Arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Arrivals of tourists from abroad was 11.48 million arrivals in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates, 1995–2021
Source: UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in arrivals.
Analysis
The most recent figure for arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates is 11.48 million arrivals, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 60.2% on the previous year and down 29.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates peaked at 21.56 million arrivals in 2019 and was at its lowest, 2.31 million arrivals, in 1995.
That places United Arab Emirates 29th out of 203 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | arrivals | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 2.31 million arrivals | — |
| 1996 | 2.57 million arrivals | +11.1% |
| 1997 | 2.48 million arrivals | -3.7% |
| 1998 | 2.99 million arrivals | +20.8% |
| 1999 | 3.39 million arrivals | +13.4% |
| 2000 | 3.91 million arrivals | +15.1% |
| 2001 | 4.13 million arrivals | +5.8% |
| 2002 | 5.45 million arrivals | +31.7% |
| 2003 | 5.87 million arrivals | +7.8% |
| 2004 | 6.20 million arrivals | +5.5% |
| 2005 | 7.13 million arrivals | +15.0% |
| 2014 | 16.23 million arrivals | +127.8% |
| 2015 | 16.84 million arrivals | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 18.14 million arrivals | +7.7% |
| 2017 | 19.17 million arrivals | +5.6% |
| 2018 | 20.21 million arrivals | +5.5% |
| 2019 | 21.56 million arrivals | +6.7% |
| 2020 | 7.17 million arrivals | -66.8% |
| 2021 | 11.48 million arrivals | +60.2% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 11.48 million arrivals is above the median for high income countries, which is 3.67 million arrivals, 3.1× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 11.48 million arrivals is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2.66 million arrivals, 4.3× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +127.8% | 7.13 million arrivals | 16.23 million arrivals |
| 2020 | -66.8% | 21.56 million arrivals | 7.17 million arrivals |
| 2021 | +60.2% | 7.17 million arrivals | 11.48 million arrivals |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.75 million arrivals | 2.31 million arrivals | 3.39 million arrivals | 5 |
| 2000s | 5.45 million arrivals | 3.91 million arrivals | 7.13 million arrivals | 6 |
| 2010s | 18.69 million arrivals | 16.23 million arrivals | 21.56 million arrivals | 6 |
| 2020s | 9.32 million arrivals | 7.17 million arrivals | 11.48 million arrivals | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More reference data data for United Arab Emirates
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0407 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.4839 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0001 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1364 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0486 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0008 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates?
- Arrivals of tourists from abroad in United Arab Emirates was 11.48 million arrivals in 2021, according to UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest arrivals of tourists from abroad recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 21.56 million arrivals in 2019.
- What is the lowest arrivals of tourists from abroad recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.31 million arrivals in 1995.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for arrivals of tourists from abroad?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 29th out of 203 countries with data for 2021.
- Is arrivals of tourists from abroad rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Arrivals of tourists from abroad. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 19 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of trips by visitors who arrive from abroad and stay overnight.