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United Arab Emirates · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

20th of 185 · 3rd in MENA+
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UnemploymentUnited Arab Emirates's unemployment rose from 1.8 % in 1996 to 2.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%1%2%3%4%5%2.2 %

United Arab Emirates's unemployment rose from 1.8 % in 1996 to 2.2 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

37th of 183 · 4th in MENA+
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Youth unemploymentUnited Arab Emirates's youth unemployment rose from 4.5 % in 1996 to 6.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%6.5 %

United Arab Emirates's youth unemployment rose from 4.5 % in 1996 to 6.5 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

12th of 182 · 2nd in MENA+
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ParticipationUnited Arab Emirates's participation rose from 76.0 % in 1996 to 78.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202574%76%78%80%78.6 %

United Arab Emirates's participation rose from 76.0 % in 1996 to 78.6 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

93rd of 182 · 4th in MENA+
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)United Arab Emirates's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 31.8 % in 1996 to 53.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202530%40%50%60%53.0 %

United Arab Emirates's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 31.8 % in 1996 to 53.0 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

11th of 182 · 2nd in MENA+
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)United Arab Emirates's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 74.6 % in 1996 to 76.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202572%74%76%78%76.9 %

United Arab Emirates's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 74.6 % in 1996 to 76.9 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

67th of 182 · 10th in MENA+
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Labour force, totalUnited Arab Emirates's labour force, total rose from 1.48M in 1996 to 7.6M in 2025.20002005201020152020202502M4M6M8M7.6M

United Arab Emirates's labour force, total rose from 1.48M in 1996 to 7.6M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

177th of 182 · 17th in MENA+
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Self-employed (% of total employment)United Arab Emirates's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 3.4 % in 1996 to 5.1 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020253%4%4%5%5%6%5.1 %

United Arab Emirates's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 3.4 % in 1996 to 5.1 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

3rd of 182 · 3rd in MENA+
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)United Arab Emirates's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 0.2 % in 1996 to 1.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%0.5%1%2%2%1.5 %

United Arab Emirates's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 0.2 % in 1996 to 1.5 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

166th of 182 · 17th in MENA+
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)United Arab Emirates's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 5.8 % in 1996 to 1.4 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%1.4 %

United Arab Emirates's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 5.8 % in 1996 to 1.4 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

19th of 182 · 7th in MENA+
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)United Arab Emirates's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 43.0 % in 1996 to 30.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202525%30%35%40%45%30.6 %

United Arab Emirates's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 43.0 % in 1996 to 30.6 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

67th of 182 · 8th in MENA+
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Employment in services (% of total employment)United Arab Emirates's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 51.2 % in 1996 to 68.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%60%70%68.0 %

United Arab Emirates's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 51.2 % in 1996 to 68.0 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

29th of 171 · 4th in MENA+
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)United Arab Emirates's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) fell from intl $189k in 1995 to intl $108k in 2024.199520002005201020152020intl $100kintl $120kintl $140kintl $160kintl $180kintl $200kintl $108k

United Arab Emirates's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) fell from intl $189k in 1995 to intl $108k in 2024.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for United Arab Emirates.

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