Employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Employment in agriculture vs. urban population was 1.3% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
1.3%
Change on year
down 1.0%
World rank
170th
of 186 countries
All-time high
9.3%
in 1991
All-time low
1.3%
in 2023
Years of data
33
1991–2023

Employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates, 1991–2023

2468101991200720231991: 9.3 %1992: 9.2 %1993: 9 %1994: 8.8 %1995: 8.6 %1996: 8.5 %1997: 8.5 %1998: 8.4 %1999: 8.5 %2000: 8.5 %2001: 7.9 %2002: 7.3 %2003: 6.8 %2004: 6.4 %2005: 6 %2006: 5.3 %2007: 4.8 %2008: 4.3 %2009: 3.9 %2010: 3.5 %2011: 3.3 %2012: 2.9 %2013: 2.6 %2014: 2.4 %2015: 2.1 %2016: 1.8 %2017: 1.6 %2018: 1.5 %2019: 2.2 %2020: 1.8 %2021: 1.4 %2022: 1.4 %2023: 1.3 %

Source: ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2023, employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates stood at 1.3%. That is the lowest value across all 33 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.0% on the previous year and down 49.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates peaked at 9.3% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 1.3%, in 2023.

That places United Arab Emirates 170th out of 186 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates, year by year

Annual values for Employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates, 1991 to 2023.
Year % Change
1991 9.3%
1992 9.2% -1.7%
1993 9.0% -2.2%
1994 8.8% -2.1%
1995 8.6% -2.5%
1996 8.5% -0.1%
1997 8.5% -0.4%
1998 8.4% -0.8%
1999 8.5% +0.3%
2000 8.5% +0.4%
2001 7.9% -7.2%
2002 7.3% -6.9%
2003 6.8% -6.9%
2004 6.4% -6.3%
2005 6.0% -6.7%
2006 5.3% -10.5%
2007 4.8% -11.0%
2008 4.3% -10.5%
2009 3.9% -9.4%
2010 3.5% -8.1%
2011 3.3% -8.3%
2012 2.9% -9.4%
2013 2.6% -10.3%
2014 2.4% -10.9%
2015 2.1% -12.2%
2016 1.8% -11.2%
2017 1.6% -10.8%
2018 1.5% -10.6%
2019 2.2% +53.1%
2020 1.8% -20.4%
2021 1.4% -19.9%
2022 1.4% -4.8%
2023 1.3% -1.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 8.7% 8.4% 9.3% 9
2000s 6.1% 3.9% 8.5% 10
2010s 2.4% 1.5% 3.5% 10
2020s 1.5% 1.3% 1.8% 4

Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates

  1. 167 Qatar 1.7% compare
  2. 168 United States 1.6% compare
  3. 169 Brunei 1.5% compare
  4. 171 United States Virgin Islands 1.3% compare
  5. 172 Canada 1.3% compare
  6. 173 Germany 1.2% compare

See the full ranking of 186 places →

More work & labour data for United Arab Emirates

All data for United Arab Emirates →

Frequently asked questions

What is employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates?
Employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates was 1.3% in 2023, according to ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest employment in agriculture vs. urban population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
The highest recorded value was 9.3% in 1991.
What is the lowest employment in agriculture vs. urban population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
The lowest recorded value was 1.3% in 2023.
How does United Arab Emirates rank for employment in agriculture vs. urban population?
United Arab Emirates ranks 170th out of 186 countries with data for 2023.
Is employment in agriculture vs. urban population rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
Over the last ten years it is down 49.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
The figures come from ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment in agriculture vs. urban population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Employment in agriculture vs. urban population in United Arab Emirates. Statizoid, drawing on ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 29 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/employment-in-agri-vs-urban-pop/united-arab-emirates/

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About this data

Indicator
Employment in agriculture vs. urban population
Unit
%
Source
ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
186 places, 6,134 data points, 1991–2023
Last refreshed

The share of people employed in agriculture includes working-age people with a job in farming, forestry, fishing, and related activities, including those temporarily absent.