The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced a significant drop in its birth rate over the past three decades, according to the World Fertility Report 2024 by the United Nations (UN). The report, which examines global fertility trends, reveals that the UAE’s total fertility rate has fallen from 3.76 live births per woman in 1994 to just 1.21 in 2024.
Despite this steep decline, the UN projects a slight recovery, estimating that the fertility rate could rise to 1.34 live births per woman by 2054.
Key factors behind the decline
Experts attribute the UAE’s decreasing birth rate to several socio-economic factors, including delayed marriages, demanding work schedules, and shifting family priorities. With more Emiratis and expatriates prioritizing career growth and financial stability, fewer couples are opting to have large families.
To address this demographic shift, the UAE government has launched several initiatives aimed at supporting families. The establishment of the Ministry of Family and the recent upgrade of the Ministry of Community Development to the Ministry of Community Empowerment are part of broader efforts to create a more family-friendly environment. Additionally, the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi has rolled out programs encouraging marriage and child-rearing among Emirati families.
The UAE’s declining fertility rates are in line with a broader trend observed across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Saudi Arabia, for example, saw its fertility rate drop from 5.16 in 1994 to 2.31 in 2024, with projections indicating a further decline to 1.85 by 2054. Kuwait’s fertility rate, the lowest in the region, has dropped from 3.27 to 1.51 in the same period.
Globally, fertility rates have been in steady decline, from an average of five births per woman in the 1960s to 2.2 in 2024. The UN predicts that the global fertility rate will reach 2.1—the replacement level—by 2050 and further decrease to 1.8 by 2100.
