is 4,104,695," said Sheikha Lubna.

According to Rashid Al Suweidi, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, the total number of males is 2,547,043, which is 67.6 % of the total population that were counted in the reference period. Total number of females is 1,222,037, which is 32.4 per cent of the total population that were counted in the reference period. Total number of nationals is 824,921, which is 21.9% of the total population that were counted in the reference period, and it is 20.1% of the total UAE population.

Total number of UAE national males is 418,057, which is 50.7% of the total nationals. Total number of national females is 406,864, which is 49.3% of the total nationals. Total number of non-nationals is 2,944,159, which is 78.1% of the total population that were counted in the reference period, and it is 79.9%(3,279,774)of the total UAE population. Total number of non-national males is 2,128,986, which is 72.3%. Total number of non-national females is 815,173, which is 27.7%.

Based on the census data, 38.1% of the nationals are less than 14 years old. Nationals less than 20 years old are 51.1%.

For the non-nationals 48.8% of them belong to the age group 25 to 40 years. Overall 52.9% of the total population are within 20 years old. These results do not include 335,615 that are not counted in the census.," said Suweidi. He added that illiteracy rate in the country stood at 9%, which is approximately the same between nationals and non-nationals. Nationals with only high school certificates were found to be 31.5%.

Nationals with university degree (Bachelor and above) are 11% and for the non-nationals this percentage is 18.4%. These results do not include 335,615 that are not counted in the census. He pointed out that the total number of buildings in the country is 336,815 , whereas 34.9% (117,469) of them are in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Total number of housing units in the country is 863,860, with 60.8% of them in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The total number of business establishments in the country is 192,247, whereas 38.1% (73,294) of them are in the Emirate of Dubai. Sharjah has 57,153 building, 201,033 housing units and 36,584 establishments. Ajman has 17,898 buildings, 50,237 housing units and 11,427 establishments. There were 8,741 buildings in Umm Al Qaiwain, 40,143 in Ras Al Khaimah and 16,197 in Fujairah. Housing units in Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah numbered 10,988, 50,321 and 26,364 respectively. As for establishments, there 2,238 in Umm Al Qaiwain, 12,016 in Ras Al Khaimah and 6,263 in Fujairah.

Answering a question about the UAE's projections in view of the imbalance in the population structure, Shaikha Lubna said: "We do not look at it as imbalance. The UAE has been smart in attracting economic and human capital in terms of intelligence and creativity.

"It is in our interest to continue our strong economic growth," Shaikha Lubna said.

Shaikha Lubna also ruled out the idea of optimal population for the country for the time being. "The UAE has a dynamic and fast growing economy and it is therefore too difficult to set an optimal population now. This figure is hinged on the growth and strength of the economy."

Shaikha Lubna also promised to announce more details about the population structure and other social phenomena from September 2006 onwards.

"The Ministry of Economy will conduct several statistical surveys including a labour force survey, household budget survey and economical and environmental surveys," she said.

Speaking of uses of the census, Shaikha Lubna said it will be used to introduce strategic developmental plans, in accordance with data on demographic, economic and social characteristics of population, housing and establishments and to sponsor legislations, by-laws and programmes in consistence with the current status and various inherent changes in the demographic, economic and social characteristics.

Other uses include the drafting of policies related to the labour market based on the volume of manpower and nature of its economic activity; developing a national strategy to advance UAE human resources and qualifications; formulating programmes and identifying policies necessary for enhancing women's roles as effective human resources. 

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