Share of population living in cities in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Share of population living in cities was 73.3% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities in United Arab Emirates, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
United Arab Emirates recorded 73.3% for share of population living in cities in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities in United Arab Emirates peaked at 73.9% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
United Arab Emirates ranks 15th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 0.0% | — |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1975 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 27.8% | — |
| 1985 | 37.4% | +34.5% |
| 1990 | 49.4% | +32.3% |
| 1995 | 47.5% | -4.0% |
| 2000 | 53.6% | +12.9% |
| 2005 | 62.9% | +17.4% |
| 2010 | 70.6% | +12.2% |
| 2015 | 73.9% | +4.7% |
| 2020 | 73.3% | -0.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 32.6% | 27.8% | 37.4% | 2 |
| 1990s | 48.4% | 47.5% | 49.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 58.3% | 53.6% | 62.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 72.3% | 70.6% | 73.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 73.3% | 73.3% | 73.3% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More population data for United Arab Emirates
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.9136 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.1 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.9136 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.4807 % change on previous year (2100)
- 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)
- World population growth 0.9% (2100)
- Population density 367.99 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.66 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities in United Arab Emirates?
- Share of population living in cities in United Arab Emirates was 73.3% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 73.9% in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for share of population living in cities?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 15th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.