Population in largest city in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Population in largest city was 3.09 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in United Arab Emirates, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, population in largest city in United Arab Emirates stood at 3.09 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 28.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in United Arab Emirates peaked at 3.09 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 33,559, in 1960.
That places United Arab Emirates 64th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 43,835 | 33,559 | 61,840 | 10 |
| 1970s | 152,808 | 72,880 | 235,501 | 10 |
| 1980s | 340,750 | 254,361 | 443,562 | 10 |
| 1990s | 642,172 | 472,701 | 848,120 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.27 million | 906,971 | 1.73 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.36 million | 1.87 million | 2.83 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.99 million | 2.88 million | 3.09 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More urban development data for United Arab Emirates
- Population in the largest city 31.3% (2025)
- Population density 147.62 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 57.19 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 6.62 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in United Arab Emirates?
- Population in largest city in United Arab Emirates was 3.09 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 3.09 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 33,559 in 1960.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for population in largest city?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 64th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.