The largest expat community in the UAE is the Indian community, numbering over 4.3 million people, making up roughly 35-37% of the population, followed by Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and other South Asians, contributing significantly to the nation's diverse workforce and economy. These large South Asian populations are integral to the UAE's growth, with Indians concentrated in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, involved in diverse sectors from blue-collar roles to professional fields.
Indians form the largest foreign community in the UAE, followed by Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, other Asians, Europeans and Africans. The literacy rate in the UAE is close to 95 per cent.
The UAE is home to over 200 nationalities. Indians and Pakistanis form the largest expatriate groups in the country, constituting 28% and 12% of the total population respectively. Around 510,000 Westerners live in the United Arab Emirates, making up 5% of its total population.
A global community awaits. Whilst British residents are the largest Western group in Dubai, it's also a melting pot of cultures, with over 200 nationalities. Expats make up over 90% of the population so expect to connect with people from every corner of the globe.
Only 11% of the population are native Emiratis; the vast majority of inhabitants are expatriates and migrant workers, most of whom are from South Asia. The United Arab Emirates has the world's seventh-largest oil reserves and seventh-largest natural gas reserves.
It is estimated that around 19.5% of Emiratis live below the poverty line. This is an estimation because the UAE does not formally update these statistics themselves. Despite the underreported number of impoverished people in the nation, the government provided support to only 27.1% of Emiratis in 2011.
As of 2024, the largest group of non-UAE nationals are South Asian 68.36% (Indians 37.96%,Pakistanis 16.72%, Bangladeshis 7.38% and others 6.3%), Filipinos 6.1%, Iranians 4.72%, Egyptians 4.23% and other 2.16%.
No, kissing in public in Dubai is generally not allowed and considered an offense against public decency, though minor displays like holding hands are often tolerated, especially in tourist areas; however, you should avoid passionate kissing or anything that could be seen as excessive, as public displays of affection (PDA) can lead to legal trouble, even for tourists.
A monthly income of 50,000 AED (approximately $13,600 USD) is considered high by Dubai standards and places you well above the city's average earners. For context: 10,000–15,000 AED is considered a decent entry-level salary. 15,000–20,000 AED is attractive for mid-level professionals.
A 99-year lease is a contractual agreement between the property owner (the lessor) and a buyer (the lessee), where the latter gets exclusive possession of the property for 99 years. This arrangement allows foreigners to own properties in Dubai since they can't own land outright.
In 1966, oil was first discovered in Dubai at the offshore Fateh field, and the rest was history. This discovery catalysed the rapid development of the city and made it a source of wealth overnight. Soon after, the city started exporting oil, and oil drilling exploration began on a massive scale.
If people who hold a UAE residence visa, live outside the UAE for more than six months continuously, their residence visa will be nullified automatically. However, there are some exceptions to the rule.
Burj Khalifa tower, Dubai
The Beckhams have an apartment in Dubai's Burj Khalifa tower, which they bought in 2009 for somewhere in the region of $5 million to $6 million. Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest sky scraper, towering 2,722 feet.
The largest concentrations of affluent residents are found in Emirates Hills (often called “Billionaires' Row”), Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Bay (Bulgari Island), Downtown Dubai (around Burj Khalifa), Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and the DIFC/Business Bay area.
Top 10 Richest People in UAE 2025
Emirates Hills is widely considered the richest community in Dubai, featuring bespoke mansions, multimillion-dirham properties, elite golf courses, and home to some of the region's wealthiest residents.
Bachelor: In terms of the average cost of living in Dubai as a bachelor, it is estimated that an income between AED 120,000 to AED 180,000 should suffice. Couple: To meet a couple's average cost of living in Dubai, a combined income of AED 200,000 – AED 300,000 is required per year.
Top 12 Highest Paying Jobs in Dubai 2025
A salary between AED 10,000 and AED 22,000 per month is generally viewed as middle-class, depending on lifestyle. What is a good salary for a single person in Dubai? For singles, AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 is considered good, while AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 offers greater comfort and savings.
One of the symbols that best represents Dubai is the 3-finger hand gesture, coined in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al. Maktoum. The meaning behind the three fingers is “Winning - Victory - Love”, understood as work ethic, success and love for the nation.
Dubai's strictest laws focus on respect for Islamic culture, government, and public order, heavily penalizing public displays of affection (PDA), public drunkenness, drug offenses (even trace amounts), disrespecting religion/royalty, and cyberbullying/online criticism, with severe penalties like fines, jail, and deportation, emphasizing modesty, consent in photos, and strict adherence to rules around alcohol and medications.
The answer is yes, it is possible. Currently, most hotels in Dubai do not require couples to present a marriage certificate when checking in. Changes in regulations and a more open approach to tourists have meant that foreigners visiting the Emirates can also share a room with their partner without any problems.
Any person who wishes to apply for naturalization has to be proficient in the Arabic language, has a legal source of income and has been in a continuous residence in the UAE, has an academic qualification, does not have a bad reputation, and has not been convicted of any crime.
The best currency to take to Dubai is the UAE Dirham. This is the local currency and will be accepted everywhere you go. You might find that vendors accept other foreign currencies – like Euros and US Dollars – in tourist areas, but you can never be sure of the exchange rate you're getting.
Meet the richest Indian in the UAE: Who Is Rizwan Sajan; what is his net worth? Rizwan Sajan, born in Mumbai's Ghatkopar slums, rose from a 16-year-old school dropout to Dubai's richest Indian with a net worth of ₹20,833 crore.