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Introduction
As the United Arab Emirates celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is timely to reflect upon how the country has
developed and what it has achieved. Thanks to the countrys visionary leadership, what the nation has
accomplished in the last four decades is truly extraordinary.
This analysis, United Arab Emirates: 40 Years of Progress hopes to contribute to a greater appreciation of
the nations achievements by depicting its historical progression based on statistical information. The study
draws upon recently released datasets from the UAEs National Bureau of Statistics and from international
organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
To provide a multi-faceted reflection of the countrys profound transformation, charts are used to illustrate
selected accomplishments in key dimensions such as health and education, economy and infrastructure,
travel and tourism, environment and foreign aid. For each dimension, historical milestones are presented to
offer a greater sense of the social and economic progress achieved. Moreover, the countrys development
experience is occasionally juxtaposed with other economies to provide further contextual backdrop.
At best, the charts offer but a glimpse of the depth of the United Arab Emirates development experiences,
hinting of the numerous challenges and obstacles that have been overcome. A fuller picture can be obtained
through the rich trove of historical archives, spoken recollections and cultural artifacts. But in sketching the
countrys successful transformation using charts based on statistical data, this study seeks to contribute in its
unique way to a deeper appreciation of the past, and a greater expectation of the potential that the countrys
future holds.
Education
Four decades ago, only 48% of UAE adults were literate; today, over 93% are literate, with nearly equal rates for men and women. Educational
attainment is also much higher, with mean years of schooling rising from 3 years in 1970 to 9 years in 2010.
United Arab Emirates
Economy 0.85 Europe with Russia
and Turkey
UAEs GDP has now exceeded 1 trillion dirhams, from 11 billion dirhams in 1973, depicting a rate of economic expansion that has exceeded even that
of Singapore. The UAE has the worlds third highest GDP per capita (in purchasing power parity terms). 0.80
In 2011, UAE ranks 30th
Infrastructure among 187 countries in the
The UAEs rapid modernization is reflected in its world-class infrastructure, especially in communications . Today, the UAE enjoys one of the highest 0.75
Human Development Index
mobile phone penetration rates in the world, and is among the heaviest users of social media in the region.
Environment
As the country strives to improve its environmental performance, carbon dioxide emissions per capita have been declining, from 80 metric tons per 0.60
capita in 1971 to 31 metric tons per capita in 2007.
Foreign Aid 0
UAEs foreign aid during the last four decades is estimated to exceed 163 billion dirhams. When other forms of development assistance are included, 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
the total increases to an estimated 255 billion dirhams, making the country one of the most generous donors in the world.
Data Sources: United Nations Human Development Index database and Wolfram Alpha
1971 1972 1973 1983 1985 1986 1990 1991 2000 2005 2007 2009
Among its greatest accomplishments, the UAEs average life expectancy now
exceeds 76 years, approaching the level of the most highly developed economies
UAE Male and Female Life Expectancy at Birth UAE and High Income Countries: Life Expectancy, 1970 and 2010
(in years) (in years)
Male
United Arab Emirates
80
Female
79% High Income Countries
75
70
65
77% 77
80
71
60
55 63
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1970 2010
Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database and United Nations Human Development Index 2011 Database
The UAE has significantly reduced infant mortality to a rate that is now better Survival of children under 5 years of age also dramatically improved to reach
than that of the United States similar levels as most high income countries
UAE Infant Mortality Rate, 1970-2010 UAE and High Income Countries: Infant Mortality Rate, Child Mortality Rate, 1970-2010 UAE and High Income Countries: Child Mortality Rate,
91
(per 1,000 live births) 1970 and 2010 (per 1,000) 1970 and 2010
(per 1,000 live births) (per 1,000)
70
67 United Arab Emirates High Income Countries
65 USA United Arab Emirates High Income Countries
60 67 United Arab Emirates
55 91
50
63
45
40
35
30 43
25
24
30
20 30
22
15 16
10 6 5 6
12
9
7
6 7
5
0
1970 2010 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
1970 2010
Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database Data Source: World Banks Health Nutrition and Population Database
Maternal mortality has been reduced in the UAE to a rate that is lower than The UAEs remarkable improvements in health and longevity have been made
that of New Zealand and Republic of Korea possible by significant increases in resource commitments
UAE Maternal Mortality Ratio, 1990-2008 Comparison of Maternal Mortality Ratios, 1990 and 2008 Health Expenditure Per Capita, 1995-2009
(modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) (in dirhams) 5,579
5,237
28
United Arab Emirates
New Zealand 4,693
28
Korea, Rep.
3,947
20
3,289
18 18 18 2,897
15 2,759 2761
2,616 2,578 2,635 2,565 2,602
2,511 2,487
14
12
10
10
1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 1990 2008 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database
1977 1978 1983 1988 1991 1997 1998 2001 2003 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010
In 1970, only 48% of UAE adults were literate; today over 93% are literate, with
nearly equal rates for women and men
UAE Adult Literacy Rate, 1970-2010 UAE Female and Male Literacy Rate, 1975 and 2005
(% of population ages 15 and above ) (% of population ages 15 and above )
95
90
89
93
84
85 81 Male
80 76 Female 91.5 89.5
75
69
70
65
61
60
55 52
50 48 58.4
45
40
35 38.1
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1975 2005
Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database, UAE National Bureau of Statistics
Increasing enrolment rates across all levels boosted educational attainment of the Primary education enrollment in the UAE rose from 74.5% in 1980 to nearly
UAEs adult population to an average of 9.2 years of schooling today 90%, maintaining near gender parity
UAE Mean Years of Schooling of Adults, 1980-2010 UAE Primary Education Enrollment Rate UAE Primary Education Enrollment Rate: Male and Female,
(years of schooling of adults aged 25 years and above) (% Net) 1978 and 2009
9.2 (% Net)
9.1
8.9
8.7
8.5
8.4
8.1
7.8 Male
100
90
7.5
7.2 95 Female
6.9 90
85
80 88.8 90.5
5.6 75
70 77.3 77.1
65
4.3 60
55
3.6 50
45
3.1
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 1980 1990 2000 2010 1978 2009
Data Source: United Nations Human Development Index 2011 Database, UNESCO, Barro-Lee (2010) Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database
Secondary education enrollment in the UAE rose from 22% in 1973 to 95% in Tertiary education enrollment in the UAE rose from 1.3% in 1979 to 30% in 2009,
2009, with the female secondary enrollment rate among the highest in the region with female tertiary enrollment rates rising even higher to 41.3%
UAE Secondary Education Enrollment Rate Comparative Female Secondary Education Enrollment Rate, UAE Tertiary Education Enrollment Rate, 1979 -2009 UAE Female Tertiary Education Enrollment Rate, 1980-2009
(% Gross) 2009 (% Gross) (% Gross)
(% Gross)
41.3
100
95
95 30.4
90 95.6
85 82
78
80 75
75 29.6
70 72.5 71.6
64
65 61
60
55 17.6
50
44
45
40
35 12.3
30
25 22
6.5
20
15
10 2.7
5 1.3
0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 United Arab Arab World Middle East & 1979 1989 1999 2009 1980 1990 2000 2009
Emirates North Africa
Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database
Abu Dhabi UAE Currency Start of UAEs first Abu Dhabi International Ajman & Um Al Ras Al Khaimah Abu Dhabi Dubai Abu Dhabi UAEs GDP
National Oil Board (Currently cement factory in Investment Petroleum Fujairah Free
Quwain Free & Sharjah Free Securities International Investment exceeds Dh 1
Company Central Bank of Ras al Khaimah Company Investment Zone
Zones Zones Exchange Council trillion
(ADNOC) the UAE) Company Financial Center
1971 1973 1975 1976 1977 1979 1984 1985 1987 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2006 2008 2010
Abu Dhabis
Abu Dhabi UAE Offsets Higher Unveiling of Abu
Circulation of the Dubai Aluminum Jebel Ali Free Dubai Financial
Investment Group Corporation Dhabis 2030
UAE Dirham Company Zone Market for Specialized
Authority Economic Vision
Economic Zones
UAEs Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010 exceeded a trillion dirhams, from
a base of 11 billion dirhams in 1973
1,100
UAE GDP, 1973-2010
(current, in billion dirhams) 1,093 120
UAE GDP 1973-2010
(constant, 2000 US$ billion) 119
115
1,050
110
1,000 960
105
950
100
900 95
850 90
90
800 85
750 80
700 75
650 70 65
600 65
550 60
500 55 51
50 46
450
381 45 41
400
40 37
350
35
300 259 30
250
25
200 157 20
150 110 124
99 15
100 10
50 11 5
0 0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database and UAEs National Bureau of Statistics (only for UAEs 2010 GDP figure)
The pace of UAEs economic expansion over nearly four decades has exceeded Latest figures indicate that the UAE has the worlds third highest GDP per capita
even that of Singapore in purchasing power parity terms
GDP of UAE and Singapore, 1973-2010 GDP per capita in PPP terms, 2011
(current, in US$ billion) (constant 2005 international US$)
300
298 Qatar 82,978
United Arab Emirates
Luxembourg 68,853
250
223
Singapore
United Arab Emirates 52,435 (192,436 dirhams)
Norway 47,676
200
Singapore 45,978
50 Netherlands 36,358
Ireland 36,278
0
1973 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database and UAEs National Bureau of Statistics (only for UAEs 2010 GDP figure) Data Source: United Nations Human Development Index 2011 Database website http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/indicators/20206.html
The expansion of the labor force contributed to the UAEs economic growth, The UAEs economic growth also benefited from the emergence of a more
marked by rising participation of women in the economy youthful population in the national labor force
UAE Total Labor Force, 1980-2009 Female Labor Force Participation Rate Population Pyramid for Nationals, 1975 - 2005
(% of female population ages 15-64) 85+ 85+
Females Males
Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database Data Source: UAE National Bureau of Statistics
The value of UAEs merchandise exports reached US$175 billion in 2009, The value of UAEs merchandise imports reached US$140 billion in 2009,
surpassing those of Switzerland and Norway surpassing those of Norway and New Zealand
UAE Merchandise Exports, 1970-2009 Comparative Value of Merchandise Exports, 1970 and 2009 UAE Merchandise Imports, 1970-2009 Comparative Value of Merchandise Imports, 1970 and 2009
(current US$ billion) (current US$ billion) (current US$ billion) (current US$ billion)
180
170
240
1970
172.8 175.0 160
150
140 1970
140.0
175
220 2009 2009
140
200
130
180 120
120.9 110
160
100
140
90
120 117 80 69.3
72
70
100
60
80
50
60 50 40 32
30 25.5
40 23
28
22 24 20
20 17 11
7 10 9 7
5.1 3 1.2 3.7
2.5 0.5 0.3
0 0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2009 Norway Switzerland United Arab Emirates 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 New Zealand Norway United Arab Emirates
Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database
Holding one of the worlds largest proven oil reserves, the UAEs economy has A steep rise in assets and reserves has accompanied the countrys economic
been buoyed by oil production and exports expansion
Crude Oil Production, 1980-2010 Proven Petroleum Reserves, 1980-2010 UAE Net Foreign Assets, 1977-2007 UAE Total Reserves, 1977-2007
(average barrels/day, 000) (million barrels, end-period)
97,800 170
(current in billion dirhams)
160 300
(includes gold, current billion dirhams)
283
2,800
2,600
2,311 100,000
95,000
160
150
90,000 136
140 250
2,400 85,000
80,000 130
2,200
75,000 120
2,000 200
70,000 110
1,800 65,000
1,709 100
60,000
1,600 90
55,000
150
1,400 50,000 80
45,000 70 67
1,200
40,000
1,000 60 57
35,000 30,410 100
30,000 50 68
800
25,000 40 35
600 20,000 50
30 50
400 15,000 29
20
10,000 10 18
200 10 13
5,000 9
0 0 0 0
1980 1990 2000 2010 1980 1990 2000 2010 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Data Sources: Economist Intelligence Unit database, U.S. Energy Information Administration, Oil and Gas Journal Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database
Note: Net foreign assets and total reserves reflect only those held by monetary authorities
The UAEs economy has benefited from exchange rate stability and, more The number of listed domestic companies in the UAE stock markets rose from
recently, from a reduction in the rate of inflation 12 in 2001 to 101 in 2010
Official Exchange Rate, 1970-2010 Inflation Rate, 1980-2010 Number of Listed Domestic Companies in the UAE Stock Markets
(dirham per US$, period average) (average % change in consumer prices)
4.8 13 101
4.6 12.3 96 95
4.4 12
90
4.2
4.0
3.8
3.7 11
10
79
81
3.6
3.4
9
3.2
3.0 8
2.8
2.6 7
2.4 50
2.2 6 5.5 5.7
5.4
2.0
1.8 5
1.6
4 30
1.4
1.2 3.0 3.1 24
3
1.0
0.8 2 12
0.6
0.4
0.2
1 1.3
0.6
1.3 0.9
0.0 0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1980 1990 2000 2010 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database for the official exchange rate and the International Monetary Funds data base for the inflation rate Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database
Over the last decade, the UAEs market capitalization and value turnover
surpassed those of Ireland and New Zealand
Comparative Growth of Market Capitalization of Listed Comparative Growth of Value of Stocks Traded, 2000 and 2010
Companies, 2000 and 2010 (US$ billion)
Infrastructure
(US$ billion)
81
16.8
57
14.4
10.7 10.7
36
33
18
0.1
Ireland New Zealand United Arab Emirates New Zealand Ireland United Arab Emirates
1976 1992 1998 1999 2001 2003 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011
Emirates Integrated
Abu Dhabi Water and Commencement of Emirates Postal Telecommunications Start of operations of
Sharjah Ports Authority Telecommunication Khalifa Port
Electricity Authority operations of Ajman Port Corporation Regulatory Authority Dubais first metro line
Company (du)
Contrasting 1975 and 2005 depicts the remarkable expansion of buildings and
housing units across the country
60,643
45,102 39,700 39,815
29,054 19,532
6,497 13,763
2,272 8,828 5,168
Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Ajman Umm Al- Ras Al- Fujairah
Quwain Khaimah
77,886
57,153
40,143
28,756 26,381
17,898 16,197
10,415 8,741
3,368 1,083 4,969 532
Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Ajman Umm Al- Ras Al- Fujairah
Quwain Khaimah
UAEs rapid modernization is reflected in the rise of electric power consumption As UAEs population and economy expanded, its communications
infrastructure grew accordingly
UAE Electric Power Consumption, 1971-2008 Comparative Electric Power Consumption, 1975-2008 UAE Total Number of Telephone Lines, 1975-2010 UAE Total Number of Mobile Cellular Subscriptions, 1982-2010
(kWh) (kWh per capita)
12,206
12,000
14,000
13,759 11,000
13,000
12,000 10,000 9,492
11,919 1,135,758
11,000 9,000
8,307
10,000 9,339 8,000 915,223
8,184
9,000
8,030 7,000
8,000 6,301
7,511 6,000
7,000 615,124
6,000 5,000
5,040 Ireland 3,683,117
5,000 4,000
Singapore
4,000 3,000 352,730
3,000 Switzerland
2,402 2,000 207,052
2,000 New Zealand
120,591 1,428,115
1,000 1,000 United Arab Emirates
25,808 2,330 128,968
0 0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Data Source: World Banks World Development Indicators Database Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database and International Telecommunication Union Database
UAEs mobile cellular phone penetration rate has become one of the highest in The number of internet users and broadband subscribers have also risen steeply
the world
UAE Mobile Cellular Penetration Rate, 1982-2009 Comparative Mobile Cellular Subscription Rate, 2009 UAE Internet Penetration Rate, 1995-2010 UAE Fixed Broadband Internet Subscribers, 1999-2010
(per 100 people) (per 100 people) (users per 100 people) (per 100 people)
160 154 15
150
140
143
80
75
78 16
15
70 14
130
154 65 13
120
111 60 12
110 133
55 11
100 120
50 10
90 109 109 111
87 45 9
80 98
40 8
70 7
61 35
60 6
30
50 5
47 25
40 20 4
30 15 3
27
20 10 2
17
10 5 1
2
0 0 0
1982 1990 2000 2010 Korea, New Ireland Norway Switzerland Singapore United 1995 2000 2005 2010 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Rep. Zealand Arab
Emirates
Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database and International Telecommunication Union Database Data Sources: World Banks World Development Indicators Database and International Telecommunication Union Database
The new Dubai Ras Al Khaimah Start of the Dubai Al Ain International Al Maktroum International
Emirates airline Etihad Airways RAK Airways
International Airport International Airport Airshow Airport Airport
1971 1975 1976 1982 1985 1987 1989 1994 1996 2003 2005 2006 2010
The success of the countrys airline industry has exceeded Singapores in terms
of the number of departures of, and passengers carried by, registered carriers
1975 2009
1975 2009
The countrys tourism industry has also flourished, making UAE one of the
worlds leading tourist destinations
Environment
7,351
8.6
7.1
3,218
3.9
2.3
1,063
632
1975 1983 1991 1996 1998 2000 2001 2005 2007 2008 2009
80 81
74
70
68
64
59
54 55
40 39
36 35 35
33 33 34 33
31 32
30 29 31 29 30 29 31 30 31
28 29 28 29 28 29
23
17 16
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
1971 1983 1989 1992 1997 2000 2003 2007 2008 2009
The value of foreign aid extended by the UAE during the last four decades is estimated to
exceed Dh 163 billion*, making the country one of the most generous donors in the world
19
18 When other forms of
17 development assistance are
16 included, the total amounts to an
15 estimated Dh 255 billion**
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010