The people of the UAE are descended from Arabs, Bedouins, and tribes who engaged in agriculture, fishing, or pearl diving. As a result of the oil boom that started in the 1960s, less than 50% of the current population are Arabs, and only about 20% of the population are Emirati nationals (people who can trace their lineage back to the 1930s). There are large groups of expatriates from the Indian subcontinent, other Arab countries such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iran, as well as Western expatriates of various nationalities.

The religion of the UAE is Islam, and the official language is Arabic, although most educated Emiratis speak English. Emirati men wear an ankle-length cotton robe called a "dishdasha" that is usually white in the summer and may be coloured or striped in the winter. A white or red-checked head cloth called a "ghurta" is worn on the head and held in place by a twisted, black rope called an "agal". Sheiks and other important men also wear a flowing cloak over their dishdasha edged with gold braid. Emirati women wear long, embroidered dresses called "jelebias" that cover their arms and legs. When they go out in public, the "jelebia" is covered by an ankle-length black robe called an "abbaya" and a scarf called a "shaila". Older women often wear a leather face covering called a "burgas".

Nationality:Noun: Emirati(s)
Adjective: Emirati

Population:4,621,399
Note: Estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net immigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2008 est.)

Median age:Total: 30.1 years
Male: 32 years
Female: 24.6 years (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.74 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.84 male(s)/female
Total population: 2.19 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Ethnic groups:Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%; Note: Less than 20% are UAE citizens) (1982)

Religions:Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages:Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Source: The World Factbook