United Arab Emirates: Labor force participation

The latest value from 2025 is 78.59 percent, an increase from 78.48 percent in 2024. In comparison, the world average is 60.86 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for the United Arab Emirates from 1990 to 2025 is 76.69 percent. The minimum value, 74.35 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 79.47 percent was recorded in 2019. See the global rankings or world map for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The labor force participation rate is the percent of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active. That includes the employed and the unemployed individuals.

Definition: Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.