What is the population of Dubai?
Dubai's metropolitan area has about 3,478,000 people, making it the 97th largest metro area in our dataset of 140 major cities.
In United Arab Emirates · Also known as City of Gold, The Pearl of the Gulf, City of Superlatives
Metro population
3,478,000
0.042% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+2.35%
About 224 people a day
Archive estimateDensity
2,190/km²
1,588 km² metro area
City proper
3,790,000
Within the administrative boundary
GeoNamesAbout Dubai
Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, with about 3.5 million residents. Rising from a small fishing village to a global metropolis in just 50 years, Dubai is known for record-breaking architecture (Burj Khalifa), luxury shopping, and ambitious megaprojects. The city serves as a major business hub connecting East and West, with one of the world's busiest airports.
Key Facts
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Continent
- Asia
- World rank
- #97 of 140
- Share of country
- 30.2%
- Founded
- 1833
- Leadership
- Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- Elevation
- 24 m
- Coordinates
- 25.077, 55.309
- Climate
- Hot desert; extremely hot summers (45°C+); warm winters; minimal rainfall; high humidity near coast
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Dubai International AirportDXB
20 km from the city centre
- Al Maktoum International AirportDWC
25 km from the city centre
- Sharjah International AirportSHJ
35 km from the city centre
- Ras Al Khaimah International AirportRKT
87 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Dubai was a small fishing and pearl-diving village until oil was discovered in 1966. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum began transforming the city with port development and free trade zones. His son Sheikh Mohammed accelerated development with iconic projects. Unlike Abu Dhabi, Dubai diversified early away from oil, building tourism, real estate, and financial services into economic pillars.
Economy
Dubai's economy is highly diversified—oil contributes less than 1% of GDP. Tourism, real estate, aviation (Emirates airline), trade, and financial services drive the economy. The Jebel Ali Free Zone hosts thousands of international companies. Dubai is a global retail destination (Dubai Mall is one of the world's largest). The city hosts Expo 2020 (held in 2021-22) and aims to be a global tech hub.
Culture
Dubai's culture blends traditional Emirati heritage with extreme cosmopolitanism—only 15% of residents are Emiratis. The city embraces luxury, spectacle, and superlatives. Traditional souks (gold, spices) coexist with mega-malls. Ramadan is observed, and Islamic traditions are respected, but the city is liberal by Gulf standards. The dining and nightlife scene is world-class. Art Dubai and Dubai Design Week are major cultural events.
Transportation
Dubai Metro is modern and expanding. Taxis, ride-hailing (Careem/Uber), and buses serve the city. Dubai International Airport is the world's busiest for international passengers; Al Maktoum International is expanding. The city is car-centric with major highways. Water taxis cross Dubai Creek. The tram serves Marina/JBR areas.
Current Challenges
Dubai faces extreme summer heat (45°C+), making outdoor activity impossible for months. The city is entirely dependent on desalinated water and imported food. Labor conditions for migrant workers have drawn criticism. Real estate has experienced boom-bust cycles. Traffic congestion is significant. Sustainability in a desert city reliant on air conditioning and desalination is a major long-term challenge.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building)
- Palm Jumeirah (artificial island)
- Burj Al Arab (iconic hotel)
- Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain
- Dubai Marina
- Museum of the Future
- Dubai Frame
- Old Dubai (Al Fahidi district)
What Dubai Is Known For
- Burj Khalifa
- Luxury shopping
- Palm Jumeirah
- Emirates airline
- Beaches
- Tax-free shopping
Universities
- American University in Dubai
- University of Dubai
- Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Sports Teams
- Al-Wasl FC
- Shabab Al-Ahli (football)
- Dubai Capitals (cricket)
Interesting Facts
- Burj Khalifa is 828 meters tall—the world's tallest structure
- Dubai has the world's only 7-star hotel (Burj Al Arab)
- The Palm Jumeirah added 78 km of coastline
- Dubai Police have Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Bugattis in their fleet
- The Dubai Mall has over 1,200 stores and an aquarium
- Indoor skiing is available at Mall of the Emirates
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
Metropolitan population against the fifteen largest metro areas.
| Name | Metro population |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 37.4M |
| Delhi | 32.9M |
| Shanghai | 29.2M |
| São Paulo | 22.6M |
| Dhaka | 22.5M |
| Mexico City | 22.3M |
| Cairo | 22.2M |
| Mumbai | 21.7M |
| Beijing | 21.5M |
| Osaka | 19M |
| New York | 18.9M |
| Karachi | 17.1M |
| Kinshasa | 17.1M |
| Chongqing | 16.9M |
| Lagos | 15.9M |
| Dubai | 3.48M |
Population Trend in United Arab Emirates
No free source publishes metropolitan population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 74,512 |
| 1960 | 131,334 |
| 1970 | 286,536 |
| 1980 | 1,015,700 |
| 1990 | 1,898,220 |
| 2000 | 3,493,575 |
| 2010 | 6,938,363 |
| 2020 | 9,448,524 |
| 2030 | 12,190,605 |
| 2040 | 13,693,776 |
| 2050 | 15,367,392 |
| 2060 | 17,214,830 |
| 2070 | 19,334,289 |
| 2080 | 21,617,417 |
| 2090 | 23,852,867 |
| 2100 | 26,134,299 |
Other Major Cities in United Arab Emirates
1 more city in our dataset.
- Abu Dhabi1.51M · +1.85%
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities in our dataset by great-circle distance.
Dubai Population FAQ
What is the difference between Dubai's city and metro population?
About 3,790,000 people live within the city proper, while the wider metropolitan area holds roughly 3,478,000. Metro figures include surrounding commuter areas that fall outside the city's administrative boundary.
Is Dubai growing or shrinking?
Dubai is growing at +2.35% a year.
What share of United Arab Emirates's population lives in Dubai?
Dubai's metro area holds about 30.2% of United Arab Emirates's total population.
How densely populated is Dubai?
Dubai has roughly 2,190 people per km² across a metro area of about 1,588 km².
Which airports serve Dubai?
The nearest major airports are Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Sharjah International Airport (SHJ).
Which country is Dubai in?
Dubai is in United Arab Emirates, in Asia.
Explore More Cities
- #1 TokyoJapan · 37.4M · −0.14%
- #2 DelhiIndia · 32.9M · +2.78%
- #3 ShanghaiChina · 29.2M · +0.86%
- #4 São PauloBrazil · 22.6M · +0.75%
- #5 DhakaBangladesh · 22.5M · +2.89%
- #6 Mexico CityMexico · 22.3M · +0.80%