Net migration in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Net migration was 158,634 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
158,634
Change on year
down 43.0%
World rank
5th
of 74 countries
All-time high
722,380
in 2007
All-time low
-125,186
in 2019
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in United Arab Emirates, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in United Arab Emirates is 158,634, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 43.0% on the previous year and down 53.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in United Arab Emirates peaked at 722,380 in 2007 and was at its lowest, -125,186, in 2019.
That places United Arab Emirates 5th out of 74 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 8,844 | -283 | 39,902 | 10 |
| 1970s | 57,581 | 40,792 | 82,359 | 10 |
| 1980s | 54,456 | 37,600 | 78,148 | 10 |
| 1990s | 112,404 | 62,352 | 183,329 | 10 |
| 2000s | 287,325 | 163,643 | 722,380 | 10 |
| 2010s | 170,375 | -125,186 | 360,174 | 10 |
| 2020s | 262,342 | 92,541 | 421,663 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
- 2 Syrian Arab Republic 421,693 compare
- 3 United Kingdom 389,911 compare
- 4 Sudan 291,469 compare
- 6 Saudi Arabia 119,738 compare
- 7 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 116,786 compare
- 8 Oman 113,734 compare
More population data for United Arab Emirates
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 11,450 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.6462 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.911 (2100)
- Population density 367.99 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.66 million (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.911 (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.6461 % change on previous year (2030)
- Fertility and wanted fertility, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, gaps filled 1,377 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in United Arab Emirates?
- Net migration in United Arab Emirates was 158,634 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 722,380 in 2007.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was -125,186 in 2019.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for net migration?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 5th out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).