The United Arab Emirates experienced a significant population increase in recent years as a result of major economic growth.

[4] As of 2020, foreigners represent 88.1% of the population,[5] the second largest proportion of expats in the world in relation to the nationals after the Vatican.

As of 2015, the largest group of non-UAE nationals are South Asian 59.4% (Indians 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, and others 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, and other 12.8%.

[6] Female citizens and non-citizens account for 28% percent of the UAE's population due to the high level of male foreign workers.

[62][63] Currently, the UAE government provides lectures and tests to obtain a driving license in Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Bengali, besides Arabic and English.