Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates

A number of immigrants settled in the country prior to independence.^[9][10] The United Arab Emirates attracts immigrants from all over the world; this may be because UAE nationals prefer to work for the government or military.^[11][12] The country's relatively liberal society compared to some of its neighbours has attracted many global expatriates, including people from the Western nations.^[13] Many immigrants were also attracted by its tax-free status.^[14][15]

However, since the late 2010s, an influx of high-net-worth individuals has significantly increased the cost of living, especially housing and private school fees. The UAE went from being the 90th most expensive destination for expatriates in 2013 to the 31st in 2023.^[14] As a result, thousands of middle-class workers left the country.^[14] Saudi Arabia is competing with Dubai to attract these expatriates.^[16] The absence of an easy route to citizenship is another cause of emigration.^[15] Lower-paid expatriates are less affected by the local inflation as they work in manual professions such as construction and cleaning where their employers pay for their rent, electricity and transportation.^[17]

• Demographics of the United Arab Emirates
• Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates