Dubai’s rapid population increase is being driven less by long-term settlement and more by a steady influx of working-age residents, according to newly released demographic figures that underscore the city’s unusually youthful profile.
Data published by the Dubai Health Authority indicate that residents below the age of 35 now make up 60.4 per cent of the emirate’s population. Men account for roughly two-thirds of this age group, reflecting the continued dominance of employment-led migration patterns in the city.
Population totals reached an estimated 3.86 million in 2024, up from about 3.66 million the previous year, translating to annual growth of 5.7 per cent. The figures, cited by Emarat Al Youm, place Dubai among the world’s fastest-growing urban centres.
In numerical terms, more than 2.33 million residents are under 35, forming the core of the emirate’s labour force and its most economically active segment. This concentration supports sectors that depend on mobility, adaptability, and rapid skills deployment.
Residents aged between 35 and 59 represent 37.1 per cent of the population, or around 1.44 million people. This group occupies much of the city’s senior professional, managerial, and technical roles, providing continuity and accumulated expertise across industries.
Older age groups remain marginal by comparison. Those aged 60 and above account for just 2.5 per cent of the population, approximately 92,000 individuals. Within this bracket, close to 80,000 are between 60 and 74 years old, while slightly over 12,000 are aged 75 and above.
The age breakdown shows a pronounced peak among residents aged 30 to 34, who number nearly 695,000 and make up about 18 per cent of the total population. Men comprise more than 510,000 of this group, compared with around 184,000 women.
The next largest segment consists of residents aged 25 to 29, totalling roughly 643,000 people, or 16.5 per cent of the population.
